DANIELLA KRONFLE

Showing posts with label pearls. Show all posts

Hello my gems! June is almost over, but there is still some time left for pearls. Today on Dani K Style, we will delve into se subject of pearl statement rings and here are my top picks for today:

My first two, are big and bold, as a statement ring should be. If you are confused to what a statement ring is let me share with you this hilarious quote from the New York Times by way of A Way With Words:

statement ring
n.— «They call them statement rings, in the typically kooky parlance of the fashion business, as if the wearer’s hand had been asked to give a deposition. The term I personally prefer is knuckle-duster, slang that a friend came up with to describe what was once also known as a cocktail ring and worn primarily, it seemed, by women who had perhaps failed to score that more aggressive statement of arrival, a band on the left hand.» —“With One Hand Over the Top” by Guy Trebay New York Times Nov. 23, 2006.

What a funny way to put it! Bravo! However, my own description is quite simply a ring that makes a statement. Or a ring that cannot be ignored. A statement ring is not just any ring, it is the one the entire look can be built upon, or the last and final detail, the cherry on top if you will, that makes the wearer look polished, finished and ready to take over the the world.

Since June is all about pearls, I went into my studio and scanned my pearl section and these three came to mind. All of them make a statement, but the first two (above) are making it with their unusual size and exquisite beauty. The "Fleur" ring is one of my classic designs, updated by the use of a black pearls and black gold. As you know, if you are following this sort of thing, black and white is all the rage, and this ring is the perfect example that black and white can be feminine and elegant without being graphic. What is more, the "Fleur" is one of my top sellers and celebrity favorites. This year, it was worn by my lovely friend Dr. Karent Sierra to the Billboard Awards. Here is the jewelry look I created for her...

And here she is looking splendid on the red carpet with her dress by Emilio Uribe...

The second pearl statement ring, my Gigi ring, is another celebrity favorite. This ring, although floral in its motif, reminds me of that wonderful classic movie Gigi with Leslie Caron. Here are a few shots of Gigi in her famous white dress and wearing pearls.

Like the Fleur, my Gigi ring is very popular, even making an appearance in a fashion editorial a few months ago. Here are some of the shots by Ricky Cohete and Jonathan Gant. I just love how the ring completes each of these high fashion looks.

So you have have seen the first two and learned about a bit of their histories, so lets move on to the last ring, the "Ariella" statement ring. This ring is not quite as big as the rest but it still is considered a statement ring because, in black gold and champagne diamonds, it still packs a punch and commands your full attention.

Just look at the tentacle detail of the setting. Can you tell I was inspired by the sea? It is so beautiful it takes my breath away. Technically considered a solitaire, the "Ariella" is a perfect stand alone ring. With a pearl like this you might not need any more than a simple pair of diamond studs or pearls of any color. Notice that when I was designing this piece, I included the colors of the other types of pearls (black and gold) to make them easy to wear and versatile beyond belief.

Hope you enjoyed this fabulous rings and their stories. I love to design pieces that are not just decoration but have a bit of history and myth attached to them, even if it is just my own interpretation.

Don't forget that June is the month of pearls and brides. Nothing looks better on a bride than pearls and nothing says I care about your birthday like a gift of a birthstone.

Love Always

Dani K

June, the month of pearls, is going strong, so I still have a few more pearl surprises in store for you. Today I will share my insights on those rare and elusive yellow pearls, as well as my design inspiration for the Medusa necklace and earring set. Here goes...

Naturally colored by its formation in the gold-lipped oyster, the yellow pearl or South Sea Golden Pearl is said to bring wealth to the wearer. Perhaps this is true, but what we do know for sure is that the South Sea pearl's rich golden beauty does bring incredible joy. What distinguishes a South Sea golden pearl from all its other pearl counterparts is its distinct coloration.

Unlike a pure white pearl, a golden pearl exhibits a remarkable sparkling champagne tone. The effect of a golden pearl is a richer, more intricately dazzling appearance. These positively posh pearls are coveted throughout the world for their unique appearance.

Just like traditional white pearls, South Sea golden pearls can be showcased in all types of jewelry. They are also versatile enough to be the centerpiece of an unending variety of setting designs. The end result is a luxurious piece of jewelry like my Medusa necklace and earrings that will be treasured for a lifetime.

South Sea pearls, like the ones I used for the Medusa necklace and earrings, are graded for imperfections of the percentage of the surface area. South Sea pearls have a long cultivation period from 1.5 to 2 years, and therefore only few South Sea pearl are perfect and without any blemishes. This is why these pieces I have designed are very special. It is only on rare occasions, and only in fine jewelry, that you find so many matching pearls of the right size and color variation together in one piece.

When I was designing the Medusa I wanted to make sure that I could highlight this quality. It has only been a few times in my career that I have found together 15 perfectly matching South Sea pearls, so I wanted my vision to do them justice, while always respecting the materials and their history.

As for the Medusa myth and inspiration, I always have been fascinated by the Greek guardian and protector who began her story as a beautiful maiden who was then one of three Gorgon sisters who were both beautiful and terrifying. Long story short, Medusa was punished for her beauty and was turned into a snake haired monster who was later beheaded.

The Medusa myth does not end there. She was also the mother of the legendary Pegasus, and could turn men into stone with just one look. It is said that the corals of the Red Sea were spawned from her blood, and that her head became the shield of the goddess Athena.

In modern analysis, and in what I think makes her more compelling, Medusa is a feminist character who is not really used to signify malevolence but female rage and bravado. It is this facet of her myth that made me think of her for my design. The elongated golden tentacles remind me of her hair, and the combination of yellow and white gold signify the old and the new. It was my hope that like Medusa, these pieces and their wearer can make men turn to stone with just one glimpse.

