Author: Caroline Teichner

Dirty Little Secret

When I was at a wedding about 10 years ago, I scouted a bartender who made the very best martinis. After paying her several visits and requesting an extra, extra dirty martini each time (90% olive juice, 10% vodka), she cheekily smiled at me and said with a wink, “How can someone so pretty be so . . . dirty?”

I now pose the same question to my jewelry.

Have you ever looked closely at your rings? The ones you wear every day? They’re filthy. Little bits of lotion, soap, and other detritus I don’t really want to think about get wedged into all the tiny crevices and facets. Over time this can dull their sparkle. So what can you do about it?

I’ve found several products that work wonders for cleaning my jewelry.

For sterling silver pieces, Connoisseurs Silver Jewelry Cleaner is a miracle worker that costs only $4.99 on Amazon. You submerge your most tarnished silver pieces into the magic liquid for a mere 10 seconds, and they emerge shiny and new. This is best for use with silver-only pieces, i.e., no gemstones. The only downside: it has a terrible, sulfuric odor.

For my finer pieces and jewelry with more fragile stones, I prefer to use my Bogue Systems Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner along with a capful of Blitz Gem & Jewelry Cleaner ($7 on Amazon). My Bogue model is currently unavailable on Amazon, but there are similar options available, e.g., this ($32). You set your jewelry in the machine, fill the tank with warm water and a bit of cleaning liquid, then push the button and watch as your jewelry is ultrasonically shaken free of its nastiness.

For jewelry with small nooks and crannies or filigree detail, I use the Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik ($8 on Amazon), which has a small brush applicator and dispenses a grainy cleaning paste for an extra thorough scrub. A toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol also works for hard-to-reach places.

The simplest thing you can do to keep your baubles clean is be diligent about removing your jewelry before applying lotion, soap, sunscreen, and perfume. And it’s best to store your jewelry in a closed container to protect it from dust (storage: a topic for a future post).

For the very best cleaning, visit any jeweler to have your pieces professionally steam cleaned.

There’s nothing wrong with being dirty; just don’t let dingy jewels kill your vibe.

The World is Your Oyster

Until sitting down to write this post, I genuinely believed that pearls were the birthstone for July. But not so. (It’s June.)

In any case, I love pearls. Not only are they feminine and classically beautiful, but they hold the unique distinction of being the only gemstone to come from a living creature. Whether big or small, saltwater or freshwater , white or gray, round or baroque–pearls add a touch of rich elegance to any look. (For a lesson on the many different types of pearls, check out this informative guide.)

My jewelry collection includes a lot of pearls. Exhibit A is this pair of classic studs:

They are 5 mm Japanese White Akoya saltwater cultured pearl studs set in 14k white gold. They cost less than $100, and go with absolutely everything. I highly recommend American Pearl as a source for all pearl jewelry. I purchased these studs over 10 years ago from there, and they have really stood the test of time.

Next are the vintage pearl studs I wore for my wedding ceremony. Each earring features three 8 mm pearls and three tiny rhinestones. The number “3” has always been lucky for me and my family–I even got married on 9/3/15 in part because of the numerological significance of the date, with each part a multiple of 3–so the triple-pearl style really spoke to me:

I purchased these on Etsy, but similar styles are available here ($37) and here ($2,250).

Kate Middleton inspired me to purchase this pair of 9 mm pearl drop earrings in 14k yellow gold, when she wore a kindred pair before her wedding:

Similar styles available here ($36) and here ($230).

I received this stunning six-strand pearl bracelet (which can be worn with the strands twisted or straight) as a college graduation present from my aunt:

Similar styles available here ($60) and here ($1,495).

This petite pearl ring featuring channel-set diamonds in a white gold band was a birthday gift from my parents. Pearls and diamonds make quite a lovely pair, if you ask me:

Similar styles available here ($350) and here ($1,100).

