Jewelry editor Monica Stephenson, writer of the popular blog idazzle, tells us about her favorite pieces of jewelry and her fascination with all things sparkly!
You are always so elegant and have such a talent for picking stunning accessories when we see you out on the town. Were you styling yourself and your dolls as a little girl?
Thank you! Ha ha, growing up in the Midwest I don’t think I had great access to fashion when I was little! I was always an artist–painting, drawing, collage–and by high school I was exploring design through costumes, graphic design and fine art.
What is the piece of jewelry your mother wore back then that you wanted to steal?
I loved my Mom’s jewelry, but what truly fascinated me was my Grandmother’s ring. Platinum and diamonds, rounds and baguettes, it occupies a large part of my memories of my Grandmother and her talented, hard-working hands. Now that ring belongs to my mother: a family heirloom. I can trace my fascination with sparkly things to that ring!
How did you become a blogger and why did you pick jewelry as your topic?
I’ve been involved with jewelry for over 20 years: I couldn’t write about anything else with the same knowledge or conviction. The jewelry came first, then the writing. I spent years buying, selling, designing and appraising designer fine jewelry, passionately learning all I could. I started blogging when my youngest child was about a year old, since it allowed for a flexible schedule and I could write during naps and after bedtime. Six years later, idazzle has taken on a life of its own…
Give us 3 pieces of jewelry every modern girl should own?
- One ring that makes you very happy to look at every day.
- A piece of body jewelry that becomes part of you.
- A kick-ass pair of earrings for dress up.
Tell us more about your engagement ring and wedding band.
My engagement ring is a platinum Art Deco ring that was found by a dear friend at J. and S.S. DeYoung’s in Boston. I didn’t want a traditional solitaire, which is mostly what was available at the time. It was engraved with a sweet phrase from 1937, and was even my size! My wedding band was a new ring, hand engraved by Charles Green and Sons in England. My husband gave me the third ring, a vintage eternity band with charming French Cuts, for our one year anniversary. We are approaching our 20 year anniversary, and I still love my rings!
Was your proposal very romantic?
We were in Chicago for my birthday, and he had booked a great hotel, memorable dinners, and we were enjoying our weekend. At the top of the John Hancock building, while we were suspended in the sky with fireworks going off outside the windows, he asked me to marry him. And the next day we went to an amusement park and rode roller coasters all day!
What are the current trends in engagement rings you really like?
I am currently digging the trend of using old cut diamonds in new settings: I love the character of the older gems juxtaposed with modern design. But what I really love about current engagement ring designs and trends is that truly anything goes. The expansion into colored gemstones as center gems, interesting metals and motifs, and stacking rings means that anyone can find just the right expression of love in a ring right now.
What is the latest piece of jewelry you received or purchased for yourself?
I’m currently designing a piece of jewelry using a stunning tsavorite garnet that I purchased as a rough gemstone in Kenya while working on the jewelry documentary film, Sharing the Rough. It was cut by master gem cutter Roger Dery, and the finished gem takes my breath away! It’s going to be a ring, since I love looking at rings, and it will evoke my love of Africa in the colors and accent gems. Stay tuned.
Check out Monica’s blog, idazzle! >>
