Play it up with fun and lively jewelry. The louder the piece, the more fun you will have with it. Looking for something fun and festive for a summer party? Try some funky and fresh jewelry.

Leila Ribbed Enamel Rings are the perfect hand accessory for a fun vibe. In a variety of vibrant colors, these rings will look great with any ensemble.

For those of you who loved elephants as a child, Presh has a few fun choices of elephant-inspired jewelry. Show off your hands in a big way with the Presh Gold Elephant Ring. You might just feel unstoppable! A bit more delicate, the Presh Gold Elephant Pendant and Charm is a cute addition to any outfit.

An innovative designer, Jami Rodriguez preserves our youthfulness with a hint of sophistication. Try Jami Rodriguez Jaguar Crystal Drop Earrings for a night on the town. These funky earrings are anything but boring! Looking for a stand-out bracelet? Put on the Jami Rodriguez Bee Citrine Bracelet. You’ll be sweeter than honey AND fabulously stylish.

Wanting a fun piece of jewelry without standing out too much? Well we’ve got your piece, Ms. Timid. Don the GK Designs Live Your Dreams Necklace. With five lively charms, you can have fun in moderation as well. Presh Gold Studded Leather Bracelets are also delicate with a touch of fun, and will complete any look.

Tags: GK Designs | Jami Rodriguez | Leila | Presh

Just in! Max and Chloe now has a new category: Bridal Jewelry. Looking for the perfect piece for your perfect wedding day? Search Jewelry for the Bride at Max and Chloe. With so many beautiful pieces from which to choose, your jewelry will be the least of your worries. Concentrate on finding the perfect dress and cake. We’ll provide you with the jewels. From simple earrings by Calico Juno to gorgeous, eye-catching pieces by Brian Danielle, you will find exactly what you are looking for.

A classic wedding dilemma is bridesmaid outfits. Not sure which jewelry will go best with the cute bridesmaid dresses you chose? Check out our new Bridesmaids Gifts section. There’s no better way to thank your friends and relatives that with beautiful, timeless jewelry. Zoe Chicco personalized items are perfect for the occasion. We also recommend Leila Old Hollywood Rings as a fun gift.

Tags: Brian Danielle | bridal jewelry | Calico Juno | Leila | Zoe Chicco

We love the fall and spring lines designers produce effortlessly twice a year, but we have our reasons for falling head over heels for the resort collections too. The Resort 2009 collections are spectacular this year. It’s versatile and chic, and the abundance of lightweight fabrics are perfect for the warm weather. It’s not a stretch imagining going to a Hamptons Barbeque, a Jersey Shore bonfire, a Miami club, the casino in Vegas, a shopping trip in Quebec, or the office in any one of these beautiful Resort 2009 designs. Designers infused the runway with colorful classic and edgy designs. 3.1 Phillip Lim and Missoni took the classic shift dress and added a punch of color and a gorgeous structured pattern that added intrigue to the outfits. Marchesa’s ethereal quality on the runway was embodied in the light blue swirl maxidress pictured. The abundance of color on the runway for these shows prove our favorite designers had fun taking different color palettes, putting together unexpected color combinations on paper, and seeing their dream designs through to the end.

A splash of color in your jewelry is perfect during the summer, and taking some risks where that is concerned is always a good thing to do. The Marcia Moran Blue Quartz Ring is a sensational eye-catching cocktail ring. Whether you wear it to impress during the day or at night, the rich sapphire color of the blue quartz will look alluring along with the rest of your ensemble.

Anna Beck Set of 4 Stackable Rings is trendy and versatile; whether you’re looking for a cool silver or warm gold accent, you have the option of wearing either of the Anna Beck rings, and if you’re feeling inclined to, wear both for a beautiful contrasting effect. The Presh Gold Chain Citrine Hoop Earrings are as edgy as the new Resort designs. The classic hoop earring is reinvented with three chains spanning its interior and a citrine gemstone suspended directly into the center of the hoop. You’ll really shake things up with the gorgeous Jami Rodriguez Tangled Three Hoops Earrings. We love how the delicate hoop shape is repeated twice. The effect is a twist on both the hoop earring and the drop earring styles that’s stunning.

