Tag Archives: jewelry

Fall into Autumn with Shades of Orange

07 Wednesday Sep 2022

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September has begun to unfold and autumn is just around the corner. Welcome in the new season with some of our favorite orange fashion accessories. Whether it be tangerine, rust, peach, melon, or pumpkin, there is a shade of orange that is sure to add an autumn flair to any outfit.

Color Burst Scarf

The striped pattern of this cozy scarf brings a cascade of bright, autumnal color to any outfit. Each one is woven with brilliant shades of orange, blue, purple, red, and yellow by our French artisan, Anais.

Italian Leather Aventine Handbag

Supple Italian leather in a bright shade of clementine orange is accented with a shining gold linked chain on this handbag from Marco of Italy. This carry-all is great for bringing a pop of playful autumn color to any look.

Annie Rust Wool Fedora

Orange-brown rust wool felt is pressed and shaped on a heated mold before it is adorned with a brown faux leather band and an eclectic mix of feathers. This stylish hat is handmade by Carole, our milliner in New York’s Hudson River Valley.

Desert Dreamer Kimono

To create this vibrant orange kimono, soft woven fabric is printed with crisp florals using traditional wood frame screens. Hand-mixed pigments permanently bond with the fabric, creating a unique and bright pigment-dyed effect. This piece is complete with a patterned border and metallic gold details. Each is designed by Elizabeth of NYC and handmade by her artisan team in India.

Burnt Orange Florentine Suede Bucket Bag

This roomy bucket-style handbag is masterfully handcrafted by Alessandra and Elisabetta of Florence, Italy. These talented sisters rely on the leatherworking techniques passed down to them by their late father as they handcraft each bag from the softest Italian suede in an earthy shade of burnt orange and accent it with braided leather handles and a hand-cut beige suede tassel.

Glistening Leaves Murano Glass Necklace

Valentina and Alessandra fell in love with the art of glass making over a decade ago. Years later, they decided to turn their passion and knowledge for jewelry design into a business that would allow their creative impulses to flow. In their Venetian studio, they handcraft this necklace using topaz-colored Murano glass beads, smaller gold leaf charms, and three larger leaf charms of peachy marbled Murano glass.

Evening Embers Red Jasper Earrings

Growing up amid the exotic natural beauty of Rajasthan, India, Anju developed a passion for design at an early age. She designs these earrings from swirling forms of antique brass accented with glowing red-orange jasper stones. Each pair is then handmade by her artisan team in her native India.

5 Fashion Tips As You Transition Your Style From Winter To Spring

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

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With March comes anticipation for the bright and beautiful styles of spring – pretty pastels and floral prints, light and airy fabrics, vacation-ready sun hats, and so much more. Here are 5 tips to consider as you shift your everyday style from winter to spring.

1.) Swap out wool hats for straw

A hat is the finishing touch to any outfit, no matter the season. In the winter we opt for hats to keep us warm, while in the springtime we use them to shelter from the sun’s harmful rays. Gear up for spring by swapping out your warmer wool hat for one made of straw. Did we mention that most of our straw sun hats are packable? They maintain their shape after being packed away, making them perfect for travel. Check out a few of our favorite straw derby hats, straw fedoras, and packable straw sun hats:

The “Claire” Straw Derby Hat

The “Macy” Straw Derby Hat

The “Cassandra” Straw Derby Hat

The “Lesley” Straw Cloche

2.) Pile on some floral prints

Spring is a time for celebrating new life, so it is only fitting that most spring fashion prints are inspired by the rebirth of Mother Nature. Start incorporating pretty floral prints into your outfit to add a bright and beautiful spring flair to any look. An easy way to do this is with an artisan-made scarf! Here are a few to get you started:

Elizabeth’s “Sunny Afternoon” Scarf

“Hydrangea Bouquet” Cotton Scarf

Elizabeth’s “Flower Market” Scarf

“Cherry Blossoms” Silk Scarf

3.) Treat yourself to a new artisan-made handbag

We think any woman who carries a handbag can agree that there is no better feeling than starting fresh. Let’s be honest….our carry-alls sometimes end up quite literally carrying all of our non-essential, extra stuff. Spring is a great time to start fresh by treating yourself to a brand new artisan-made handbag in a springy color or print. Here are a few of our latest:

