It’s Music Video Monday!

This song shouldn’t be performed in a concert hall. It should be performed in a cathedral. A big one. With lots of stained glass windows.

And you should be listening to it while wearing Relics.

Jewelry designer Tami Hichman with some of her creations.

I was able to catch up with jewelry designer Tami Hichman at a trunk show at Rebel boutique, located in ultra-hip Newport Beach shopping center Fashion Island.

We first met Tami when we covered the vintage trend here on the Bling Blog. We’ve already told you that she started Relics Jewelry as a creative outlet — something she needed in order to keep herself healthy enough to take care of her twin sons.

Well, we discovered during our chat with Tami that her penchant for design began long before she ever had twins.

When she was just a little girl, she used to love playing with her grandmother’s jewelry. It was perfect for playing dress-up — it’s easy to pretend you’re a princess when you’ve got the jewels to back it up. When her grandmother passed away, Tami inherited all of the beloved jewelry.

The selection at Tami’s trunk show.

At first, she was content to just keep it in her jewelry box and look at it from time to time. But before long, she was itching to wear it. But she was still a little too young to wear vintage jewelry without looking pretentious. And that’s when she started experimenting.

To hear more about Tami’s first foray into jewelry design, check back tomorrow!

Reverently,

Olivia

When most people think “high fashion,” they’re usually not thinking “Detroit.”

Don’t get me wrong; I don’t think it’s all bad. Detroit is home to the auto industry (hey, I drive one of those!), Motown (I love The Supremes), and the Pistons (my favorite team to boo when they play the Lakers). It’s just that Detroit isn’t the fashion capital of any place but… well… Michigan.

But first impressions can be deceiving.

In 1983, Karen Erickson, Eric Erickson, and Vicki Beamon were working with a designer for a runway show when they discovered themselves in desperate need of jewelry. Thinking fast, they threaded crystal and beads on suede and hurried their models down the runway. And so Erickson Beamon was born. They were an instant hit and they haven’t looked back since.

Since that first runway show, they’ve made custom pieces for designers from Anna Sui to Zac Posen. They remain the preferred go-to custom jeweler for many of the top design houses.

Erickson Beamon may have started with a few simple necklaces, but their empire has grown to include all other kinds of jewelry and even, in 2004, chandeliers.

Erickson Beamon Boudica Stone Necklace, $865 at net-a-porter.com.

But necklaces continue to be my sentimental favorite at Erickson Beamon. My latest love affair is the torrid fling I’m having in my dreams with this über-sexy stone piece. There’s nothing subtle about this come-hither necklace.

And I love that Erickson Beamon hasn’t forgotten the little people despite their meteoric rise to fame. On February 15, 2009, they launched a diffusion line at Target — forget about the power; FASHION TO THE PEOPLE!!!

Look out, New York: Detroit is trying to give you a run for your money.

Standing Corrected,
Olivia

It’s Music Video Monday!

Confession: I love “So You Think You Can Dance.”

I just started watching it last season, and it really captured my imagination!

I particularly enjoyed this dance performed by contestants Courtney and Mark, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. The song (”The Garden” by Mirah) has such a hypnotic beat — after listening to it, I was like, “Must. Vote. For Courtney. And Mark.”

If there were flowers growing in this dark, creepy garden, I would imagine that they’d look something like the creations in Dior Joaillerie’s Milly Carnivora line.

Clockwise from top left: Egratigna Angélique Ring, Egratigna Chipie Ring, Epinosa Verte Ring, Epinosa Vertes Earrings. Prices available upon request from dior.com.

Crafted from white gold and lacquer, they come in bright colors — a little too bright. They remind me of predatory plants that lure victims to their demise with irresistible colors. These are just the kinds of twisted blooms that would kiss… and kill.

And it totally works. I now cannot resist the urge to get one of these rings. Your wish is my command.

Out of Control,
Olivia

To watch a super-sweet video of the crafting of a Dior Joaillerie Ring, click here and then click “Collections” and “Milly Carnivora.”

I told you yesterday about how excited I am about spring, and especially about the floral jewelry that it seems to inspire.

Well, I’ve found a designer that feels exactly the same way that I do, and it shows in her work.

Meet Lydia Courteille. She resides in the fashion capital of the world: Paris, France. And she has a shop in the most fashionable of fashion districts.