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift, or simply spoiling yourself, South Sea golden pearls are the best way to get your hands on unparalleled beauty and luxury. And you don't have to travel the seven seas to find the most beautiful pearls in the world. Simply come to Daniella Kronfle Jewelry for pearls and much more. Me or other fine jewelry experts are here to provide you with everything you dream of and more!

Love Always

Dani K

When we think in terms of solitaires, speaking of jewelry of course, the image that comes to mind is that of diamonds, sapphires and even rubies and emeralds. Even though that is the popular and common imagery, there are other types of solitaires, and today I want to focus on pearls, used in these uber-chic rings, as the main focus of the piece.

Since June's birthstone is the pearl, I think it's a great idea to focus on nature's first gemstone. Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries. They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty.

It is due to their rich history and great myth that I love working with pearls. Pearls are also a great complement to all varieties of gold and diamonds as well. When I was coming up with the designs you see in this post, I was directly inspired by the sea, the legend of Neptune and made a great effort to keep this ocean and seaside quality in the execution of each piece.

The first two rings are engulfed in what I envisioned as diamond algae and coral, just like it would be if they existed alone in the bottom of the sea. I also envisioned octopus tentacles, jellyfish and other sea creatures, and the results are the two beautiful creations you see above, one in white diamonds with a spectacular white pearls solitaire, and the other in mixed colored diamonds, rhodium and a grey pearl solitaire.

My next piece is a double solitaire, one white and one black pearl. For the setting I went a more simple route, since there are two pearls instead of one. Both of these pearls are of exceptional quality so I used a simple diamond "tentacle" to highlight each of the pearl's perfection, always keeping alive the under the sea imagery, which was my inspiration in the first place.

For this ring, I used white gold and white diamonds, and like with all of my pieces, it is handmade by the world's best artisans, using the best materials available, always hand selected by me. It is this attention to detail and commitment to quality that has been important to me from day one.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, with my "under the sea" inspiration. Pearls are a great present from anyone born in June, and also quite apropos for any June bride, since they have been traditionally used in weddings for centuries as a signal of good fortune and purity. Nothing looks more classic on a bride than pearls.

Love Always

Dani K

Nothing says classic elegance more than a single strand of perfect pearls, and nothing is as timeless or a covetable as my fabulous strand of pearls finished with a "diamond pearl" shown throughout. This month is all about pearls since they are the birthstone of the lucky ones born in June. Here is some of their myth and history.

In many countries around the world, pearls have been incorporated to the mythology of almost every culture that has encountered them. What makes them so fascinating?, you might ask. Well they come from the sea for starters, which is always a source of wonder.

The mythology of pearls goes way back to the origins of history. In Hindu culture pearls represent the moon and were symbols of love and virginity. It's said Krishna discovered the first pearl and gave it to his daughter on her wedding day. Islamic tradition holds pearls in even higher esteem. In the Koran, pearls are considered one of the greatest rewards to be received in Paradise, and in Christianity, pearls are considered a symbol of purity.

People have been making jewels from pearls for centuries. They are after all, the oldest known gem. I keep the on the top of my list because due to their beauty and value, they have been able to transcend the test of time. In the 1900's pearls were so rare and valuable, that famed jeweler (and idol of mine) Jacques Cartier purchased the property for his store on Fifth Avenue by exchanging the property for two pearl necklaces.

Pearls, with their warm inner glow, have always been considered an ideal wedding gift. Sometimes, they are even used as a solitaire in an engagement ring. These lovely, lustrous gems don't only come in virginal white. Depending of where they were "made" pearls come in different colors, ready to satisfy all of my customers desires. Akoya pearls, the classic cultured pearls from Japan, are considered the most lustrous of all. They come in lovely colors such as rose, silver/white, cream, gold, and blue/gray, and are generally found in round, semi-round, baroque, and drop shapes. When it comes to size, Akoyas range between 2 and 10 millimeters, with the average pearl being 7 millimeters round.

The next type of pearl, South Sea, are the rarest and most expensive of all cultured pearls. Because they look exactly like natural pearls (you can only tell the difference by X-ray), South Sea pearls are not enhanced in any way, and are only polished to bring out their natural glow. Their most common color is white, but they are also found in silver/white, pink and gold. As far as shape, they are available in the same shapes as the Akoya, with the addition of button, ringed, semi-baroque and oval shapes. Their size ranges from 8 to 22 millimeters, with the average being 15.

Tahitian pearls, or black pearls as they are commonly known, are almost twice the size of the Akoya. These large, dark beauties are treasured for their rarity and exotic color and luster. Year after year, Tahitians increase in value, making them an amazing investment. These pearls are worshiped for their almost metallic color, which varies from light grey to dark grey. In addition to their dark color, Tahitians are favored due to their ability to display different shades of shine on their surface. The most desired are peacock and and cobalt blue colors, but aubergine, magenta, greens, golden-orange, and lemon are also available.

When purchasing pearls, I suggest you keep in mind that rose and silver/white pearls look great on fair skin, while gold and cream colored pearls look best on olive skin and darker complexions. Also remember that even though the size of a pearl does not determine its quality, it does matter when it comes to price. Because its very hard to grow a larger pearl, usually the bigger the pearl, the higher the price it will fetch. I love working with pearls and have used them since I began designing jewelry. Due to their amazing characteristics and popularity with my clientele, they are always present in my collections. A pearl can be a symbol of love or a good investment. To me, they are a spectacle of nature and a world or inspiration. 'Till next time.

Love Always
Dani K