The Chinese New Year starts January 23, 2012 and this year is the Year of the Dragon. The New Year is a time to welcome longevity, wealth, and luck and will be highlighted by the characteristics of the dragon. In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal comprising the Chinese zodiac, and it is believed that when a year falls on a specific animal year, that year adopts the animal’s characteristics. Unlike the perception of the dragon in western thought as an evil and destructive entity, the Chinese revere the dragon as a symbol of power, superiority, and luck. Therefore, 2012 is predicted to be a year of prosperity and luck along with the characteristics of the dragon personality: excitement, passion, and unpredictability.

John Hardy’s Naga collection is a perfect fit for the exciting year of the dragon. This collection is all handcrafted in Bali and capitalizes on the Balinese legend of the dragon which states that the dragon’s fondness for the pearl motivates him to dive from his volcanic home to the sea to visit the pearl. When he returns home, his path leaves a trail of water that trickles down to the rice fields which aids in a bountiful rice harvest. The Naga collection dragon symbolizes love and prosperity which is very much in tandem with the prospects for this New Year! These are a few of my favorite pieces…

John Hardy Naga Sterling Silver & White Topaz Dragon Bracelet – $995
This “Naga Lava” bracelet features a fierce sterling silver dragon head clasp ornamented with white topaz stones biting down on a round sterling silver and white topaz stone clasp. The polished silver link chain of the body incorporates the staple braided aesthetic.

John Hardy Naga 18K Yellow Gold & Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings – $795

These lovely sterling silver and 18K yellow gold earrings incorporate an intricate scale texture pattern that are representative of a dragon’s scales.

Naga Bronze Triple Wrap Bracelet in Sterling Silver – $325
(available in-store at Hyde Park’s Denver and Phoenix locations)

This bronze leather triple wrap bracelet features a sterling silver dragon accent whose body wraps around the center leather braid. The detailing of the dragon from head to tail is striking and intricate. This dynamic piece is sure to complement a wide array of looks.

Penny Preville denotes the color changes as “the dark flip side of the light moonstone”. In addition to labradorite’s iridescent play of colors, the stone is associated with mystical beliefs. It is believed that the wearing of the stone dispels negative energy and enhances one’s mental faculties and health. It too is believed that labradorite fuels one’s harmony with those around them and bestows kindness and joy.

Penny Preville has crafted some wonderful pieces with labradorite for the Shimmer Collection. This collection features labradorite set with 18-karat white gold and ornamented with white round brilliant-cut diamonds. Pear shaped and round shaped slices of labradorite are surrounded with a vintage style diamond bezel with leaf pattern accents.  Drop style earrings, long diamond station chains with labradorite enhancers, and rings make up a collection that effortlessly blends elegance with fashion.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

Single Bells

The most intriguing facet of this collection is the separate bell pieces. Each of these bells has a beautiful 3/8” clip bale so they can be placed on chains, chains featuring miniature station bells, or any of your own necklaces or bracelets. These bells too all feature intricate ridge detailing and beaded patterning on the surface of the silver. Others feature colored stones such as green peridot, blue topaz, citrine, and purple rhodolite. One stunning Raja bell features pear shaped blue topaz stones surrounded by a small spiral and bead like design stamped into the metal. Vibrant round prong set blue topaz stones line the sides of the bell. A 5/8” silver square bell is ornamented with a granulated pattern design on the surface and metal beads that line the edges of the square.

Chains and Bracelets

The meditation collection includes chains and bracelets that can be worn alone or with the addition of a bell separate. One silver chain measures 28” and features 8 granulated silver bells ¼” in diameter. Wear this alone or add color with a colored stone bell. A charming silver bracelet features 10, 10mm sized silver bells with a flower imprinted design and granulation on the top half of the bell, with a bead pattern lining each bell’s circumference.