Finally, here is but a sampling of my many pearl necklaces:

The thin choker is a delicate strand of freshwater rice seed pearls in irregular, nugget shapes. Similar style available here ($85).

The center, rich ivory-colored, graduated double-strand is a vintage piece. Similar styles available here ($45) and here ($4,900).

The large faux-Tahitian-pearl strand can look overly conservative with the wrong outfit, so I prefer to pair it with less frilly tops. Similar styles available here ($48) and here ($10,000).

In closing, I ask that if you ever see me in a jewelry store, with a piece of pearl jewelry in my mouth, please trust that I am not insane, but rather am checking whether the pearls are real.

Do you have any favorite pearl pieces? Please share them with me!

Shout-out Saturday

Today I’m introducing a new feature: Shout-out Saturday, where I’ll showcase new-to-me jewelry designers that catch my eye.

The inaugural shout-out goes to Diaboli Kill, founded by Egyptian-Dominican designer Angie Marei. This brand, which is self-described as “the darker side of luxury,” has been worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna. Check out some of these sinister, provocative, and seriously luxe (or “luxe-noir,” as Marei calls them) pieces:

Damian Brevis Horn Ring in Yellow Gold (starts at $450)
Isadora 18k Gold Spiked Ear Cuff w Garnet Gemstones ($1,250)
Aphrodite Amethyst Amulet Pendant Necklace in Yellow Gold ($2,250)
Pythia Serpent Diamond Cuff Bracelet in Black Gold ($5,500)

Read more about Angie Marei in this 2015 interview.

Support Black-owned businesses!

Happy Saturday.

Inspiration Icon: Tinsley

When I’m not working, sleeping, or tending to the needs of a child, there’s a good chance I’m watching Bravo. I’m a super fan, especially of The Real Housewives of [fill in the blank]. Watching all those shows, I can’t help but be influenced by the women’s dazzling jewels (not to mention their clothes, handbags, summer homes, vacation destinations, etc.). So I often find myself buying pieces that are clearly inspired by their looks.

Today’s Inspiration IconTM is Tinsley Mortimer, NYC-socialite-turned-Palm-Beach-jailbird-turned-Real-Housewife-of-NYC-turned-Chicagoan-and-Future-Queen-to-the-CouponCabin-King. She’s uber feminine in her dress, but often chooses jewelry of the heavy-metal variety. Like, literally heavy. Stacks of bangles, giant watches, over-sized hoops. She favors yellow gold, and is never without an impeccable manicure.

One of Tins’ defining pieces is a gold chain that she wears either alone, typically as a lariat (see below), or layered with other pendants. I did some research* and learned that the real deal is made by Faraone Mennella and retails for $5,600. So, needless to say, out of my budget.

*The very best source I’ve found for intel on the brands of the Housewives’ clothing and jewels is a website called BigBlondeHair.com. I also follow them on LIKEtoKNOW.it.

My inspired-by necklace came from Nordstrom Rack and cost less than $30. I think the variation in the size and shape of the links nicely emulates Tinsley’s piece:

I found these other necklaces online that achieve the same look for less:

Nine times out of ten, Tins is also wearing some version of gold hoops, like these Bianca 2.5″ hoops from Jennifer Zeuner ($242):

Or these Dream 2″ hoops, also from Jennifer Zeuner ($198-660):

Or these Carmine 2″ hoops from–you guessed it–Jennifer Zeuner ($220) (noticing a pattern here?):

I scored this inspired-by pair from Gorjana for $60. These Chloe Hoops are no longer available on Gorjana.com, but I found them at various other online retailers, including Amazon and this random boutique in Texas. I wear these earrings all the time. They’re a beautiful rich gold that doesn’t look chintzy and they have a nice heft. They add a “California cool” vibe to any look:

  • The Chloe Hoops.
  • Me wearing the hoops, with my
    matching baby .

