Agates, Geodes and Druzies... OH MY!

I personally have a thing for all things agate... so it's no surprise when you see my online store full of agate coasters, agate necklaces, druzy charms and geode rings.

What I love most about these gemstones is that they come in almost every color you can think of!  Some of my more recent pieces - the druzy rings - feature many different vibrant colors.

Not only can we wear these beauties, but I've found myself sprinkling my apartment with agate decor - like the agate coasters I have up on my website to large slabs of agate bookends.  They add a touch of modern chic to our very traditional SF apartment.



Geodes on the other hand... I've had an obsession with those ever since I was a little girl.  I got my very first geode from (believe it or not...) Knott's Berry Farm - yup!  They had a neat little shop where you could pick out your own geode rock to have cut open and wallah!  This very unassuming ordinary rock housed a field of sparkly goodness.  Of course after having witnessed this as a kid, I tried cracking open just about every large rock after that in search of a sparkly crystallized center.  Much to my dismay, I never found any in my parents' backyard.

All grown up now, and I'm still playing with gems and stones!  However, now I don't need to go searching in my backyard for these beauties to create some fun pieces.  Lucky me!

I hope you enjoy all of the fun new additions!

XO, Katie

Gold-plated vs. Gold-filled

Gold-filled and gold plated products are a great, quality alternative to the much more expensive solid karat gold.  I get a lot of questions about both types of jewelry so I’ve put together some points on their differences.  

Gold-plate Jewelry

Gold-plate or vermeil is a term that describes a coating of gold on a base metal. Vermeil is a bit more delicate than gold-filled and tends to be a bit more yellow in color due to the higher karat commonly used - like 24k.  A lot of the charms and cast pieces at k.lynn bayne jewelry are electroplated in this manner.  

Please note that over time gold plating may wear off and this is normal, not a manufacturing defect.  Gold plate pieces are a fabulous way to achieve a gold tone at a great price.

Gold-filled Jewelry

Gold-filled jewelry has a thick surface layer of 14kt gold. There is usually 100 times more gold in 14kt gold filled than in gold plate. This jewelry is created by taking 14kt gold and bonding it through extreme heat and pressure to a core of metal alloy (usually brass). The quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th of the weight of the total product, which is why it is called a 14/20 Gold Filled piece. The end result is a piece of jewelry that is resistant to tarnish because of its thick 14kt gold covering.

All chains used in k.lynn bayne jewelry are gold-filled, so you can show off those fabulous necklaces longer.

Care is easy. Just care for it as you would any other jewelry. A simple inexpensive way to clean gold filled jewelry is to soak it for a minute or two in a mild liquid jewelry cleaner. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with water afterwards and let dry.

In the end, you really can't go wrong with either - happy shopping!

XO, Katie

Stacking is back in style!

... Or did that fashion trend really ever die?
Remember when stacking friendship bracelets and buddha beads were a thing of the past?  Well, a style that may have momentarily lapsed in the fashion world is back again!

Now, it's all about wearing more rings than you have fingers, layering necklaces and stacking bracelets. But there is a trick to making it work, otherwise you'll look the way you did circa 'your childhood' when you raided your moms jewelry box.  


Stacking Rings

Try stacking multiple rings on some fingers, while maybe keeping others to one.  I'm a big fan of thin, mid finger rings - they're so fun!  Mixing metals and textures is always welcome - but to keep that look nice and manicured, make sure to keep some fingers bare (think negative space).  

Layering Necklaces

Layering necklaces are an easy way to add dimension to your look.  Layer lots of delicate necklaces with small details - and in varying lengths.  Slightly varying chains are fun ways of changing it up.  A baby step to layering would be to start with a short simple necklace paired with a longer more intricate beaded necklace. 


Bracelets


With bracelets it's hard to go wrong with stacking - the more the merrier!  Mixing natural elements (like stones and wood) with metal is always a clean cohesive look, but add in pops of color by stacking intriguing colorful pieces.  

Happy stacking!!

XO, Katie

It's been a while...

But I've been busy!!  With what you might ask?  Moving, nesting and creating...

Now I'm FINALLY getting back into my routine of tending to my blog, fulfilling more jewelry orders and drawing up new jewelry designs.  Boy, oh boy does it feel good to finally be settled into a new city and a new home.  There have been many household projects that have gotten the best of my time and devotion but now that we're winding down on those projects (like setting up my new desk and design station * eeek! * so exciting!) I feel back to normal!  I'll post some photos later :)

Til tomorrow... 

XO, Katie

Happy Easter!

Hope you all had a happy, fun filled Easter yesterday!!  Now to hop back into the weekly routine!

XO, Katie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday all!  Enjoy some bubbles - because the weekend is here :)

XO, Katie

Tassels Galore!

So I said it before and I'll say it again... tassels are so in! Yeah maybe I'm a little obsessed, but they're just so fun and festive!  I'll try and contain myself for my jewelry party - to NOT make a tassel garland as a backdrop to the hors d'oeuvres table.

But in any case, I can't help but share these fun tassel pics - which served as inspiration for new bracelets, necklaces and (if time permits) leather tassel keychains!!! Stay tuned for all those fun new additions to the line!

XO, Katie