BMJ Blog

Macabre Jewelry: Modern Poison Rings by Wendy Brandes

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Poison rings open like a locket, and deadly powders could be stored under a bezel setting

or in the bezel setting itself. This macabre accessory was used to sneak poison into an enemy’s food or drink—or, in the event of capture or torture, the wearer could kill herself with the contents of her ring.

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Posted in diamonds, gold, informative, jewelry, rings, style

How to Stack Rings

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Mary Hood | 2 Comments

A little layered jewelry can instantly give the world a peek at your complex, creative style. Artfully stacked rings lend a charming touch to a simple outfit, and as you’ll probably discover, mixing and matching your rings can make old staples feel like edgy new additions.

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Posted in creative, fashion, fun, jewelry, style

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.

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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

Jewelry Blogs We Love

Posted on May 07, 2014 by Mary Hood | 1 Comment

What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday morning? Perhaps you love getting up with the sun to go for a hike--or maybe sleeping in and waking up just in time for a lazy brunch sounds like the perfect Saturday. For some of us, curling up with a mug of coffee and catching up on inspiring blogs equals weekend bliss.

No style-lover’s blog feed would be complete without a few drool-worthy jewelry blogs. Here are three we’re loving. Peruse these whenever you need a little eye candy or want to fuel your artistic inspiration. (Just be warned--your wish list is about to grow very long!)

If you cherish innovative designs and nonconventional baubles, head over to The Carrotbox. Ring-lover Alice Matsumoto finds unique, modern rings from jewelers all over the world. From fanciful to high-concept, The Carrotbox has something for everyone’s Pinterest board.

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Posted in blogs, fun, inspiration, jewelry blogs, jewelry designers, rings, style