I love the former antique dealer’s fanciful take on the many things that inspire her: flora, fauna, antiques. I particularly love her Secret Garden collection. It’s such a beautiful interpretation of a springtime garden. I imagine that wearing one of her creations must feel like being bathed in sunlight and kissed by the morning dew.

She has several more impressive jewelry collections (I particularly enjoy her Cabinet of Curiosities) that definitely merit your perusal. And she still deals in antiques — her collection is quite impressive.

Lydia Courteille is a talented woman with an extraordinary gift for capturing the soul of an item and then interpreting it in her own fanciful way. I hope to see more of her creations soon!

Rosily,
Olivia

They say it’s a man’s man’s man’s world. But when it comes to jewelry, we mostly see ladies ’round these parts.

That’s what makes Luis Morais’ work so refreshing.

Jewelry Designer Luis Morais.

Born and raised in Londrina, Brazil, Luis is heavily influenced by the spirituality pervading his homeland, but his designs also bear the marks of his extensive travels. He’s been all over the world, studying different cultures.

Luis Morais “Lucky Eight” Bracelet. Inspired by China’s lucky number: eight, not seven.

Morais began designing jewelry when he saw a bracelet in a magazine that caught his fancy. After many unsuccessful attempts to find and purchase the piece, he finally decided to try and make it himself. And I’d say that his last resort was much more successful than he anticipated.

Luis Morais “Seven” Bracelet Set. If you don’t know what your good luck charm is, here is a set of seven to choose from — brought together from different world cultures, to boot.

Luis Morais designs for both men and women. Many of his pieces are actually unisex. They’re a perfect balance of masculine and feminine, yin and yang, darkness and light.

This designer is a veritable wellspring of fresh designs. And I love that something so physical can still appeal to the spiritual side of your sense of style.

Spiritually,
Olivia

I talk about the “gold standard” on this blog a lot. It makes for a convenient metaphor and a clever pun all in one.

But I really hit the proverbial jackpot with this metaphor when I talk about the “Gold Coin” that sets the gold standard in the world of jewelry.

Of course, I am talking about the one and only Roberto Coin.

In 1977, Roberto Coin started a company specializing in the production of gold pieces for fine jewelry companies. By 1996, Coin realized that he could launch his own brand with his own unique vision. By 2000, Roberto Coin became the seventh most recognizable fine jewelry brand in the United States and, as of 2002, they’re the third-ranked fine jewelry company and the number one Italian jewelry brand in the world. And they say that the value of gold is steadily rising!

Roberto Coin is firmly rooted in their traditional roots. They began as a company specializing in gold, and gold of all colors still figures prominently in most of their jewelry.

The Roberto Coin Celebrations Collection.

Despite their loyalty to their original vision, they also herald creativity and imagination. I love how inventive their design is — they’re inspired by anything from everyday items to animals!

The Roberto Coin Animalier Collection. Clockwise from top left: Elephant Skin, Giraffe, Unique Pieces, Turtle.

They’re also committed to experimenting with new things — new techniques, new materials, new designs — this three-pronged approach to creation and innovation is what always keeps the brand fresh.

One of the new techniques they’ve developed is called the Cento Diamond. Most diamonds have 57 or 58 facets, but Roberto Coin Cento Diamonds have 100 facets, making them almost twice as brilliant as ordinary diamonds — and, next to a Cento Diamond, any other diamond just look ordinary.

Roberto Coin Cento Diamond Engagement Ring, $15,660 at jrdunn.com.

And most pieces are blessed with the Roberto Coin signature. If you look carefully, you will often find a tiny ruby on the inside of Roberto Coin’s jewelry, where it will be in direct contact with the wearer’s skin. This ruby is as much a part of Roberto Coin’s signature as his name. Rubies have long been thought to have mystical powers to impart peace, long life, health, and happiness.

This is Roberto Coin’s secret blessing to the women lucky enough to own a piece of his jewelry: every time they wear Roberto Coin, they will feel that ruby and know that, somewhere in the world, Roberto Coin himself is wishing them well.

Blessedly,
Olivia

Roberto Coin jewelry can be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and J.R. Dunn Jewelers.

I first discovered Abraxas Rex through their collaboration with Alexander Wang. But since then, I’ve been combing through their website, and I’ve found that their solo work holds its own!

