Brooch Love

To most of us brooches are a fashion accessory, adding a little color to a blazer or a little sparkle to an otherwise plain wedding dress. Amanda Heer of Fantasy Floral Designs, had another idea for these lovely vintage pieces: a wedding bouquet. Using pieces from your own collection, or by commissioning Amanda to select them for you, Fantasy Floral will create a one-of-a-kind bouquet for your wedding day. Talk about an heirloom piece from your big day, not to mention incredibly eco-friendly. Check out Fantasy Floral Designs for more lovely inspiration.

Ring Bling

Here is a little "ring bling" for your Friday. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!


Ivanka Trump


Tacori


Tiffany and Co.


Tiffany and Co.


Harry Winston


Precision Set


Cartier

Glorious Ring Shots

I remember when a ring shot used to just be the bride and groom's hands...and thats it! These days photographers are coming up with totally creative ways to get pictures of the rings. Below are some great examples.


Natalie Moser


Natalie Moser


Natalie Moser


Jennifer Skog


Jennifer Skog


Jennifer Skog


Victor Sizemore


Christine Farah


Frame 36


Marie Labbancz


Sarah K Chen


Sarah K Chen


Bobbi and Mike


Victor Sizemore


Altmix Photography

And the winner is...

Jen!! Her comment was as follows:

Earrings seem to be really important in terms of wedding jewelry. Some people choose to wear a necklace and/or bracelet but they ALWAYS seem to wear earrings. I guess unless the ears aren't pierced, but then clip-ons are an option, I digress... Anyway, elaborate, beautiful vintage-inspired earrings are what I will wear since my dress is made of vintage slips refashioned. I also have a southern, vintage, Mexican-inspired wedding so the earrings would have to be very special.

For promotion, keep doing what you are doing. I refuse to buy wedding mags because the things in them are expensive and I can find just as much inspiration online in diy, vintage, real-world wedding blogs.

FYI - I'm posting my favorite pair on my little blog. :)

Jen, please email Noaki at noakis@yahoo.com with your information! Thank you SO much to everyone who participated and posted about the contest and Noaki!



Pictures via Noaki's Shop.

Giveaway by Noaki Jewelry

I am so excited to announce that Noaki Jewelry is sponsoring a giveaway here on Zenadia Design's blog! One lucky reader will win a $70.00 credit to Noaki's online shop. Good for one of her beautiful pieces of jewelry, or a custom made item!
If you are not familiar with Noaki's jewelry, you are in for a real treat. Each piece is handmade using heirloom quality vintage pieces which are recycled into beautiful works of art. We featured Noaki a while back here on our blog, and since then, she has added so many stunning pieces to her collection on etsy.


To enter the contest, all you have to do is leave a comment here and answer one, or both of the following questions:

1. What kind of wedding jewelry are you as a bride looking for to match your dress (Chandeliers, Tiny drops, Pearl necklaces, Bracelets, etc.)?
2. Any suggestions on how Noaki might better reach out to brides.

If you are not a bride, or are a past bride, answer the question(s) with your own advice. Maybe what kind of jewelry you look for for everyday wear. The contest will be open until Friday, August 29, at midnight. We will then draw a winner at random and announce the winner here on Zenadia Design's blog on Monday, September 1. Good luck!

The Ballet Collection

When I saw an ad for The Ballet Jewelry Collection by Dejarnette New Orleans on Design Sponge, I was immediately drawn to it because I'm a ballet dancer. Then, when I actually saw the collection I was so glad I had clicked on the ad! Each piece of jewelry is named after a ballet move: demi (pronounced dem-ee), balancé (bal-on-say), pas de trois (pa-duh-twah), etc.


The jewelry is so unique and fun! And not to mention, pink. =)


Besides the Ballet Collection, Dejarnette also has many other beautiful collections. I love this necklace (pictured below) from the Moderne collection.


Make sure you check out Dejarnette's website for more great jewelry!




