Accentuate the Positives: Discover the Perfect Earrings for Unique You

By Intern and Guest Blogger, Jenny Kaplan


Finding the right earrings has a lot to do with your face shape.  A basic rule of thumb: earrings with the same shape as your face emphasize that shape while earrings that contrast with your face shape do the opposite.  The earrings that are unlike the shape of your face usually make your face seem more oval—the so-called “perfect” shape.  

Oval face (face is longer than it is wide, jaw line can be slightly smaller than the hairline, both are rounded)

• You are the luckiest of all! Pretty much all earrings shapes look good on you!

Square face (strong jaw line, cheek bones, chin, and hairline are about the same width, length and width of the face are the same)

• Emphasize the more angular features of your face with square earrings or earrings that have sharp angles or make your face look rounder (especially your jawline) by wearing earrings with a rounder shape.  
• Rounded earrings will draw attention away from the jaw and make your face look longer. 

Triangular face (narrow brow and wider jaw line)

• Wearing earrings that are smaller on top and wider on the bottom mirror your face shape and amplify it. 
• To make your face look more oval you should wear earrings that sit on the ears (rather than below) and are more uniform in width.  

Round face (soft and curved with equal length and width)

• Round earrings, especially button-shaped, will make your face look more round.  Dangly earrings, whether angular or curved, make your face less round and longer.

Heart shaped face (wide brow and narrow chin) 

• Earrings that are wider at the top and pointed at the bottom will emphasize your sharper chin.  Drop earrings will make the top and bottom halves of your face look more balanced.  

Now that you have these basic rules have fun trying different shapes and seeing what you like best on yourself! I know that I’ve certainly started choosing my earrings more carefully!

Coming soon: the simplified rules for necklaces!

May: Now’s the Time to Go Green!

By Intern and Guest Blogger, Jenny Kaplan

Who first beholds the light of day

In spring’s sweet, flower month of May

And wears an emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

-Gregorian Birthstone Poem

Happy Birthday May babies! Spring is in the air and everything is fresh and green.  How perfect it is that your birthstone is emerald! I know I said the blogs about birthstones wouldn’t start till June, but emeralds are just so pretty I couldn’t wait (plus Judith showed me these gorgeous earrings and I felt inspired).

The intense green color of Emeralds (truly beloved by those of us who have been in the cast of The Wizard of Oz) is a fantastic reminder of spring and the liveliness that seems to come hand-in-hand with this time of year.  The tiny fractures inside the gem are called “jardin”(garden) in French because of their resemblance to plants—another reminder of spring. 

Ancient Egyptian culture highly esteemed the emerald.  The Egyptians were known to engrave emeralds and bury them with the dead.  Cleopatra had many emerald mines during her reign—it was her very favorite gem.  It was said that when visiting dignitaries prepared to return home, Cleopatra gave them an emerald carved in her likeness as her farewell present.  That’s a parting gift I would be happy to take! 

Many believe that wearing emeralds brings wisdom, growth, and patience.  Giving a gift with an emerald is supposed to be a symbol of love and fidelity—making it the perfect gift for an anniversary (good news for those of us who love the look of emeralds but were not fortunate enough to be born in May). 

Happy birthday once again to all you lucky readers who have birthdays this month! Hopefully someone special will keep your birthday in mind and buy you an emerald or two of your own! (I highly recommend these fantastic earrings!)

Birthstones Rock!

By Intern and Guest Blogger, Jenny Kaplan

I have always loved birthstones. I love the idea that a specific stone is attached to my identity. It feels really personal when someone gives me a gift with my birthstone (aquamarine!) in it. The gift-giver clearly paid special attention, and what’s better than receiving a well thought-out gift? Birthstones are so special and rich in tradition that for the next year, each month we will post a blog entry about that month’s birthstone!

Before we begin, however, here’s some background info on the tradition of birthstones. The Jewish Roman historian Josephus wrote that there was a connection between the stones in Aaron’s breastplate (Moses’ brother), the twelve months of the year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac. Ancient Jewish people wore one of these twelve stones according to their tribe. The connection with the zodiac came soon after that followed by a connection to the twelve-month calendar.