Celebrity fan Rosario Dawson models Abraxas Rex jewelry.

Abraxas Rex was founded by artist/designer Paris Kain, and the company quickly rose in popularity. Inspired by Atlantis and by Abraxas, the Gnostic god of both darkness and light. Their design celebrates the duality of nature that we find in all living things.

Celebrity fan Beyoncé Knowles models Abraxas Rex jewelry.

Abraxas Rex jewelry is uniquely innovative, even in this world full of innovative designers. They are the first fine jewelry company to successfully use a platinum-silver alloy. And if that doesn’t put them on the cutting edge of jewelry design, then this totally does: they are the first fine jewelry company to use stones from both Earth and outer space! Space stones! What’s next? Hoverboards?

Abraxas Rex Herkimer Ring, $8,800 at barneys.com.

Abraxas Rex’s avant garde designs and cutting edge fabrication techniques keep me on the edge of my seat, with bated breath. They’ve proven that they know how to think outside the box — and in some cases, out of this world!

Universally,
Olivia

Abraxas Rex fine jewelry can be purchased at Barneys.

After weeks of dropping cryptic hints, 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner Alexander Wang finally debuted his new jewelry line along with his Fall 2009 collection.

A metal cuff from Alexander Wang’s Fall 2009 jewelry line.

Propz to Mr. Wang on rendering me speechless. I couldn’t decide: was it primal or futuristic? Was it inspired by nature or aeronautics? Was it animal, vegetable or mineral?

Either way, it’s fabulous. Designed in collaboration with Paris Kain of Abraxas Rex, the lines of this collection are sharp, but the feel is blurry. You know what it looks like, but you can’t quite put your finger on whether it reminds you of the future or the past.

Models on the runway of the Fall 2009 Alexander Wang show.

Those Woobies out there without pierced ears should rejoice: Alexander Wang’s earrings hang over the ear itself and don’t require piercings. And even though they don’t actually pierce the skin, they somehow look even more tribal than an actual piercing!

I don’t know how a designer can simultaneously remind me of cavemen and spaceships, but Alexander Wang has done it. And I don’t know what to make of it, but I think I kinda like it.

Delightfully Confused,
Olivia

Joyful, joyful, I adore thee!

I can’t help but to react with joy when I see pieces from Frey Wille’s new “Ode to Joy of Life” collection of jewelry. Featuring bright enamel mounted in either 24ct yellow gold or rhodium-plated sterling silver, these beautiful pieces make me want to burst out in song!

The “Heavenly Joy” line in this collection remind me of sunshine sparkling through the famous stained glass windows at Chartres Cathedral.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Heavenly Joy Half-Moon Pendant, $662 at freywilleusa.com.

The “Paradise Moonlight” line makes me think of the fragrant mystery of a night in Tahiti.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Paradise Moonlight DIVA Bangle, $1,395 at freywilleusa.com.

“Paradise Sunlight” must have been inspired by the sun filtering through the clouds in the Hawaiian tropics.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Paradise Sunlight Mini-Creole Earring, $1,095 at freywilleusa.com.

“Endless Love” is an homage to what some might say is the greatest thing in this life: love.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Endless Love Ring Diva, $610 at freywilleusa.com.

I love that the “Passion” line comes in two colors: red and blue. Although the shapes are abstract, they certainly evoke a sense of yearning!

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Red Passion Oblong Dress Watch, pricing upon request at freywilleusa.com.

The only problem with this collection is that I can’t decide which line I like best! This has to be the happiest a problem has ever made me.

Joyously,
Olivia

If you know Olivia, you know that she likes multitaskers. She likes watches that are necklaces. She likes brooches that are hair pins.

And now she likes rings that are two rings.

Van Cleef & Arpels Lotus “Between-the-Finger” Ring, $24,300.

Van Cleef & Arpels has a new line of rings that they call “Between-the-Finger” rings. Part of it is like a traditional ring — a metal circle designed to fit perfectly around one’s finger.

But the second part loops around the bottom of the adjoining finger, with an unexpected flower that seems to bloom right out of your very hand! Factor that with the trendilicious pavé diamonds, and you’ve got a hot new trend on your hands — literally!

I love that you get two rings in one with this fabulous piece of jewelry!

Duplicitously,
Olivia