Tassels are no longer just decorative additions for your curtains, they are a trending accessory for the Spring and Summer of 2012. I am excited to see them adorned on shoes, handbags and jewelry. I love to see the fashion trends on the red carpet, but it’s fascinating to look back to see where tassels got their start.
During the Edwardian Era, (1890-1920) jewelry was characterized by delicate filigree bows, and swags in white gold and platinum, predominately with diamonds and pearls. Throughout this time period, colored stones were used less frequently. Thanks to Queen Alexandrite, King Edwards wife, wide choker dog collar necklaces and long fringed sautoir necklaces were a popular adornment around women’s necks.
Dog Collars and Sautoir Necklaces
Although I love to look back at these vintage beauties and the gems they wore, it is also great to look at how jewelry has changed and adapted to current trends.
It seems everywhere you look on the red carpet these days, some of the the biggest starlets are wearing tassel jewels. Celebrities like Kate Hudson, Natalie Portman, Katherine Heigel, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep are guilty of wearing these incredible vintage fashions.
Kate Hudson 2010 SAGs, Natalie Portman 2011 Oscar's, Katherine Heigel
Kate Hudson looked stunning at the 2010 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards wearing a long fringed sautoir necklace. Natalie Portman wore some of my favorite jewels last year at the 2011 Oscar’s where she won best actress for “Black Swan.” While keeping her jewelry accessories simple, I am glad she glamed her wardrobe up with these fuchsia tassel earrings.
My favorite tassel jewels from the award shows this year were worn by Julianne Moore. She made me jealous to be a red head. Her emerald and diamond tassel earrings by Fred Leighton looked spectacular in contrast to her auburn hair. With those gorgeous earrings, I’m glad she kept her black Chanel dress elegant and simple. 
Are you eager to add this year’s trend to your wardrobe? Not a problem, take a look at these great tassel jewels for less.
Yellow Gold Tassel Pin/Pendant, $600
Yellow Gold Tassel Charm, $150
What were your favorite jewels from the Red Carpet events so far this year? To be honest, there have been so many great gems it’s hard to only choose one!
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Show your sweetie how much you care and enter Joint Venture Jewelry’s Photo Contest! You could win diamond studs earrings or a $100 no exclusions gift certificate! Just submit a photo of you and your Valentine, write a creative caption on your definition of “What is Love?” The photo with the most votes wins!
Contest will begin on Wednesday, February 1st. All those who participate will receive a complementary insurance appraisal, a $75 value. Grand prize winners will be announced on Monday, February 13th at 5pm — just in time for Valentine’s Day!
How to Enter:
- Like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/jointventurejewelry
- On February 1st, go to the Valentine’s Photo Contest tab on the left, under our profile picture on our Facebook page to submit a photo of you and your Valentine (extra points for creativity!)
- Caption your photo with your definition of “What is Love?”
How to Win:
The photo with the most votes & comments will win! So invite all your family, friends, jewelry lovers, etc to vote for your photo. Joint Venture Jewelry will add two votes for our favorite answer to the “What is Love?” caption, as well as two votes to our favorite photo — so get creative! Grand prize winner will receive their choice of diamond stud earrings, a $350 value or a Joint Venture Jewelry $100 no exclusions gift certificate! In addition, all who enter the contest will receive a free insurance appraisal.
If you have any questions please call us at 919-678-0092 or email us at info@jointventurejewelry.com
Happy Valentine’s Day!
On January 11th, 2008 I arrived for what I assumed would be a typical Friday at work. After about an hour on the job, one of my bosses came in and handed me an envelope marked, “Katie.” My boss then instructed me to open the envelope and follow the instructions enclosed.
After opening the envelope, I found the first clue of a large scavenger hunt. This first clue, and three others I uncovered in order, eventually leads me to the top floor of a hotel on Carolina Beach.
In a room on the top floor I found the fifth and final clue, which instructed me go outside to the balcony, which looked out over the beach. When I ran to the balcony I looked down and saw “KATIE WILL YOU MARRY ME?” written in the sand, with my boyfriend Albie standing next to it.
I scrambled down to the first floor, but couldn’t find access to the beach from the hotel. I eventually just circumvented the building entirely and ran out to the beach to meet Albie with a beautiful ring in hand, and the rest is history.