Finally, Tinsley always has a forearm loaded with bangles, paired with a flashy watch. I personally couldn’t tolerate that much wrist weight all day (in fact, one of the first things I do when I sit down at my computer to work is remove all jewelry from my wrists and fingers). But it sure looks lux on her:

Sorry for the unflattering pic, Tins.

It appears she has on at least two Cartier Love bracelets, a Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet, and a diamond tennis bracelet, not to mention that blinged-out watch.

I achieved this inspired-by look with three mixed-metal bracelets from Henri Bendel and my “vintage” Michael Kors gold bracelet watch:

Sadly, Henri Bendel recently went out of business (they had the best jewelry!), but there’s a ton of HB stuff still available on Poshmark, including the rivet cuff I’m wearing in this pic.

Here are some other affordable bracelets I found online that would layer nicely with a watch:

I think about what I’d say if I ever ran into Tinsley on the streets of Chicago. “Love your look!” Or maybe “Killer jewelry!” Or more likely I’d panic and trip up a curb or something. Better to stay a fan from a distance.

Turkish Delight

During a 2008 family vacation in Istanbul, Turkey, I purchased this majestic, antique ring at the Grand Bazaar:

It features roughly cut diamonds of varying colors set in a blackened-metal crown with a tapered rose gold band. What I love so much about this piece is that, in its beauty, it is rough and imperfect and mysterious. This is no fussy diamond ring; this is a ring that has really lived.

Buying this ring was an unforgettable experience, and the memories of that day came flooding back to me recently, for reasons I’ll explain below.

One of the defining experiences of visiting the Grand Bazaar is haggling with its spirited vendors. You are all but laughed off the premises if you pay the initial asking price for anything. When it came time to negotiate the price of this ring, young Caroline–not yet the seasoned lawyer of today–was apprehensive and probably tripping over my words, failing to convey that believable “we-will-walk-away-from-this-purchase-right-now” energy. I can imagine my dad stepped in at some point to play hardball when it became clear I was in over my head. He must have said something about the less-than-perfect quality of the diamonds (which is actually the source of their charm, see above), because the next thing we knew, the salesman brought out his Hail Mary sales tool: “The Diamond Detector.”

It was a small machine featuring a dial with red and green markings and an attached metal rod. When he pressed the rod tip to the stones, the dial needle shot to green and a cheerful beep was heard. “See, diamonds detected!” he said, gleefully.

This machine seemed so impossibly simple, so far-fetched as an actual scientific instrument, that we didn’t know how to argue with its results. I bought the ring, never really knowing with absolute certainty if the diamonds are real. In the end, it didn’t really matter.

Fast forward to this past fall. I began purging my home of things I no longer used or loved, including jewelry. I listed a vintage ring with diamond accents on the Facebook marketplace, and was super excited when a prospective buyer pinged me almost immediately to see the piece in person.

We met in a nearby parking lot to do the exchange. Standing between our respective cars, hidden from view, it felt like a drug deal. “You got the ring?” He whispered. “Yeah, I got it right here,” I said, discreetly pulling the box out of my jacket pocket. “There’s one thing I gotta do first before I give you the money,” he said. And with that, he pulled a diamond detector machine out of his pocket to test the stones. I wanted to laugh–thinking about that day many years ago in the Grand Bazaar–but also instantly got nervous, wondering if my ring might be exposed as a fake. He pressed the rod to the ring, and it beeped. His face didn’t reveal whether it was a good beep or a bad beep. But it must have been good, because before I knew it, there was a stack of cash in my hand, and he was gone.

Diamonds detected, indeed.

Here are some rings with a similar look:

Brilliant Earth, Morganite Lotus Flower Ring ($2,400):

Victorian 0.97 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Engagement Ring ($5,250), available at 1stdibs.com:

Jessica McCormack, Oval Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring (price available upon request):

Edwardian Sparkling Diamond Daisy Ring ($2,530.50):

Sundance, Vintage Rose Ring ($1,100):

Origins: Fruit of Jewels

What is it about jewelry that is so captivating and magical? For me, the intrigue is multi-faceted (wink wink).

