Any time your wardrobe needs a little sprucing up, jewelry is the way to do it. Lucky for us, there’s a plethora of jewelry designers in Dallas who create unique and stylish pieces — and at myriad price points. The question is, which should you be wearing right now?
As part of our Best of Everything series, we have identified the five best affordable local jewelry collections that epitomize style and quality. If you don’t already know these lines, you should.
Amanda Sterett
Inspired by the jewels she inherited from her grandmother, Amanda Sterett uses a wire-wrapping technique to incorporate colorful semi-precious stones such as quartz, lapis, pyrite and turquoise into her collection of handmade treasures. Sterett, whose work is available at several stores nationwide, continues to surprise us with her colorful creations. Shop locally for her latest pieces at The Shak, Melanie Gayle, Stephanie Anne and Sussie’s.
F. is for Frank
Shoshannah Frank and Casey Melton's background in architectural design and sculpture is evident in their innovative castings of pewter and gold-plated metals. Made in their studio in the Dallas Design District, the collection started small but now includes men's and women's jewelry and accoutrements, as well as a few housewares. Local fashion insiders have been sporting the textured treasures since the company launched in 2009, and designs by F. is for Frank have recently be spotted on the red carpet at the Grammys. Visit their studio (might want to call first), or find their designs at Neighborhood in the Bishop Arts District.
Julie Cohn Design
Julie Cohn, an established artist who has dabbled in all forms of design — stationery, tabletop, textiles, rugs, architecture, public art — recently launched a line of jewelry that has the creative crowd clamoring. Influenced by 20th-century sculptors Noguchi, Calder and Brancusi, Cohn starts with wax-casted carvings and hand-finishes pieces with bronze and semi-precious stones. Every necklace, ring and pair of earrings is truly a work of art. Find the collection at the Lotus Shop at the Crow Collection of Asian Art and the Fitting Room.
Nest Jewelry
Designers Janette Wilkinson and Jana Erwin have an artistic sensibility credited to their grandmother, who had a knack for repurposing. They craft statement-making pieces out of natural stones, repurposed elements, vintage finds and modern accents. The unique collection of necklaces, earrings, cuffs and rings has captured the attention of buyers at stores such as Neiman Marcus and Stanley Korshak.
Olivia K Jewelry
Ariel Saldivar has creativity in her bones. The new development director for Goss-Michael Foundation not only makes music on the side, but also finds time to create modern gems with a nod to nature. She combines recycled silver and 24-karat gold with natural stones such as agate, amethyst, citrine, kyanite and crystal quartz. Shop the collection at the Nasher Sculpture Center Store and Factory Girl.
Olivia K agate cuff.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry