Movie of the Week: The Great Gatsby

During this exciting week of the Cannes Movie Festival, let me share with you one of the most romantic works I have ever read: The Great Gatsby. This book has fascinated all of us literature fans with its tales of the glitz and glamour of Jay Gatsby, and his efforts to win the love of his life Daisy. The book is lovely, with epic descriptions of what would be to live in Long Island, during the summer, amongst the filthy rich.

There have already been a few film adaptations of the movie, but none more ambitious that the new Baz Lurman one, currently being shown in theaters everywhere. I have already seen it and is a beautiful film that everyone can enjoy due to its universal theme. Here is Leo Di Caprio as Jay Gatsby, with his ladylove Daisy Buchanan, played by the incomparable Carrey Mulligan. She is so impossibly chic in classic pearls.

The role of dapper Nick Caraway is helmed by Tobey Macguire, looking all grown up. All three protagonists paint a beautiful scene; this is the best Di Caprio has looked in ages.

This time period of the roaring twenties, with its colorful lifestyle, flappers an beautiful art deco jewels is one of my favorites. The wonderful clothes and jewels worn by Daisy (Carrey Mulligan) are simply to die for. The jewelry was done by Tiffany's and it was fabulous. Very inspired. I'm sure this film will have many awards come next season.

Look at the gorgeous pearls and platinum and diamond "Savoy" headband. This is my favorite piece of the movie because it is convertible and you can also use it as a brooch. 

Oh to have lived in those glamorous times! When women were always chic and men were all gentlemen. In Gatsby's world there were always occasions for beautiful jewelry. I think perhaps it might have also been that there were too many!

One of my favorite pieces that I wear when I am feeling Gatsby-esque is the pearl and rock crystal convertible necklace from my private collection. 

Diamonds bursting out of a slick rock crystal ring,
on a strand of perfect white pearls.
Fitzgerald would be proud.

I am definitely channeling Daisy when I wear this out on the town. Another one of my favorite 20's inspired pieces are these diamond and blue topaz chandeliere earrings. So fab!

or these diamond and white gold art deco beauties....

Hope you enjoyed my Gatsby inspired post for today, and that you tune for more Cannes this week and the next.  I already started compiling all the pictures and trends so I can help you get the look of Cannes and so you can see who are my picks for best dressed and best jewelry. Until then...

Love Always
Dani K

The Power Of The Panther

Happy Friday my gems! For today's piece of the week, I actually have two pieces that make you roar with excitement. Without further ado here are my "Panthers in Love" rings in rose gold and white gold versions.

The beautiful rose gold version above is the first one, and come encrusted in diamonds, both champagne and white, with eyes of ruby to seal the deal.  The white gold "Panthers in Love" is also detailed in champagne and white diamonds, and its eyes are also ravishing rubies. 

This ravishing pair was inspired by one of my idols, the legendary House of Cartier, however, panthers have been in jewelry design longer that people think. When designing these pieces I researched the intriguing myth of the panther in different cultures and found that panthers are considered by most ancient cultures a symbol of ferocity and valor.  The panther is also a symbol of femininity and motherhood, and is associated with the darkness of the moon.

Panthers have long been considered mythical creatures. Of all the panthers, probably the Black Panther has the greatest mysticism associated with it. It is the symbol for the life and power of the night. It is a symbol of the feminine energies manifest upon the earth. It is often a symbol of darkness, death, and rebirth from out of it. 

When the Black Panther enters your life as a totem, or in this case a ring, it awakens the inner passions. This can manifest in unbridled expressions of baser powers and instincts, and it can also reflect an awakening of the kundalini, signaling a time of coming into or reclaiming one's own power. 

All of this panther imagery is very powerful.  I believe it does have an effect on the wearer, like a T-shirt or favorite pair of jeans that make you happy, and that is why I am inspired to work with different mythological creatures in my designs.  

I have worked a lot with serpents in the past, and they continue to be one of my most popular pieces season after season. The panther is no different, and I believe it might even reach serpent levels of popularity. After all, it was the ever popular piece by Cartier made especially for Wallis Simpson that made this creature so popular, and since then, the world cannot get its fix.  Here is a picture of her legendary panther bracelet, which has inspired countless pieces through the years, as well as these amazing rings.  

My "Panthers in Love" rings are not my only pieces with feline inspiration. In the past I have created bracelets, and earrings too, which will be shown in an upcoming post. The panther theme has always been very special to me, and has always been an important inspiration through the years I've worked as a designer.  In mythology, a panther signifies a beautiful woman fiercely guarding her young, so my "Panthers in Love" rings would actually be a great gift for a mother, or grandmother. 

Nietzsche once said that "that which does not kill us makes us stronger." It is this same idea that is awakened in the lives of those who open up to the power of the panther, and in this case, carry it around with them in their jewels. Hope you enjoyed this post on panthers and their myths; I promise I will go into the subject a bit more when I continue with my feline inspiration.

Love Always

Dani K

Papillon 2013

Happy Monday my gems! Hope you spent your weekend having fun and enjoying some relaxing times. I had a great weekend, but of course it's Monday, so I'm back to work. Thanks to my new collection, the last couple of weeks have been very productive, and I have new pieces to share with you. Today I have a fabulous and fresh version of my super popular Papillon ring.

For this season's Papillon ring I tried something a little different. In this version the delicate butterfly wings are designed in rutilated quartz , a gem credited with the power to enhance one's understanding, increase self confidence, and aid in concentration and communication. Quartz is also very powerful and is known to amplify one's psychic energies because it emits an actual electrical charge. If that is not enough, it also aids in relaxing the body and the mind, as well as helping with anxiety.

Although the rutilated quartz wings are beautiful on their own, nothing could complement them better than the champagne and canary diamonds that I chose to surround them. If you look closely you can see my intricate design, which matches that of a true papillon. Diamonds are always beautiful, and add value to a piece of jewelry. They also add powerful mythology and history.

Throughout history diamonds have been known for their extraordinary strength. Most importantly they are associated with true love and eternal commitment. They are also said to bring courage and strength to the wearer, while bringing clarity and balance to the relationship.

One motif that appears historically in art and jewelry, and consistently in my designs is the butterfly. Yes, it is a beautiful creature, but I love it because it is also one of nature's biggest holder of lore and mysticism. When I design a piece it has to not only be stunning, it also has to have meaning. The suggestion of transformation behind the butterfly is a very powerful theme, and one I love to design around. My papillon ring for 2013 is the epitome of this belief.

For ages this natural wonder has symbolized faith, transition, resurection, lightnes, soul and celebration in many cultures. In China, a butterfly means a long life. In Japan they are symbolic of marital bliss, young love or young womanhood. Germans have a very cute myth for butterflies, as they are usually found fluttering about milk pails or butter (butterfly, get it?) churns. They associate them with witches or spirits coming to have some cream, while Greeks link butterflies directly to a person's soul.

Women in general go through many changes (teen years, college, motherhood), and I think that a butterfly amulet is the perfect accompaniment to any of them. This gorgeous and symbolic ring is meant to encapsulate just that, the incredible power a woman has for transformation and change. I like to imagine that a gift like this can be symbolic of a change in someone's life, much like the little caterpillar's journey.

From caterpillar, to egg, to larvae to cocoon, the butterfly emerges with it's new, delicate wings, in full, unfurling glory. The energy it takes to change, and her acceptance of this change, is what is most amazing about this creature and why I like to include it in my designs year after year.

Love Always
Dani K

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2013

I'm a total momma's girl, so this coming Mother's Day weekend is a special one for my mom and me. My relationship with my mother Marjorie Adum is very important because she is not just my mom, but also my mentor and inspiration.

I knew I was going to be a jewelry designer at a very young age partly due to all the time we spent together in her jewelry store, Marge, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I learned so much from her, and even though we have special times together, I usually try to indulge my mother with something different on this festive day. On today's post I will show you some great gift ideas for every type of mom.

Classic Mom: If your mom is more Jackie O than Frida Kahlo, then a great choice for her would be pearls. You can either go for a traditional strand of pearls or a more modern interpretation of them. Either way, she will be thrilled to find any of these pieces in her jewelry box come Sunday morning.

The epitome of elegance:
Gorgeous convertible pearl necklace with rock crystal
and diamond pendant.  Handmade in 18k yellow gold.

A reinvented classic:
black and white pearls go modern with black gold
and pink sapphires in this beautiful design from
my Wanderlust collection.

