jewelry blogs

recently turned to Colleyville native Ali Michael to help debut the new Parker Collection. Coach’s creative director and president, Reed Krakoff, says Michael “embodies the spirit of the classic American girl.” The debut collection, in stores now, stars lightweight shoulder bags and satchels with hardly any hardware – save for a few granny clasps. Standouts include the Parker Convertible Hippie ($358), an oversize carryall with twisted leather handles and a detachable shoulder strap, and the Parker Mini Shoulder Bag in metallic leather with a drawstring closure ($278). The line includes boxy tote bags emblazoned with Andy Warhol-like screen prints. Look for Ali’s pouty-lipped visage, shot by Krakoff, in April magazines.

Start booking your Spa Week appointments Monday. The discount treatments week kicks off April 13, when zen dens from Aqua Medical Spa to ZaSpa at Hotel Zaza offer a selection of full-service treatments for $50 each. Go to www.spaweek.com to sign up.

Dallasite Michael Marcus has been making vibrant cosmetics for 10 years, after branching out from Estée Lauder. His namesake line is said to be worn by Kristin Davis, Tori Spelling and Paris Hilton. Find out what other celebs wear his products during a five-minute consultation at one of his three upcoming Dillard’s personal appearances. Thursday, Marcus will be at Hurst’s North East Mall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at Dillard’s NorthPark on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why pay $75 to make something? Because you’ll get a beautiful pewter pendant bracelet and the satisfaction that comes with creating something beautiful by hand. If that sounds appealing, head to the F. is for Frank studio on Manufacturing Street this Sunday. The workshop, led by Dallas artisans Shoshannah Frank and Casey Melton, lasts from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and will cover the basics in jewelry making, from casting the mold in clay to polishing and attaching the pendant to chain, leather or beading. All materials, by the way, are included in the course fee. Recessionistas, rejoice. For more information, call 214-749-0709.

Some ladies still lunch. And telegenic designer Michael Kors will be here to entertain them at September’s Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Luncheon and Fashion Show this September. This is the second time Kors will serve as guest designer at the usually sold-out charitable event, where both well- and high-heeled women are honored for their shopping and service skills. The group’s choices for the city’s best-dressed women will be announced April 8.

Thursday brings a cache of made-in-Mexico silver jewelry to Heritage Auction Galleries. The Heritage Silver and Vertu Auction, held at the house’s Design District space at 1518 Slocum St., will include pieces from the city of Taxco, where the Mexican silver design movement began in 1930. Look for pieces from major players including Héctor Aguilar, William Spratling, Salvador Terán and Antonio Pineda. Prices start at $280, the opening bid for Terán-designed earrings with an eagle motif. For more information,

A Cincinnati man might take the bus the next time he has to appear in court.

Police said that John Spinnie was charged with assault and criminal damaging in late February and came to the Hamilton County courthouse earlier this week for a hearing.

Carats Direct has entered into a unique partnership with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). Carats Direct will donate profits from a series of eight limited edition pins, designed in the shape of a breast cancer ribbon that features a rare pink diamond, to the CBCF in honour of the foundation’s ‘2020: Future Without Breast Cancer’ initiative. Carats Direct will auction the first $6,800 pin at the Nights of Hope fundraiser on April 2 in Richmond, BC with all proceeds going to the CBCF.

Intended for anyone whose life has been affected by breast cancer, the jewelry was designed by VCC student and breast cancer survivor Kim Balsillie. The ribbon-shaped pin will contain white diamonds and a single, rare pink diamond set in 18 karat white gold.

“As Canada’s leading distributor of pink diamonds, it was a natural fit for us to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - who use the colour pink to raise awareness about breast cancer,” said Angela Dearie, President of Carats Direct. “We have extensive experience marketing unique and rare jewelry, and we’re particularly pleased to work with Kim Balsillie. She has a bright future ahead of her in jewelry design.”

burglary of a Dothan jewelry store and a break-in of a state Department of Correction vehicle.

Capt. Steve Parrish said an investigator filed a felony third-degree burglary and felony unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle charge against William Ray Colburn, 30, and his wife, Shaina Rochell Pray, 21. Police charged the couple with burglarizing Interco Coin and Jewelry store, which was reported to police on Jan. 18. Parrish previously said the burglar entered the store after throwing an unidentified object through a window.

Herbert Haar, the owner of the store located in the 2300 block of Ross Clark Circle, said he reported between $50,000 and $60,000 worth of property stolen during the burglary.

Police said in a statement that their investigation showed the majority of the jewelry taken during the burglary was taken to a pawn shop in Bay County, Fla. The Dothan police statement said the Panama City Beach Police Department has located the pawn shop and placed a hold on the remainder of the stolen property.

