They’re even better in person

JCK Las Vegas 2016 played host to a number of influencers and tastemakers this year, from all facets of the jewelry indsutry. One of those was Liza Urla, the name behind the popular jewelry and fashion blog Gemologue. There at the Showcase Stage to support my colleague Emili Vesilind during her live interview with the blogger (which she knocked out of the park, in case you didn’t see it), I was thoroughly impressed and enthralled in much of what Urla had to say: This isn’t just a girl with a pretty face and excellent photography skills—she knows her stuff. One of the most notable things that she said, I guess as it relates to me, was on the topic of the content of her blog: She doesn’t post any secondhand photos, no marketing shots. She has to be able to try the jewelry on, to touch it and experience it, before she’d even dream of recommending it to her readers. And in that moment, I envied her. And I worried, a little. I thought, shoot! I go raving mad about the jewelry I post here, much of the time, without getting my hands on it. Is that terrible?

Nebula earrings shown in sterling silver with 1.5 cts. t.w. CZ, $2,165; Martha Seely (also available in white or yellow gold with diamonds or sapphires)

Thankfully, for the most part, I don’t think it is. Because I have yet to come across a piece I’ve written about in person that isn’t 10 times better than how it appears in photos, and that feels pretty damn good. I hope that streak continues. Will I continue to admire Urla’s jet-setting, jewelry experience ways? Surely. But for this homebody, it’s working out just fine.

The point? Right. These earrings from the wonderful Martha Seely (pictured, top) are what made me think about all of this. The designer sent me an image of this pair before JCK Las Vegas kicked off, and I was so excited about them. I’m a fan of Seely’s work in general, but this was the first piece from her that took on a bigger statement look (an “evening” look, as she calls it). And it’s true, they’re dressier, but I would never dream of saving these just for the evenings. I caught a glimpse of the all-diamond version preshow, but at JCK, I had the privilege of trying on the pair mixed with sapphires (pictured, above). And it was then that I wished I could do this with each and every piece I write about—Gemologue has the right idea. Because I knew these would be great, but how great was another story. The look and feel of these in my ears—their movement, pop of color, silky, brushed metal—was so good. And the way they made me feel: actually pretty, when I had run out of cover-up and walked the show floor mostly barefaced (oops). It didn’t even matter, these had done their job, even if just for a moment. Because jewelry has that kind of power. The only problem with me subscribing to Liza Urla’s blogging philosophy—I’d never take the jewelry off.

Brittany Siminitz

JCK Contributing Editor