Invest in ‘One Great Piece’ of jewelry

This new era of budget-conscious consumerism has provided retailers, stylists and analysts with a brand-new bag of catchphrases – some tout quality over quantity, others say less is more.

And when it comes to the season’s accessories, both of those adages are true.

Sure, lots of retail giants stock handfuls of glitzy cocktail rings and piles of identical pendants, many of which can be had for a song.

But an undercurrent of lesser-known designers and local boutiques are focusing on the elusive One Great Piece. Here, a sampling of these splurge-worthy baubles.

• A coveted designer with three pieces in the Louvre’s permanent collection, Iranian-born Iradj Moini combines colored emerald, smoky topaz, citrine and African ruby in this show-stopping collar. $3,750 at Tabandeh boutique in Washington, 202-244-0777.

• Sisters Danielle and Jodie Snyder imbue DANNIJO’s Haring line with an irrepressible youthful energy, thanks to brightly colored stones and haphazardly draped chains. Briony necklace, $595 at www.dannijo.com.

• Designed by the Glamourai blogger Kelly Framel, this chunky statement ring pairs a deep plum amethyst geode with a pewter filigree base. Pewter rock candy ring, $150 at www.shrimptoncouture.com.

• For her Marquis & Camus collection, New York designer Sarah Kang weaves together vintage crystal, beaded flowers and quirky baubles to create offbeat-yet-elegant pieces. Victorian Rebel necklace, $285 at www.marquiscamus.com.

• Composed of sterling silver, lapis lazuli and Murano glass beads, these pendant earrings are handmade in Milan under the guidance of French artist Ziio. Move earrings, $375 at Mia Gemma in Washington and www.miagemma.com.

• Fashion stylist-turned-jewelry designer Arlene Guerra crafts her P.Y.T. line from ribbon, playful charms and strands of pearls and rhinestones. Trigon Angle Collar necklace, $190 at Apres Peau in Washington, 202-783-0022. See www.pytjewelry.com for other outlets.

• American Estate Jewelry founder Carolyn O’Keefe took inspiration for her line of sterling silver cuffs from Baltimore’s historic silversmith traditions. Magnolia cuff, $525 at Tiny Jewel Box in Washington or see Americanestatejewelry.com.

See original article here (it was also printed)