Police also charged the couple with breaking into a Florida Department of Correction vehicle parked at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on Saturday Jan. 7. Parrish said the couple was charged with stealing a radio and other assorted property during the break-in.

Parrish said the bond had been set at $20,000 for Colburn and $5,000 for Pray.

The Dothan charges resulted after investigators with the Opp Police Department arrested the couple shortly after a reported burglary at an Opp computer store early Saturday morning. Opp police charged the couple with felony first-degree theft of property and felony third-degree burglary. The couple remains held at the Covington County Jail.

Dothan police investigators charged a Samson couple Wednesday with the burglary of a Dothan jewelry store and a break-in of a state Department of Correction vehicle.

Capt. Steve Parrish said an investigator filed a felony third-degree burglary and felony unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle charge against William Ray Colburn, 30, and his wife, Shaina Rochell Pray, 21. Police charged the couple with burglarizing Interco Coin and Jewelry store, which was reported to police on Jan. 18. Parrish previously said the burglar entered the store after throwing an unidentified object through a window.

Herbert Haar, the owner of the store located in the 2300 block of Ross Clark Circle, said he reported between $50,000 and $60,000 worth of property stolen during the burglary.

Police said in a statement that their investigation showed the majority of the jewelry taken during the burglary was taken to a pawn shop in Bay County, Fla. The Dothan police statement said the Panama City Beach Police Department has located the pawn shop and placed a hold on the remainder of the stolen property.

Police also charged the couple with breaking into a Florida Department of Correction vehicle parked at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on Saturday Jan. 7. Parrish said the couple was charged with stealing a radio and other assorted property during the break-in.

Parrish said the bond had been set at $20,000 for Colburn and $5,000 for Pray.

The Dothan charges resulted after investigators with the Opp Police Department arrested the couple shortly after a reported burglary at an Opp computer store early Saturday morning. Opp police charged the couple with felony first-degree theft of property and felony third-degree burglary. The couple remains held at the Covington County Jail.

In a nod to the bad economy, Stan Shelley, owner of Shelley’s Jewelry in Hendersonville, is giving away 50 sterling silver heart bracelets to people who’ve lost their homes or a job

We heard about somebody in California doing it, and we decided that’s a heck of a nice thing to do,” said Shelley, who’s been in business since 1973. “People coming in are tremendously appreciative. This is not like a Crackerjack box piece of jewelry. It’s a nice piece that will make a nice Valentine’s Day gift.”

The bracelets come in two styles, a “puffed heart” and a flat heart. They would sell for $30 to $50, he said.

“What we’re doing is giving them to people who’ve lost their job or lost their home – somebody’s who’s had a hit,” Shelley said.

Valentine’s Day is Saturday.

Shelley’s has garnered plenty of attention for its promotions over the years. More than a decade ago, he launched a promotion wherein male shoppers buying a nice piece of Mother’s Day jewelry would get a free shotgun.

That promotion garnered attention from all over.

“That was the promotion heard ‘round the world,” Shelley said with a laugh.

For more information, call Shelley’s at 692-3615 or visit the store, at 429 N. Main St. in Hendersonville.

evidence left at the scene of the burglary at Harold’s Jewelry last November links the crime to a San Jose resident, Los Altos police reported today. Detective John Korges said that DNA traces left on a cigarette and other items from the crime scene linked San Jose resident Steven Michael Garcia, 26, to the burglary.

    On Nov. 2, suspects broke into Harold’s Jewelry through a common wall shared with Hordins Bookkeeping and Income Tax Service, stole a safe and emptied another safe of approximately $500,000 in jewels, jewelry and cash.

 Mail-in companies that exchange cash for jewelry may be the latest place thieves are unloading their stolen wares, Charlotte County detectives said.

Once pieces are shipped to such companies, investigators have virtually no way to trace what could be stolen evidence, said sheriff’s spokesman Bob Carpenter.

The county has seen a spike in residential jewelry burglaries, five in the last two days alone, reports show.

“I’m not saying they’re bad companies, just that there’s absolutely no way to check it, and thieves know this,” Carpenter said. “They’re putting it in an envelope and sending it to these companies outside the area.”

At second-hand jewelry dealers and pawn shops, sellers are required to give thumbprints and identification, establishing a permanent transaction record for law enforcement.

“Everything in our computer gets sent to police everyday,” said Kim Nugent, co-owner of Ambassador Estate Jewelry in Port Charlotte.

Audrey Samuels lost her diamond engagement ring in a recent theft.

“I blame all this on the economy,” Samuels said. “Things are really bad, and people are desperate.”

While gold thefts are on the rise, Carpenter says copper thefts - once a daily problem - have tapered off.

Tighter restrictions that began in October at recycling centers require sellers to hand over an ID and thumbprint when selling metals, similar to requirements at pawn shops.

Deputies are urging residents to keep jewelry out of obvious places inside their homes.