WOMEN: Blue Eyed Girl

MEN: Great Lakes

February 16, 2007

jewelry accessories trends

Trend Watch

Trend Watch: In the Raw

Gemstones that won't lose their edge. By Loryn Hatch

Lots of polish and finished edges are fine for the runways, but lately we've been craving something a little rougher around the edges. Thankfully, a crop of jewelry designers are taking their cues from Mother Nature, allowing a bounty of brilliant raw stones to speak for themselves. In a wide spectrum of colors, textures, shapes, and materials, these rare gems set in varied but altogether modern settings, range from the soft and precious to the out-and-out fierce. Here, we've gathered together a few of our favorite pieces to send you over the metaphoric edge.

1. Belmacz London-based Belmacz holds an eclectic court of admirers with their wide range of materials and styles. Their formidable foray into the wilds of exotic rock taming has yielded a number of awe-inspiring results, including the Lady of the Lake, made from the uncommon Ruby in Zoisite, and the Black Tourmaline Vesuvius, set with the added detail of a colored diamond. For information and availability, go to www.belmacz.com



2. Conroy Wilcox's 18-karat Drusy cocktail ring in either or black or white sits on the border between rough and smooth. The large teardrop stone rises up to an unfinished plateau—a striking contrast that has a good witch/bad witch effect. Available at Steven Alan, 103 Franklin Street, New York; 212-343-0352. For more information, go to www.conroywilcox.com

3. Christine Brandt's hand-carved pieces are sought exclusively from sustainable sources. Dramatic and yet totally wearable, her jewelry turns simple wardrobe backdrops into rugged, enchanting landscapes. The Cactus Flower ring features African Black Ebony and Vanadinite. And the Devil Nut necklace is made from Black Tourmaline, as well as African Black Ebony. Available at Kaviar & Kind, 8533 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, 310-659-8857. For more information, go towww.christinejbrandt.com

4. Melissa Joy Manning is a self-proclaimed "rock dork." She loves the hunt for stones that she describes as "works of art in themselves," and lets the shape, texture, and color decide how she transforms her subject into a masterpiece. The 14-karat-gold Bezel rings feature a soft, aqua-blue Drusy ($500 and $513), while the 14-karat-gold earrings encapsulate an almost transparent black Drusy ($600). For information and availability, go to www.mjmmetal.com

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