In 2008, working out of her Greenwich Village apartment, Amanda Pearl Brotman began constructing evening bags from vintage fabrics and beads gathered from her travels around the world. In the fall of 2009, Brotman launched Amanda Pearl Jewels with accessories made from vintage chandelier crystals, semi-precious stones, pearls, shells, and other natural materials. Brotman’s jewelry line has been spotted on celebrities such as Frieda Pinto, Blake Lively, Serena Williams, and Emma Stone.

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Tags: Grosgrain, Metallic, Pearls, Semi-precious stones, Shells, Shopbop, Wood beads

More than a decade ago, Helen Ficalora began designing jewelry that reflects the art and beauty of nature. As a child growing up in Southampton, NY, Ficalora collected shells, sea glass, starfish, and played in fields of wild flowers. These lasting impressions of the outdoors are evident in her delightfully lively pieces. Ficalora’s collections have been featured in some major publications including Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Real Simple.

The dainty Paw Print Charm is adorable, simple, and feminine. This 3/8” wide sterling silver circular charm contains a single tiny paw print honoring our beloved animal companions. Pair it with Helen Ficalora’s delicate 16” sterling silver chain with ring clasp to complete the look. This set is the perfect gift for any animal lover. Buy the Paw Print Charm for $35 and the 16″ Fine Silver Chain for $33 at ShopBop!

Tags: Animal lover, Chain, Charms, Gift, Helen Ficalora, jewelry, Nature, Outdoors, Paw Print, Pets, Sea glass, Shells, Starfish, Sterling silver, Wild Flowers

Italian born designer Francesca Belluomini realized her innate love of fashion at a tender age spending hours going through her grandmother’s armoire full of enchanting evening gowns and costume jewelry. As a young adult, Belluomini went on to pursue a degree in classical studies and sociology at the University of Cesare Alfieri in Florence. Thereafter, she traveled throughout the world finding joy in transforming objects from nature into extraordinary pieces of jewelry. She began creating handmade jewelry from her Florida home for friends and family who later encouraged her to launch her own line. Belluomini receives inspiration from nature and uses stones, shells, silk, cotton, paper, and vintage findings to create her designs. Her latest collection is inspired by her summer vacations on the Mediterranean.

The Blue Lace Agate Lariat is unique, bold, and elegant. I had the opportunity to view this lariat and was quite enthralled by its simple, yet lavish design. This necklace is embellished with vibrant agate stones in oval and almond faceted shapes. Both ends of the lariat contain a stunning jumbo blue silk tassel. This lariat is approximately 54” long and can be wrapped numerous ways to create different looks. Buy through Francesca Belluomini for $90.

Tags: Agate, Agate Lariat, Armoire, Blue Lace, Classical Studies, Costume jewelry, Cotton, Evening gowns, Florence, Handmade jewelry, Italian, Lavish, Mediterranean, Nature, Necklace, Paper, Shells, Silk, Silk tassel, Stones, Summer vacations, Vintage findings

Artist and jewelry designer Lisa Wells, owner of Reliquiae, creates unique handmade jewelry using remains from the sea, as well as animal and plant life specimens. Wells adorns shells with resins, metals, semi-precious stones, and crystals. Each fossil takes weeks to create because it’s carefully reinforced and polished with a blend of resins for strength and shine. The outcome is an enthralling cocktail ring that becomes a treasured souvenir from the sea.

The elegant, yet bold Beaded Shell Ring was recently feature in Lucky Magazine’s Editor’s Picks section. The miniature nautilus shell is adorned with golden glass beads that have the look of shimmering sand.  The cocktail ring measures 1.75 inches by 1.5 inches. This ring is perfect for a relaxing day out wearing a tee and capri’s, or a summer dress!  I adore the Beaded Shell Ring for its captivating appeal and unique design. Buy this cocktail ring through Reliquiae for $110.

Tags: Cocktail rings, Crystals, Editor's Picks, Fossil, Glass Beads, Jewelry designer, Lucky Magazine, Metal, Nautilus shell, Resin, Semi-precious stones, Shells, Treasured souvenir

Pendants derived from the Stone Age practice of wearing amulets or talismans around the neck. During this time, it consisted of objects such as stones, teeth, and shells. In the Renaissance era, depictions of mermaids, animals, ships, and mythological creatures were worn. Today, pendants have become a chic style and many designers are adding distinctive pendant designs to their jewelry collections.

Designer Catherine Michiels studied jewelry making at the Arts & Métiers Institute in Brussels. After working in the magazine industry for Marie Claire and Elle, Michiels returned to her passion of jewelry and launched a line that instills spiritual connotations to her designs. Glamour, Elle, W, US Weekly, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, and among other magazines have featured her collections.

The Bronze Fig Pendant can be worn as necklace or wrapped around your wrist to create a fashionable bracelet. Michiels adds a fig and two leaf charms to symbolize abundance and prosperity. The lush silk ribbon is in a purple burgundy hue and is 30” long. Buy through Saks Fifth Avenue for $220.

Tags: Abundance, Amulets, Animals, Arts & Métiers Institute in Brussels, Bracelets, Bronze Fig Pendant, Catherine Michiels, Designer, Elle, Fig, Glamour, Jewelry Making, Leaf, Marie Claire, Mermaids, Mythological creatures, Neck, Necklace, Pendants, Prosperity, Renaissance era, Saks, Shells, Ships, Stone Age, Stones, Talismans, Teeth, US Weekly, Vanity Fair, W