Staff Favorites: Emily

If you want to make Emily Johnson smile, all you have to do is talk to her about Michael Zobel. Easily one of the most talented designers and goldsmiths of his time, Moroccan-born Michael Zobel uses exquisite gems, unusual techniques and fabulous shapes to give life to his unbelievably awesome jewelry.

When I asked Emily about her favorite piece in the gallery she gravitated towards the beautiful ring pictured below. The warm grey gold contrasts strongly with the platinum, and Zobel uses black diamonds to highlight the stark white of the most precious of metals. With a BFA in sculpture from MCAD, Emily is impressed by how Zobel can take the most basic kind of jewelry, the ring, and make it into a sculptural wonder. Not only does this ring have a delicious weight, but the ribbed texture makes it comfortable despite its width.


Emily's love for Zobel might have something to do with the fact that she owns one of his pieces already, and the grey gold and platinum ring pictured above would be a fabulous addition to her collection. Pictured below is Zobel's "Metropolis" ring, from the personal collection of Emily Johnson. The ability to take a completely normal gem like quartz and turn it into a small masterpiece like the ring below is uncommon: it takes precision, skill and, above all, imagination. The sculpted quartz and champagne diamonds set in platinum are transformed into a tiny city that never ceases to amaze.


Zobel's jewelry is like nothing you've seen before and I'm sure Emily would agree with me that seeing it merits a trip downtown, even during rush hour. Here are a few other pieces from his collection...come try them on and marvel at how good a piece of jewelry can make you feel.



-Louisa Podlich

Staff Favorites: Megan

Studio Vincent's Megan Baxter is still fairly new to the jewelry business, but she picked up the lingo right away.  When I asked her about her favorite piece of jewelry in the store she took a careful look around and then started telling me why she liked the Studio Vincent Muse Collection made by our own Stephen Vincent.

Megan is sophisticated, especially for her age, but she definitely has a whimsical side and the Muse Collection, especially the Soho pendant pictured here appeals to both aspects of her personality.  Created from stainless steel and fine silver with flush set diamonds, this pendant shows that jewelry techniques aren't static. Megan loves how the Muse jewelry mixes stainless steel, relatively new on the jewelry scene, with old-school silver and diamonds; the young and old merging to give jewelry a face lift.  

Although this collection is contemporary, it remains elegant and Megan tells clients that this piece will look good with day or night attire.  An April baby, she's especially fond of wearing diamonds and never hesitates to point out how wonderful it feels to wear a little sparkle every day.

-Louisa Podlich

Staff Favorites: Louisa

I've been a jewelry lover my entire life. I used to cut out pictures of stacking rings and gemstone necklaces from my mom's old Coldwater Creek magazines and paste them in my journal. My tastes have evolved since then, but for the last 18 years or so I've searched magazines, websites, boutiques...all in search of the perfect accessory...and I finally found it.

Behold the Mokume Lantern Earrings by Minneapolis artist George Sawyer. They're so long they just graze the shoulder, and heavy enough to remind you of just how fabulous they are. They look amazing when paired with a little black dress, a white blouse, a boat neck sweater. You can wear them with short hair or long hair, and they'll go perfectly with your eyes, guaranteed.

Someday I will own a pair of these earrings, but for now I'd be happy to sell them to you! Start putting money in your piggy bank now and before you know it you'll be the proud owner of beautiful earrings that will perfectly compliment your summer tan.

-Louisa Podlich