BMJ Blog

Our Picks for Summer Style

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Matt & Nat Raylan Med Weekender Bag, $195. Wherever your summer plans take you, it never hurts to travel in style. A colorful weekender bag, like the Raylan by luxury vegan purse designer Matt & Nat, can meet your practical needs while adding that extra pop to your outfit. A laptop sleeve and bottle holders help you stay organized whether you’re jet setting or escaping the city for a weekend in the country.

Posted in creative, design picks, fashion, fun, inspiration, jewelry, seasonal, style, summer, summer style

What Are Black Diamonds?

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

In recent years, the mysterious and alluring black diamond has caught the interest of many a jewelry lover. These glossy dark stones often appear alongside white diamonds for a striking contrast. On their own, black diamonds make a modern, slightly edgy statement.

If you’re looking to purchase a piece with black diamonds, it’s helpful to understand the difference between natural black diamonds and natural diamonds that have been treated to have a uniform dark color.

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Posted in black diamonds, Diamonds, Informational, jewelry, style, Trends

5 Stylish Ways to Wear a Brooch

Posted on June 04, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Brooches are back, and we’ve got five creative and stylish ways to wear both new and vintage pins. To keep the look modern, avoid matching the color of your brooch to the color of your outfit—and don’t be afraid to take risks! Pair a sweet, feminine brooch with an edgy pair of boots or wear a cluster of brooches together. There’s no harm in experimenting.

Tip: To make sure you don't loose your brooch while you're wearing it, create a DIY safety catch using a rubber earring back or a small piece of pencil eraser.

Here are 5 fun ways to wear a brooch:

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Posted in brooch, brooches, classic, contemporary, creative, DIY, fashion, fun, how-to, jewelry, pins, retro, shopping, style, style tips, vintage

How to Wear Statement Jewelry

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Mary Hood | 3 Comments

Sometimes we want to go beyond simple studs and wedding bands--way beyond. Whether it's dramatic chandelier earrings, a glittering diamond tennis bracelet, or layers of pearls, we all have a statement jewelry sweet spot. It isn't difficult to find a piece that makes your heart beat a little faster. The real challenge, however, can be figuring out how to make the right statement with your dazzling jewels. Most of us would like to channel "sophisticated with the perfect touch of glamour" rather than "overeager twelve-year-old playing in Mom's jewelry box." It can be a fine line.

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Posted in celebrities, fashion, fun, jewelry, statement jewelry, style, style icons, tips, vintage

Finding the Right Engagement Ring for Your Bride's Style

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Looking for the perfect engagement ring but feeling a little overwhelmed? We’re here to help. While there are several factors that go into choosing the right ring, you can start by figuring out what kind of style you want. Once you’ve got this established, you can really narrow down your search and start focusing on other considerations like your budget. After all, it's not about the price--it's about her.

While every bride has a style distinct to her alone, the following style profiles will help you select a style of ring to reflect and emphasize your girlfriend’s unique charm.

Classic: Her Essence: Classic girls are drawn to clean, feminine lines—think tailored, silk button-down blouse. While she may indulge in the occasional trendy piece, she truly values timeless pieces that can be worn season after season. Her style is elegant, charming, and practical. Style Signatures: ballet flats, pearl studs, simple cardigans, her grandmother’s charm bracelet.

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Posted in choosing an engagement ring, diamond rings, engagement, engagement rings, jewelry, settings, shopping, style, style profiles, weddings

DIY Oxidized Silver Jewelry

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Oxidized silver is sterling silver that’s been purposely tarnished using a controlled method. While effective, chemical oxidation solutions like Silver Black, Black Max, Win-Ox, and Liver of Sulfur are hazardous and must be used with caution and appropriate, protective equipment.
To save your kitchen from toxic fumes, we’ll explore a safer, simpler method of silver oxidation you can do with a hard-boiled egg and a little patience.

Why Oxidized Silver?

Oxidizing sterling silver emphasizes the details of the design and setting. This extra step gives an organic, natural look to a piece, and depending on the style of the jewelry, an oxidized finish can make it look rustic, antique, earthy, or even edgy.

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Posted in antiquing, DIY, jewelry, jewelrymaking, oxidized silver, oxidizing, silver, sterling silver

Teeny Tidy Studio - A very brief tour

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Barbara Polinsky | 0 Comments

Be it ever so humble...... here are a few quick snapshots. More to come. Viewing clockwise: Soldering station, "Every Woman Should Have a Blowtorch" - Julia Child poster by UUPP on Etsy. My beloved bench: Inherited from a dear friend. Story to follow at a later date. Bench & Tools: Obsessively organized. That's just how I am :) Microscope: by Kassoy Every set stone is inspected under magnification before shipping.