Birthstones regained popularity in Poland in the 15th century, where everyone wore the birthstone for each month. The power of each gem was said to be greater during its month. In 1912, the Jewelers of America officially adopted a list of modern birthstones and since that date have added less expensive stones to each month.

Most people have heard of traditional and modern birthstones but there are even more stones attached to your personal identity! There are Mystical Birthstones, Ayurvedic Birthstones, and different stones according to the signs of the zodiac. Mystical Birthstones come from Tibetan beliefs from over 1000 years ago. Ayurvedic Birthstones come from traditional Indian spiritual and medicinal beliefs dating back to 1500 BCE. Zodiac birthstones date back to before the creation of the 12-month calendar. During each sign its birthstone was said to have special power. Wearing that stone was supposed to help move the planets in helpful ways for the wearer.

June birthdays get ready! Maybe you’ll get a thoughtful gift with your birthstone this year! Regardless, you’ll be sure to find new exciting information about your birthstone (and every birthstone) on this blog in the month(s) to come!

The Symbolism of Hands

By Intern and Guest Blogger, Jenny Kaplan

We clasp the hands of those that go before us,

And the hands of those who come after us.

We enter the little circle of each other's arms

And the larger circle of lovers,

Whose hands are joined in a dance,

And the larger circle of all creatures,

Passing in and out of life,

Who move also in a dance,

To a music so subtle and vast that no ear hears it

Except in fragments

-Wendell Berry

In everyday life I don’t think most people think about the value of their hands or their symbolic actions—the handshake, for example, is perhaps the most frequently used symbolic gesture to represent friendship, greeting, or the closing of a deal. However, hands are a big deal in art and jewelry all over the world and are represented well in many Judith Altman Designs pieces. Therefore, I decided to investigate what hands mean to these different cultures from all corners of the world.

In Asian cultures, the left hand represents yin and the right represents yang. The left is softer, symbolizing passiveness, justice, emotion, receiving, and the unconscious while the right is harder, symbolizing assertiveness, mercy, logic, giving, and the conscious. Together the hands represent allegiance, friendship, and the balance of the two sides. The positioning of hands is also extremely important in expressing the transference of divine power in Buddhism and Hinduism making hands major symbols in talismans of those religions.

In a totally different part of the world, in Celtic lore hands were a connection to power and a symbol of authority. They show balance and good judgment. Legend says that a Celtic King was actually dethroned because he lost one of his hands in battle. He was returned to the throne after one of his daughters gave him a silver hand to wear around his neck.

Moving back around the globe, hands are similarly significant in Middle Eastern culture. Though I always thought that the Hamsa was a Jewish symbol, it actually came from Islamic culture but can even be traced back further to a time before monotheistic faiths. In Islam the symbolic hand is called the Hand of Fatima and commemorates Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. The Hamsa/Hand of Fatima represents blessings, power, and strength and is thought to ward off the evil eye.

In North America, Native Americans use hands in art to show the presence of man and man’s work, achievements, and legacy. Mexican people made small gold or silver votive offerings in the shape of body parts as a prayer for that part of the body or in thanks for the ability to use that limb called Milagros. The most popular kind of Milagros was of the hand or the heart, hands because they are absolutely necessary for the agricultural life lived by many people in that region.

It seems to me that if cultures from everywhere around the globe value the image of a hand as protective or a sign of balance, there must be something universally true and important about our hands—something we should value more highly! So today think about all the things you do with your hands and the meaning you add to your life through that work, better yet think about the hand symbols in the art and jewelry around you (easily accessible examples are located at www.judithaltman.com!) and for one day try not to undervalue your frequently unappreciated hands.

Great Gifts for the Graduate from Guest Blogger & Graduate Herself, Jenny

Graduation season is here!

