It seems like this season is all about color from neons to pastels for color blocking. Wearing color does not need to be intimidating! Think about your skin tone, your hair color and your wardrobe. The list can go on and on...going through your closet, you are probably going to find a lot of blacks, blues, and beiges. I am afraid of color sometimes too, I am not going to lie. I am afraid that I might come out looking more like a clown when I am walking down the streets of New York City. That is the last thing you want to do when you are in a city full of fashionistas. You will find in my wardrobe, a lot of blacks, whites, and neutrals as well. How dull. Looking at it every morning and even I want to go back to sleep. I often ask myself how can I be colorful without changing my wardrobe too much as I am afraid of colorful clothing. I turned to accessories. As obvious as that may sound, it is not to a lot of people.
      A simple bright blue topaz ring can jazz up a black sweater and blue jeans. This blue topaz ring can stand out in the attire that you have on. The topaz ring can draw attention to your lovely hands and less from your clothes. It is telling the world that I am sophisticated, trendy, stylish, and most importantly not afraid of color. Not only can this be done with rings but also with bright, bold, and colorful necklaces. The right necklace can just spice up any outfit. Just imagine a beige neutral skirt with a white top. That alone can be very dull and boring. Add some life to it with a coral beaded necklace and some coral studs. Automatically, your dull outfit is alive. Your clothes and accessories reflect who you are so show the world you are bold, daring, and full of personality which I know you are! Don't be  afraid to show it. Come out of your shell and show the world what you're made of.

Spring/ Summer 2012 Color Trends

This Spring/ Summer’s hottest color would definitely be Tangerine Tango. Tangerine is literally everywhere these days. Don’t pretend that you haven’t seen it either. This color is definitely bold and out there but not everyone is willing to experiment with that color including me. The color orange can be a bit scary especially bright orange. The constant questions that are running through my mind is what will I ever wear with orange, will this orange go well with anything in my wardrobe, and will this look like I am trying to hard to fit in or be trendy? Don’t worry, Judy Shevlin, Zoe B’s trend forecaster has got a few
alternative colors for you to try out which are still Spring/ Summer of 2012’s hottest colors!

Judy Shevlin: An alternative color to tangerine tango is coral! Coral is light and matches almost anything so if you are afraid of trying tangerine tango, coral is still in and less bold.

   Some pastel and bright  colors that are hot for Spring/ Summer 2012 are sweet lilac which is a light baby pink is a color that will be in and margarita which is a light green color.

   Some darker colors that are hot for Spring/ Summer 2012 are bellflower which is a rich luxurious purple color and sdalite blue- which is a dark navy blue color.

 Zoe B offers jewelry on these hot colors for spring and summer 2012 so don’t forget to check out www.zoeb.biz

Attention. Calling all April babies!

 

Hello April Babies! Just wanted to say Happy Birthday and this is yourmonth to shine. Your birthstone is diamond. How fancy now! Diamonds come from the Greek word "adamastos which ultimately means invincible. This is a great word to describe diamonds because diamonds are one of the hardest substance making it one of the most popular and used gemstones. Not only is this a great word to describe diamonds but also you April babies! You guys are invincible too so whatever you put your mind to you can accomplish because you are just as invincible as your birthstone, diamond.

Diamonds are timeless and classic. They never go out of style nor would they ever lose its value. It is a must have jewelry item. From necklaces, to bracelets, to earrings, to rings, any one of those items glistened with diamonds will just make it perfect.

Some fun facts about diamonds:

Did you know:

 ~A diamond is said to bring its owner wealth and happiness as well as protection- Hmm..who doesn’t want all of those?

~Diamonds have special powers for people born in April. It strengthens their body and soul, and helps protect their innocence and bring out their best qualities. – What are some of your best qualities? Feel free to comment on our blog. We would love to hear your responses.

You can find some of Zoe B’s diamond accent jewelry on our website and once again Happy Birthday :) This year is going to be one of your best years with Zoe B jewelry by your side.

 

 

 

                           Q&A with Judy Shevlin (Zoe B's Trend Forecaster)

1) What do you think will be some Spring jewelry trends we should watch out for?

-Both pastel and pop colors to compliment the color blocking trend... See Zoe B. for cabachon stones in opaque and chalcedony colors. For styling try linear, chandelier and tassel earrings to make a statement!

2) What are your favorite colors for Spring?

-Pink and blue...especially Coral and Turquoise

3) I know color blocking is in but some people, like myself, are afraid to wear it. What suggestions do you have for people like us?

- Start small and start with accessories such as our Zoe B. coral necklaces/ earrings.

4) What is your favorite thing about Spring?

-Changing out the clothes in my closet to lighter materials and new colors...buying jewelry accessories to pop and update my wardrobe!

   Spring is here! Spring is here! Can't you feel my excitement for Spring? After a long and cold winter there are just so many things to be grateful for such as beautiful flowers blooming and the warmer weather. Not having to wear a heavy winter coat is more than enough for me.

