Spring arrived at Portia!- 2008 Spring Jewelry Arrivals

Some may say we’re rushing... but who cares! This drab winter has got to go! We just uploaded all the spring jewelry and we're really excited. Some of our favorite looks include safari with a layered and chunky golden amber necklace, safari metal hoops, animal print acrylic and wood bangles, neutral leather bracelets and tropical beaded necklaces. Any of these pieces would look fabulous with the safari print dresses and jumpsuits that are going to be a must-have for the spring.

Nature has also inspired us at Portia Jewelry. We really sifted and searched to find new and fresh designs that were eye-catching, yet modest and not too over the top. Color was key and 3d designs were what we had in mind. Other important elements included rose gold, three tone jewels and enamel. Enamel is great because you can wear a piece of enamel jewelry for a day at work and also with evening wear. It's loaded with color and always looks sharp and polished. The boho look also keeps sticking and the burnished gold floral cuff keeps the look clean and delicate.

Iced cabochon stones in bright summer hues like sea green and aqua blue will look great with your summer tan. Layered pink and aqua stone necklaces on matching thread have a cool and airy look. We've also included summer shades of green, blue and pink combined with gold and can be found on necklaces, bracelets, earrings and fab cocktail rings.

This spring is all about color! We say… think fun and happy jewelry with Portia's mixed tropical colored layered necklace, pink braided patent leather in a gold chain bangle, colorful seed bead dangle earrings or the gold and acrylic linked necklace. One of my favorite additions is the metallic blue chain necklace. This necklace is the ultra accessory for a club night! The double chain necklace shimmers in a metallic blue and gold with every twist and turn.

Gold is in and it’s more in demand than ever. With real gold prices sky rocketing Portia's gold jewelry collection is exactly what you need. We've added more hoop earrings, exotic cocktail rings, classic turquoise and gold combos and long linked necklaces. I am also extremely excited about the five tone snake chain necklace, which features long snake chains in every tone or you can opt for a more delicate version with the one layer gold snake chain necklace. These two necklaces are great because you can wear them in so many different ways. You can layer them, twist them, knot them etc.

And finally, our last mission for spring 2008 was to add sterling silver jewelry we like to call... modest couture. We hunted for bling that doesn’t blind us! These additions include delicate sterling silver and clear cubic zirconia jewelry that exudes elegance with modern designs. The pave cz link necklace in sterling silver doesn’t need to be worn with an extravagant gown. You can easily sport this necklace with a simple cocktail or maxi dress. Another couture arrival is the couture cz lariat necklace!

Visit the site for 80 more new arrivals for spring 2008!

New York Fashion Week - Fall / Winter 2008

The Green Effect…I was really pleased to hear of the small efforts designers, make up and hair companies and artists have done and plan to do, to be a bit more environmentally conservative this year at New York’s Fashion Week. From recycled make up brushes used by celeb makeup artist Gucci Westman, to recycled water bottles distributed by Aveda. They also claim to manufacture their products using wind energy.

Stella McCartney, Donna Karen and Ralph Lauren are associating themselves in efforts to use more fabrics made of pineapple plants and bamboo. Rag & Bone are in the process of creating paper bags with plastic windows to transport their clothes as opposed to full plastic coverings used by most designers. We can all do a little something!

New York fashion week is in progress and we’ve been checking out as many shows as possible. Here’s a little of what we made out from the madness!

2008-09 Fall Fashion Trends…

Proenza Schouler, Preen, Oscar de la Renta
Sequins- Sequins were seen scattered throughout last year have seem to stick this year. Seen at Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, Preen and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Michael Kors, Narciso Rodriguez, Oscar de la Renta

Outerwear- Designers stepped up traditional and blah outerwear. Fur trims and metallic accents enhanced daytime coats. Tweeds were seen throughout and beautifully done at Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors and Narciso Rodriguez.

Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Vera Wang
Standouts- Vera Wang showed great balance and variety, all of which exuded fall.Michael Kors used rich color combos with sophisticated camel and grey bases.

Phillip Lim 1-3
Positive Changes- Phillip Lim transformed his style to a more sophisticated and mature silhouette with refined cuts and rich accents.

Baby Phat 1-3, Oscar de la Renta 3-6
Inspirations- Russian Cossack hats, Soviet cuts in suits and outerwear seen at Donna Karen and Asian inspirations with origami pleats and oriental patterns also seen at Donna Karen as well as Oscar de la Renta. Pleated ruffled florals offered a wow effect on evening wear at Marchesa. A 1920’s feel from Baby Phat radiated an amazing collection with stunning dresses, great hair and jewelry to match.