I know it can be hard to come up with good, original graduation gifts but as someone who is about to graduate (yay!) I am here to assure you that you simply can’t go wrong with jewelry! Luckily, Judith Altman Designs has pieces that are perfect for girls with all different styles. To help show some of these amazing options (all jewelry that I would love to receive) I have picked out pieces for five generalized fashion types. Just think about the style of the grad you need to acknowledge with a gift and this guide will lead you to the perfect selection!

For the Classic Grad

I love both of these gift options—the bangles and necklaces are really elegant but still fun and young! Classically beautiful, either of these pieces could be worn over and over for years to come!

For the Trendy Grad

This long necklace or these leather mesh cuffs are the perfect gift for a trendy graduate! The necklace is versatile and would be the perfect finishing touch to a fashion-forward spring outfit. The cuffs could be dressed up or down and the gold-tone clasp and trimming looks super stylish.

For the Casual Grad

These silver and leather earrings or hard leather cuffs are casual enough to be worn often by someone who doesn’t like to dress up but are still really special and unique!

For the Bo-ho Chic Grad

If you’re buying for a so-called bohemian graduate, this turquoise necklace will quickly make you their favorite gift-giver. It is totally unique and beautiful. The golden Buddha necklaces are perfect for someone with bohemian style who likes something a little more delicate while still interesting and fun!

For the Girly Girl

This “Charming” Vintage Locket Necklace truly lives up to its name! It is feminine and beautiful—perfect for someone who loves to look girly or romantic! The Oui/Non Earrings are also a great option, they are simple but would add a finished touch to any soft, girlish outfit.
For the Drama Queen

If the graduate you are shopping for loves to make a statement, this Blue Freshwater Pearl and Sterling Silver Necklace or Yellow Opal and Pearl Bib are absolute jaw-droppers, perfect for those with a flare for the dramatic!


By Jenny Kaplan

My new addiction

By Intern and Guest Blogger, Jenny Kaplan

How to Wear this Turquoise Necklace by jkaplan

I have found a website that will change my life forever. It’s called Polyvore and I have spent an embarrassing number of hours perusing the site to make “sets”. To make a set you pick clothing, jewelry, accessories, beauty products and other stuff and put it together like a collage page in a magazine. You can even click on cute items that you find and be directed where to buy them!

In order to feed this new addiction, I decided that every weekday I’m going to make a set with a different Judith Altman Designs piece—kind of a “how to wear” series—and post it here. If you like it, you should click through to Polyvore and “like it” there!

Coming up soon we’re going to do a contest on Polyvore for the best set made with a Judith Altman Designs piece. There are going to be exciting prizes so you should start warming up and playing on Polyvore now!

How to Wear this Multicultural Necklace by jkaplan

Meet Jenny

Hi! I’m Jenny Kaplan and as an intern for Judith I will be her guest blogger for the month of May. I am a senior at Greensboro Day School and will be heading to Brown University next fall. I love the arts and enjoy participating in plays and singing groups at school.

As seniors at Greensboro Day, we spend our last month of school doing an internship in whatever area we choose in order to gain a meaningful experience in the working world prior to graduation. I chose to work for Judith (and luckily for me she agreed!) and have now been introduced to the fascinating world of Judith Altman Designs.

Though I have always appreciated the beauty of Judith’s designs, I don’t think I really grasped the meaning of each piece. Not only do many of the pieces I have seen include antique talismans blessing the wearer, but also the stones themselves are put together in a way that creates a unique energy. While I intend on writing about many of these fascinating antiques and stones during my time here, I thought I would start by talking about the symbolism behind a gem that has always been special to me: the pearl.

I distinctly remember my mother giving me a pair of pearl earrings when I was 11 or 12 that she was given during her childhood. Every time I put those earrings on (which is quite frequently because they seem to go with everything!) I am reminded of the earrings’ previous stories, of my mother’s adolescence in Detroit, Michigan, and of the additional stories I add to the earrings’ history with each wearing.

