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Designer Spotlight: Elisa Solomon
In my job covering the fashion side of jewelry for National Jeweler, I see more than my fair share of pieces so it's always a pleasure to come across designs that stand out and show a unique perspective. The latest...
In my job covering the fashion side of jewelry for National Jeweler, I see more than my fair share of pieces so it's always a pleasure to come across designs that stand out and show a unique perspective.
The latest fine jewelry designer to catch my earnest eye: Elisa Solomon. The New York City-based designer, who launched her first collection in 2004, juxtaposes sterling silver and 18-karat gold with precious and semiprecious stones and beads to create a look that's organic and luxe at the same time.
Check out this bracelet below, one of my favorites from the line, and one that I think perfectly sums up Elisa's aesthetic, which is influenced by a combination of The Sixties and Native American spirituality.
I love how the bracelet combines fine gold and cut gemstones with beads that look like they've just been unearthed. These "ancient beads," as Elisa calls them, are hundreds of years old and most are Djenne beads, a type of bead that is found in Africa. They are primarily made of glass, but the designer also uses carnelian, coral and chalcedony versions. "We fell in love with the way that they age," Elisa told me in a phone conversion earlier this week. "They have a really unique look when combined with gold and metal."
The bracelet features small gold bands reminiscent of this ring above. Called the "Tie Dye" band, the 18-karat gold ring is set with multicolor precious and semiprecious stones, and is one of Elisa's most popular pieces. "It's a nice mix of bohemian, crafty and luxurious," Elisa said.
The bracelet and Tie Dye band retail for $2,400 and $1,090, respectively.
Scroll below for a few more of my favorites and visit the designer's Web site, ElisaSolomon.com, for even more.
Above: I'm a sucker for tiny pendant necklaces, and this 18-karat yellow gold heart halves necklace is no exception. Featuring white opal, and blue and pink sapphire, it retails for $1,230.
Above: A great stacking piece, this sterling silver ring features a fun detail: a moveable arrow. It retails for $45.
Above: Studs are major fashion dos right now. These 18-karat yellow gold "Newflower" earrings feature black and colorless diamonds and retail for $310.
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