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The classic gold chain has become de rigueur in the fashion world. Nearly everything I wear requires some kind of necklace and, as accessories go, the gold chain is the most flexible thing in my jewelry box.

The only problem for me is finding the right one. I have several imperfect models including one that tangles up because it's too delicate and one from a flea market that borders on gaudy.

What I need is a nice, classic gold chain. And I'm sure I can have one too, for a mere $300.00. The only trouble is that this week I'm not in the mood to spend, so I'll have to make due with the $135.00 version I found at the Metropolitan Museum Store.

Their Spanish Openwork Necklace is 36" long. It's temporarily backordered (that never deters me: I can exercise patience when required), I hope due to popularity, because I think it's a classic.

Photo above is from store.metmuseum.org.

When it comes to my accessories, I'm a stickler. I'm so passionate about them when it comes to having that weighty feel and being something that you can wear with a number of outfits and that it's a classic that finds its way into your look year after year. Although I believe in this, I also feel that pieces should have a bit of flash as they are not meant to be stuck in time. As an Accessories Stylist and the Editor in Chief of Kitten Lounge, this is essential whether I am working on my Editorial Calendar, on a client, project or doing an appearance. I love being introduced to new designers and then bringing it to my readers whether it's online, here in NYC or wherever I am at the moment. Holiday of last year, a new designer emerged that I became excited about instantly – Cynthia Rybakoff.

I was drawn to her use of natural stones and that they were done in a way that had a personality all their own while being something that you could wear with other pieces and for years to come! Her Agate Necklaces – Dear Heart Pendants have vibrant colors and although I have yet to go to her studio, I'm excited to see her creations in person as I'm sure that pictures don't do them justice. I love that her pieces have that chunky vibe while also being very feminine and approachable. You can see her pieces here and <"http://supermarkethq.com/designer/11852/products" target="new">here!

I love these charms. I know, I know, this is the second time in a month that I've blogged about charms, and I'm really not a charm person. But there's something about these… They're very tasteful, classic… A lot like my cat's collar tag, actually. But nicer.

They are, without a doubt, overpriced. It's the charm with the tiny gold heart that brings me back to the site again and again. It reminds me of the kind of thing we'd make in high school when we made jewelry in our shop class. If you missed out on this experience, you probably wonder why jewelry is so terrifically expensive. If, like me, you tried to recreate the neighbor's wedding ring, you would know how desperately hard it is to get metal to do what you want it to.

So kudos to Heather Moore for landing her collection at Neiman Marcus. And for patiently printing our names in courier font around a tiny gold heart. That sort of thing takes patience. The sort of patience that can only be bought for $700.

I admit that I've been known to shop as early as 8 AM. It's hard to resist when you can be in the comfort of your own home drinking coffee, ignoring the emails that have multiplied in your inbox overnight. I was admiring this pretty shell necklace, idly listening to NPR's Morning Edition when I heard this amazing story about Neanderthals.

Scientists in Spain have found evidence of "body ornaments and cosmetics," owned by Neanderthals, according to Christopher Joyce for National Public Radio. To put this in plain English – 50,000 years ago, Neanderthals wore jewelry.

"Neanderthals were our evolutionary cousins, but they'd sure stand out in a modern crowd," writes Joyce. "With heavy brows and jutting jaws, they were a rough-looking lot. But archaeologist Joao Zilhao of the University of Bristol in England says he's found evidence at a Spanish excavation that might change that view. He's found shells with holes in them, apparently strung together and worn like beads."

"Ornaments show you're part of the in-crowd, or a big shot," writes Joyce. After having a good laugh about that (I guess status jewelry existed before us, Homo sapiens) I checked out NPR's website.

And I guess we haven't come very far, or I haven't, because the pretty necklace I'd admired and the ancient version – not so very different! This was a profound discovery, one that would require heavy thought and a lot more caffeine…

Am I shallow? Unevolved? Obsessed with status?