Pearls historically have been symbols of beauty, femininity, fertility, and rebirth. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love, and sexual desires, rose out of the sea in a clam shell wearing only pearls. Contrastingly, pearls have also been historic symbols of purity and innocence. Ancient Romans had a fascination for pearls and believed they had medicinal and protective attributes while the ancient Chinese believed pearls symbolized wisdom, immortality, and light.

To me, pearls have always lived up to their reputation, filling me with a happy, distinctly girly energy that seems perfect to wear during our current beautiful spring weather. More significant than this energy, however, is the meaning I feel from my pearl earrings. Meaning is more valuable than just the attractiveness of a piece of jewelry and I think that is why I am fascinated by so many of the pieces Judith showed me yesterday during my orientation. Each piece has a unique story, energy, and feel making it more than a pretty adornment into a story that is ready to be furthered by a new wearer.

Take a moment...

I have had an extremely productive week. It usually happens following a show. After a week or two of preparation, travel and being at a show I have a pent up need to be creative. While this week's productivity wasn't so much at my workbench as at my computer editing product photographs, it was still a week I am proud of. Completed projects, check marks on lists and crossing off to do's.

Today I ran out to the Post Office and as I did I stopped in my tracks. The view from every angle while heading down my driveway was filled with light, color and texture. I am ceaselessly amazed by the products of mother nature and I always aim for my work to convey the breathtaking colors and textures of the natural world. So I stopped. Took a breath and took in the beauty.

I wanted to share it with you, despite the fact that I am not a gardener. My rose bush is weighted down with flowers and needs a trellis. My ivy has over-flowed the pot and is trailing across the brick patio I haven't swept in days. And I found one crowded-in, hidden azalea between boxwoods still with fresh blooms as the others in the yard are rusting.

I hope that you have moments like these, where you just have to stop and take it in for a moment. The Post Office was still there when I got there. But I was richer for the moments I took to just be.

Photo Shoot

Last month a talented young friend of mine, Tace Joelle Samet, did a photography essay for a class at The George Washington University, from which she is about to graduate. She did a period shoot, using rich and layered backgrounds, period costumes and Judith Altman Designs jewelry. I thought I would share some of the beautiful results. The necklaces in these photos are from a series of Tibetan prayer boxes done in high-karat gold combined with coral, turquoise, jade and malachite.

These are from just a few of the shots in her project, further cropped to emphasize the jewelry. While these are not the final project pix, I think they look great. Tace, you get an A in my book!

Another little peek...

I am so excited about all these leather cuffs in the Spring collection that I am sharing another glimpse of what's to come. Soft mesh cuffs sporting sophisticated reptilian, hand-dyed leathers with a beautiful toggle clasp. I just love these leathers. They have a very soft hand and are fabulously textured and colored. I have been wearing one of these for days now. I just can't get enough. They will debut in April at highpointMARKET.

New Leather Cuffs for Spring

Another sneak peek at a new item in the spring line (to be introduced in April). These leather and brass cuffs are supremely wearable and highlight some beautiful Italian leathers embossed with patterns, imprinted with special metallic coatings and dyed to fabulous colors.

Announcing the Tokens and Icons Collection

Since ancient times charms with special symbols were used to bring blessings and guard against evil, sickness and all kinds of misfortune. Protective images were worn on the body to bring good luck, to heal, enhance fertility and ward off evil. This new collection - Tokens and Icons - honors many traditions and symbols of protection and blessing.

This Spring 2010 collection highlights multi-cultural protective and spiritual symbols. In the photo above there is a Buddhist auspicious sign, a persian coin, a protective key escutcheon, the symbol of Solomon, an Egyptian scarab and a St Francis medal. Each are hung on freshwater pearls that have been hand knotted on leather. They look great alone, or layered with other pieces in the collection or pieces you may already own.

This upcoming line includes a Blessed Buddha collection highlighting Buddha amulets and Auspicious Monk medals that have undergone a sanctification ceremony involving prayers and blessings by respected Buddhist monks in Thailand. By the monks recitation of prayers it is believed that they are able to concentrate their mystic power which is then transferred to the amulet.