Karly and I just returned from a fantastic vacation in London, England. After sightseeing, touring, shopping and exploring, my favorite part by far– was viewing all the fabulous jewels London has to offer! And what good timing we had, 2012 is Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, honoring the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s reign. Literally, diamonds honoring the Queen everywhere you look!
The first order of business in my British jewelry extravaganza was to visit the Tower of London and The Jewel House.
Waterloo Barracks: The Jewel Tower
Before entering the Jewel House, you can tell something spectacular is hidden deep within its walls. Several Beefeater and Keepers surround the tower. A Keeper of the Crown Jewels was appointed in 1207, and has been in place guarding the entrance of the Jewel House ever since.
Karly poses with a Coldstream Guard sentry outside the Jewel House
A Beefeater, the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London, pauses for a photo with me
The Crown Jewels have been on display at the Tower of London since the 17th century. After moving locations several times, today they are housed in the Waterloo Barracks, which was built in the 19th century. Once inside the Tower you are ushered past an iron gate and into the most secure vault I’ve ever seen.
The Jewel House. Opened By Her Majesty The Queen. 24th March 1994
Inside the vault, are the most beautiful gems, and the most abundant gold collected in one place. At the heart of the Crown Jewels, housed several objects used in the coronations of English Kings and Queens, known as the Regalia. The objects included the crowns of Sovereigns, Consorts and Princes of Wales, both past and present, sceptre, orbs, rings, swords, spurs, bracelets and robes. The list could go on and on of these priceless jewels.
The Imperial State Crown
Karly and I took about 3 spins around the displays trying to keep from drooling. Each looked so magnificent and the gems were so precious it made me wonder, how could something so flawless be real? But rest assured each is made with only the highest quality stones and metals. Many of the crowns had only been worn once, typically during a specific coronation.
Sounds like a bit of a waste to me – these pieces need to be enjoyed! I’d be more than happy to try one on for size anytime. Yet, I’m sure it wouldn’t be very comfortable since the King George VI’s Imperial State Crown, the most famous crown in the Jewel House, weighs over 5 pounds. And no wonder it’s so heavy, it’ encrusted with over 3,000 gems.
But that doesn’t even hold a candle to my favorite jewel in the tower, The Cullinan Diamond. Known as the Great Star of Africa, it is the biggest rough diamond ever found and was uncovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan was presented to King Edward VII and broken into three pieces and later into nine. The largest section was added to the sceptre, at over 530 carats with a D or E color grading, the stone is truly gorgeous. With such flawless color, at a quick glance it looks like it could be glass or crystal. But it’s facets and sparkles speak for them self.
St Edward's Sceptre and the Cullinan Diamond
All the jewels were completely breathtaking inside the Tower of London, but Karly and I decided we just didn’t have our fill yet. We wondered over to Bond Street next to gaze at the world’s top jewelry designers. Bond Street has every big name in jewelry lined up next to each other, London’s Jeweler’s Row, if you will. Harry Winston, Chanel, Mikimoto, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and more. Oh to have the Queen’s credit card. A girl can dream right?
Bond Street Jewelers
As one year ends and another begins, we all do a personal review and decide what areas need revised. Year after year, we all make over the top resolutions to go to the gym every single day, or swearing off our favorite food! To put it simply, most new year’s resolutions are unrealistic (go figure)! So this year, why not make some easy resolutions you can actually stick to!
Take the stairs
We all see that vacant stairwell while waiting for the crowded elevator and think, “I really should take the stairs.” Although the elevator is easy, taking the stairs will incorporate exercise into your day, and hey, by the end of the year, you may even drop a few pounds! Now don’t the stairs look like a better option!
Unplug
Can you remember a minute that passed by where you weren’t in electronic overload? In this day in age, we are all wired, all the time! This year, invest more time living in the moment and turn off your cell phone during social occasions. That text message or phone call can probably wait, and unplugging for a while will make your face-to-face time more valuable. Honestly, how much information do you retain with your face glued to your phone? Also, those walks in the park may be more enjoyable if you aren’t stopping to tweet about it!
A little eye contact, please
In this age of communicating through all kinds of at-a-distance contact, face time with other people is a rare and highly appreciated skill. Making eye contact is an easy way to show people around you that you’re interested and engaged.
Instead of setting yourself up to fail this new year, cut yourself some slack and get back to the basics. Keep your long term goals and reward yourself as you take the little steps towards them. Pick a few of our suggestions and make some resolutions you are sure to keep! Did you make a new year’s resolution? Leave a comment and tell us all about it!
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