“Morning Tulips” Tote

“Catania” Italian Leather Crossbody

“Rose Garden” Hand-Beaded Clutch

“Bardini” Italian Leather Handbag

4.) Opt for lightweight layers

“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” The month of March is a time of transitional weather, beginning quite cold and ending mild and pleasant. For all of us here on the Connecticut shoreline, it is a time for dressing in layers that are easy to remove if the day shifts from chilly to warm. Kimonos, wraps, and oversized scarves that double as shawls are great for this! Check out our latest pieces of apparel that are ideal for layering:

Aqua Pull-Through Wrap

“Colors At Play” Kimono

Elizabeth’s “See You At Sunrise” Kimono

“Leopard Jungle” Italian Silk Scarf

5.) Accessorize with jewelry inspired by nature

Complete your spring outfit with jewelry that embodies the most notable signs of spring – butterflies, dragonflies, and flowers. Our latest collection of handcrafted jewelry includes springtime pieces for every woman’s style. Find yours now:

Pastel Rainbow Crystal Dragonfly Necklace

Pastel Rainbow Crystal Dragonfly Earrings

Rose Of Sharon Murano Glass Torsade

Florentine Butterfly Brooch

Florentine Butterfly Earrings

5 Pieces Of Jewelry To Fall In Love With This Valentine’s Day

07 Monday Feb 2022

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With Valentine’s day just one week away, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite jewelry pieces infused with a little extra love.

1.) Daniel Lyons’ Swarovski Crystal & Pearl Heart Necklace

image of Daniel Lyons' Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace with sku:W21W007

This sparkling necklace from our London jeweler is inspired by the designs of the Victorian era. It showcases 7 ruby red enameled hearts encrusted with Swarovski crystals, pristine freshwater pearls, and is handcrafted from gleaming 23k gold. Did we mention we have earrings and a bracelet to match?

2.) Patrice’s Onyx & Garnet Heart Pendant Necklace

image of Patrice's Onyx & Garnet Heart Pendant Necklace with sku:WR2146061

This bold heart pendant necklace is handcrafted by Patrice of Florida. The center of each heart displays a faceted garnet stone surrounded by 24k gold and black onyx. Smooth, round garnet beads make up the the two strands from which the pendant proudly hangs.

3.) “Rainbow Mosaic” Murano Glass Millefiori Heart Earrings

image of ''Rainbow Mosaic'' Murano Glass Millefiori Heart Earrings with sku:WR2150042
In a fourth-generation family workshop, master Florentine craftsmen use Murano glass and painstaking millefiori techniques to handcraft these heart earrings. Each heart features an intricate millefiori mosaic created by heating and stretching bundles of glass canes, slicing them to reveal the designs, and then using special tweezers to individually hand-set each tiny colored piece into place in order to create a rainbow effect.

4.) Avi’s Sterling Silver & Rose Gold Heart Ring

image of Avi's Sterling Silver & Rose Gold Heart Adjustable Ring with sku:WN9A24013

Our Israeli jeweler handcrafts this shining ring. Classically elegant and beautifully bold, it pairs a stylish rose gold heart with gleaming sterling silver. 

5.) “Sweetheart” Necklace & Earrings Set

image of ''Sweetheart'' Necklace & Earrings Set with sku:WR2012043

Our jewelry designers in Colorado use their own original photography to handcraft the hearts on this jewelry set. Each hypoallergenic piece is created using a UV giclee print which is affixed to a heart-shaped metal tile. Enjoy wearing these sweet pieces separately or together!

January Birthstone: Garnet

03 Monday Jan 2022

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How Can I Spot It?

The word “garnet” is derived from the Latin word for Garanatus, which means seed-like, as it is similar to a pomegranate seed in both size and color. Although it is available in many colors, deep red happens to be the most common color of garnet.

What Does It Symbolize?

Garnet symbolizes health, prosperity, and regeneration, all of which are in our hopes when starting a fresh New Year.

During the Bronze Age, Egyptians would use garnet as an embellishment in their jewelry and carvings because it symbolized life.  In time, it also became very popular among the Romans and Ancient Greeks. Warriors during the Crusades used garnets as a lucky charm when going into battle because they believed it had healing powers.

Back in the biblical period, it is believed that a garnet stone led Noah’s Ark through the darkness and into the light. Today, people adore garnet mostly because of what it represents, and use it in jewelry, prayer beads, and the realm of spiritual healing.