Fashion Mom: Always a trendsetter, this mom loves to be in style. Someone who loves fashion usually loves color and unique pieces. They also are a bit more daring and don't mind that their jewelry is a little more daring or even outrageous. If your momma is into fashion, I recommend a piece in a unique gemstone such as sliced diamonds which are hot right now.

Fabulous Papillon ring in 18kt yellow gold and
sliced diamond wings.  His eyes are ruby and his body
is also made of sparkly diamonds.

Modern Mom: This is someone who appreciates a beautiful piece of jewelry but is not over the top. A piece with clean lines and a functional design is best. I like this set of beautiful earrings and ring from myWanderlust collection because they are the perfect marriage between function and form. Added bonus: these beautiful pieces can be worn alone or together creating a variety of looks for different occasions.

Sleek and chic:
Stunning black onyx earrings and ring, in rose gold,
diamonds and sapphires.

Edgy Mom: This type of mama reminds me of Angelina Jolie or Gwen Stefani. Edgy mom favors one of a kind pieces and original designs that are powerful and delicate at the same time. She shows her wild side with animal motifs and rock and roll inspired pieces and funky jewelry. If this describes your mom, I recommend this panther bracelet in 18kt pink gold and diamonds. Vavavavoom!

It's only rock and roll but I like it!
Loving this beautiful solid gold panther bracelet,
covered in diamonds, with ruby eyes, this piece
will enchant your edgiest mamacita.

If none of these describe your mom, or if you are a little confused, giving her a piece of your heart is a great way to go. This beautiful necklace below symbolizes love in a very intentional way. I designed it in Tiger's eye because it is a very versatile gemstone, suiting all skin tones and tastes.

A gift for every mom:
Gleaming diamonds surround this Tiger's eye heart,
which dangles exquisitely from a chain, handmade
in 18kt rose gold.

I hope this little guide has been helpful, at least in giving you an idea for a present. Like I said before my mother has been such a great guide for me in my business and in life, and I just don't know where I would be without her. Here's to all the mom's out there! Cheers and Happy Mother's Day!


Love Always
Dani K

Piece of the week: Perla Bracelet

One of the most stunning and unique pieces I have decided has to be the Perla bracelet. Take a look.

This fabulous piece is a fan favorite because it is a cuff style bracelet that is both classic and modern at the same time.  The handmade 18kt gold and and diamond lace make it classic with a slight vintage touch, while the sleek black pearls keep it modern and fresh. 

Like all of my jewels, this was designed thinking of my materials and the story behind the piece. It is not so easy to find ninteen perfectly matched natural black pearls, so that was a big part of the challenge. I wanted to show them off in an elegant and fashion forward way, so I approached the design with the Dani K woman in mind, someone who is feminine and strong and who is not afraid to wear this with jeans and a crisp white shirt to brunch, or who is comfortable enough to wear it out for a special date in a little black dress. 

The Perla bracelet is incredibly chic and amazingly glamourous. I have been told by my clients that it is a true show-stopper and I tend to agree.  Every time I have worn it people stop me in my tacks because they just cannot stop staring at my wrist.  I just love this piece so much I even designed it also in white pearls, but you will have to wait till later when I do a post on it since I don't have a picture of it at the moment. 

Hope you enjoyed my piece of the week, the Perla bracelet.  This is a truly one of kind piece and is still available. I think it would make an awesome present for mothers day, don't you?

Love Always,

Dani K

Bling of the Month: Emeralds

Happy May my gems! This year is going by so fast!  Why it was only yesterday when the bling of the month was garnet back in January, and now here we are already talking about one of my first loves, the always classic, always popular emerald for May.  Anyway here goes...

Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl and gets its coveted green coloring from amounts of chromium and vanadium.  Their hue can vary from yellowish green to blueish green, but only the gemstones that are a perfect medium to dark green are considered emeralds. Light-toned gems of the species are known specifically as green beryl, and also made into beautiful jewels.

But today is all about the emerald, its properties, its magic and its lore.  As far a properties goes, the emerald subscribes to same 4 C's as the diamond: cut, color, clarity and crystal. When dealing with colored gemstones, normally color is the most important property, however when it comes to emeralds both color and crystal are just as important. A fine emerald must posses not only a pure verdant green hue, but also a a high degree of transparency to be considered a top gem.

