Pearls That Purr: Mikimoto X Hello Kitty Collection

Mikimoto is known to have the finest pearls in the world. What is known as a "Mikimoto Pearl" has been selected from only Akoya pearls of the finest quality, determined by the beauty of the pearl's luster, form, size and color.

The Japanese company has teamed up with Sanrio to bring us a small collection of Hello Kitty inspired pearl pieces. A multi-strand necklace, a pair of earrings, a bangle bracelet and a a single strand of pearls with diamond bow, available in various lengths.

The collection launched first in Paris in January 2014, then in Japan.

Necklace & Earrings set are sold together for a base price of ¥ 27,700,000 ($264,618.37 USD) and the cost with tax ¥ 29,085,000 (or $277,840.10 USD)

The necklace is made of multiple strands of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.





The Earrings with french backs are made of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.


The Bangle with pearl bow sells for a base price of  ¥ 55,000 (or $525 USD), with tax Tax ¥ 57,750 (or $552 USD)


Lastly, the single strand of pearls with diamond bow is available in choker length (40cm), Matinee length (60cm), Opera length (80cm) and Rope length (120 cm). Prices upon request.



Information and images courtesy of Mikimoto.
dedicated website http://hellokitty.mikimoto.com

Chocolate On A Chain. Edible Jewelry by Wendy Mahr

Jewelry designer Wendy Mahr has a small sampling of real edible jewelry amongst her other gemstone jewelry offerings. Real chocolate covered malted milk balls are decorated with real edible gold leaf and turned into a ring, a pair of earrings and three different necklaces. The yummy gems are paired with non-edible findings such as wire, cord and chain. And what's really neat is that once you've eaten the chocolate, if you want to reuse/recycle what's left after the chocolate’s gone, you can send it back and for prices from $25-$45 (depending upon the piece) +shipping and they'll replace the chocolate with pearls, or other available stones for you.

Golden Chocolate Ring:


Everything is edible except for the wire and if you hold out and keep it safely tucked away, you can be the hit of the party several times.
For an additional $25+shipping, Wendy Mahr can reuse/recycle the wire into a new ring.
Price: $55

Chocolate Earrings:


Malted milk balls with edible gold leaf on gold-filled earwires. Tested in the mid-day Miami heat, the edible earrings did not melt.
Price: $55

Pretty Chocolate Necklace:


A gold filled chain with one edible real chocolate ball with edible gold leaf. Each additional ball is $10.
Price: $55

Children's Chocolate Necklace on Golden Cord:


The children's version of their Pretty Chocolate necklace.
Order them in bunches for party favors, but don’t eat the cord - it’s the only non-edible part.
Price: $30

Center of Attention Chocolate Necklace:


Gold filled wire and clasp and edible gold leaf make for a great malted milk ball fashion accessory.
Is it real? Yes. Will it melt? No, at least not when they were tested in the sweltering Miami heat. They smell great, look really pretty, and you can wear it several times, or until you eat them. (Please don’t eat the wire).
If you want to reuse/recycle after the chocolate’s days are over, you can send it back and for $45+shipping, they’ll replace the chocolate with pearls, or other available stones.
Price: $150

Packaging:


Ready for gift-giving, their edible earrings, ring or single necklaces come in this clear gift box finished with shimmering gold ribbon. Cost of box is included in shipping charges. Available for all edible jewelry items, except the 9-ball necklace which comes in a white wendy mahr jewelry box (not shown).

Shop for Wendy Mahr's Edible Jewelry here

Icon Bricks Are Sterling Silver And Gemstone Lego Like Jewelry & Cuff Links.

above: Icon Brick necklaces are an elegant version of the classic Lego toys

A lot of crafty people (and I mean skilled craftsmen not deceitful or underhanded people) have created jewelry inspired by or made from Lego® blocks. But many of them are either plastic or metal, giving them a novelty and juvenile look and feel.


above: sterling silver Icon cufflinks are the grown-up and upscale version of Legos for men.

The sterling silver Icon collection by jewelry designer Max Steiner is one of the more elegant and tasteful versions of the jewelry homage to the childhood favorite. Available with real gemstones, the sterling silver pieces are fine jewelry with a fun flair.



Available as thick or thin Icon Brick pendants /necklaces, cufflinks and earrings, the Legos aka blox aka bricks are cast in sterling silver and faithful to the classic toy's design in front and back:




The pieces are available in plain sterling silver or inset with emeralds, rubies or black diamonds:




In addition to the actual pieces, the packaging for the necklaces and earrings is a custom hand-crafted and laser engraved Mahogany box:





Shop for them here

Three Artists Sink Their Teeth (And Yours) Into Jewelry

PART I*: The use of real teeth or casts of real teeth in jewelry by three very different artists.


above: porcelain tooth bracelet by Claire Johnston, 14lk gold tooth earrings by Kim Kovel, human molar ring by Polly van der Glas, silver and gold cast tooth necklace by Claire Johnston

You might have seen Australian artist Polly Van der Glas' jewelry made with real human teeth on various sites and blogs that post the bizarre, creepy and unusual stuff.

In her first collection of wearable art, the works are handmade in Melbourne with sterling silver and human teeth (she also makes jewelry with human hair). The human teeth with which she works are locally donated and sterilized, and she says' hard to come by', so she welcomes donations.

But she's not the only one turning molars and bicuspids into wearable art. Kim Kovel of Le Knockout will cast your teeth (or your child's) in gold or sterling silver to wear as earrings or a charm, some embedded with gems or engraved with an initial. Custom designs are also available at her store called Le Knockout.

And then there's Claire Johnston, with her Tooth Fairy Series, a collection of oversized slip cast porcelain as well as sterling silver cast human teeth to create bracelets, necklaces and rings.

A trend I do not plan on personally exhibiting, but one I wanted to share.

The work of Polly Van der Glas:







visit her site here.


The work of Kim Kovel:






Kim Kovel of Le Knockout:



LE KNOCKOUT by KIM KOVEL
PO BOX 10579 PORTLAND OREGON 97296
INFO@LEKNOCKOUT.COM


The work of Claire Johnston:

visit her blog to learn more.

Chomping at the bit for more?

*This is the first of a two part series on teeth in art. Because there's so much to ruminate over (sorry, I couldn't help myself), tomorrow will feature Part II Biting Art; Mouth Dioramas, Teeth Tattoos and Mini Figs On Molars