Milly, Oscar de la Renta, Tibi

Our Favs- A flapper dress at Milly and Tibi’s entire dress collection was sensational with stunning colors, flowing fabrics and complimenting designs! Oscar’s dress was also a standout!

Hottest Hues- Jewel Tones (colors are still in!)- Amethyst, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz.

Safe Staples- Grey, Brown, Camel and Black

Accent Colors- Neons, Yellow, Green

Hottest Fabric- Velvet, Tweed

Badgley Mischka, Badgley Mischka, BCBG Max Azria
Accessories- Clutches, Riding Boots and Over-the-Knee Boots

Baby Phat, Badgley Mischka, Badgley Mischka, Betsey, Johnson, DVF, DVF

Jewelry- Big and bold necklaces were seen over sweaters and dresses. Statement jewelry to not only add the perfect touch but to also MAKE the outfit using all types of necklaces, bracelets and rings. Think thick snake chains, long colorful beads, fabulous and outrageous cocktail rings. View similar jewelry at PortiaJewelry.com

Oscar de la Renta

Here to stay-

Sequin

Wide legged pants

High-waisted pants and skirts

Pencil silhouettes

70’s inspirations

Feathers

Belts

Maxi Dresses

Plaids

Baby Phat, BCBG Max Azria

Make up – natural faces, teal eye liner, silver and light brown metallic eye shadow seen at BCBG plus red stained lips.

Baby Phat, Michael Kors, Vera Wang
Hair- Loose flowing curls, Big Hair at Vera Wang and loose chignon Tippy Hedron- like twists at Michael Kors

Save the World with Jewelry!

PortiaJewelry.com launched an environmental campaign! A portion of the proceeds of all green colored jewelry and all of the proceeds of promotional items will be donated to environmental causes. These items will be made available throughout the website and will also be featured as a collection under Save the World, located in the main menu on PortiaJewelry.com. Look out for the Save the World with Jewelry logo, shown in the detail pages for all jewelry that qualify for this campaign!

Portia Jewelry has committed to giving two percent of proceeds on all qualifying jewelry and the total proceeds for all promotional items annually, to help support environmental issues, such as global warming. We realize that this is an urgent issue, and we feel that it is most often overlooked or ignored because many of us feel that we can't make a difference. It is shocking to see how easily we ignore these issues so, we want to join the "march" in hopes that our customers will also realize that the little things we can do will make an enormous difference. Most people are not aware of how much money they can save in their energy bills, gas expenses, water bills and so much more by making small changes!

The team at PortiaJewelry.com has begun to make small changes both as a business and in our personal lives. Some of these efforts include changing all of our lighting to compact fluorescent bulbs and ensuring that all electronics are turned off at the end of the day. Not only do we recycle all paper, plastics, metals and other items, but we are also making an effort to perform in-house recycling by using scrap paper instead of sticky note pads. We are now sending ink toners to get recycled. We have switched to tissue paper as opposed to bubble wrap and wouldn't dare use styrofoam! We realized we were already using energy efficient computers and printers and will make sure to continue to do so! In our personal efforts, we have checked are cars to make sure that the tires have sufficient air in them as well as many other small efforts. Below is a list of things we can all do! This list comes from the stopglobalwarming.org website. Please visit this very informative site to learn how to help. Make sure to join the "march" at stopglobalwarming.org

Help Global Warming!

Use compact fluorescent bulbs

Buy energy efficient electronics

Keep your tires inflated

Change your car air filter

Run dishwashers only when full

Use recycled paper

Adjust thermostats- bundle up!

Change & clean AC filters

Take shorter showers

Drive fuel efficient cars

Don't idle your car

Recycle at home

Plant a tree

Insulate your water heater

Weatherize your home

Use a push mower

Air dry clothes

Use cloth bags to shop

Unplug unused electronics

Giving the Gift of Jewelry...

The holidays mean so much too so many. It means good-eating, cozy decorations, happy children and spending quality time with family and friends. The holidays are a time for all to reflect on the year that has so quickly gone by and most importantly, it allows us to show our appreciation to the ones we love by giving them a special gift. Fortunately, we have many people to show our appreciations too but that also means finding the perfect and most sincere gift for too many! It is undeniably stressful until the day that gift is opened and the smile on your recipients face makes it all worthwhile!

PortiaJewelry.com will try to help you along the way! Consider some of the following when locating the perfect gift for your grandmother, mother, sister, wife, girlfriend or any other spectacular women in your life.