We love the texture of the Tracy Matthews Small Hammered Cuff. It looks great with spaghetti strap or strapless dresses, like the Ralph Lauren model’s dress. Try the Leila Floral Bangles for a fun patterned touch tonight. You can choose between the four styles and match it to your outfit of choice. The Brian Danielle Multi Stone Necklace is fantastic! The shiny luster of the pearls, and citrine, amethyst, and topaz gemstones is undeniably mouth-watering. The necklace captures the light and beautiful spirit of the Resort 2009 designs in a wonderful way.

Turn heads in all of the jewelry we’ve suggested. These phenomenal jewelry designs are perfect for this summer when your true destination is: relaxation. Go there and indulge in these Marcia Moran, Anna Beck, Presh, Jami Rodriguez, Leila, Tracy Matthews, and Brian Danielle designs. We promise you’ll have a vacation to remember!

Photos courtesy of style.com

Tags: Anna Beck | bracelets | Brian Danielle | earrings | gold jewelry | Jami Rodriguez | Leila | Marcia Moran | Necklaces | Presh | rings | Runway | Tracy Matthews

Elegance is the name of the game. The objective? Look as beautiful as possible for each and every formal occasion you may encounter this summer. Formal occasions - weddings, masquerade balls, cocktail parties - give the perfect opportunity to look gorgeous without needing an excuse. With these finds, all eyes will be on you the entire night.

Frost your neckline with a beautiful piece, such as the Jessica Elliot Gold Iron Blossom Lariat. This necklace is refined yet interesting; it will have everyone wondering where you found such a gorgeous thing! Remind all attendees that your name is one to remember with the Zoe Chicco Large Engraved Gold Rectangle necklace. This necklace and other personalized items are traditional yet very sophisticated. For cocktail parties, don the Samantha House Pearl Daggar Necklace and challenge the traditional concept of a pearl necklace. If you prefer a more modern treasure, put on the Leila Asymmetrical Open Square Necklace. With crystal accents, this necklace is unusual and quite memorable. At the end of the night, one necklace will be truly unforgettable: Lata K Illusion Eclipse Japanese Pearl Necklace. There are not enough words to convey the graceful and breathtaking nature of this necklace. Hanging daintily from your neck, you will be the stand out attendee of whichever formal occasion you may attend.

Earrings can often make or break an outfit. Putting on a dazzling pair of earrings always makes you feel beautiful. Light up your formal night with Arena CPH Barbie Silver Earrings. These are delicate and sophisticated - a wonderful addition to a gorgeous dress. Have you been looking for the perfect pair of elongated earrings? Try Calico Juno Siren Loop Earrings. Another option is Tracy Matthews Gold Kasmir Chain Earrings; these are elegant and charming. Sometimes the perfect touch can only be acquired with diamonds. In these cases, Brian Danielle Diamond Drop Earrings are the perfect earrings. Worn with a sleek cocktail dress, these earrings will make you appear to have walked straight off the red carpet.

No elegant evening apparel is complete without a sparkling bracelet hanging gracefully from your wrist. The Jessica Elliot Silver Wrought Iron Cuff is stunning. With an intricate design, it will have people looking at your wrist over and over again. For those of you with a taste for antiques and vintage jewelry, the Jill Jacobson Modern Filigree Cuff is your bracelet. The design brings nostalgia of older days but has a modern twist of crystal accents. Perhaps you prefer a delicate cuff with an original look? Slip the Melinda Maria Pod Cuff on your wrist, stand in front of a mirror and admire your reflection: you look great! A final recommendation is the Marcia Moran Oval Cuff. Simple yet ornate, this piece is so beautiful it will have everyone complimenting your appearance.

With your fingernails polished and freshly manicured, it’s absolutely necessary to show off your beautiful hands! Slip on an eye-catching ring that will have everyone looking. Try Tracy Matthews 18K Gold Stackable Rings for an ensemble of beauty, or the Brian Danielle Blue Topaz Diamond Ring as the piece that will take everyone’s breath away.

You are now ready to step into the limelight. Put on a smile and steal the night at your formal occasion. Be confident, your jewelry isn’t the only reason you look great.

Tags: Arena CPH | Brian Danielle | Calico Juno | Jessica Elliot | Jill Jacobson | Lata K | Leila | Marcia Moran | Melinda Maria | Personalized | Samantha House | Tracy Matthews | Zoe Chicco

The appeal of gold jewelry is split between its intriguing history and promising future. It was one of the first metals and elements to be discovered, and in ancient Egypt, Africa, and Asia the amount of gold royalty wore was indicative of their power. Now the gold standard is used to set the world’s currency system, and it seems as if gold jewelry is everywhere in a variety of colors.

