Gerard Yosca Wood Beaded Drop Necklace in Turquoise from the Green Label Diffusion Line, $50 Retail

Gerard Yosca Triple Drop Crystal Earrings, $175 Retail

The Jewelry of Gerard Yosca

Gerard Yosca’s designs successfully meld an astonishing array of materials into a cohesive design theme each season: enamels, candy-colored faceted beads, wood, exotic stones, vintage charms and much more all come together to create wearable sculptures. All of his designs are made with care in New York City, a relative rarity in fashion jewelry these days. His design room is a playground of amazing raw materials all laid out in experimental combinations to get the look of each piece just right. (For a wonderful glimpse into Gerard’s studio and persona, check out this Unracked video interview of Gerard, sponsored by Gilt Groupe). This individual focus and intense concern for the design process shows throughout the whole collection.

Gerard Yosca Cherry Red Bangle Bracelet Set, $112 Retail

Did I mention that his designs are also exceptionally well-priced? It is not easy to find beautifully designed jewelry that is made well, domestically no less, from $75 to $600 retail. Gerard’s pieces are going to represent investments of the BEST workmanship available at their respective price points.

Gerard Yosca 75-Inch Pearl and Rhinestone Necklace from the Green Label Diffusion Line, $98 Retail

The Gerard Yosca Interview

idazzle: Your background in fashion design really shows in your designs. How did you originally discover jewelry design and what inspired you to make the switch?
Gerard Yosca: I actually have a graphic design and advertising background but loved fashion so much that I decided to switch industries. When reality struck, it was much easier to figure out how to make jewelry than how to drape and sew a garment.

Gerard Yosca Gold Wire Crystal Ring, $78 Retail

You design an array of jewelry categories: brooches, fabulous statement necklaces, dramatic cuffs. Is there a particular kind of jewelry that lets you be really free with your design process?
Brooches- they’re like little sculptures.

Gerard Yosca Rhinestone and Brass Disc Earring, $145 Retail

How do you arrive at your “theme” or direction each season?
It usually stems from what I’m looking for in my personal life. The change from complicated to homier food. The sudden desire for a bright colored sweater. These changes indicate a shift to what’s next. I’ve learned how valuable it is to take cues from what’s going on in my world.

Gerard Yosca Wood Beaded Necklace in Pink, $50 Retail

How would you describe the signature, underlying essence that is Gerard Yosca jewelry year after year, even as trends cycle through?
Every piece has a handcrafted look. You can really see this it is not mass-produced. There is also a strong point of view and personality to each collection. Color is another signature. I love some pretty nutty color combinations.

Classic Gerard Yosca Jewelry from Previous Collections, from Archive Photos

You have designed runway jewelry for some amazing fashion designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, and Nanette Lepore. Are you currently working on any interesting collaborations with fashion designers? If you can’t tell us about your current projects, what’s a recent collaboration that was really memorable?
When I collaborate with another designer I really love to put my heart and soul into the design process. Right now I’m putting all my focus into my signature collection, which doesn’t leave much time for anything else.

Gerard Yosca Turquoise Sunburst Chandelier Earrings, $145 Retail

You sell primarily through small specialty retailers. What are the benefits for collectors to buy through these retailers?
The retailers know what their customers own and what they might like. Often our buyers will mention customers by name, and tell me which of my pieces they’ve purchased. I love that relationship.

Gerard Yosca Wood and Crystal Drop Earring, $135 Retail

Can you tell us about your book?
My book is a project I have not yet found the time to start. But it will show 27 years of jewelry made by someone who knew nothing when he started and who thinks he may be finally getting the hang of it. I hope it might inspire someone to take a chance on a foolhardy career. If you’re passionate and love what you’re doing, you can make a life out of it.

Beautifully said! I look forward to hearing more about the book, and hope that your words inspire some fledgling designer to take the plunge! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

You can find Gerard’s jewelry in a variety of local boutiques around the country, email his studio here to get more information. You can also find his designs online at retailer Charm&Chain. Also, it’s only appropriate that his amazing, downtown styles frequently appear–and steal the scene–on Gossip Girl! I hope that you have a chance to see his designs in person, and maybe I’ll see a few gorgeous necklaces and bracelets on friends this season!

The Designer Himself, Gerard Yosca

View this post on idazzle.com: Jewelry Designer Spotlight: Gerard Yosca Interview

If you share my enthusiasm (or obsession, as the case may be), Alexandria Rossoff is a name you should know. Besides being an exceptionally regal name, the namesake is also the proprietor of a beautiful boutique full of estate jewels in downtown Seattle, WA.