All photos via Dijarnette

Going Green With Style: Diamonds and Jewelry

Diamonds. We've all seen them sparkling in the sunlight, or in the well lit cases of a jewelry store. But did the thought ever cross your mind that someone may have died for that beautiful diamond you are planning to purchase?
In 2006 the movie Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou, was released, thus sparking public awareness of blood diamonds and their mass effects. This gripping movie, set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999, tells of the devastating effects of blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined in African war zones and sold to finance the conflicts, and profit the warlords and the diamond companies across the world. This well designed interactive map is very interesting and tells much of the historical events occurring in the "blood diamond" industry.
Now that I have totally depressed all my readers, here is a positive note! According to Diamond Facts, more than 99% of diamonds are now from conflict free sources and traded under the unmandated Kimberely Process. However, it is still important to make sure you are getting a conflict free diamond, and still keeping things eco-friendly. Here are some things to keep in kind when shopping for jewelry:

The Kimberley Process Certification
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was adopted in 2002, and outlines the regulations and requirements countries must follow to make sure a diamond is mined and shipped in a humane, legitimate way. When buying a diamond, ask the jeweler to provide the Kimberley Process Certificate, as all diamonds that meet these regulations are shipped with the certificate. If they can't provide this for you, be wary of the stone's origin.(Picture via Kimberley Process.)


Talk to your Jeweler
Any well-established, reputable jeweler should be able to tell you about a diamond's history and guarantee that it's conflict-free. To make sure that your jeweler is telling you the truth, ask to see the diamond's System of Warranties statement. Do your research before visiting the jewelry store so you know what these certificates look like before you shop. Check out Diamond Facts for examples.

Get your diamond from an eco-friendly source
We've all heard of Tiffany and Co., but you may not be aware that this renowned jewelry company deals exclusively with suppliers who use environmentally sound, conflict-free mining. Another great source for conflict free diamonds is Brilliant Earth. Their diamonds come from Canada, and 5 percent of their profits are donated to a fund to benefit local African communities harmed by the diamond industry. There are many more places to shop for conflict free diamonds; just be sure to do your research. (Picture: Left two Tiffany and Co., right two Brilliant Earth)


Vintage Gems
Consider using a family heirloom in your wedding ring. This will save the energy that would have gone into mining a diamond because you are using an existing one! Besides being eco friendly and conflict free, using a diamond that's been in your family is so much more meaningful. My engagement ring houses my great aunt's diamond from her engagement ring and it means so much to me. So when you can, consider vintage! (Picture via Flickr)


Diamond Substitutes
I'm not talking about cubic zirconia here! Adia diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, but are produced in a lab rather than mined. These gems have the exact structure, density, and composition of naturally occurring diamonds. Moissanite stone is also another option. Made from silicon carbonite (a rare and naturally occurring substance) moissanite can also be manufactured in a lab and is completely earth-friendly and conflict-free. These gemstones are also less expensive and more durable than the traditional diamond. (Pictures via Adia Diamonds)



Eco-friendly Gold
Diamonds are not the only place on your rings to be eco-friendly. To really go for the gold (I had to put that little pun in there!), find a ring with recycled gold. Recycled gold simply means that the gold was melted down and re-refined, making it the same quality as a newly mined metal. No Dirty Gold has a list of retailers who support this process. Another option would be wood. That's right, wood! Simply Wooden Rings has some beautiful options all made from wood, and embellished with eco friendly diamonds. (pictures via Simply Wooden Rings.)

Noaki Jewelry on Etsy

I love finding fun and unique jewelry on etsy, and Noaki's shop is just that. When I discovered it a few months ago my first thought was, 'Wow, what great jewelry this would make for a wedding', but the more I browsed her shop the more I wanted pieces for my own! Noaki's jewelry has a vintage flair with a modern touch. As it says in her shop title: I seek imperfections, the scattered objects on the sand and surprises of tucked-away bazaars -- the heirloom pin, the smooth pebble, the whorled piece of driftwood.
Go and have a look. I'm sure you will find something you love!


Picture Credits:
All images from Noaki Jewelry

Exotic jewelry from Turkey

"Baroque, eclectic, exotic, anything but boring" is the header for fantastic Etsy shop Star of the East. Esther, along with her daughter Estella make beautiful jewelry and accessories out of extraordinary materials. Items from the sea play a big part in their designs. What caught my eye was their Sea Urchin collection. Their creative jewelry would make unique bridesmaid gifts, or gifts for anyone! Star of the East is located in Turkey, but offers free shipping worldwide. Check out their Etsy shop for more unique accessories.


Picture Credits:
All pictures from Star of the East's Etsy shop.