So what’s the difference between yellow, white, and that gorgeous soft shade of rose gold? What exactly is a karat? Why is a 24K ring much more expensive than a 10k pair of gold hoops? Gold plated, gold filled, gold vermeil, solid gold…which one is going to last the longest and which one is perfect for me?

Karats

Karats describe the exact proportion of pure gold to other metals. It’s like the metric system for gold.

24k – pure gold, 24 parts gold.
18k – 75% pure gold – there are 18 parts gold to 6 parts of another metal or alloy
14k – 58.3% pure gold – there are 14 parts gold to 10 parts of another metal or alloy
10k – 41.7% pure gold – there are 10 parts gold to 14 parts of another metal or alloy

24k gold is the softest and purest type of gold you can find. It’s so soft that it’s far too delicate for the everyday use we subject our jewelry to. There are 24k yellow gold plated jewelry designs like the Leila Square Pendant and Ribbed Enamel rings that incorporate the delicate material beautifully.

Did you know 10k gold is the lowest karat designation for gold jewelry to be accepted as gold jewelry in the United States? Yet solid 10k yellow gold jewelry – the gold isn’t plated or filled – can be more expensive than jewelry with more karats of gold. For example, the value of Rebecca Norman’s pair of Large Yellow Gold Diamond Hoops isn’t solely impacted by its diamond accents; the solid 10k yellow gold hoops have increased its worth. Since 10k gold has the lowest proportion of pure gold, it’s not as soft as other karats of gold, but it’s sturdier, which opens up the possibility for the jewelry to be made with solid 10k gold.

Technique

The number of karats of gold aside, solid gold jewelry is often worth more and priced higher than gold plated, gold filled and gold vermeil jewelry. Gold plated metals contain a very thin layer of gold over metals like silver or copper. Since 24K gold is the softest and most delicate gold, it’s often applied to jewelry through the gold plating technique to protect its purity. Gold plating is a popular choice for 18k and 14k gold designs. The CC Skye Gold Bamboo Hoops and Ettika Lace Hamsa Necklace are 2 gorgeous examples of gold plated jewelry at its best. Gold vermeil is gold plated over sterling silver, and it’s stronger and more long-lasting. Look no further than the delicate Rebecca Norman Disk Necklace and the Jennifer Zeuner Kiss Necklace for gold vermeil alternatives.

Gold fill is the most durable option durable because the process involves the bonding of a thick layer of gold with heat and pressure to the surface of a strong base metal. Gold filled jewelry’s bonding is almost 10 times stronger and durable than the bonding used for gold palted and gold vermeil jewelry. The Calico Juno Raspberry Orange Chandelier Earrings and the Sonya Renee Initial Heart Disk are elegant examples of gold filled jewelry you’ll find irresistible.

Color

Gold jewelry actually comes in a variety of colors, but only yellow gold is true to the natural pure state of gold. However, when gold is mixed with other alloys and metals it can come in beautiful colors like white, rose, blue, and green gold that you’ll be hard-pressed to walk away from. The colors are determined by the percentage of each metal alloy that’s mixed with the gold. The karats in gold still apply even as colors change. 18k and 14k white gold have 75% and 58.2% gold respectively, and its color is white because it’s plated with rhodium. The Lata K Blue Sapphire Whimsy Charm Necklace is a beautiful example of an 18k white gold necklace. Rose gold jewelry designs have a dusky pink tone because of the amount of copper in the alloy. The muted colors of the M2 Design Love “V-Hoop” Earrings and GK Designs Large Rose Gold Peace Pendant make these pieces a must have for when you want to soften your look and add a touch of elegance.

Gold is a metal that’s survived the currency systems and fashion styles of many societies over hundreds of years. It’s timeless, classic, and precious. The possibilities today’s jewelry designers have created with a variety of manufacturing techniques promise that gold jewelry will continue to be reinvented for many many years.

Tags: Calico Juno | cc skye | Ettika | gold jewelry | Jennifer Zeuner | Lata K | Leila | M2 Design | Rebecca Norman | Sonya Renee