FAB AVE.

Gimme Dem Gems

By Jonayé Taylor

Welcome back fellow Bowie Staters and Spectrum Online Readers! Thankfully, the winter break was not as treacherous as the winter of 2009-2010. However, this is the spring semester so I do not know about you but I cannot wait for flowers to flourish. More importantly, I cannot wait for all of my mini-fashionistas to bloom into full-fledged fierce fashionistas! The little fuzzy thing (see Groundhog) they (see The Public) pull from the ground each year did not see its shadow, therefore, warm weather is on its way! Woo hoo!

As continuous readers may know, or newcomers shall learn that I am infatuated with jewelry! There are definitely variations out there to choose from, and one should never limit oneself to just one specification, but I must add that I adore gemstone jewelry!

Many may be familiar with gemstones by corresponding them to birthday months. For example, Amethyst is for February, Diamond (April), Emerald (May), Ruby (July), Sapphire (September), Turquoise (December) and the list continues. A few stones not necessarily associated with birthday months, that are well known and worn (most popular hues), and are just as equally gorgeous if not better are Citrine (yellowish hue), Coral (pinkish orangish hue), Jade (midtone green), Onyx (black) and Amber (brownish yellow). However, you can wear whichever stone you either admire, complements your complexion or simply matches your outfit best.  Allow the jewels to brighten up the eyes by making them pop with a dazzling glare. In addition, definitely try to make skin appear more radiant with a glow  and allow your hair to look lustrously shiny with dem gems.

 
Personally, I feel "gems" have no rules! Therefore, for all of the daring fashionable people why not delve into creativity by meshing metallic and gemstones together?  Beautiful combinations include gold/turquoise, coral/gold, amber/bronze, amethyst/silver or pewter and luckily, the combos are endless. Just follow my warm-gold, cool-silver rule, you can refer back to my "Heavy Metal" article for more details! Jewelry designers who dibble and dabble into the gems trend are LeVian, Opera Omnia, David Webb, Tacori, Mikimoto, Chanel Cruise Saint-Tropez, Iradj Moini, Carelle, Gemveto, Bellarri, Assael International, Ippolita, Carolo Zini, Simon G., Lois Hill, etc.  Designer's house Badgley Mischka incorporated gems into their Fall 2010 RTW collection.  Regardless of which designer you pick to rock with (pun intended) never fear exaggerating an ordinary outfit and making it an extraordinary outfit with bold statement pieces revolving around gemstones. For guidance with making big statements, simply refer back to my "Make a Statement" article. Whatever you decide upon you should feel confident because you are being advised by a seasoned fashionista that is always up on the new trends for the seasons. Better yet, Spectrum readers allow yourselves to be trendsetters! Trust me, have I ever stirred you in the wrong direction in the past? Never!

Now let me continue to school you. Another great fashion idea to opt for would be to find great little details of gems on clutches, shoes, belts, and hair accessories. As far as brooches are concerned, attach them to blazers, scarves, cardigans, etc. In case you are wondering where are more affordable places to visit to achieve faux gemstone looks are Chico's, Ashley Stewart, For Love 21, Aldo Accessories and Icing. Of course, my lovely FAB AVEettes, you know I am always going to look out for you! I want you to be fierce and rock dem gems!