Jewelry

[Jersey Born]

I just wanted to rave about two new pieces I purchased during the sale, J414394, the 24" Jai Byzantine Necklace and J420478, the gloriously squared chunky Byzantine bracelet. 

It was love the second I opened the boxes, even prior to putting them on, due to their high polish and above average sparkle. 

The 24" necklace is the perfect length for framing an 18" necklace with or without a pendant or enhancer. I had never wanted to own or order a Byzantine necklace or bracelet until these aired. I was dazzled by the sparkle of the links, and fascinated by their "squareness".  I do have some other thinner gauged silver necklaces from Thailand in either the wheat, woven, or box chain styles, but this Byzantine necklace is just more unique somehow. I find this necklace dazzling, and today is day two of wearing it. It is like super shiny lace that is multi-dimensional, and elegant, elevated. That it was handmade, by artisans who clearly were not in any rush, is rather mind-boggling, too. 

The chunky bracelet is squared off like the necklace, but much bolder in scale and just as incredibly appealing with its sparkly links. On day two, the bracelet became much easier to clasp, as I figured out how to position the bracelet to fasten it. I have a 6.5" wrist and the average size was perfect for me. (I guess my Christmas shopping  for myself is done, now....)

I just wanted to share these reviews with you, here, because who else would I share these thoughts with? This is the Jewelry Forum, after all. 

[jlkz]

@Jersey Born 

Enjoy your two new Byzantine pieces.  Please be very careful, esp. with the bracelet.  Having had similar pieces, I can tell you that those links are fragile.

My bracelet would catch on everything:  I spent a lot of money on repairs and finally sold it for cash to be melted.

The necklace was the same story except I had loop earrings made from it and an ankle bracelet.  The ankle item finally got sold for scrap after too many repairs also.

Best of luck with yours !

[FancyPhillyshopper]

Congrats on your new purchase!  Byzantine is an ancient design which is quite lovely to wear!

I was lucky enough to purchase some gold Byzantine items at the QVC outlet many years ago and I treasure them greatly.

The chain is intricate, so the smaller weaves are more fragile. 

However, JAI jewelry is very strong and well made sterling silver, so I am sure your pieces will last for many years.

I think the longer necklace length is great for just slipping over your head, and I am sure it will look fantastic with every outfit.

Enjoy!

[Jersey Born]

@jlkz - I am sorry that your treasured Byzantines fell apart on you. That is so disappointing, and it sounds like it was a real pain to keep on repairing them.  I will try to be super careful with mine. I have heard that the box chain is one of the sturdiest chains, but it is good to know about the potential for fragility of the Byzantine links. I remember hearing that San Marco (resembling macaroni -- to me, at least) bracelets can be problematic, too.

Thank you for your input. 

[Jersey Born]

@FancyPhillyshopper - Your gold Byzantine pieces sound wonderful, and I hope you wear and enjoy them, too. I am glad that they are holding up for you. 

So far, my Jai pieces have worn like iron, so I hope that these will hold up as well. We shall see. But the design is truly lovely. I don't know why I resisted it for so long. 

Have a great evening.

[KingstonMom]

@Jersey Born 

Enjoy your new 'blingy' jewelry!

I love beautiful, shiny objects too!

[Jersey Born]

@KingstonMom - Thank you! I have sometimes wondered if I had been a moth in a former lifetime.  I am so drawn to bright, shiny objects.

[Sammycat1]

@Jersey Born  Congratulations on your wonderful new treasures! Did you still order the rainbow bridge cuff? I have that one in my wish list.

[Jersey Born]

Good morning, @Sammycat1 and others reading this thread.  I just received the Rainbow Bridge cuff and two matching rings last night. For unknown reasons, their delivery was a bit delayed. I was supposed to receive everything on July 7, but I didn't. 

I have to say that it was the first package with boxes from QVC that ever made me cry. I knew what was inside the boxes, knew what they represented in my heart, and I just started sobbing. I have tears in my eyes right now, writing this response to you, too. 

Here's my review of those items:

J400928 - JAI Sterling Silver Rainbow Bridge Paw Gemstone Ring - I received two in size 8. I am typically a size 7 on my ring finger, but size 7 was no longer available when I ordered these, nor was a size 9 which fits my middle finger. Due to the heat of summer, I am glad I ordered this in a size 8, as it glides onto my finger and stays put. Upon opening the box, I went right over to my daugter and put it on her finger. It fit just fine on her index finger. Neither of us said anything, because nothing needed to be said. She knew what the ring represented. As for the ring itself, the color saturation of the blue topaz could have been better as it was rather light in color, even for a sky blue stone, but all stones are cut well and sparkle nicely. The little dog paw pads around the sides are cute and meaningful, and they elevate the ring to designer status.

J412173 - JAI Sterling Silver Rainbow Bridge Paw Cuff - I was very pleased with this cuff. It is more diminutive than other cuffs or bracelets I have, but with the band of colored stones in this cuff, bigger would not necessarily be better, as all that color in a straight line packs its own punch. (I learned that from a favorite, smaller scale Judith Ripka multigem necklace I have and adore.) This cuff makes a very pretty statement. It is noticeable, the color saturation is there in all of the stones, and the entire cuff has sparkle and brightness with its highly polished silver paw pads and stone prongs. This cuff can be worn alone or with a soft bracelet, like the new Jai Byzantine bracelet reviewed in this thread. I am sure it would also work with the narrower Byzantine bracelet.

I wore both the cuff and the ring out to dinner last night. It was nice to wear the memorial pieces as I miss my dog terribly every time I go down my stairs and do not see him sleeping at the bottom of that staircase. I miss my dog when I eat my breakfast and my dinner, too. I miss him right now, while typing this, too. There is a terrible feeling of emptiness when a beloved furry family member dies. I am glad I made these purchases. They symbolize my love for my first and only dog ever-- Apollo -- the adorable and handsome golden retriever I was blessed to have had in my life for almost 13 1/2 years. I loved him dearly. 

[Sammycat1]

@Jersey Born  Your reviews of these pieces are just right, as your love for Apollo must surely be. I can feel it in your words. There's nothing like the loss of a furry one bonded to you--everything in your sinew and your soul aches. He is a star in Heaven as he is in your heart, always.