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Jewelry Box of the Week: ‘Tessa’ 20150

01 Sep

BABIES ARE A BLESSING and nothing is more precious. That’s why Mele & Co. created the “Tessa” Baby Memories Keepsake Box, a happy harbor for all the tiny treasures that will be cherished for years to come. Embellished with such endearing details as pink gingham and dainty daisy-strewn appliqués, it’s easy to overlook the “Tessa’s” sturdy storage options.

The perfect gift for moms-to-be, this keepsake case features a lift out tray with covered compartments for ‘First Curl’, ‘First Tooth’, ‘Birth Bracelet’, and ‘Keepsakes’, plus open storage in the bottom. Its interior lid houses a full-width shirred catch pocket, perfect for tucking away those first baby photos. Hand-lined in prettily pebbled white sueded fabric, the “Tessa” measures 9″ x 6 1/2″ x 4″.

With pink ribbon accents and a silky-soft faux leather exterior, this new arrival is both delicate and enduring.

See the “Tessa” 20150 on our wholesale website at www.melecompany.com.

Mele & Co. Tessa 20150 Baby Memories Keepsake Box

Mele & Co. Tessa 20150 Baby Memories Keepsake Box

Detail of Tessa 20150 Keepsake Box

Detail of Tessa 20150 Keepsake Box

Mele & Co. Tessa 20150 Baby Memories Keepsake Box

Mele & Co. Tessa 20150 Baby Memories Keepsake Box

 

Jewelry Trends: Steampunk Style

28 Aug
Time Traveler VI necklace by 'Steampunk Junk'

Time Traveler VI necklace by 'Steampunk Junk'

Is it a bird? Is it a watch? No, it’s steampunk . . .

Whether you’re a frugal shopper or a fashionista, you’ve probably laid eyes upon or at least heard of it.  While the popularity of the steampunk style continues to grow, it is by no means a recent phenomenon.  A term originally coined by K. W. Jeter, author of Morlock Nights, an 80’s science fiction novel that takes place in an alternate Victorian England, ’steampunk’ began as a fictional cultural concept. One that has since garnered a cult following.  While its hard core enthusiasts sometimes associate it with the cyber punk movement, this falls tragically short of what the true ’steampunk’ ideal was meant to represent.

But, you ask, what makes a piece of jewelry ’steampunk’?

At first glance it would seem to be a simple matter of components. Some whirring gears, a few skeleton keys, a flourish of elegant scrollwork, and voila!  A mechanical masterpiece.  However, while this may satisfy the superficial definiton of steampunk, there is far more to this intriguing trend, than meets the eye.

What lies at its heart is the Victorian sensibility.  Influenced by an honest fascination with the Renaissance, when scientific study and empirical thought overruled the baser instincts and sinister superstitions of the Medieval period, the Victorians propelled themselves full force into the Industrial Revolution.  Steam power was making it possible to travel and live in relative comfort, while mass production manufacturing was making that comfort more and more affordable.  The possiblities seemed endless.  This whirlwind of ‘modernization’ laid the foundations upon which were created such works as H.G. Wells’ Time Machine and Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  Captain Nemo’s wondrous submarine, the Nautilus, is a prime example of ’steampunkery’.  A mechanized fantasia of unequaled technological potential created with a spartan, yet refined aesthetic.

With such pedigrees at its disposal, steampunk is certainly more than a collection of patinated copper clockwork and engraved escutcheon plates.  It is a celebration of the golden age of the thinking man.  A nod to the pioneer spirit and, yes, a touch of rebellion.

So the next time you see a piece of steampunk jewelry, be sure to ask after its maker, because the story behind the watch face may be even more captivating than its cogs!

 

Jewelry Box of the Week: “Tasha” 00818F10M

25 Aug

A DELICATE DIVA, the Mele & Co. “Tasha” girl’s musical ballerina jewelry box, in light and lovely tones, is destined to become a cherished childhood memento. With its resplendent foil art image on the lid and a graceful twirling ballerina within, this jewelry box will charm and entertain your little one for hours.

Mele & Co. Tasha 00818F10M Jewelry Box

Mele & Co. Tasha 00818F10M Jewelry Box

Mele & Co. Tasha 00818F10M Jewelry Box

Mele & Co. Tasha 00818F10M Jewelry Box

Opening to reveal a full interior mirror, the “Tasha” will serenade her with the sweet melody of Swan Lake. Hand lined in pink sueded fabric, this soon-to-be-her-favorite measures 7 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ x 3 1/2″.

Pretty in pink, the “Tasha” girl’s ballerina jewelry box is certainly ‘en pointe’!

 

Mele & Co. Labor Day Special – 15% Off!

23 Aug

Let’s face it, you work hard and spend your day doing for others. Whether it’s at work or home, you don’t have a minute to slow down and think of you.

Esme & Phoebe Jewelry Boxes - 15% Off!

Esme & Phoebe Jewelry Boxes - 15% Off!

Through Labor Day, treat yourself to one of our irresistible distressed finish jewelry boxes. The Esme & Phoebe, both at an amazing 15% Off!

