Labradorite Cocktail Ring, Sterling Silver, size 7.25, $68
McFarland Designs

Caribbean Blue Rainbow Moonstone and Sterling Silver Ring, Size 8, $64
McFarland Designs

Read more on the McFarland Designs blog. She sells beads, too!

Images via Barack Obama’s Flickr stream.

Michelle Obama gives us some middle ground between stodgy and skanky. It’s the old power necklace, the double-strand, but not in pearls.

My best guess is blue chalcedony? Or maybe jade? Love it.

Raspberry Jade Rose Ring, $15
ERM Originals

She uses a lot of semi-precious gemstones, including labradorite, one my faves. I also love this juicy red graduated bead necklace.

I’m not usually one to go for the bling-y stuff (much less the powderpuff pink stuff) but this ring made my knees weak.

Brian Danielle Pink Topaz & Diamond Ring, $487.00
Max & Chloe

Smokey Quartz Briolette – Earrings…, $24
Abigail Percy

Aventurine Earrings…, $30
Abigail Percy

Fun fact: if a gemstone exhibits Aventurine-like qualities, it is said to demonstrate aventurescence. I love that.

Extra party bonus fun fact: the name Aventurine comes from the Italian “a ventura,” or “by chance.” (Same link as above.)

Tack så mycket, Smosch : )

Plus, saying I don’t read “women’s magazines” would be disingenuous, as there are a handful of home decorating pubs (as we say in tha biz) that I look forward to every month.

I have noticed, however, that Domino and Blueprint are coyly calling my bluff by dropping in passing references to fashion inbetween wallpaper-hanging tips. They know I think I’m too cool for InStyle, etc., but that I secretly enjoy it when they tell me where to buy, I don’t know, Lotta Jansdotter’s earrings.

Anyway: here’s the post where I let you know what jewelry Domino & Blueprint think upwardly-mobile DIY hipster types should be into. And, yes, I did use those annoying Conde Nast sticker tabs to mark the pages.

Hayden-Harnett Ramone Studded Slim Cuff, Black, $90 (page 32)
Hayden-Harnett
Likelihood I will purchase: 0/5. If I’m buying Hayden-Harnett leather, I’m getting a bag.

Celestina Cuff, $2990 (page 137)
Vivre and Kirna Zabete
Likelihood I will purchase: 0/5. I love it, but it’s too freaking expensive. Come on.

Bridget Snake Earrings, $134 (page 162)
CC SKYE at Active Endeavors
Likelihood I will purchase: 0/5. My ears aren’t pierced, and the snakes remind me of a ring I bought at the Jax Brewery on my eighth grade field trip. I don’t mean that in a good way.

Mesi Jilly Ring, $300 (page 164)
Mesi Jilly at Vivre
Likelihood I will purchase: 3/5. One of the most beautiful rings I’ve seen in a very long time. Love it. But not night now.

WHAT I WISH DOMINO HAD TIPPED ME OFF ABOUT: Cindy Greene’s chunky two-strand yellow necklace on the cover.

Chain Bead Necklace, $6.80 (similar to necklace on page 48)
Forever 21
Likelihood I will purchase: 1/5. There is a Forever 21 close to my office, but it’s a disaster. And this necklace isn’t very tempting.

+ a pair of earrings and a necklace from Banana Republic that I can’t find anywhere on their site;

+ some cute bangles from Leekan Design, an NYC boutique that is Web presence-less;

+

Square Outline Ring (similar), $2,040 (page 114)
Priya Himatsingka at Persimmon
Likelihood I will purchase: 0/5. I love it almost as much as the shell ring above…but I can’t see myself forking over the big bucks.

+ a vintage gold feather pin by “Ruby Lola.”

And there you have it.

I had never heard of yellow turquoise or tiger ebony before. Who knew?

Yellow Turquoise and Tiger Ebony Necklace, $64
Orno

These simple walnut earrings are sweet, too.

Teardrop Walnut Earrings, $36
Orno

Anyhoo, long way of saying that decor8 occasionally features jewelry. This recent post turned me on to two as-yet-undiscovered Etsyans, Foundling and Daughter of Luxury.

Definitely check out the pieces decor8 highlighted. In the meantime, additional swooning material:

Vintage Fabric Necklace — Blooming, $18
Foundling

Han – Oduun Got Luxurious Necklace, $295
Daughter of Luxury

decor8’s jewelry category will help you locate other bauble-y entries. If I lived in Raleigh, I’d be on my way to purchase the necklace featured in this post, oh, right about now.

I have had the good fortune of attending many a.v. max sample sales, due simply to the sheer proximity of our offices. I just got an evite for their latest:

Update your Summer wardrobe with the latest must have accessories from a.v. max…while giving to a good cause at the same time!

On June 5th, a.v. max will host a very special sample sale to benefit New York Cares’ ongoing volunteer programs. All items will be offered at prices below wholesale, with 50% of the proceeds directly supporting New York Cares.

We’re having two different times on June 5th to come enjoy the fun…12:00pm-2:00pm and 5:00pm-8:00pm

Please feel free to invite your friends!

Giving back never looked so good!!!

Love,
The ladies of a.v.max

Their sample sales are ridiculous. Typically no item is above $40, though I tend to linger over the tray of $5 cocktail rings.

If you can’t wait until Tuesday, June 5th, check out their online shop. I just spotted this long necklace I purchased at their last sample sale. A little heavy for the summer, maybe, but it’s a 32-incher that manages to look serious and work-worthy without feeling like a hand-me-down from grandma. Not that there’s anything wrong with your grandma. She’s a very nice lady.

9565W Grey Multi, $105
a.v. max

There were three jewelry vendors set up when I dropped by: Hungry Cat Cafe Jewelry (couldn’t find a website), which was your standard flea market fare; Allyson Hayes with Precious Elements Designs, who is doing some cool stuff with metal; and Jhoomer.

I stupidly did not bring a camera with me, but I really enjoyed Jhoomer’s pieces, which primarily included semi-precious gemstones and freshwater pearls set in silver. Some were a bit too delicate for my taste — I prefer the chunky stuff — but all were quite lovely. Here are a few quick faves from the cherry quartz area of Jhoomer’s online shop:

Don’t you love the combination of labradorite and cherry quartz in the first two, and the gradation in color on the necklace far right? (FYI, I’m pretty sure cherry aka strawberry quartz is lab-created and not a naturally-occuring, but I don’t care.)

Cherry Quartz, Champagne Pearl, Garnet and Labradorite Pendant, 16″, $41.40 (sale)
Cherry Quartz, Labradorite, Pearl and Garnet Pendant, 16″, $82.80 (sale)
Cherry Quartz and Golden Pearl Necklace, $135 (sale)
Jhoomer Jewelry

UPDATE: Turns out Erie Basin is on the corner of Dikeman and Van Brunt (a block North of Lenell’s). It looks gorgeous in there. Too gorgeous for a girl in flip-flops. Maybe next weekend.