Happy Swarovskanniversary!

To the late Mr. Daniel Swarovski and his company, that is. The famous crystal-making firm's successful couture design house is turning 20 this year, and has kicked off the new Spring season with a celebration of new pieces. Famous around the world for their intense sparkle, vivid color spectrum and easy affordability, Swarovski crystals have become a mainstay of everything from costume jewelry to designer clothes, accessories, and even home accents. But while most people are well familiar with the crystals themselves, having a few sparkling items in their collection or used to seeing the occasional tempting boutique, the story of the original company and its founding father are less known.
Daniel Swarovski, the son of a glass cutter working within the ranks of the Austrian monarchy, was born in the mid-19th century in the Czech Republic, then Bohemia. His principle achievement, likely the result of a youth spent paying close attention to the mechanics of his father's profession, was the invention of a special electric cutting machine which was useful and efficient during the process of creating lead crystal glass facets. In 1892, Swarovski acquired a patent for his invention, and shortly thereafter he founded the manufacturing company we know and love today along with two business partners.



The crystal, used for a variety of applications, quickly became a success, marked by their distinct brilliance and specially optimized refraction of light. The company was able to diversify as a result, allowing it to take on such lofty projects as Kristallwelten --a dedicated theme park in Austria with many exhibits displaying what beautiful heights the crystals can achieve. Today, the tiny sparklers are adored by jewelry fans of every ilk, and carry a notable connotation of prestige and structural excellence.
The Swarovski design house began taking advantage of the popularity of the crystals among celebrities to fashion red carpet-ready jewelry and accessories. The versatility of the crystals themselves allow for a wide range of styles and ideas to take shape, and many stars praise the label for its intelligent use of the classic cuts with modern spins on form and fancy. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the firm has released a spectacular line for Spring, retaining much of the line's original art deco feel while playing up fresh new ideas.
Janeo has a happy and healthy obsession, er, relationship with Swarovski crystals, and offers an array of gorgeous pieces that center on the spectacular brilliance and pop of the stones. From dangling drop earrings to glittering bangle bracelets and brooches, and even super-cute purse charms to hitch to a strap or zipper, stock is rich with items that understand the appeal of Swarovskis. Catching a few facets of light, twinkling forth a serene rainbow, and finishing in a rich original tone, these crystals attract the eyes no matter how they're set or styled. If you've never owned a piece, perhaps it's time to get in on the Swarovskanniversary yourself!

Cloisonné Necklace Sets: History and Modern Horizons

Cloisonné is an art form with a long and intricate past; originating in the Near East and rapidly spreading to a wide variety of peoples and cultures, the medium has attracted fans and collectors for many hundreds of years with its beauty and unique, distinctive appeal. The special metalworking and finishing techniques are today considered to be the artistic legacies of China and Russia. The intricate process involved in crafting a piece of cloisonné, whether for a large-scale item such as a vase or dish, or for a minuscule yet attractive bead, requires a substantial amount of training and attention to detail, bringing value and a special sense of craftsmanship to each piece.
The metal object, most commonly utilizing pliable copper, is crafted aforehand, while lengths of metal wire are manipulated and placed over the surface to define differently colored areas. These wires are attached to the base with solder or clear enamel and a special adhesive, and then fired. At this point, the cloisonné is ready to be filled with its primary batch of enamel color. Ranging from brilliant hues to subdued tones, enamels provide bursts of color and visual appeal. After the first layer is applied and fired, a new layer is continuously applied and put through the crucible until the surface is smooth. With a careful full-body buff to impart a luminous lustre and a dip in gold or silver gilt or a quick electroplating, the piece is finished and ready to be showed off.



This elegant necklace is the perfect showcase for the beauty and brilliance of cloisonné. Measuring a generous fifty nine centimeters in length, the necklace is long enough to be doubled around the neck or worn free-flowing in its full glory. Cool and calm greens, blues, and turquoises form the background color basis of the beads, exemplifying the brilliance and clarity that enamel colors are able to achieve. Cheerful and charming flowers of creamy pinks, yellows, and reds are swirled around the beads' surface, suggesting the airy new blossoms of spring.




A masterpiece of the cloisonné tradition, this necklace has all the best features of quality costume jewellery, including an accessible price. The piece is a perfect “just-because” gift for oneself, to add to a collection of fun and flirty necklaces, or to get into the swing of the emerging spring. The necklace is also a prime choice for birthdays, special occasions, and of course for anyone with an interest in the rich history and bold looks of cloisonné, which is, after all, an immensely popular and well-loved jewelry type.



The necklace is accompanied by a pair of matching earrings, offsetting a single large and one itsy-bitsy cloisonné bead in complementary tones with an oval-shaped bead drop in vivid yellow-green. The simple yet beautiful drops are the perfect finishing touch for the refined yet adventurous look of the necklace itself, pulling together to convey the careful handiwork and intricate vision of cloisonné.