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Fresh Start - Jewelry Events

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

January's early flowers in my garden start my year off right. They shine through the rainy days and remind me that every day is a day to bloom. I don't make resolutions but I still like the idea of a fresh start.

I have lots of great things planned for 2018! Like revamping my website, in the direction of "out with the old, in with the new" for this year. I'll be having an inventory sale to move those items I am no longer making and a few special editions too. This just might be a live event on my Facebook page so stay tuned!

Now is the time to sign up for my newsletter to have priority access to the sale. Click on the garnet heart be the first to know! 

Camelia Chris Cringle winter blooming red 

What's coming up?

Valentine's Day is almost here and I will be in a special show at the KOBO Gallery, Seattle. I will be there for the opening on February 3rd, the show continues through February 18th. 

KOBO Gallery is located int the International District:

602-608 South Jackson

Seattle, WA 98104

206-381-3000

Open Mon - Sat 11-6pm, Sun 12 - 6pm

Come see me! I can help you pick out the perfect gift whether it's for your love or for self love, I've got you covered.

This is my Double Diamond link bracelet with a garnet heart. You can customer order this one with your choice of gems and cuts. For example an Amethyst or Peridot square cut or heart. Amethyst is the birthstone for February and would add to the special meaning of your gift.

A small flock of my Foliate Heart studs and others will be available at the KOBO show and through my website. Click on the photo ordering info.

Thank you for being here with me! I appreciate you taking time to catch up on what's happening in my world. If there are things you would like to know about me and my jewelry please leave a comment below so I can answer your questions directly or in the next blog post! 

New Designs: Celebrate Your True Self!

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

You Are one-of-a-kind, your jewelry should be too!

Busy in my studio, I've been creating a whimsical new series of unique earrings. You may have seen some of them if you follow me on Instagram @gina.pankowski.jewelry where I've been sharing them over the past few weeks.

Coming up this week is your chance to check them out in person with new pendants and rings too! Whether you are gift shopping or just want a little something to liven up your party mood this is my last show of the season!

What - Trunk Show with Gina Pankowski Jewelry

When - Sunday December 17th 11am-3pm

Where - West Elm Seattle, 2201 Westlake Avenue #100, Seattle, Washington 98121

This new jewelry will only be available during my Sunday trunk show. Don't miss out as they are one-of-a-kind!

Made by hand in my Seattle studio in sterling silver. Gems pictured here are left to right, Kyanite, Rose Quartz and Turquoise.

 

Posted in Earrings, Trunk Show

Gold or Silver, Jewelry for Party Season!

Posted on November 07, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

What's your favorite tinsel color? Candle light gold or icy silver? I love dressing and decorating for the holidays!

Now that November has arrived we are officially into party and gifting season! Time to order now for holiday delivery. All made to order designs will ship in time for the holiday when your order is received by December 1st.

Double Diamond link bracelet 18k gold darkened sterling silver gift boxed for you!

Pictured here is my Double Diamond link bracelet in 18k gold and darkened sterling silver ready for an overseas trip to the UK! I love that I can reach my customers virtually anywhere.

For immediate gratification (two for them and one for me is ok in my book!) there are many stylish treasures ready to ship here on my website! I can help you add some gorgeous to your party outfit!

When you buy a gift from my online store you will be able to exchange it through January 31st 2018! Now that's worry free giving!

Posted in Bracelet, Earrings, Gift Ideas, Gold Jewelry, Hand Made, Silver Jewelry

Pearls in Style - How to Choose the Best

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

Beyond Beautiful round strands pearls come in many shapes, colors and sizes. They are also one of a few renewable gems.

Pearls are an organic gem in every sense of the word. They grow within a living creature, their quality, color and shape are determined by the environment they live in. A healthy natural growing environment produces the most beautiful pearls.

.South Sea Pearl Farming

With so many options how do you choose?

For me pearls invoke an emotional response, their luster, colors and shapes are what I notice first. I buy what I like! But when you know a little more about them you can better choose based on the qualities that determine value and their origin.

These characteristics go into determining value and quality of pearls:

  • Color – The classic favorite is a white body color, black, grey, pink and yellow are also popular. When buying pearls you should always ask if a pearls color is natural. There are treatments to change the color of pearls that use dye, bleach and radiation. These will often fade with time. Slight changes in color will happen with natural pearls too because they will absorb oils from your skin. 

