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Unlock the Secrets of Tiffany & Co. Key Pendents

April 8, 2013

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

In addition to opening doors and jewelry boxes, keys have had many meanings through history and literature. The ancient Greeks felt a key represented knowledge and life and a set of three keys together are said to unlock the doors of wealth, health and love.

Tiffany & Co. key pendants can represent that and much more personal sentiments. Introduced in 2009, they are are based on keys from the Tiffany & Co. Archives. Handcrafted in everything from 14K gold to platinum encrusted in diamonds, the designs include hearts and petals.

The key pendants have been spotted on Jessica Biel and Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl for a reason – they add a personal and special feel to just about anything you’re wearing, plus they hit your neckline in a very flattering way. Jessica and blair

You’ll be glad you’ll unlocked this look.

 

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Napoleon + Josephine: Historic ring up for auction

March 18, 2013

Great love stories often have one simple thing signifying the relationship – a ring.

In the case of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine, that ring is a stunning pairing of a tear-shaped sapphire and diamond, each approximately one carat set into a gold band. It will be up for auction at the Osenat auction house in France on March 24. 

What a love story it represents. The two were engaged two weeks after they met in 1796 and were crowned Emperor and Empress of the French in 1804. In 1810, they divorced because her infertility prevented her from providing an heir. However, their separation included declarations of devotion to each other. Their story didn’t end there as Napoleon uttered Josephine as his final word.

Romantic! And that ring, like all estate jewelry, tells quite a story.

Napoleon Bonaparte

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Designer we love: Leslie Greene

January 4, 2013

While our obsession with estate jewelry is well-known, we also have a passion for contemporary fine jewelry.

Meet Leslie Greene. The Fashion Institute of Technology grad has made a name for herself over the past 15 years by crafting extremely feminine pieces from gold, silver, diamonds and other precious gems. The lines are flowing and shapes are rounded and lyrical. She won Town and Country’s Diamond Designer Excellence Award, the Women Jewelers Association Award for Excellence in Design and JQ International Magazine’s 2006 Annual Retailer’s Choice Award – Designer of the Year for a reason.

When you look at a necklace such as the Giuliana (above), you can see how easy it would be to throw it on every day with a sweater and jeans and just as easily wear it with a strapless dress for a night out.

Shop Leslie Greene on Portero.

 

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What’s your diamond personality?

April 17, 2012

We’re having a diamond studs moment. You can wear these classic gems every day — and make them part of your personal style without putting any thought into it.

With diamond earrings in every shape, size, color and price point ($330 and up), we’re putting on our unscientific style-psychic hats to read into what these shapes might say about you. So look into our crystal diamond ball.

Brilliant

Shape: Also known as round, this is the most popular shape.
What it says about you: You’re traditional, honest, faithful and a smidge conservative. Style-wise, that is.

 

Marquise

Shape: They’re designed to maximize the carat weight, giving the appearance that they are larger than they actually are.
What it says about you: You Marie Antoinette, you. You’re not afraid of a little extravagance, opulence and glitter. Sparkle, on!

 

Princess

Shape: Traditionally a square shape, this diamond always has corners. The symmetry is very pleasing to the eye.
What it says about you: You’re a risk taker and a self-assured leader who stands out in a crowd.

 

Heart

Shape: Exactly what it sounds like it is.
What it says about you: You’re a true romantic! You wear your heart on your sleeve… or your ears.

 

Radiant

Shape: The square or rectangle stands out for its trimmed corners.
What it says about you: You’re a flirt, who isn’t afraid of attracting attention. We say, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!

 

Oval

Shape: A elongated version of the brilliant cut.
What it says about you: You’re not afraid to be unconventional and creative. You let your individuality shine through.


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You’re so charming!

April 12, 2012

 

When you think charm bracelets you might think junior high school, but the new versions are conspicuously grown-up and lend any outfit a decidedly of-the-moment twist.

We love this fresh way to wear charms courtesy of Erica Courtney. Her dainty charms such as this horseshoe hang solo on narrow bangles and can be layered with similar styles with any other bracelets or watches.
If you’ve been collecting charms your whole life, you’re in luck with the recent resurgence of the jingling styles. It’s easy to hang a new trinket on your bracelet such as this vintage carnelian urn or tree of life. Or try on this amazing Hermes shooting star — it looks great on the Kelly bracelet or on your own chain.

If you’re new to the trend and want a jump start, go for it with this sterling silver Chanel bracelet or a vintage hearts and stars jingler.

Best of all, you’ll have an instant conversation-starter on your wrist.

Shop more charms here.

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All about Aquamarine

March 29, 2012

Attention March birthdays! It’s not too late to get yourself an aquamarine trinket.

The cerulean gemstone is a stunner — and definitely on-trend with spring’s pastels.

But there’s more to it than that. Here’s what it means per The Old Farmers’ Almanac:

March’s birthstone, the aquamarine, was thought to cure heart, liver, and stomach diseases—all one had to do was drink the water in which the gem had been soaking. Early sailors believed that aquamarine talismans, etched with the likeness of the sea god Neptune, protected them against ocean dangers.

We love this H. Stern 18k white gold aquamarine necklace. Check here for more fine jewelry (that will really set off your eyes!) featuring aquamarine.

 

 

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AGTA Spectrum Awards

October 25, 2011

There’s nothing quite like being able to ogle over a huge selection of gorgeous fine jewelry, and that’s why visiting the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) Spectrum Awards is always one of my favorite days of the year. This yearly competition honors the best of the best in the lapidary arts (that’s gemstone cutting for the layperson) and colored gemstone jewelry. Not only was I able to browse the winning pieces, but the entire field of entrants. Up close and personal.