   Spring is a time when all the bright colors get to be shown off to the world. A favorite bright Spring color of mine is coral. Coral is just such a beautiful color that is very eye catching and bold. It tells the world that you are not afraid to play with color.

   Coral necklaces just scream Spring! Coral necklaces can be paired with many colors in your wardrobe from the neutrals of black, white, and beige to eye popping colors such as green, blue, yellow and purple. These eye popping colors in your wardrobe paired with coral necklaces and earrings are perfect for color blocking which is this season's hottest trend!

   Zoe B. offers Coral jewelry that also feature the lovely stones pyrite and rock crystal.

   Whether you are swaying to the right or swaying to the left it just shows that tassels are hotter than ever. With just the right amount of flair they compliment any outfit. For dressing up or dressing down, tassel jewelry just adds a touch of vintage and sophistication.Tassels are a fun and easy to wear with any outfit.

   The Tassel strands can be designed with all types of gemstones including natural pearls, pyrite, smoky quartz, amethyst and onyx that can be set in 14k gold, sterling silver or vermeil.The options are just endless!

   We offer tassel necklaces from 16-24 inches in length and our earrings are available in earring clasps, earwires and leverbacks.

   From earrings to necklaces to bracelets Zoe B. brings you the trendies pieces with the best quality in mind.

   The right pair will automatically dress up any outfit putting you together in an instant. Wear them for a casual night out with your girlfriends or for a special event such as a wedding. Chandelier earrings are a must for every occasion!

   Not only will chandelier earrings be in this season but they will always be in fashion...chandelier earrings have proven to be a classic throughout time. You can find them on everyone from celebrities to well known  fashionistas.

 

   Chandelier earrings offers the elegance and sophistication for a night to remember. They are so versatile, so timeless and so perfect for your wardrobe.

 

Zoe B offers handmade chandelier earrings in silver and gold with gemstones that include amethyst, blue topaz, turquoise, coral, pearl, chalcedony and more. You will find the most unique designs from Zoe B.

   Cabochons seem to be the hottest trend in jewelry lately. From high end designers to mass market retailers, the smooth and cool appeal of these gemstones are becoming a must have in any woman's jewelry wardrobe. It is an easy way to update your look and keep current with all the trends. 
   Cabochons are beautiful polished gemstones with a domed top and a flat bottom. They can be cut from many different types of gems including opaque and semi- precious stones and can set into mountings using 14k gold as well as sterling silver. 
   There is a certain mystique about the stones. It is in the way they play with the light and their mysterious beauty.

The gem citrine, as one might have presupposed, derives its name from the Latin citrine and shares a root with the English “citrus.” And it is no wonder, for the gem emits a pale yellow hue, much like that of a lemon or citron, and so it is often associated with lighter moods and therefore as well with the summer months and fairer temperatures. Interestingly enough, it is also associated as the stone for the month of November, in contrast to its sunny disposition. It can also appear to have a light orange shine or honey-looking shade.

What perhaps is less known is that citrine actually belongs to the quartz family, like amethyst (which is purple quartz).

Color

Taste in citrine ranges just as much as its colors do. Citrine comes in two main colors; a pale light yellow and a darker reddish orange. The latter is produced by exposing citrine to temperatures of approximately 1000 degrees Celsius. Some people prefer the lighter yellow variety, sometimes known as “lemon citrine,” and others go for the dark variety, which is somewhat rarer.

Cut

Generally speaking, a good cut is either unusual or highly symmetrical. Abnormal or symmetrical cuts serve to refract the light more vividly and therefore produce a maximum sparkle, which gives the rock a higher value on the market. Examples of highly valuable cuts are concave facets and incisions that refract the light back to the eye. A poor cut is generally one where the light more-or-less travels through the rock itself and emerges through the other side, which makes the rock look darker and less luminescent.

Fashion

The general tone is that citrine goes well with darker colors.

Sometimes known as “fool’s gold,” you are no fool if you fall for this exquisite rock, possessing an almost magnetic charm that lures the eye. Etymologically, it is related to the Greek word for fire – pyros – because it emitted fascinating sparks when struck against another metal or mineral. The ancients too shared our fascination with pyrite and specimens have been found to be utilized by the Greeks as well as the Romans and the Incas in their vast empires. Pyrite possesses a magnificent metallic luster and ranges from a yellowish-brassy hue to a pale-to-normal tone, which is what gives it a resemblance to gold.

Variations

Deviating slightly from its goldish color, pyrite can also be found in a variety of other hue variations, such as peacock pyrite, which looks like pyrite splashed with tinges of color. Pyrite is also found in a range of shapes, some odd. Some of these shapes include smaller aggregates of pyrite crystal, which has an illuminating effect when exposed to light, while larger crystals sometimes develop into perfectly formed cube shapes, as if made by human hands. Other forms of pyrite include penetration twins, which are whole crystals which pass through each other, hence their romantic, if not bizarre, name.