First, the impulse to decorate our bodies with treasures from the earth is as old as mankind. We are innately driven to bejewel ourselves. Jewelry has never lost its allure, despite hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution. It transcends cultures, geography, socioeconomic class. Everyone, everywhere, wears it.

Second, wearing certain jewelry instantly puts me in a different frame of mind. Makes me feel cooler, more sophisticated, edgier, more bohemian. Clothes only go so far; the jewelry is the seasoning in the dish that brings the other flavors together and makes you kiss your fingers and say “mwah . . . delicious.”

Finally, the fact that gemstones–in all their glorious colors, sizes, and shapes–come from inside the earth is miraculous and, frankly, insane. These are rocks, people!

Shel Silverstein painted a vivid picture when he described the “fruit of jewels” in his poem, “The Garden”:

Ol’ man Simon, planted a diamond, 
Grew hisself a garden the likes of none.
Sprouts all growin’, comin’ up glowin’,
Fruit of jewels all shinin’ in the sun.
Colors of the rainbow,
See the sun and rain grow
Sapphires and rubies on ivory vines, 
Grapes of jade, just
Ripenin’ in the shade, just
Ready for the squeezin’ into green jade wine.
Pure gold corn there,
Blowin’ in the warm air,
Ol’ crow nibblin’ on the amnythyst seeds.
In between the diamonds, ol’ man Simon
Crawls about pullin’ out platinum weeds.
Pink pearl berries,
All you can carry,
Put ’em in a bushel and
Haul ’em into town.
Up in the tree there’s
Opal nuts and gold pears–
Hurry quick, take a stick
And shake some down.
Take a silver tater,
Emerald tomater,
Fresh plump coral melons
Hangin’ in reach.
Ol’ man Simon,
Diggin’ in his diamonds,
Stops and rests and dreams about
One…real…peach.

Unlike Ol’ man Simon, I’m not yet so inundated with jewels that I take them for granted. But I do appreciate the imagery of jewels as fruit, because they are so luscious, vibrant, and varied. Nature’s most glamorous bounty!

Stacks of Stacks

There are few things I adore more in the jewelry realm than ring stacks. I love the freedom to mix and match ring styles, metals, stone colors, and proportions. I love how well-curated stacks convey such a commanding presence on the hand. To me, bold ring stacks manifest luxury and power. Some nights, when I’m sitting in my daughter’s nursery rocking her to sleep, I run Google image searches of “ring stacks on fingers” and flip through a million photos. Is that odd? Maybe, but I trust this is a safe space for sharing.

Now that we’ve established I’m a Stack StalkerTM, let’s explore some of my personal favorites.

The Ruby Rose

I consider this first pairing to be my most successful stacking accomplishment to date. It brings together rings of several different geometries, metals, textures, and price points. Red is not a color I wear in clothes very often, but I love the fire and passion of this central ruby and how the bold color brings some spice to my otherwise temperate hand:

The higher the stack, the closer to God.

The two rose gold pavé bands with diamonds are both from Noémie, an excellent resource for ethically sourced, beautiful, and affordable diamond jewelry (and their online orders are delivered the next day). See here and here.

The asscher-cut ruby solitaire ring in rose gold was a custom design from a Michigan-based jeweler I found on Etsy. Similar pieces available here and here.

The octagonal black rhodium and ruby band is an unusual and edgy piece by jewelry designer Stephen Webster.

The twisted rose gold band is also from Etsy.

The Jewel Tones

This stack came pre-assembled by my trusty gal pal Kendra Scott. I love the earthy jewel tones and interstitial spiky bands that give the gemstones room to breath:

This one has always had a medieval vibe to me.

The Playful Pairs

I purchased this Swarovski mini-stack on a vacation in Italy. I normally like my stacks to feature an odd number of rings for balance, but there’s something so clean and feminine about this petite duo, which features black and pale pink faceted solitaires:

Don’t judge a ring stack by the hand that wears it.