    

  • Luster – This is what you see on the surface of a pearl. The best pearls should shine and will often glow with a rainbow array of undertones or “orient”. An example would be white pearls with a yellow or pink orient or South Sea pearls with a peacock orient that displays a rainbow of colors in natural light.

  

  • Size – A significant factor in a pearl's value, it takes time to grow large pearls! Pearls grow inside a mollusk when an irritant like a grain of sand or an injury occurs. With cultured pearls a “nucleus” usually made from oyster shell is surgically implanted. As the oyster heals it coats this irritant with layers of nacre, the substance that also forms the interior of the shell. Mud and plastic are also used in fresh water pearls. It can take up to four years to grow a 9mm pearl. A healthy South Sea mollusk may live 8 or more years and produce 3-4 pearls. Other clams and oysters can be implanted with multiple nuclei or seeds to grow more than one pearl at a time.

The rarest pearls are those collected in the wild and they are even rarer today because many of the pearl bearing mollusks have been harvested to near extinction. The passion for pearls has never waned and with it the science of growing and caring for them has given us all a chance to experience their beauty. Pearls are a true renewable gem.

Shop Pearl Jewelry Now!

I hope sharing these tips with you will help you enjoy wearing and collecting pearl jewelry even more!

For more in-depth information on pearls check out these links and books:

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/pearl-buying-guide/

http://www.pearl-guide.com/

The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide by Antoinette Matlins

Pearl Buying Guide: How to Identify and Evaluate Pearls by Renee Newman

 

Posted in Earrings, Gold Jewelry, Pearl Jewelry, Pearls

Vent - Curated to be unapologetic

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

I'm excited to share this cool new place to adorn your attitude! Vent in Portland Oregon. Envisioned, designed, and decked out by owner Karlea Cole to be a jewelry and accessories destination for men and women. Her choices are modern and a bit rock'n'roll. Think substantial silver cuffs, rings, earrings, and the occasional heavy skull ring. Vent now has a great range of sterling silver pieces from my Metropolis Collection!

Vent Portland Oregon jewelry and accessories curated to be unapologetic

Located at 3320 SE Division St, a Portland neighborhood long known for its restaurants. Karlea and Vent welcome you with a light minimal space, all the better to show off the custom designed industrial steel and glass display cases. You can also make yourself comfortable and stay awhile, sink into the long leather couch, sip a cup of coffee and meet Khloee the shop canine. Just the kind of place I love to shop!

Pop Up at West Elm!

Posted on September 02, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

Come visit me and discover some beautiful jewelry to celebrate you!

This Sunday September 3rd from 12pm - 3pm

 West Elm South Lake Union, 2201 Westlake Avenue

It's been an amazing summer in Seattle this year. I know many of you have been swept up in the transition to fall, getting the kids ready and off to school. I have been too! Now it's your turn to take a breath and treat yourself!

Hold on to your summer glow into fall. For the first time I will Have a selection of phenomenal gemstone pendants in silver and gold for you to choose from. Wear one or a variety of your design. There will be lots of my sterling silver designs, earrings, bracelets and rings too. Special pricing for the show! 

 

This Gorgeous Emerald Will Spark Memories Every Time

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Gina Pankowski | 0 Comments

Aventure and Jewels - Mom's Treasure From India

My Mother loves adventure. I love that she spontaneously took this trip to India on her own with a small group of people she barely knew. She is over 70 and still excited about each new possibility. The treasure she brought home is this gorgeous 3ct Emerald cabochon gem. I am so excited to transform her emerald into an heirloom she can wear and be reminded of her special trip. Follow the journey of my mother's emerald from gem to treasured jewel here on my blog.

The big reveal will be on Mother's Day May 14th of course!

 My first round of sketches for the ring show on the left one design with the gem oriented in two different ways and a side view to show more detail of the setting. The idea on the right is similar though paired down with the prongs oriented like an X as you can see from the detail I've drawn of the underside of the setting. The top right shows the prongs folded up to capture the gem.

If you were to choose, which one is your favorite design?

Posted in Custom design, Gems, gold, Gold Jewelry, rings

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