As I have said before, I am not a diamond girl. Don’t get me wrong; I love jewelry. I am just not in love with gems. And if that sounds like an oxymoronic statement to you, it is not my fault—the definition of jewelry does in fact include “any ornaments for personal adornment.” In short, I like to adorn myself, but I like it to be artistic and reflect some aspect of me or the artist, more than the fact that some stone is expensive because it is rare due to a simple geological accident. I will save you my views on child enslavement in Africa and diamond-rich nations. This is a fashion article after all. Moreover, in SL gems are as valuable and take as long to craft as a river-bed rock hanging from your neck. So, perhaps my choices on SL are more reflective of who Leda’s RL typist is.
I am always on the lookout for jewelry that makes a statement, and have found that many avatars also appreciate the same type of jewelry. I have been asked where I get a specific piece that I wear, or where in general I shop for jewelry. I decided that the best way to do this might be to write a piece to feature three of the places I frequent when I am looking for a new piece. But, before I do that, let me take a minute to tell you about one of my favorite necklaces: Onyx Pools by Baiastice. I wrote about it a few weeks ago, but it cannot be absent from a jewelry feature, so here is a reminder to check it out.
Casually Adorned by :SEY
Finding jewelry is a lot of fun. There is a large group of builders who make interesting jewelry with various flavors, be it ethnic (check out EarthStones), Goth (check out Gothic Obsession), piercings (check out KA Designs). One of the stores I recommend for casual jewelry is :SEY because you will find a range of selection that appeals to different tastes. One of the pieces I liked at :SEY is RiNen&hook in gold. The attention paid to details is impeccable, from the skull to the chain to the rusty gold texture. I have worn this necklace on a casual outing while in jeans and a shirt, as well as with a cocktail dress to give it a little edge. And if you decide to purchase the necklace, I highly recommend the Pain Favorite ring. The ring compliments the necklace and is a beauty-in-build in its own right.
It is this attention to details that keeps bringing me back to :SEY. And it is that same quality that attracted me to True Love. The two petite roses sit on an etched silver base and the tiny row of skulls above it have made this a favorite on casual days. The combination of the romantic rose and the metal and skull might seem unharmonious at first, but makes this necklace unusual in design and perhaps a perfect addition to put on before heading out to a rock concert. Similarly, edokin is one of those necklaces that I keep wearing because I can wear it with pretty much any style or any color in my inventory.
Fashionably Adorned by Mandala
The first time I walked in Mandala, I was shocked by the craftsmanship, the quality of the posters, and the whole space that the store occupied. If you have never been, I strongly recommend that you visit the store. My two newest pieces were a birthday present from a friend, and came from my Mandala wishlist. The pearl necklace, Pearl Rain, comes in striking colors from black to pink pearl to gold. At the store, I stood there unable to decide which color I wanted the most; I knew I wanted them all but I had to make a choice. I chose onyx pearls for two main reasons. First, I liked how realistic their size and sheen looked. Second, being a practical girl, I wanted something that I could wear with many different outfits. Not only can you wear this to an evening out, but you can wear it with a simple white shirt and dress it up. I am going back for the pink pearls next. Shhh, don’t tell.
One of the most unusual pieces of jewelry I own is Lotus Chain. Both the necklace and the earrings are pieces of art. The flowers are detailed and get smaller as they go along the chain hanging from the neck. The color variation is not as striking as the pearl necklace above, but between white, black, red, gold, and pink, you are bound to find a color that fits you and your wardrobe. Also, you get two versions of the necklace allowing for both spine and neck attachments. This is something I wish more jewelry designers would do. Here is why: every time I change the attachment location of a jewelry piece in order not to lose a piece of an outfit I end up spending an unnecessary amount of time getting it to rotate to the right position. Moreover, often it doesn’t look faultlessly right. With Lotus, you have that option and it sits in the right spot every time. One thing to keep in mind, it might take you a little digging to find the perfect outfits for this necklace, but it is so worth it.
Artistically Adorned by Kunglers
When I wrote about Kunglers last week, I intentionally left out the discussion of their jewelry line. This is a newer aspect of the store and I hope all you fashionable avatars get to take advantage it. I am going to point out a few pieces that I particularly like, but what I would really want is to own every piece of jewelry made by Kunglers. One of my newer finds in the store is Bambu, which looks like something I would definitely wear in RL. Again, this is one of those versatile pieces that you could use to dress up your casual look, or wear it with a gown to add flavor. The set includes the necklace and the earrings, and I have worn the earrings over and over again with other pieces of jewelry.
Maracuja is one of those jewelry sets that I wasn’t sure I would like when I saw it first. It took only one wear for it to become one of my much loved pieces. The set comes in three colors of gold, silver, and red which is featured here. The rich color of the necklace is a compliment to any skin tone—an issue worth contemplating for any avatar. The design of the necklace is a successful marriage between femininity and boldness: the flower is romantic in its central location and its whimsical ravels, and yet the design is bold with layers of metal supporting the red flower. The set includes earrings and two bracelets as well, which is perfect for mix and match with items in your closet.
One of the SLeye-catching pieces that I have is Bromelia. I have featured the porcelain with red here, but at the store you also have the option of silver with black, or gold. I find this piece sexy, and not only because of the strategic spot where the necklace ends. All the items in the set, which includes necklace, bracelet, and earrings, reflect the entanglement of sensuality and strength. The metal cord with its sharp edges is a daring move, and yet the piece ends in a round red ball dangling. It is simply a great design. If you have any dresses with a dip in the cut in the front, and let’s face it – what female avatar doesn’t have an outfit like that, then you want to wear this necklace and watch how it draws attention to itself. This is also true about Guarana which comes in Gold , Silver, Old gold with wood. I have to warn you that the decision will be tough and you might walk out with all three.
A final note on jewelry is about earrings. As you have noticed, a wild and unruly mane sits on my head. As a result, my earrings often go unnoticed, which in turn has caused me not to pay a lot of attention to earrings. This has all been true until I found Orquidea, one of the new releases by Kunglers. The piece is available in two colors: abalone (featured here) and alba. The attention to details in this piece is remarkable. The asymmetrical design of the necklace works marvelously with the design of the orchids. The textures and colors are beautiful. I was so impressed by the earrings that I had to search for a hair that would allow me to wear this earring. Now, that is what I call jewelry: an accessory that makes you alter your hair so you can wear it!


