jewelry Archives - LAFashionsnob.com

The Art of Anjolee Jewelry

May 13 2019

Ever wonder where the origination of the diamond tennis bracelet came from? Los Angeles-based jewelry manufacturer Anjolee takes that recognition. The company was first launched in the 1960s in New York City. It was then that the founder created his jewelry designs, while also creating relationships with leading wholesalers and retailers; thus paving the way for the company’s expansion. In 1977, he decided to incorporate and relocate the company to Los Angeles. The ever-growing company then relocated to Chula Vista in 1997, and that was when family members began to pitch in and lend a hand to the brand’s continued growth. The company then established an e-commerce branch that catered to the public in 2007, when it was then that the ‘Anjolee’ name was conceived. The name was chosen as an inspiration for the founder’s two nephews’ mother. They used ‘angel’ with her first name ‘Lee,’ then added the French word ‘jolie’ but altered it to be ‘jolee.’

Anjolee strives in putting the customer first. Their individualized customer service is what sets them apart from other brands. Each piece of jewelry is made to order, with the customer being able to utilize the multiple design options on the website. They are also dedicated in using green manufacturing, as well as having eco-friendly facilities.

I recently had the chance to experience the process of designing either a diamond ring or gemstone ring through the website. I chose the gemstone ring because I love a little pop of color on my jewelry. I was able to choose to sort through designs by: popularity, price, stone shape, setting type, and total carat weight. Once I was set on a design, I could then choose the gemstone, ring size, metal type, carat weight, diamond quality, and if I want any additional options. Once I have the ring to my liking, I was able to see a 360-degree rendering, as well as a rendering with the ring on a hand. They make the designing and buying process a breeze.

The ring arrived in a blue box with padded interior. The ring box was cushioned nicely in the middle of the box’s interior. When I opened the ring box, a single light illuminated the ring in all its’ glory. I think that that was an innovative touch, and something I haven’t seen from other brands.

I have been compensated for this post, however, all opinions are my own.

Sally Bass Jewelry – Taking Wearable Art to the Next Level

Apr 03 2016

On my recent trip to the antique shows in Round Top, TX, I was introduced to the amazingly talented Sally Bass of Sally Bass Jewelry. She was vending at the Arbor International Antiques and Interior Design Show, where I help out with social media sometimes.

When I stepped into the booth, I was literally “jaw-dropping” over every display. Jewelry created with chunky beading, bakelite, large found objects (including a vintage child’s tea set and a wooden elephant head)…let’s just say, my creative senses were going crazy with all the colorful visual stimulation! Sally and her granddaughter, Azuri were working the booth and were just a delight to chat with.

Sally was born and raised in East Africa and has also lived in the U.K. and Australia, before heading to California. It was in California that she fell in love with creating unique statement jewelry that she has been doing full-time for around 14 years now. She officially launched her brand about 15 years ago. She loves what she does and is grateful that it has been able to provide a living for her all those years.

Throughout the years, she has done a lot of traveling to find components. “Anything that I love, I buy, take home, and make something wonderful out of it.” With that thought in mind, she creates wearable art with a mixture of vintage, antique and contemporary mediums. “I marry different cultures and eras… I’m not a purist. If I like it and can make it work, that’s all that matters to me.” I admire how Sally thinks out of the box when it comes to not adhering to the ‘industry standard.’ “I don’t think you can box in creativity.”

Sally has an immense passion for Bakelite. She’ll take it to carvers in Indonesia and have the carve an antler or whatnot and have it set in sterling, then brings it back to be sold. So, along with working with timeless Bakelite, she also has a penchant for finding small unique antiquities, such as 18th Century mother-of-pearl gaming pieces that were hand-carved and etched in Hong Kong for the British. But Sally doesn’t really care what it is, as long as she loves it. “I can pick up a piece of driftwood that I think has great shape and take it home and use it.”

Sally now calls Tucson, AZ home, as she feels like it’s an artistic and gentle place to be. She says she wants to step back and not be on the road so much; instead focusing more on optimizing her website and Facebook.

Bulgari's "130 Years of Masterpieces" Exhibit

Jun 01 2014

“The only Italian word Elizabeth {Taylor} knows in Italian is Bulgari.”
-Richard Burton

I first want to thank Shalanda of Live Life in Style for inviting me to this truly magical {press preview} of this exhibit, which celebrated legendary jewelry brand-Bulgari and their 130 years of jeweled masterpieces. The exhibit is being hosted by the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) Before the start of the preview, we were treated to a welcoming reception, complete with coffee and light bites. We then were introduced and officially welcomed by Joel A. Bartsch- president of HMNS and CEO of Bulgari- Jean-Christophe Babin.

“Because the Houston Museum of Natural Science is home to one of the finest collections of natural gem crystals in the world, I have a deep appreciation for the quality and diversity of the gems that Bulgari uses when creating their jeweled masterpieces. Equal parts art and science, historic and modern, Bulgari not only pays homage to the great masters of the past, they also continuously push the envelope in jewelry design and cutting-edge technology into the future when so many others are content to merely rest on their laurels,”Joel stated.

We were then given a tour of the exhibit, stopping by each piece and listening to its provenance, or source of origin. We saw gems that dated from the company’s beginning in Rome in 1884 to the present. Portions of the exhibit include stunning jewels from the collection of Elizabeth Taylor and either belonged to or were worn by Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Jennifer Aniston, Claudia Schiffer, Keira Knightley, Elizabeth Hurley, Rachel Weisz, Meryl Streep and others. Two of Houston’s own icons- Lynn Wyatt and Joanne King Herring- also have diamonds and gems from their collections in the exhibit. I was so fascinated in seeing examples of each of Bulgari’s timeless collections (such as the Serpente and Monete collections) because they are a piece of fashion history and VINTAGE! It was interesting hearing the company’s history and how it has grown and evolved over the decades. To also momentarily step into the shoes of the iconic women and hear their tales of wearing the legendary Bulgari ornaments. If you are a fan of jewelry and love learning about the history of anything fashion, you’ll definitely enjoy this exhibit.

“You cannot simply live on past glories: that’s foolish. To be a success, you have to combine the worlds of the past, present and future. That is the challenge, and there are many horizons.”
– Nicola Bulgari

“BULGARI: 130 Years of Masterpieces” exhibit runs from May 2, 2014- October 5, 2014.

Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030

Hours: 9am- 5pm

To purcase tickets, go to the website or call: 713-639-4629. For group tickets, contact Martine Kaye, Director of Corporate Sales, via email: mkaye@hmns.org or 713-639-4768.

Tag - jewelry