Use Coupon Code: ESPH06 during checkout.
www.melecompany.com

 

Another August Birthstone: Sardonyx

20 Aug

SARDONYX IS CONSIDERED A TRADITIONAL BIRTHSTONE for August. Less flashy than peridot, perhaps, yet this agate has a quiet beauty and enchantment all its own. A variety of chalcedonic quartz, its basic chemical composition is silicon dioxide. Sounds simple, but the infinite spectrum of colors produced by the slightest presence of other trace minerals is astounding; the vibrant alternating bands of reddish-orange and white so characteristic of sardonyx being but a small slice of that spectrum.

The name ’sardonyx’ is likely derived from the Persian ’sered’, describing a yellowish-red color; and the Greek ‘onyx’, meaning claw or fingernail. Mostly occuring in fissures of volcanic rock, it is mined throughout the world, the best quality stones being found in India. However, most sardonyx on the market today is actually cut from South American agate.

Highly prized by many ancient cultures, it was the Romans, with their profusion of carvings both cameo (raised relief) and intaglio (incised), that made sardonyx a semi-precious gemstone staple. Worn as a talisman into battle to bolster courage and assure victory, sardonyx cameos were many a soldier’s ‘lucky charm’. Given its more practical property of being repellent to wax, sardonyx was widely employed in the intaglios crafted for use as official or personal seals used on all manner of correspondence. And unlike its cousin the black onyx, whose reputation has been besmirched by innumerable superstitions of negative effects on its wearer, the sardonyx enjoyed great praise during the Renaissance, as it was thought to bestow eloquence and even ensure a happy marriage.

Ranging between 6.5 and 7 on Mohs hardness scale (diamonds being a 10) sardonyx is a perfect candidate for carvings, but as such, requires proper care and handling. Protection from abrasions and buffeting that might scratch or chip the surface is critical. Store your cameos, intaglios or other sardonyx jewelry in a cloth lined box or soft pouch, and away from heavier jewelry. Sardonyx should not be exposed to extreme heat, cold, and certainly not harsh chemicals. Warm soapy water and a soft brush is the only cleansing method recommended. In short: be kind to your cameos!

 
 

Jewelry Box of the Week: “Dinah” 00331F10

18 Aug

EMANATING THE TRANQUILITY OF WELL BALANCED DESIGN, the Mele & Co. “Dinah” oak finish jewelry box has a subtle and honest beauty. Its sweeping profile and Scandinavian sensibility give it an almost ethereal quality, while its compact stature and natural oak finish ground this jewelry chest in earthy warmth.

Mele & Co. Dinah 331F10 Oak Jewelry Box

Mele & Co. Dinah 331F10 Oak Jewelry Box

Lift its substantial lid to discover a large interior mirror and top compartment with four equally divided sections and ring rolls. Its gracefully curved face, complete with dual necklace doors that house four hooks each, also offers two open drawers with bright nickel tone pulls. Hand lined in ivory sueded fabric, the “Dinah” measures 13 1/2″ x 7 1/8″ x 6 3/4″.

With clean design and ample storage this jewelry box offers the utmost in utility and uber-chic essence.

See the “Dinah” on our retail website at www.melecompany.com.

 

Jewelry Trends: Meaningful Jewelry

13 Aug

WHAT ARE THE HOT STYLES FOR FALL?  Big, bold, layered, vintage, textured, eclectic, monogrammed, inspired by nature . . . and many more.  It may seem that anything goes, but there is a unifying theme: meaningful jewelry.

Customizable wire name & sentiment bracelets - by Wiremajig

Customizable wire name & sentiment bracelets - by Wiremajig

With the advent of ecommerce (and retail portals like Etsy) the huge explosion of cottage industry jewelry makers has found an outlet.

And they do way more than string beads.

Readily available high-tech products such as precious metal clays (PMC), memory wire, and every type of epoxy, enamel, and polymer you can think of has made it possible for many jewelry artists to express themselves in more sophisticated terms than ever before.  With such a vast array of raw materials near to hand, it’s easy to see why the jewelry market has become saturated with high quality, professionally crafted pieces that, though exquisitely beautiful, are becoming increasingly difficult to sell.  Add to this a savvy, eco-conscious, culturally aware, and globally sensitive consumer base and you’ve got yourself ‘one tough customer’.

Yes, the competition to rise above the boundless racks of beads and baubles is fierce.  However, jewelry artists throughout the world are responding in surprisingly creative and intuitive ways. Whether it’s the artful combination of colors and textures or cleverly crafted sentiments stamped in sterling, it’s definitely the thought that counts. They run the gamut from humble daily affirmations to divinely vintage vanity pieces that shout “Hey, world, this is my style and I like it!”

Even more intriguing, there are many jewelry makers, both freelance and corporate, who now offer custom finishing or interchangeable components: providing a basic product, but giving their customers say over what gemstones and accents they wish to purchase. Take for example the wild sucess of Kameleon’s JewelPops or Swarovski’s dizzying variety of Pantone perfect crystals in every size and shape imaginable. Not only do these products cater to the practical, they also offer limitless options that keep retailers – and their customers - coming back time and time again.

Originality, diversity, sensibility . . . now that’s style!

