Pretty Little Sparkly Bands... stack them high!

STACK EM HIGH............

Yes, it seems we're always encouraging people to stack rings and bracelets... can't help it. These little babies from Jolie Designs look especially beautiful because they are so thin. These pictures don't do the rings justice, but they actually have some serious sparkle and really look luxurious when stacked in groups of three or four. Example: the last grouping of four cost our lovely client (who was wearing them as wedding bands on her right hand) about $5000... and the set had more sparkle and width than a traditional 1 carat solitaire which would typically cost around $7000.

These rings are no brainers in terms of quality, affordability, and versatility... but don't think that they're not equally as stylish & special as they are pragmatic. We can have these made in 18k white or yellow gold, or platinum. This designer makes them to order for us and takes about 4 weeks. The honeycomb ring shown above is one of our favorites.

Here's another that pairs back beautifully to a yellow gold solitaire or as an added pop of color in a stacking set of all white. The rings are all hand made and hand millgrained.

Also consider pairing one of these super sparkly/vintagey bands back to a more clean lined, bold, modern engagement ring is a stunning contrast.

j.ALBRECHT's favorite designer.

We're often asked who our favorite jewelry designers are. If you're familiar with our design aesthetic and love of technology,tradition, and modernism, then it won't come as a surprise to you the designs we covet. German design house Niessing, which has been designing and fabricating jewelry since 1873.

Love these Niessing rings. LOVE them. Hawk loves them so much he's looking for a second job just to fund his Niessing obsession. In fact, we're the only jeweler in Colorado who represents the Niessing line... while we don't stock a ton of their jewelry, we can order anything from them, and love to do so.

It's not hard to recognize Niessing jewelry. Each piece contains a simple idea/basic concept, and what appears to be complex is simple at its core. However, these rings are extemely difficult to manufacture and many of their techniques are proprietary. They have an extensive traditon with precious metals, namely the interplay between expert crafstmanship, contemporary technology and the reconciliation of form and function in harmony with the material used.

To wit: the tension ring

Developed for Niessing by the artist Walter Wittek in 1979, it's been recognized with numerous design awards and on display in such museums as MoMA in NYC. The "floating" diamond, securely held by the tension of the forged precious metal, is an icon of modern jewelry culture.

Stacking Bangles

Here's a set of 14k bangles we did for a client in South Carolina , using her smokey quartz and aquamarine. These two bracelets go back to another bangle of the same size and scale we designed with three bezel-set diamonds. We were going for a look that was fun and funky but not over-the-top. Designing a set of bangles can be tricky, as bracelets typically weigh a fair amount and thus get more expensive. Generally speaking, we like thinner bangles that make stacking several a bit more elegant and affordable.

Locally Made Damascus Steel Rings

Our locally produced damascus steel ring is done, this is our first official model! The rings are 7.5mm wide, come with a flat and a round profile............ estimated delivery time is 3 weeks to 4 weeks. The damascus steel rods are imported from Europe and all fabrication and labor is done locally here in Boulder, currently there are very few domestic damascus ring producers, so we are proud to offer this unique ring. The rings have a beautiful, subtle, fingerprint-like texture. The pattern of each ring varies, making each ring one of a kind. We make them to order in your size. $599

We had a lovely .5ct natural green sapphire that was just begging to be made into something fun. We decided to design a 18k green gold and diamond ring for it and we're thrilled with how it turned out. It's gorgeous worn alone and even more beautiful worn with a little sparkly diamond band. $ 2950

Welcome Back, Hawk!

He's BA-ACK! For those of our friends whom we've met in the last two years, Hawk will be a new face in the store (as equally adorable as the face in this picture, but not holding a giant fish, we promise.) Hawk began working with Jay ten years ago, and after a brief hiatus, has realized that his life just wasn't as wonderful as it had been when he'd been spending forty hours a week with Jay. For those of you who've been working with Hawk over the years, you'll be thrilled to know that he's back in the shop brokering stones and helping his clients as if he never left. It's great to have him back with us.

Don't be Afraid!

Don't be afraid. Don't. We know that many of you are scared to wear yellow gold. We know it and we get it... your diamond engagement ring and wedding band are platinum, your diamond stud earrings are set in platinum and your watch is stainless steel. We know this because we've helped you design all of them and along the way you just might have mentioned that yellow gold is eighties and that it reminds you of your mother, and that you would never (gasp) mix metals.

Well, we have some thoughts on this. Let us address point by point.

1. Your diamond engagement ring and wedding band look AMAZING in platinum/white gold. Absolutely amazing. Nothing shows a diamond off like platinum! Yellow gold engagement rings are not for everyone. If you want a yellow gold engagement ring you have a certain kind of style... very traditional (yay!) or very fashion forward (double yay!)

2. Yes, there was a lot of brassy yellow gold going on in the eighties... it's true. But there was also Madonna, and the Rubix Cube, and Sixteen Candles... and how awesome is all of THAT? Consider.

3. We don't know what sort of issues you have with your mother, but we're sure she loves you. Very, very much.

4. Yes mixing metals is a bit like wearing white after Labor Day or like wearing black patent Channel ballet flats with a chocolate Hobo satchel... it takes putting a toe in the water... feeling the temperature... and debating. Can you take the plunge? You know it will be a shock at first, but you know that once you get over the initial jolt, it starts to feel totally normal. Those old "rules" are just that... old. It's 2010 and it's okay to mix it up a bit!

Some of our most sassy and chic clients have all SORTS of jewelry... white, yellow, rose, modern, vintage, real, costume, and the most fabulous change it up and keep it interesting by mixing and matching and being fearless!

So. In honor of ALL of our wonderful clients, we have designed a darling little line of yellow gold and gemstone earrings. We think these are just PERFECT for everyone. A bit vintage (see the filigree on the sides?) and a bit modern (see those clean, simple bezels?) and not too much yellow (we've sandblasted it to soften it up a bit) but just enough to keep it current. They're a great price ,too! $350-$500. We wish we had a fabulous name for them... but we're too crazy busy with Mother's Day deadlines and we've had too little coffee today to sit around and brainstorm a cute and quirky name. Thoughts, anyone??