The collection is multi-cultural and highlights many symbols -- the Hamsa or Hand of Fatima, Kabbalah amulets, Coptic crosses, vintage love tokens, antique I Ching coins, Buddha amulets and Hindu gods and goddesses. Many of the pendants and charms are vintage and are from far away places. Their patina and wear is evidence of their remarkable history.

Even if you don't believe in their magical powers, the amulets are all quite lovely and represent the beliefs of others throughout history. The intention of the artist and believer who created them is true, and vintage pieces are imbued with the power that was felt by others who wore them before you.

These are eye-catching pieces that conjure magical and spiritual messages. Adorn yourself with something both beautiful and full of meaning!

Coming soon online.

Thank you!

Yesterday I heard someone on the radio say that the appropriate greeting this new year is "Happy Better New Year". The very fact that this has been a tough year all around makes me keenly aware of what I have and hold dear.

So, as 2009 comes to a close and I "take inventory", I feel grateful for many things. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for all of my wonderful customers. Your business is deeply appreciated. My relationship with you gives me reason to celebrate and to look forward to a fresh new year.

May 2010 bring all the promise and potential that you hope for.

Lady Apples

Rita Satz Kaplan soon after arriving in America

I saw lady apples today in the market. You know, those miniature yellow and red apples, about the size of a ping-pong ball. Every time I see them I am reminded of my grandmother. She loved those lady apples. I never buy them, but I always linger for a moment and remember her. My grandmother had a great influence on my life and I like to think that I resemble her - if not physically then in terms of certain traits and characteristics. I named my first daughter for her and I cherish the times when I daydream about her presence in my life.

My grandmother had one of those amazing life stories. Born in Russia (now it is Moldova) she was poor, persecuted and suffered a great deal of loss early in her life. When she was young her father owned a bookstore where famous philosophers and writers were known to hang out. But at an early age her mother died. When she was not yet a teenager her father and older brother came to America to make money and later send for them leaving his three daughters with their elderly grandmother. And as so many stories like this go, the grandmother died, World War I broke out and for many years my grandmother never heard from her father and brother. She and her younger sisters survived purely by their resourcefulness and will.

My grandmother had a striking sense of style and was a talented dressmaker. When she came to the US, she never worked in a sweat shop like many of her generation of immigrants to NYC. She worked on fine dresses, deftly able to hand roll a silk hem, or hand bead a dress bodice. She had amazing talent and an incredible sense of style. My grandmother lived with us when I was growing up from my tween years until I left for college. I spent many hours sitting with her and watching her work, talking, answering her inquiries about my day, my friends, my adventures.

Later in her life she started making exquisite life-like beaded flowers from tiny seed beads. She made orange and black poppies and fresh white daisies. Her hands were never idle - even when she sat and talked with you she was always folding her skirt fabric or apron or purse handle into different fan patterns. She could make something out of nothing. A gown from a piece of cloth. Fabulous embroidered table clothes from ordinary fabric and thread. And flowers from beads and wire.

My grandmother lived to be 96 years old. She was vibrant and with-it until her very last year. Even in her early 90s she had a great wardrobe - pant suits, dresses, blouses that she always “tweaked” in some way to express herself “just so”. Some days when I am working at my workbench, especially beading, I think of her. I think that maybe, just maybe, my work creating jewelry, stringing beads and working in patterns ties me back to her. I only hope that I possess some degree of her talent and style. I am grateful for her influence on my life and for the warm, well-worn memories that I have of her.

Ian Grant in The Relic Hunter

Just had to post about my friend Ian Grant who's show premieres tonight on the Travel Channel (Saturdays at 10pm EST). Ian is a principal with Bjorling and Grant in Minnesota. He collects and sells the most amazing artifacts from around the world (and produces some fabulous reclaimed wood furniture). He is curious, adventurous and a really cool guy. Put all that together and you have a great concept for a show. Follow Ian as he travels the globe to understand cultures and their art and artifacts. Way to go, Ian!

Layer it on thick...