I made a note to contemplate all this… after 9 am, or perhaps tomorrow. In the meantime, I bought the necklace.

Jewelry Designer
Melinda's passion for jewelry design begin at the young age of 10, when she began to redesign her mother's jewelry. Over the years, she developed her unique designs. In 2005, she launched her exciting Spring Collection. With her intricate and innovative pieces, the young designer quickly made a name for herself. Now Melinda Maria Jewelry is found in the hottest stores in Los Angeles, including Fred Segal, Lisa Kline, Ron herman, and Belle Gray.

22k Gold Five Etched Leaf Necklace
22k Gold Vermeil Five Etched Leaf Necklace.
18" long.
$345

Melinda also adorns some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities: Eva Longoria, Katherine Heigl, Hayden Panettiere, Pink, Hillary Duff, Jessica Alba, and Uma Thurman have all worn her original pieces, on the red carpet and in television shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives. Melinda's Collections have also been featured in E!, Us Weekly, Daily Candy, InStyle, and O, Oprah's magazine to name a few.

22k Gold Mighty Goddess Double Disc Necklace
22K Vermeil hammered double disc necklace.
Each disc: 3/4" in height and 9/32" in width
33 1/4" in length and 5/8" in width
$1120

Melinda also devotes her time and talents to charity endeavors. She's involved in several African charities including The Name Campaign, which benefits the children in war-torn Uganda. She designed gold, platinum, and silver nameplate necklaces to raise money and awareness for the cause, and they were featured in several magazines and on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Gold Vermeil & Black Onyx Hammered Necklace
22k Gold Vermeil X hammered pendant with four Black Onyx stones on a 26" necklace.
Pendant: 2 1/8" in height and 1 7/16" in width.
$350

Melinda works with only the highest quality stones and stone-cutters, and her pieces are delicately handcrafted by the finest of jewelers, so each piece is guaranteed to be unique and exquisite.

Working from her Santa Monica studio, Melinda attributes the ocean breeze and a peaceful work environment to helping her inspiration flow, as she creates exciting new designs for her upcoming collections.

Great Necklace Idea
The best thing about these little beauties is that you don't have to be a jewelry designer to make a gorgeous necklace for yourself. You just buy the pendant, run a cord or chain through the holes that run through the top of the pendant, and voila! You have a necklace that will be the envy of your friends and coworkers. These pendants are very affordable, and the colors are breathtaking.

Some beautiful examples:


Gold and Copper Rectangle Pendant
Each pendant varies slightly in color and size.
Measurements: 11 x 21 mm.
Hole runs through top edge of rectangle.
Made in USA.

Silver Triangle Pendant
These stunning pendants are individually made and each pendant varies slightly in color.
Hole runs through wide edge of triangle and measures approx 2mm diameter.
Made in USA.

Pink Rectangle Pendant
Individually handmade.
Each varies slightly.
Hole measures approx 2mm diameter.
Made in USA.

About Dichroic Glass
The brilliant optical properties of dichroic glass are the result of multiple micro-thin layers of metal oxides. NASA developed dichroic glass for use in face shields in space suits. Layers of different metals – gold, silver, titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, silicon – are applied to the surface of the glass. The glass is then kiln-fired at extreme temperatures in a vacuum.

The resulting plate of dichroic glass can then be fused with other glass in multiple firings. Certain wavelengths of light will either pass through or be reflected, causing an array of color to be visible. Due to variations in the firing process, individual results can never be exactly reproduced. Each piece of fused dichroic glass is unique, and no two pieces can ever be the same.

New Spring Jewelry
The classic pendant is an ultra simple look that works well with spring's more detailed, flamboyant clothing. A pendant should complement, but not clash with, the strong colors and patterns of spring and summer fashions. Traditional gemstones and simple settings work best for this style, though design and color should not be overlooked. Simple and elegant best describe what I consider a classic pendant.

