Orchid-themed diamond brooches, necklaces with gemstones the size of jawbreakers and feline charms are among the jewels local retailers are dangling in front of customers this month. Christmas might be two months away, but it’s never too early to start dreaming, or shopping.
Cartier has long been known for its whimsical floral designs, and it created a hothouse full for its latest collection. “Caresse d’Orchidées” was unveiled at a lavish reception in New York during the recent spring fashion week and is now making the rounds of stores.
Rings, bracelets and necklaces pavéd in diamonds and studded with rubies and emeralds were displayed in glass cases sunk into walls padded in signature Cartier red. Models wore Rochas dresses and showed off pieces from the collection, many of them one-of-a-kind.
Several of the pieces in the line multitask – brooches can be worn alone or clipped onto a necklace or bracelet. Cartier has been doing detachable pieces since the 1930s, and patented their design in 1940.
Prices in the line start at $6,700 and go up to $3 million, according to company spokeswoman Meredith Strickon. Selected items will be at the Cartier store in Cherry Creek Shopping Center on Thursday and Friday. Any item in the line can be sent to the store at a customer’s request. Information: 720-941-1900.
Purr-fect: Not all precious jewelry is meant to be taken seriously, judging from the familiar feline face that stares out from the jewelry case these days. It’s Hello Kitty, covered in diamonds, her signature bow dotted with peridots and onyx spots marking her nose and eyes. The jewelry is a venture of Simmons Jewelry Co., controlled by music and fashion mogul Russell Simmons and his model-designer wife, Kimora Lee Simmons. They are producing the jewelry under a license from Sanrio, which controls everything Kitty.
The jewelry and watches appeal to women 35-50 and their daughters, according to Renee Minsky, director of marketing for the company. The less expensive pieces are in enamel and start at $350 for a ring; pavéd diamond necklaces go for $1,500 to about $7,500. Watches are about $1,600. Neiman Marcus sells the line. 303-329-2600.
Glam slam: Cindy Ollig carries at least a dozen fashion jewelry lines at the Perfect Petal, a store that also offers accessories, floral designs, home, tabletop items and lighting. Ollig recently held a champagne and cupcake reception to introduce the sparklers to customers. “I love collections that are glamorous, fun and edgy,” Ollig says.
Among the offerings are R.J. Graziano (jet and crystals in the Tuxedo collection), Dame Design (vintage-inspired lockets and chains, mixed with textiles and metals) and Ophelia (vintage crystals and colors done in offbeat animal motifs). They join already popular Rapz (“chains and glam punk,” Ollig says), Janna Conner (Czech glass and natural minerals) and Tarina Tarantino (“bold, daring brilliant”). The Perfect Petal is at 3600 W. 32nd Ave., 303-480-
0966.
Big time: Bold, colorful jewelry featuring a mix of precious and semiprecious stones is the signature of Rosalina Lydster, of Jewelry by Rosalina.
Lydster has had her business just four years, but her love of jewelry is a family affair – her mother was a jeweler in Saigon from the time Rosalina grew up until the family moved to San Francisco in the 1980s. Dabbling in the business at first, she designed wedding jewelry for friends. She started her own brand in 2001, specializing in precious and semiprecious colored stones in bold settings. From her whimsical ring in a swan motif to necklaces of chunky faceted colored stones, Rosalina’s creations are hard to miss. Celebrities wearing them have included Eva Longoria and Tori Spelling.
The designer will make an appearance Oct. 20-21 at Neiman Marcus. For details call 303-329-2600.
Staff writer Suzanne S. Brown can be reached at 303-820-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com.
