Celebrity Glamour Jewelry
Guest Author – Fran Del Sordo

Now that the Oscars have come and gone for another year, the memory lingers of beautiful movie stars decked out in dazzling jewels, sashaying down the Red Carpet, bathed in the brilliant glow of hundreds of cameras flashing, and their fan’s adoration. If you love the larger than life jewelry looks that movie stars and other celebrities wear at the Oscars, but don’t have thousands to spend on your bijoux, you may enjoy a visit to Glamour and Company. Their Celebrity Collection is designed to replicate the exciting looks worn at the biggest event of the year. From trendy chandelier earrings to multi-carat CZ stone necklaces to colorful cocktail rings, if you saw it on the Oscars, you can afford it from Gilvandia Studio's Vandia Hill where you will find lots of fine and faux jewelry.

The Gilvandia’s “Vandia Hill” line of jewelry utilizes rhodium plating to provide protection for sterling silver and white gold jewelry to help prevent tarnish and scratches. Rhodium also adds beauty and is an affordable way to capture the look of platinum. The pieces at Glamour and Company are also E-coated, also known as electro-coating or electro deposition. This method uses electrical current to coat a metal surface with an organic lacquer, covering every nook and cranny on the jewelry with an even and consistent protective coat. The finished product is not quite as shiny as the rhodium-plated pieces, but lets the natural beauty of the sterling silver come through without fear of damage.

Glamour and Company also offers nickel-free jewelry for those of you (approximately 15% of the population) who experience allergic reactions to nickel. Symptoms range from itching and redness to blisters or rashes at the point of contact. It is the metallic salts that are created when nickel comes into contact with perspiration that causes this reaction.

Gilvandia’s Vandia Hill uses Paramount Cubic Zirconias for their jewelry. These Paramount CZ’s offer perfect color and clarity and are cut to ideal proportions to achieve maximum brilliance and fire. A deviation of only a single degree when cutting stones results in a dramatic loss of light and Paramount Cubic Zirconias have developed a cutting technology that results in an eight-point star pattern known as “hearts and arrows” in the diamond industry. This cut achieves maximum brilliance and dispersion.

Although dramatic jewelry isn't for everyone, if you would like to have a little Celebrity Jewelry for yourself, Gilvandia’s Vandia Hill is one option you may like to investigate.

The Gilvandia Studio's Vandia Hill Collection is now brought to you by Glamour and Company.

2009 Spring Fashion Trends
Guest Author – Gilvandia Bahia

Big, bold, layered, and natural, fashion trends in jewelry this spring and summer offer us an exciting variety of looks to choose from. Whether you like making a bold statement with your jewelry or take a slightly more subtle approach when it comes to accessorizing, there really is something for everyone in 2009.


Inspired by nature and people's love of nature, Spring and Summer 2009 jewelry collections embrace not only authentic wood and other organic materials and semi-precious and/or organic gemstones like jade, coral, and turquoise but also include man-made pieces that perfectly mimic natural elements like tortoise shell, snakeskin, shell, ivory, and wood. Nature-inspired jewelry celebrates nature's natural tones and strong organic feel with necklaces, bracelets, wrist cuffs, pendants, hoops, and button earrings trimmed with either natural or man-made materials.

Calfskin is used extensively, either fur-side or leather, and combined with precious metals of gold and silver. Gold is especially important this year and several collections showcase chunky gold rings and bracelets that make a very dramatic statement. Large link necklaces and bracelets work like crazy, as do other natural materials combined with gold. Long necklaces, in the 18 to 26 inch length are worn straight or add layers. Wear double, triple, or even quadruple your strands for the most drama.

If you like the more subtle vs. bold look, think about fine chain necklaces but embellish with faux turquoise pendants or consider wood beads that are natural and very trendy right now but relatively subtle. Think bangles when you are working on a look that requires balance between bold and subtle. These important fashion accessories are perfect in gold or silver, and try some of the new fresh hand-painted wood bangles. Thick or thin, single or layered, you can accent any outfit beautifully with bangles. A particularly hot trend is wooden bangles, wide or thin, often teak colored or decorated with metal studs or painted with wild animal patterns like leopard and zebra or fashioned from bamboo in natural tones or dyed a darker brown. And patterned enamel and cloisonné bangles are so lovely with their floral motifs in vibrant shades of turquoise, ivory, coral, rose, and jade green.

Look also for natural elements like tusk or horn for pendants. Charms on either necklaces or bracelets are typically alive with flora and fauna like bees, butterflies, flowers, fruit, or birds—very forties yet fresh and reflective of the green movement of today.

In stark contrast to the natural trends in jewelry this season, another trend sees man-made glass, rhinestones, and Swarovski crystals and pearls very trendy and popular. Even plastic has a niche carved out in fashion this year. These interesting accent pieces feature stripes, polka dots, and other wild patterns that look amazing with your black and white summer outfits. This eighties-inspired jolt of excitement and glitter also harks back in time to the glamour of the forties. And while you're thinking glitter and glam, check out the magnificent sparkly dinner rings and other drop-dead gorgeous jewelry at The Gilvandia Studio Collection brought to you by Glamour and Company

METRO URBAN DESIGNS

Fashion Today:
Cross Necklaces


The cross necklace has always been a classic jewelry piece that adds grace to any outfit. Lately, we've seen a resurgence of our favorite trendsetters adorning themselves with these necklaces. The new headliner being, METRO URBAN DESIGNS… Simple and beautiful, these pieces can range in size and length depending on the statement you want to make.

For a casual piece, choose a METRO URBAN DESIGNS cross that is small in size and either sterling silver or gold tone. This METRO URBAN DESIGNS necklace can easily be paired with anything in your closet and worn on an everyday basis. Kate Moss was recently spotted wearing a METRO URBAN DESIGNS cross necklace and gold hoops with a casual look consisting of jeans, a plaid shirt and a cardigan.


For a modern take on the cross necklace, choose METRO URBAN DESIGNS chains or METRO URBAN DESIGNS cords that are longer in length and have a larger costume-y pendant. Vanessa Hudgens recently played up her bohemian style with laid back layers and a long METRO URBAN DESIGNS cross pendant. Even country music star Toby Keith wears an oversize METRO URBAN DESIGNS cross pendant on-stage when he performs. It's obvious these stars have very different styles, but they share a common preference for this classic piece.



If you're looking to dress up for evening, throw on a METRO URBAN DESIGNS cross pendant adorned in rhinestones for an eye-catching statement. Jennifer Aniston famously made this look a hit when she paired a huge cross adorned with stones with a simple black satin dress. The rest of her look, including hair and makeup, was simple, leaving the gorgeous cross to get all the attention.


METRO URBAN DESIGNS Cross pendants also make a great gift for friends or loved ones. With an engraving on the back, a cross necklace is the perfect Mother's Day or birthday present. The recipient is sure to appreciate a classic piece that can be worn for years to come.

We are happy to say that glamourandcompany.com is now an exclusive store for METRO URBAN DESIGNS. They are extending special discount and free gift with every purchase!