Alex (I think I can call her Alex) has been involved in jewelry since college, when she was taking jewelry-fabricating classes while pursuing her degree in Geology and Environmental science. She went on to work for several years at Fox’s Gem Shop, a Seattle independent jeweler known for its beautiful jewelry and integrity, where she became the resident estate jewelry expert. While working in the industry, she earned the prestigious title (among others) of Certified Gemologist Appraiser from the American Gem Society, as well as her Graduate Gemologist title from GIA.

Lovely Estate Enamel, 18k Gold and Pearl Brooch, Alexandria Rossoff

Alex opened her own salon in 1999 (celebrating their 10th Anniversary this October of 2009!), where she has a treasure trove of amazing vintage pieces. Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco or Art Nouveau, there are incredible examples of all of those periods and more (click here for a great tutorial on period style descriptions). I have been in to the store, and I love her aesthetic. She manages to find the most appealing examples of those design eras, and they are in excellent condition. Of course, she has to attend her share of important jewelry auctions and travel the world for this kind of inventory. I know, what a drag, huh?

Coveting a lovely vintage engagement ring? This is just one example from her collection:

Retro Era Platinum Engagement Ring with app .70 ct center, Alexandria Rossoff

This pretty cuff would be perfect as a very up-to-date accessory, and with a price under $500, it’s a worthy vintage investment:

Circa 1885 English Silver Bracelet with Knobbed Sides From Alexandria Rossoff

And finally, this 5.33 carat Asscher Cut is incredibly rare and amazing. I want:

Incredible 5.33 ct Asscher Cut Ring, Alexandria Rossoff

Buying a piece of estate jewelry means more than just purchasing something. You are buying a piece of history and beginning your own “collection”. Careful though, it’s addicting.

If you are interested in any of the pieces featured, or looking for Antique or Estate jewelry you should definitely look up Alexandria Rossoff. You can ring her her at 206-381-3949, ping her at info@alexandriarossoff.com, or visit her jewel-box of a store at 402 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101. It’s worth it.

View this post on idazzle.com: Great Estate: Vintage Jewels in Seattle

Handmade

Here’s a hand-made charm piece on Etsy:

Charm Brooch from Montgomery Crystal Co on Etsy, $125 Retail

Flora and Fauna

Nature-inspired pieces from designers like Silver Seasons, Catherine Weitzman, and Alexis Bittar at The Clay Pot:

Alexis Bittar Large Lucite Begonia Pin, $416 Retail

Or how about this Miriam Haskell Shell Pin from Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow, or Steal). Bonus: if you don’t want to buy it, you can just borrow it for a while through their site:

Miriam Haskell Shell Pin From Avelle, $300 Retail, Now $195, or $17/Week

Vintage

I found a great site with an incredible collection of vintage and antique brooches at Fabulous Facets. They have a lot of amazing brooches, so check out the whole collection (the images also don’t do them justice). It was hard to narrow it down, but here are some of my hand-picked favorites:

This bird’s plumage is very graceful. (Note: It’s hard to tell scale of any of these online, so read the details on their site carefully)

Enamel and Rhinestone Bird Brooch from 1930's or 40's, $47 Retail

This Victorian pin is a classic versatile example (great price, too):

Brass Brooch, c. 1890, $28 Retail

I’m loving the hot pink cabochon stones in this bow:

Pink Cabochon Bow, c. 1950's, $63 Retail

To complete an animal menagerie, I think this fish by Boucher is incredible:

Boucher Fish Brooch, c. 1943, $389 Retail

You could pretend this is your own family crest, circa 18th century:

Sterling 18th Century European Family Crest, $47 Retail

And finally, this Kenneth Jay Lane costume piece from approximately 1980, but the colors and shape feel very current:

Kenneth Jay Lane Maltese Cross, c. 1980, $365 Retail

Sweet

This site, Pugster, has a few fun, inexpensive options. This green leaf brooch is feminine with a cool color combo:

Green Leaf Brooch from Pugster.com, $31.49 Retail

Here’s a brooch from Dahlia, a seller on Amazon.com. It features a freshwater pearl as the centerpiece of the design, so each brooch will vary a bit based on the pearl:

Freshwater Pearl, Silver, and Crystal Brooch from Amazon.com, $195 Retail

Critters

If you’re into genuine gems, A La Vieille Russe features some incredible finds. Especially for animals and insects. You can find almost anything with fur, feathers, or tails, such as rabbits, turtles, foxes, or flamingos.

This butterfly makes me weak in the knees:

Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby Butterfly Brooch from alvr.com

Classic

And finally, aside from a circle pin, it’s hard to get more classic than this crescent pin from circa 1890:

Large Antique Diamond Crescent Brooch From alvr.com, 21 Carats of Diamonds!

Find any great brooches lately? Comment and let us know!

View this post on idazzle.com: Pin Up: A Few Fantastic Brooches