Jewelry

Although pyrite looks like gold, which is relatively malleable in terms of minerals and rocks, pyrite is a little more brittle and cracks more easily. Nevertheless, as you can see, it can be formed into beautiful pieces of jewelry and is very popular in the fashion industry.



It can be formed and fit into nearly every type of jewelry crafted by the human mind and hands: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and tassles. Combine it with other rocks, such as gold, silver, or amethyst and you can get quite a stunning combination.

Any smart pirate would love to get his hands on this beautiful rock.

What is unbeknownst to most people, perhaps save connoisseurs of such fine jewelry and precious stones, is that amethyst is in fact a purple variety of quartz. Aside from an English music band, deep purple is the most valuable variety of amethyst that the earth can bring forth.

The Color Purple

There exist a variety of classes of amethyst, which are known by the variation in their purple hue and even the untrained eye can scout out the best form of amethyst. High, average and low quality amethyst have traits that will be briefly described here.

Quality Color and Cut

Color and cut are two of the basic elements when searching for a high quality amethyst. Amethyst at its best is a baritone hue of purple, of a radiant clarity, precisely cut and is relatively large and can cost up to several hundreds of dollars. A high quality amethyst is cut symmetrically in order to maximize the sparkle that emits from within, and one can see flashes of red and sometimes dark blue.

A mediocre amethyst is described as a stone which is not cut at the proper angles, thereby reducing its shine. However, what a mediocre quality amethyst lacks in clarity, it makes up for in its superior color. A lighter purple color, poorer clarity and tumble finish versus a cut are factors that contribute to a lower quality amethyst. Predictably, it is cut unevenly and at angles that do not reveal its shine. It might also contain too many facets, a factor further reducing its luminance.

Differentiating between High and Low Quality Amethyst

Amethyst-lovers know to look for clarity when purchasing, which is the amount of internal flaws, known within the industry as inclusions, in the stone. Generally speaking, inclusions are structural flaws, such as cracks, and you can identify them by looking either on the surface of the stone or inside it for smudges and short lines.

Size

While size contributes to the value of an amethyst, there exists enough high quality and accessible amethyst that size is less of a factor in price. This is not necessarily true with other stones.

Distinctiveness

While amethysts tend to have standard cuts that help determine the quality of the stone, as discussed earlier, in some cases structural rarities give it a peculiar, and strangely attractive look, which can raise the value of the stone.

Authenticity and Imitation

It is relatively easy to quite accurately imitate amethyst to the point where an inexperienced buyer might be sold by an imitation stone. For example, standard transparent quartz can be dyed purple, and relatively real-looking amethyst can be imitated with glass, as well as other materials, such as synthetic Spinel.

Other Forms of Amethyst

As mentioned earlier, amethyst is a purple variety of quartz. The truth is that there are other color varieties of amethyst, such as Green Amethyst, which looks exquisite on earrings or necklaces.

Perhaps one of the most striking things about the classic peridot, other than its intense (and varying) emerald-like green hue, is that it's not an emerald at all. It is actually an opal, the origin of whose name is tantamount to discussion. Some people say that it originates from the plural Arabic word for "gem", faridat, while others believe it to come from the Anglo-Norman word, pedoretes. And yet others maintain that it is related to the Greek word peridona, a loose translation of to give light. Either way, one fact not up to discussion is the deep beauty of the peridot opal.


The actual color intensity of the peridot varies somewhat between an amalgamation of yellow-olive, green-brown, or a dark olive green laden with a trace of gold, which is the most sought after of the peridot variety. This dark hue is a "one-tint-fits-all," accentuating all skin tones, neither overpowering them nor drawing attention away from their own natural beauty. Metal-wise, it is wise to bring period together with silver or copper, with accentuate its cool glowing experience.

Peridot is a cultural popularity and mined in virtually all continents, namely North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle Eastern subcontinent. In some circles it is believed that certain antique gems now used in jewelry originated from Egyptian religious ornaments, and although this stance tickles the imagination, it has never been proven. This, however, doesn't prevent fashion aficionados from appreciating the growing popularity of this "gem in the rough." The reality that green has already made inroads back into the fashion atmosphere.

As far as cut goes, peridot cutters respect its natural crystalline shape and hence it is usually faceted as an oval or octahedron, sometimes in a classical table cut. In order to maximize this opal's ability to become illuminated in the moonlight the domed cut is sometimes chosen.

Associated with the month of August, the peridot is both a gem in the winter and summer and the dark golden-splashed green peridot will keep you seeing green throughout the entire solar cycle.

Zoe B  present at JCK Vegas http://www.jckonline.com/ both new and exciting fine jewelry collections as well as updating fashion classics at affordable prices. Zoe B. designs in 14K and sterling silver precious metals with genuine gemstones.