Earrings:

This lovely collection includes some attractive hoop and drop style meditation bell earrings. Silver meditation bell hoops are adorned with cylindrical shaped bead style accents on the line of the hoop with seven ¼” granulated bells that hang down. Drop style earrings feature bells adorned with colored stones and ridged patterning along with the staple granulated design. Look gorgeous and remain Zen with the soft chime these earrings will emit with movement.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

Roberto Coin has a fabulous diamond and amethyst cocktail ring round and globe-like in form boasting 999 stones. Round brilliant cut diamonds offset the stunning large and miniature round purple amethyst stones. These stones are set on a textured black surface on an 18-karat white gold mounting. The dark undertone amplifies the purple hue of the amethyst and intensifies the sparkle of the diamonds.

Hyde Park has its own exceptional collection of cocktail rings. Flowers have always been a common theme for statement rings. This 18-karat white gold and round brilliant-cut diamond flower bouquet ring is a unique infusion of the theme. It features 19 separate flower clusters with 7 diamonds making each flower for a total of 133 glittering round brilliant cut diamonds.

A continuation of the flower theme is a gorgeous 18-karat white gold, ruby, and round brilliant-cut diamond ring. This ring is tiered with a cluster of round brilliant cut diamonds (emulating the appearance of a flower’s pollen) set between 8 ruby stones serving as the petals. The second tier of the ring features thirteen ruby petals lined with round brilliant cut diamonds. This ring stands apart due to the implementation of the flower motif and the pairing of gorgeous red stones with the gleam of white diamonds.

Another one of my Hyde Park favorites is an 18-karat rose gold cluster ring consisting of mother of pearl, pink sapphires, and round brilliant cut diamond stones. This ring is predominately mother of pearl with touches of color and glow from the intermittent pink sapphires and diamond stones. The 18-karat rose gold prongs holding the stones contribute to the variation of texture and color scheme.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

One can stack multiple bangles without the bangles losing their freedom of movement or becoming cumbersome. Each of these bangles feature 139 round cut colored stones in yellow sapphire, ruby, amethyst, pink sapphire, and brown diamonds.  Wear these glittering bangles alone or stack them for a customized look. Pair these bangles with 18-karat white gold and pavé set round cut colored stone bands. Each band features five rows of 84 brilliant and vibrant hued stones. These bands too can be worn alone or stacked for variation and come in green tsavorite, pink sapphire, amethyst, blue sapphire, and violet sapphire. Seize the fashionista within you with this versatile and sheik look.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

Housed in a 44mm steel case, with a portion of the case back featuring a sapphire crystal to show what appears to be a gorgeous skeletonized rotor and beyond sits the engine in this beast.  Breguet has gone off the charts and created a chronograph that operates at an unprecedented 10hz.   That is a watch that regulates at 72,200 vibrations per hour (vs. most watches that are 28,800) What does that mean? It means that not only is this watch accurate at the dispersion of time, but it is accurate to 1/20^th of a second.   In order to make that possible, Breguet has the chronograph seconds hand flying around the dial twice ever minute in order to accurately display the 1/20^th of a second power.

Another unique advancement is Breget’s use of silicon in its escapement (think of the heart, which regulates the power of the watch). There are many benefits for using silicon in a watch, the technical benefits are more lightweight components, and the stability and strength of a material that does not require the lubrication that standard parts will need.  The silicon is imperative in this model because the movement operates at such high frequencies.

The exterior of the watch is stunning. The presence on the wrist is hard to ignore. It sits very comfortably on the wrist and the dial work is fantastic.  One of my favorite subtleties is the red and white cross stitched band on which the beauty sits. The Type XXII is a fantastic addition to an already impressive lineup.  This watch continues to prove that Breguet is as focused on innovation now as it was back in 1775.

Josh Nigut
Watch Specialist
jnigut@hpjewels.com
303-333-4446

Jude Frances has designed a unique cuff that is constructed out of stainless steel mesh (but offers the illusion of silk) in brown, silver, and black with an 18-karat white gold and yellow gold motif and diamond ornamentation. The black cuff has a “cipriani motif” which looks like the overlapping of half circles in a Venetian cyclical pattern in 18-karat white gold with round brilliant cut diamonds. The brown cuff boasts an 18-karat yellow gold and diamond pattern with interwoven hearts in the shape of a flower. These cuffs are wide, and the texturing of the stainless steel mesh adds variation of shading and light to the solid neutral tones.