Consider her style and personality: Perhaps she is ultra conservative or just loves simplicity. If this is the case you should opt for a simple one-stone cz pendant, petite sterling silver stud earrings or go with pearl jewelry. If she likes to get glammed up for a trip to the grocery store, you can be a bit more bold and daring with an oversized cocktail ring or glitzy panther necklace!

Consider her favorite color: This should be an easy one! Every girl has her favorite color or you can safely go by her birthstone! You can easily locate jewelry by color in Portia's jewelry collections by color. Pinks, purples and ruby red can be found under fiery flush, aquamarine, sapphire blue and baby blue can be found under cerulean hues, canary yellow and fiery orange jewelry can be located under citrus keen, shades of green and peridot can be found under green gluttony, smoky black and grey jewelry can be located under smoked sway. To view more color collections, click here!

Is she high fashion? Snag jewels that were showcased in top fashion magazines like Glamour, Essence and People. Choose an enamel bangle from Glamour's November issue or hot jeweled-toned cocktail rings from the December issue or the peacock necklace and crystal threaded necklace featured in Essence. You can also visit Portia's Celebrity Picks section to give her jewelry worn by her favorite celebrity. You'll find Angelina Jolie's canary princess earrings, Britney Spears' silver sword necklace and Rihanna's adorned heart hoops to just mention a few! Click to view more Celebrity Picks!

Symbolism: Portia Jewelry offers many pendant necklaces to reflect her sweet side, her sexy side, her urban side and her religious side. Does she love fairies and butterflies? A good luck clove pendant or ivory horn necklace may be just right for someone who feels a little luck by their side is needed at this time. Perhaps a high-top sneaker pendant, handcuff bracelet or dog tag necklace would help with her self expression when wearing a uniform to school everyday. Lastly, holidays mean religion to most and the gift of a Cross Necklace or Star of David would be most appropriate and will surely be treasured by your loved ones.

Shopping for Costume Jewelry Rings

Rings serve many purposes and can hold deep meanings. Promise rings serve as a long term assurance between sweethearts and lovers. Engagement rings serve as a pledge to marriage and wedding bands represent a lifetime commitment.

A ring compared to most other types of jewelry seem to also hold more importance when given as a gift from say, mother to daughter, grandmother to granddaughter or friend to friend.

A cocktail ring can enhance an evening gown, cocktail dress or your everyday working attire. Many women will even tell you that their hands seem to automatically move more elegantly when they have on a stunning ring.

Costume jewelry and sterling silver jewelry has evolved tremendously in the last few years and cocktail rings have grown in demand. Bold, bright and glitzy rings are not just worn by the rich and famous. Designer styles are inspiring costume jewelry and sterling silver jewelry manufacturers to step up their product lines, the materials they use and the styles they produce.

There are obvious cons to buying costume jewelry rings. The most prominent of all being, how long will it last? I'm sure most consumers would love to see an expiration date on the costume jewelry they purchase! Another con is skin discoloration. Chemical reactions from metals used to craft costume jewelry rings can sometimes leave a black or greenish-black discoloration on your skin, which can most often be rubbed off. Besides the obvious "pro" of being able to wear the latest styles in rings without breaking the bank, there are ways to prolong the life of your jewelry and avoid the "cons" just mentioned!

Storage is crucial. The absolute best place to store your costume jewelry ring is in a zip lock bag. Make sure your ring is dry though! Do not store your ring right after you've washed your hands or were perspiring. Moisture is public enemy #1 for costume jewelry rings. You should remove your ring when in direct contact with water, lotion, perfume and any other types of cosmetics.

Now, if you have a tendency to get that greenish-black ring around your finger from costume rings, there are two things you want to look out for when shopping. First, silver rings that have been plated in rhodium will provide a barrier from the underlying metals that create this reaction with your skin. The second thing to look out for when shopping for gold costume rings is to make sure that they were created using gold over a sterling silver base. Normally, these rings will be stamped with a sterling silver marking (e.g. SS925, 925 etc.).

At PortiaJewelry.com you will see a variety of costume jewelry rings and each description will tell you exactly what the ring was crafted out of. Many of Portia's silver rings are sterling silver and rhodium plated. Many of Portia's gold costume rings are created with gold over sterling silver. Don't be afraid to get that gold or silver tone ring you've been eyeing even though it is not made of sterling silver! With proper storage, our favorite being zip locks, and avoiding moisture, you can wear all costume jewelry rings without fear. Best of all, with the low cost of costume rings you can sport all different designs and colors to coordinate with all your outfits!