Where Is It Found?

Unlike many other gemstones, garnet is found all over the world. It is mined in countries like Brazil, Russia, Namibia, and the United States. In fact, there are even a few popular garnet mines right here in Uno Alla Volta’s home state of Connecticut, making it the state mineral.

Here is some of our favorite handcrafted jewelry featuring this deep red stone:

“Gentle Breeze” Gemstone Necklace

image of ''Gentle Breeze'' Gemstone Necklace with sku:WR1830011

“Sunburst” Gemstone Necklace

image of ''Sunburst'' Gemstone Necklace with sku:WR1704011

“Gentle Breeze” Gemstone Earrings

image of ''Gentle Breeze'' Gemstone Earrings with sku:WR1830012

Joli’s Paisley Spiral Gemstone Earrings

image of Joli's Gemstone Paisley Spiral Hoop Earrings with sku:WR0212050

Gemstone Chakra Ring

image of Gemstone Chakra Adjustable Ring with sku:WR1216040

“Sunburst” Gemstone Earrings

image of ''Sunburst'' Gemstone Earrings with sku:WR1704012

Avi’s Garnet & Blue Topaz Cuff

image of Avi's Garnet & Blue Topaz Adjustable Cuff with sku:WR0158050

March Birthstone: Aquamarine

17 Wednesday Mar 2021

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What Does The Name “Aquamarine” Mean?

Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words “aqua,” meaning “water,” and “marina,” meaning “of the sea.”

How Can I Spot It?

Aquamarine is a gem with oceanic color which ranges from light blue to dark blue to seafoam green. The purer the shade of blue, the more valuable the stone is. It has a natural clarity to it, sometimes even appearing to be transparent.

What Does It Symbolize?

As with all birthstones, aquamarine has long been associated with a number of healing and spiritual powers. As the first birthstone of the spring months, it is most commonly seen as a symbol of youth, rebirth, and hope.

Where Is It Found?

Aquamarine is found inside certain types of granite rocks. The first aquamarine gems were found in 1723, nestled deep in the mountains of Siberia. Today, it is mined mostly in Brazil, but it is also found in parts of Africa and even right here in the United States! At 14000 feet elevation, Mount Antero in Colorado has revealed some of the finest quality aquamarine gems in all the world.

And, of course, you can find aquamarine here at Uno Alla Volta! Here are a few of our favorite jewelry pieces featuring this beautiful blue stone:

“Earthen Glow” Statement Necklace

“One With Nature” Earrings

Joli’s “Paisley Spiral” Gemstone Hoop Earrings

“Sparkling Seas” Pendant Necklace

“Hidden Meadow” Gemstone Necklace

Precious Metals in Murano Glass

03 Wednesday Mar 2021

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One of the most common techniques used in Murano glass making is the infusion of precious metals. The distinct earthy sparkle of aventurine, the subtle shimmer of silver foil, and the classic look of gleaming gold flakes are the accents that give radiance and depth to the beads on your favorite Murano glass jewelry. This technique is very tedious, as it requires impeccable skill, a steady hand, and a sincere devotion to the craft of lampworking.

Our glass masters work very carefully when infusing each glass bead with either gold flakes or silver foil. First, a sheet of the precious metal has to be hammered until it is extremely thin. Next, each sheet is cut into tiny “flakes.” The artisan then rolls a small amount of molten glass in the metal flakes so that they adhere to the surface. This tiny chunk of flake-covered glass is then encapsulated in more molten glass, which “traps” the metal inside the bead before it is lampworked into the desired shape. As the artisan lampworks the bead, the flakes may pull apart and disperse throughout it.

To infuse a bead with aventurine, or copper crystal, our artisans first add cuprous iron and lead oxides to molten glass. The glass is then left to cool and harden for several days, which results in crystallization of the tiny copper particles. These sparkling particles are most commonly reddish-brown in color, and are responsible for the irresistible shimmer inside your favorite aventurine jewelry.

Now that you know a bit more about all of the hard work that goes into creating the infused beads on your favorite Murano glass jewelry pieces, which type is your favorite? Do you gravitate more towards the cool sparkle of silver foil, the warm glow of gold foil, or the amber shimmer of aventurine? Let us know!