Heart-Shaped Pendants
Jewelry takes on a more traditional look for spring 2008 with the reappearance of the classic heart motif worn as a simple pendant. Although this look is always strong around Valentine's Day, its popularity will continue throughout the spring and summer.

This is a stylized version:

White Gold and Mother Of Pearl Pendant
An incomplete heart-shaped piece of Orange Mother of Pearl hangs sideways from a 14k White Gold bail. Diamond-studded White Gold completes the shape of the heart and adds extra shine.

Symbolic Pendants
You'll also see a variety of pendants worn on simple cords and chains, with motifs that reflect the style of the person wearing them, especially favorite gemstones and symbols that have a special meaning, like this pendant:

Sapphire and Diamond Infinity Pendant in 18k White Gold
Signifying love everlasting, this pendant features two hearts joined in an infinite loop. A line of alternating round diamonds and deep blue sapphires adds fire and color to the design. The pendant is suspended from a delicate 18k white gold cable chain.

gemstone pendants
Blue gemstones are very popular this season. So what could be more perfect than the soft shimmer of White Gold with diamonds and a humongo pale blue gemstone, like this one:

18k White Gold and Aquamarine Pendant
19-carat Aquamarine gemstone set in an 18k White Gold with .10 ct of sparkling Diamonds

You'll find nothing fishing about Manic Trout jewelry, a jewelry and art company owned and operated by Sierra Bailey. Along with lots of great beaded jewelry, you'll find some of her artwork as well and her thoughts about being an artist on her site's blog:

Manic Trout is where you can find all of independent artist and jewelry designer Sierra Bailey's fine art and beautiful things.

Sierra designs and creates handmade jewelry that is both colorful and unique and always fun to wear. You will always stand out in the crowd wearing an original design from Manic Trout!

Pictured is a necklace she calls Sabita Cosmic Autumn Rebellion Necklace: Vintage brass creates the perfect foundation for jade, carnelian and buri root. A large carved carnelian flower hangs center, the necklace is finished with a vintage brass clasp.

Vintage brass chain, jade, buri root, carnelian and vintage brass spring ring.

Though Sierra makes earrings and bracelets as well, I really think her necklaces stand out.

Sarah Bitter Sweet Symphony Necklace

Glass round faceted aqua blue beads, green round czech glass beads and blue tile beads provide a lovely backdrop for a beautiful aqua and turquoise Meena enameled, rhinestone and goldplate over sterling silver Minikari star hanging from the center.

Teodora All I Want Necklace

Vintage brass intertwines with ruby red glass, smoky quartz and bright cherry quartz. An ornate vintage brass locket hangs from the center. Finished with a hand made brass hook and eye clasp.

You may have seen Kathleen Lynagh's jewelry company also referred to as KL Jewelry Designs. Whatever you want to call it, she's got lots of wonderful necklace, which includes a collection for the bride along with plenty of designs us old been there post brides can still wear.

Pictured above is a double strand pink pearl necklace with a sterling leaf clasp. It is chocker length, so great to wear with something off the shoulder when you are ready to show a little skin.

Here's another choker, combining pearls set in in sterling swirls that resemble leaves and branches.

And finally, this is an adjustable pearl and gemstone necklace, though it looks like it could be worn choker length with no problem.

Briolettes are still super hot right now, especially for gemstone jewelry designs like these from JEWEL COUTURE LLC who continues to expand on its Precious Briolette Collection.

A briolette is a side-drilled, rather than drilled from top to bottom, bead. It is also very often faceted, like you'd see a faceted stone in a ring for instance. The company has some bragging rights too:

Recently, the Collection's Ruby Heart Necklace was the featured piece at the American Heart Association's Gala Event in NC, where it was widely publicized throughout the state. JEWEL COUTURE LLC is again parterning with the AHA for its white-tie 50th anniversary prestigious Heart Ball in Charlotte NC, early 2008, where Mia Katrin will be creating a fantastic featured piece designed specifically for the event, and will receive wide publicity.