Here’s another twosome I purchased at Art Effect, a local boutique in Chicago:

Definitely reminiscent of the pricier Ippolita Rock Candy line.

The Wedding Set

What would a post on ring stacks be without featuring my wedding set? I opted for two platinum pavé eternity bands–one with a simple circle motif and the other more fanciful–to surround the thin pavé band of my engagement ring, all from Steve Quick in Chicago (I highly recommend them for all fine jewelry needs – they are wonderful!):

The one downside of eternity bands is they aren’t easy to resize when fingers swell during pregnancy/summer.

Though I can’t claim it as my own, my friend Isabelle’s wedding stack is to die for. The beauty of her set is that any one of the rings makes an impact on its own, but they also look stunning together:

Isabelle’s covetable wedding stack.

The Aspirations

Jewelry designer Spinelli Kilcollin has a line of Galaxy Rings that feature multiple bands interconnected by smaller rings. The rings can be worn stacked or spread across multiple fingers. There are many options ranging from more affordable (with less sparkle, of course) to out-of-this-world pricey, but all are dazzling. I love the mixed-metal Vega SG style most of all (starting at $4,800):

Finally, if you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I’m a huge fan of UK-based jewelry designer Jessica McCormack. Her Instagram is chock FULL of drool-inducing stacks, e.g.:

Now it’s your turn to go forth and experiment. If you’re nervous to build your own stack from scratch, look for pre-arranged sets like these at various price points:

For further tips on how to perfectly stack your rings, check out these helpful guides.

How does your stack stack-up against the rest? Share your favorite stacks with me! My appetite for stacks is insatiable!

Rivière

This stunner really lives up to its glamorous French name. “Rivière” describes a style of necklace “comprised of gemstones of the same species that are all the same size and shape or graduate smoothly in size.” It first became popular during the Georgian Period in the mid-18th century (thanks, Antique Jewelry University!). You may also hear this described as a “tennis necklace”:

Aimes-tu ma rivière?

I purchased this gorgeous piece on eBay for under $75 after winning my first and only bidding war–that’s how serious I was about owning it. It’s made of rhinestones and blackened sterling silver, although from the way it sparkles, you might mistake it for diamonds. I chose not to polish the silver because I like how the dark tarnish sets off the shiny white stones.

This piece is quite dressy, but I always intend to wear it with sweaters and more casual tops. I was inspired by the Italian fashion blogger, Chiara Ferragni, who wears her sparkly rivière strand with even the most relaxed outfits. (As an aside: I was first introduced to Chiari when watching the new Amazon Prime fashion competition show called “Making the Cut” with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Worth a watch!) The contrast between her glamorous jewels and athleisure conveys an enviable coolness.

If I had the means to splurge on a diamond rivière, I would invest in the Moonshine Diamond Necklace by my all-time favorite jewelry designer, UK-based Jessica McCormack. I adore the playful half-moon shape of the stones against the blackened gold settings with the contrasting yellow gold clasp:

“Price available upon request,” which means it’s very expensive.

(If I may toot my own horn, I think the rivière I found is quite a good substitute at a fraction of the price.)

You can find rivière necklaces featuring every type of stone imaginable. Anna Wintour has adopted as her signature look (in addition to the dark sunglasses, severe bob, and RBF) layered gemstone rivières in rainbow colors.

Anna Wintour, the Queen of multi-colored, layered rivières.

They also make frequent appearances on the red carpet:

I love the simplicity, satisfying symmetry, and stunning sparkle of these necklaces. They instantly elevate and add polish to any outfit. Because they’re generally a shorter length, they also layer well with other rivières or longer pendants.

If you’re in the market for a rivière of your vèry own, check out these beauties at various price points:

Send me pics of your favorite rivières! What would you pair them with?

*Berricle is an excellent resource for affordable CZ jewelry. I’ve purchased many quality pieces from here.