 

Jewelry Box of the Week: “Celia” 0054624 & 0054642

11 Aug
Mele & Co. "Celia" 546 Jewelry Boxes

Mele & Co. Celia 546 Jewelry Boxes

A SEAMLESS BLEND OF FORM AND FUNCTION, the “Celia” travel jewelry box merges the most essential elements of two Mele & Co. top sellers. Integrating an array of storage options with a travel-savvy slim profile, this jewelry case offers a sumptuous synergy sure to please any seasoned traveler.

Featuring a designer inspired, antiqued, pewter snap on the tabbed closure, the plush fabric frame opens to reveal a mirror and shirred catch pocket on the interior lid and contains centralized ring roll and covered compartments flanked by sixteen smaller, equally divided sections. Hand lined in ivory sueded fabric, the “Celia” measures 10 1/2″ x 7 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ and is available in Espresso (0054642) and Aquamarine (0054624).

Offering the best of both worlds, this jewelry chest is a must-have travel accessory.

See the “Celia” on our retail website at www.melecompany.com.

 

August Birthstone: Peridot

06 Aug

THE PERIDOT IS ONE OF ONLY A FEW GEMS found as a single basic color. Ranging from yellowish green to brown, peridot is most widely prized – and recognized – as a brilliant lime or olive green. Chemically, peridot is comprised of iron magnesium silicate; the amount of iron dictating intensity and hue, the purer and more popular greens having less than 15% iron and including traces of nickel and chromium.

Also known as ‘chrysolite’, ‘gold stone’, and ‘olivine’, peridot’s most well known moniker is said to be derived from two sources: the Arabic ‘faridat’, which means “gem” and the Greek ‘peridona’ which, loosely translated, means “to give richness”.

Most peridot is formed deep within the earth and brought forth during volcanic activity. Thus the Hawaiian legend of the ‘Tears of Pele’. However, there is an exceptionally rare extraterrestrial form, deposited by meteorites, that you won’t find in any necklace or bracelet you buy in a department store. And while peridot can be found in Arizona, China, and Myanmar, the finest comes from a vast deposit unearthed in Pakistan in the mid-1990’s, now known as ‘Kashmir peridot’. The world’s largest cut peridot, at 319 carats, comes from Zagbargad, an island off the Egyptian Red Sea Coast. It now rests in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Myths, superstitions, and folklore abound for every gem, and peridot is no exception. Said to be a cure-all tonic, the Egyptians believed it could cleanse and heal the heart. Ground into a fine powder, it was often employed in the ancient world to treat a host of asthma related illnesses. Peridot powder was even placed under the tongues of fevered patients to alleviate thirst. Believed by some to protect its wearer from “terrors of the night,” it was also strung on donkey hair and tied around the left arm to ward off evil spirits.

Historically, the peridot was associated with light and was highly prized in ancient Egypt where it was hailed as the “jewel of the sun”. Its unusual crystalline composition, which bends and refracts light to produce a dreamy, soft, glowing radiance (even under artificial illumination) likewise led the Romans to name it the “emerald of evening”. Adorning churches and treasures throughout the Middle Ages, favored during the Baroque and Victorian periods, and used unsparingly in Art Nouveau jewelry, peridot is a universally celebrated semi-precious stone.

For those of us who own peridot jewelry, or are thinking of purchasing peridot, it’s wise to know a little bit about how to properly care for and clean this particular gem. A relatively soft stone (it rates between 6.5 and 7 on Mohs hardness scale, diamonds being a 10) it needs protection from abrasions and buffeting that might scratch or chip its surface. This doesn’t just pertain to care while wearing it, even in a jewelry box it’s best to store your peridot in a soft pouch and away from heavier jewelry. Extreme temperature shifts can cause cracks and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may even fade your peridot. Avoid any chemical or abrasive cleaners as they will destroy the luster of the gem’s surface. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth for drying are all that peridot requires. Never steam clean, and use ultrasonic cleaners at your own risk. Lastly, don’t wear peridot during workouts; at least not every day, as perspiration can also cause damage.

 
 

Jewelry Box of the Week: “Calypso” 322F10

04 Aug

DELICIOUSLY DISTRESSED, AWASH IN MEDITERRANEAN HUES, it’s easy to imagine the Mele & Co. “Calypso” jewelry box nestled among the carpets and curios of a Marrakesh market stall. Beguiling in a distinctive two-tone walnut and crème combo and chic hour glass shape, this cryptic cache begs closer inspection.

Mele & Co. Calypso 322F10 Jewelry Box, open.

Mele & Co. Calypso 322F10 Jewelry Box

Opening to proffer a full interior mirror and top compartment replete with ring rolls and eight equally divided sections, mystery still beckons behind the drop-front panel. Grasp the brushed nickel tone ring and pull to reveal two cleverly contoured open drawers. Luxuriously lined in ivory sueded fabric and boasting crisp routed panel detailing, the “Calypso” measures 11 1/4″ x 8″ x 8 3/4″.

With its irresistible drop-front design and ample open storage, this jewelry chest is the perfect alchemy of style and sensibility.

See the “Calypso” 322F10 on our website at www.melecompany.com.