These earrings and ring I just designed are a great example of high quality emeralds. Their rich color and beautiful cut was the first inspiration when it came to creating the design.  As an artist, sometimes before I even start working I have a clear vision of a piece, but with these pieces I had a very special set of gems first and the design came later.

Their beautiful pear cut, lent itself quite nicely to create these stunning drop- shaped earrings, while at the same time, if reversed,  making for a gorgeous cocktail ring. The earrings are surrounded by white diamonds, while the post has the added surprise of being a yellow diamond solitaire.  The matching ring, which can be worn together or separate, is also surrounded by diamonds. Both pieces are set in 18kt yellow gold.


Many of the worlds most stunning beauties have worn emeralds: Liz Taylor, Maria Felix, Angelina Jolie, Anette Benning, and even Kim Kardashian. They are a timeless gemstone, and their green color is quite stunning, making it a great choice for a special occasion.  Just last week, when I had a high profile event in San Juan, I chose emerald and diamond earrings I designed a few years ago. They could literally be seen from across the room.

Emeralds and diamonds:
at the Semillas de Esperanza event at the Ritz in San Juan
with my  gorgeous friend Mari de la Cruz

Top celebrities in Emeralds

Emeralds are not just classic beauties, they also have interesting myths attached to them. The Egyptians used to burry their mummies with emeralds in their throats because they guaranteed safe passage to the underworld, while according to the Greeks, Hermes wrote the laws of the land on a tablet of pure emerald. In the Bible the Holy Grail came from an emerald.


All around the world emeralds have a played an important part in myth and folklore. They are even granted the psychic abilities of clairvoyance, and have for a longtime been a symbol of spring. To me, emeralds are a delight to work with, and knowing that they have such a rich and colorful history just adds to the magic they already posses. Hope you have a great month and celebrate with emeralds.


Love Always
Dani K

Editorial: The Gang

I love collaborating with talented people, so when Jonathan Randall Grant and Ricky Cohete asked me if I would be part of an Italian inspired photo-shoot I immediately said yes and started working on the jewelry looks. Jonathan Randall Gant is a stylist and painter from Chicago who runs the influential blog Culture Keeper, while Ricky Cohete is an Ecuadorian expat and photographer living here in Miami, who runs the very successful Dexter Magazine. The editorial was for Dexter Magazine and here is the cover shot...

Since these fabulous people and their hard working team have created a visually engaging story, I will let the photos do the talking, with only a few comments from me.  Enjoy!

I love the photo above, it is a bit melancholy and the girl in question is wearing some of my favorite pieces including the black and white diamond "Fleur" ring accented by a single white pearl. This is the same ring worn by Ana Barbara at the Latin Billboards just last week.  Great minds do think alike!

The crown is citrine, diamonds, 18kt white gold and silver and it is my design, and an important piece in my private collection. 

In the look below our model is wearing one of my signature pieces, the aquamarine and diamond cuff. Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for March. It is also the traditional gift for 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries. Since early times, it was believed that this gem could protect travelers, endow the wearer with foresight, increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is used in the treatment of anxiety, and was once believed (in the Middle ages; don't try this a home people) to reduce the effect of poisons.

She looks beautiful and the cuff is a perfect complement to her black dress. 

In the picture above our model wear my signature black diamond hoops, which are covered in black diamonds and rhodium. The contrast/non-contrast of the black on black makes for a stunning piece which is equally gorgeous worn day or night.

These images are amazing.  These talented people were able to capture the classic romanticism that is so very much a part if Italian sensibility. I lived in Italy and return every year, so this is something that I love, live and enjoy.  Here is the full credits for these wonderful shots.


Photography / Art Direction- Ricky Cohete
Styling / Art Direction- Jonathan Randall Grant
Make-up- Arlene Delgado
Models- Julio Lusav / Caroline Grillo / Maria Fernanda Cornejo / Juan Franco / Annabel Gonzalez
Clothing provided by- Claudiae / Jesus Rohena / Carroll Malloy / Velvet Horses / Haus Fashion Lab
Jewelry provided by- Vahife and Daniella Kronfle
Shoes by Mia Shoes
Hats by Allpa

Shot on location in Coral Gables, Florida
Special thanks to Mike and Diana Sheehan for hosting us,
and Emilio Uribe for bringing us so many wonderful pieces.

Love Always

Dani K