Layering necklaces is a technique that has been around for years and is still going strong. It is understandable as it allows you to vary your look, be creative and create custom looks. So next time you are trying to decide which necklace to wear, consider wearing them all. OK, not really, that would be overdoing it. But with some editing and experimentation you can accomplish some interesting looks.

On this Fall’s runways designers showcased layered and stacked jewelry, really piling it on. Nested bib-necklaces closely circling the neck and stacked bangles from wrist to elbow were most dominant.

Here are a few pointers to consider when layering up:

• Start with a long necklace and then add a shorter pendant.
• Layers of stones work best if you stick to one color story. Definitely mix stone necklaces with metal chains for a textural look.
• It is safest to stick with one metal - silver with silver, gold with gold. If you mix, which can be a very sophisticated look but harder to pull off, combine similar finishes, ideally antiqued gold and antiqued silver.
• If you want to be more subtle, try layering delicate chains of various lengths but similar widths or thicknesses.
• Wear all of this over solid basics to highlight the jewelry and not overdo it.
• Remember, long necklaces create long vertical lines which offer a flattering look.

If you are uncertain, then look for necklaces that are already layered for you. And then, go ahead and pile it on!

Pearls... they have been called God’s Tears

Large coin and round cultured pearls with gold vermeil

Pearls, the gem of Queens and the queen of gems. These little spherical gems, grown in oysters (or mussels in freshwater), are amazing accidents of nature. Pearls are the natural reaction of the oyster to an irritant. A genuine pearl (whether occurring naturally or cultured) starts with a grain of sand or a small foreign object that becomes lodged within the oyster. As a reaction, the oyster secretes a substance to cover the irritant and soften its edges, making it less irritating. This substance is called nacre. Over time, layer upon layer of nacre is applied to the irritant and thus a pearl is born. The more layers of nacre, the larger the pearl, the deeper the shine and lustre on the surface - the more beautiful the pearl!

Both naturally occurring and cultured pearls are genuine pearls (vs. imitation pearls which are man made beads of glass or other materials which are made to look like pearls). Natural pearls happen by accident in the oyster and are found by accident as well, making them rare and valuable. On the other hand cultured pearls are “farmed”. Oysters are suspended on racks in ponds, irritants are inserted, time passes while the oyster covers the irritant with layers of nacre, and then after a number of years the pearls are harvested. As a result of this human intervention cultured pearls are more plentiful. And that means that what used to be the exclusive purview of royalty and aristocrats is now more abundant and affordable.

The quality, size and shape of freshwater cultured pearls vary widely with the depth and quality of the nacre being the greatest determinant of quality. Some pearl farmers pull their crop too early (trying to cash in) before the nacre layers have gotten deep enough and hard enough. This impatience creates an inferior pearl. Oysters require two or more years to create a beautiful pearl.

Once pearls leave the belly of the oyster, they need people in order to remain beautiful. If they are left unworn in a vault or a drawer, they can turn yellow and brittle. But worn on the skin they become more luminescent. Stories abound through history of palace servants warming their mistress’s pearls by wearing them while doing chores during the day so that when the mistress donned them in the evening they would be warm and luminous.

Here are a few of the dimensions to consider when assessing pearls:

Size - ranges dramatically from small seed pearls to 20mm or larger.

Luster - is the depth and glow on the surface of a pearl. It is an indication of the amount of time the pearl spent in the oyster and the number of layers of nacre that the oyster applied to the pearl. Pearls should have a luminous glow and depth.

Shape - can vary greatly, especially with many of the newer cultured pearl processes. As for round pearls, one rarely finds a perfectly round pearl. In fact today many interesting shapes add value and interest, such as baroque, stick or coin shapes.

Surface - the surface of a pearl, while never without a blemish, should be smooth and without cracks or peeling. Again, some pearls have unique and interesting surface bumps and textures that can make them more valuable and interesting.

Color - natural pearls are white, cream or black. Otherwise, there is a huge industry of dyed and color treated pearls. Today a cultured pearl can be had in almost any shade of any color!

multiple shapes of gold colored freshwater pearls