Colorado-based Todd Reed took Best in Show (above) for his spectacular Palladium and 22-karat yellow gold locket featuring blue Moonstones, grey Diamonds (24.51 ctw.), blue Sapphires (17.34 ctw.) and white Diamonds (5.10 ctw.) opening to reveal a 76.03 ct. Moldavite Buddha. You can view the rest of the winners right here.

Although it’s easy to find images of those in the winners circle, I wanted to give you a peek into some of my other favorite entries that I wanted to snatch up right on the spot.

I was crazy about this Barbara Heinrich 18-karat yellow gold necklace featuring 13 trapezoidal-shaped Jasper slices accented with yellow-brown diamonds. Collar necklaces are huge in fashion right now, and the natural striations of the Jasper felt organic while also being really bold.

One other Heinrich piece that also intrigued me was this 18-karat yellow gold necklace with black tourmaline slices. In a competition full of bright colors, I loved Heinrich’s use of matte black with tiny diamond accents. It reminds us that the idea of “colored” gems encompasses many things.

This Ben Kho 14-karat yellow gold necklace featuring 117 carats of colored sapphires and diamonds was a showstopper. I loved the rainbow effect of the stones in different cuts and sizes and the fact that the palette was so varied. The V-shape of the piece had a certain retro appeal, but I also think it would be fabulous layered with other necklaces for a modern touch.

The architectural grid of this bracelet drew me in, and the muted color choices felt refined and discreet. Pamela Huizenga created this piece from 22-karat yellow gold and natural multi-colored rose-cut diamonds – simply beautiful.

Lastly, I fell deeply in love with this unusual ring by Katey Brunini that was featured in the Bridal category. Her 18-karat rose gold “Vertebrae” ring featured two emerald trapiche cabochons surrounding a 6.34 carat diamond. (Trapice emeralds – occasionally found in Colombian mines – are rare gems that exhibit a 6-pointed star pattern made up of dark carbon impurities.) A stunning choice for a non-traditional bride or just someone who appreciates the unusual.

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Suit Up

June 14, 2011

Last week when I was in Las Vegas, one of my most complimented outfits was a white linen pantsuit a la Bianca Jagger in the 1970s. While menswear is a trend that circles back often, I’ve been seeing some great examples of the evening tux lately that make me want to put the LBD aside in favor of the Little Black Suit. Take, for instance, Hailee Steinfeld at the MTV Movie Awards last week. I am smitten with her Louis Vuitton tuxedo paired with an emerald green and black mica striped clutch by Edie Parker. So chic, and yet she makes it perfectly age-appropriate by wearing her hair loose and donning a simple white t-shirt.

Get Hailee’s look with this DEVI KROELL Swarovski Wooden Clutch or this GUCCI Parrot Green Snakeskin Clutch. The pop of bright color adds jus the right touch to a mature outfit.

I also liked the stark simplicity of Kirsten Dunst in Patrick Ervell at the CFDA Awards in New York City. While it’s very buttoned up, the contrasting blue lapel and oversized hoop earrings give it a polished edge. Make this look your own with these DAVID ALAN 18K Yellow & Diamond Gold Hoop Earrings or go for all-out glam with these 18k White gold & Diamond Hoop Earrings.

Images via JustJared

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Jewelry Show Mania!

June 9, 2011
I just returned from “Jewelry Market Week”, a slew of shows in Las Vegas representing the industry I’ve worked in for the last decade. I spent most of my time at the Couture show, a gorgeous, invitation-only event that showcases some of the biggest names in the biz as well as up-and-comers with serious design chops.
One of my favorite booths was Irene Neuwirth, a California-based designer who truly appreciates the beauty of colored gems. Her signature is using large, saturated, candy-colored stones in bold jewelry with a BoHo edge. My favorites this year? Drop-dead gorgeous opals ranging from shades of blue to green to white, set within sparkling pave diamonds in oversized geometric forms. (See above!)
Opals really do have amazing range, and whether they are of the orange Fire Opal variety (usually from Mexico or Brazil) or all shades of the rainbow (like Boulder Opal), these stones have a mysterious glow that make them highly unique.
A perfect gem for summer, opal is well-represented on Portero right now. These Jewel of Ocean pink opal earrings are just the right touch for a formal affair, while these Rotenier opal cufflinks (above) are the perfect gift for Father’s Day–which is right around the corner!
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The Bigger the Bling…?

May 25, 2011

So maybe you’ve heard the big news: Kim Kardashian just got engaged to her NBA player boyfriend Kris Humphries. When I say ‘big’ news, I don’t mean in importance. I’m talking diamonds, folks. Specifically, a 16.5 carat emerald cut center stone flanked by two 2-carat trapezoids totalling 20.5 carats and an estimated $2 million.

I’m getting a little worried that celebrities are trying a wee bit too hard to beat each other in the bling department. While Kim managed to outdo her sister Khloe‘s 9-karat, radiant cut diamond, she can’t top Beyoncé‘s unbelievable 18-carat (!) Lorraine Schwartz emerald-cut diamond ring worth an estimated $5 million.

Other stars with ginormous gems? Mariah Carey‘s 18-carat Jacob & Co. pink diamond stunner and Melania Trump‘s 12-carat emerald cut engagement ring said to cost just under a million dollars.

So what do you think about these out-of-control carats? Would you wear more than a million on your finger, or do you think the huge rocks are just tacky?

Here’s a link to some of Portero’s favorite traditional and unique engagement rings. If you’re looking for simple with sparkle, this De Beers 1.84ctw Round Diamond Solitaire Platinum Engagement Ring is a steal at 55% off retail, or you could go more exotic with this Fancy Intense Orange Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring at 33% off. Still hoping to score the massive diamond of your dreams? Try this 5.01ct Cushion Cut Diamond for real celebrity caché.

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