The Ivanka Noor Collection has a beautifully crafted black onyx cuff with a diamond deco scroll pattern. This pattern is intricate and arabesque in theme: incorporating the overlapping of diamond shapes with the branching out of leaf like patterning.

One unique and striking cuff by Paul Morelli’s Labrynth Collection, constructed entirely of 18-karat yellow gold with a 7.31 total carat weight of white diamonds and a 8.61 total carat weight of cognac diamonds. The edges of the gold cuff are perforated and triangular with the line of the cuff  falling in an elegant down slope and up slope pattern. The surface of the cuff features diamond patterning cut into the gold with the white and cognac diamonds in a striated circle design. The perforated edges, assortment of line, and sparkling diamonds add  intrigue and splendor to this exceptional piece.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

Michelle Almon, G.G.
MAlmon@HPJewels.com
303-333-4446

The horse appears in both an artful ring and bangle. These pieces are constructed out of intricately textured 18-karat yellow and white gold. The horse’s bridals and reins are encrusted with round brilliant cut diamonds. The horse has long been symbolic of success, courage, and endurance. By having the freedom of travel and the strength to carry those with them, the horse too represents loyalty and power in addition to its grace and beauty.

The snake appears in some lovely 18-karat yellow gold pieces. The snake ring coils around the finger and features a beautiful pavѐ set diamond snake head. The hammered metal gives the impression of snake scales on the body of the ring. A pair of 18-karat yellow gold pavѐ set diamond earrings is of similar design also featuring hammered impressions and bold snake heads. The snake has always had a wide array of symbolic significance and a duality of positive and negative connotation. However, the sentiments I get from these beautifully crafted pieces are those of positivity and renewal. The snake is a representation of transformation because it casts off its old self through the process of shedding. When wearing these pieces, you too will feel transformed, stylish, and unique.

The M.C.L Safari collection features sterling silver sapphire and colorful gemstone bangles and rings that emulate the color and patterning of the leopard. Vibrant and elaborate detailing on both the inside and outside of these animal themed pieces pounce out and are bound to set you apart.

The dragon is also a popular motif, and is the staple of John Hardy’s Naga Collection. The dragon motif appears in bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings in silver and white and yellow gold. This collection capitalizes on the Balinese legend of the dragon which states that the dragon’s fondness for the pearl motivates him to dive from his volcanic home to the sea to visit the pearl. When he returns home, his path leaves a trail of water that trickles down to the rice fields which aids in a bountiful rice harvest. Therefore, this mythological creature symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

All of these pieces share the common thread of coupling highly interesting aesthetics with the intrigue of symbolic value.

Kim Fries

KFries@hpjewels.com

303-333-4446

These pieces incorporate an innovative mother of pearl underlay under hand crafted rock crystal cabochons which boast luminosity and grace. Diamonds of varying size further amplify the fairy tale sparkle by surrounding the gems in an intricate and stately pattern. 18-karat white gold, mother of pearl, rock crystal, and diamond chandelier bubble earrings convey elegant texture and movement as they cascade down the line of the wearers face. Accent these elegant earrings with the 18-karat white gold, mother of pearl, rock crystal, and diamond bib necklace with ovals and circles that descend down and gleam against any skin tone. The color palette of the collection is soft with touches of light that will compliment any gown. Be the princess you have always longed to be by reveling in the regal romance of this unique collection.

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Ivanka Trump, Bubble Collection, rock crystal earrings featuring mother of pearl and diamonds.

Ivanka Trump, Bubble Collection, diamond ring featuring rock crystal and mother of pearl

Ivanka Trump, Bubble Collection, rock crystal necklace featuring mother of pearl and diamonds.

Ivanka Trump, Bubble Collection, rock crystal bangle featuring mother of pearl and diamonds.

Ivanka Trump, Bubble Collection, rock crystal earrings featuring mother of pearl and diamonds.

Michelle Almon, G.G.
MAlmon@HPJewels.com
303-333-4446