One of the best things about this time of year is the chance to get together with friends at holiday parties! It’s so fun to see everyone at their sparkly best! And, of course, it’s the perfect excuse to dress up.  (We live for the chance to amp up the razzle-dazzle!)

So if you’re looking for some extra ‘zazz to take your favorite little black dress to the next level, Ped has just the thing!

Here to help is Seattle-based jeweler Jamie Joseph, who has “how to dazzle” down to a science!  The hand-selected gems she uses are truly special, and her minimal designs show these spectacular stones off to their best advantage (and yours). Drink in the loveliness of Jamie’s latest cocktail rings, which just arrived at Ped HQ:

Every time we look at this Blood Tiger’s Eye ring, our hearts skip a beat because the stone is so unusual. The rose-cut faceting pulls in the light, amplifying the filament-like streaks that run through the gem. This ring is a guaranteed show stopper!

Another new JJ design that has us swooning is her Dark Drusy ring, which gets extra sparkle from a gold-encircled diamond set in the stone.

A drusy is commonly called a geode, which, as you may know, has a crystalline interior. We think the diamond floating on the sugary background looks like a full moon shining in a star-filled night sky. Go for high drama by slipping this unusual ring on your finger! No one will be able to resist you!

If you really want to pull out all the stops, though, there’s no better way than with Jamie Joseph’s Square Rock Crystal Ring.

You’ll be as glamorous as an old-school Hollywood movie star when you wear this sparkler! Want to flirt with someone across the room? Simply flash this ring with a wave and soon you’ll feel a tap on your shoulder or maybe even an arm around your waist!

You say rings aren’t your thing? Don’t worry, we have other ways for you to turn every head at the party! Look no further than the whimsical creations of Pepita!

What a fabulous necklace! Beautiful circlets of sanded glass cascade down from an antiqued brass chain to create an eye-opening sensation! Not only does Pepita’s Fabiana necklace look gorgeous, but it also makes a lovely sound when you wear it! If you prefer something brighter than these earthy hues, it also comes in a lovely combination of blues and greens!

Another wow-worthy piece is Pepita’s Fortuna necklace:

Crafted from a combination of coral, red, and burgundy silk, entwined through a brass chain in one section, this necklace looks so festive for the holiday season! Imagine how it would enliven a dark party dress!

But if you wish to be the belle of the ball (and why not?), then Pepita’s Mumbay necklace is a must-have for making your mark:

WOW! A necklace like no other, this knockout features lightweight copper beads hand-sewn to a printed piece of Italian fabric. You will feel like an Indian princess when you tie the Mumbay’s grosgrain ribbon around your neck. (And everyone will bow down to your royal style!)

Whether you slide a Jamie Joseph sparkler on your finger or deck your neck with a one-of-a-kind Pepita necklace, you’ll be the spiciest thing at your holiday parties since mulled wine and eggnog!

(And just fyi, you’ve got one more day to enjoy Ped’s current “sweet treat,” Cydwoq’s oh-so-chic Kappa Boot! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, and you’ll arrive at the Kappa the magic discount code that will take a a cool 20% off when you enter it in the designated box at checkout!)

February may be the shortest month, but given the wintry storms currently pummeling many Ped fans, it may feel like the longest. Thank goodness, there’s a sweet something in the middle to make February worth it: Valentine’s Day!!! What could be better than a day dedicated to showing your sweetheart how much you love her? It’s the perfect time to express your affection for any woman who really matters in your life! (Remember how you used to give candies and cards to your friends, your teachers, your sisters, and your mom?)

So let your love light shine by putting a sparkle in your favorite gal’s eye with a sparkly something from Ped!

It may be chilly outside, but these gorgeous Jamie Joseph Indian Ruby earrings are guaranteed to warm things up wherever you are:

The color is so juicy, like a ripe pomegranate! And the faceting catches the light in the loveliest way.

Maybe the woman you have in mind agrees with Marilyn Monroe  that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Then assure her you, too, qualify as a BFF with this understated but stunning Jamie Joseph silver circle necklace that twinkles with three gold-set diamonds:

Jamie has a way of making the simplest designs worthy of “Wow!”

As long as we’re doing song references, maybe you should take Beyonce’s advice if you want to keep your sweetheart from joining all the single ladies—i.e. if you like it, you should put a ring on it! Now, it doesn’t have to be that kind of ring; we’re pretty sure this Jamie Joseph Onyx ring will keep her by your side:

Featured in Vogue, this design is the epitome of chic! We love how the tiny diamond adds a little extra dazzle. Going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day? Imagine how terrific this ring will look with your darling’s little black dress.

“Hmmm,” you may be thinking, “I want to give her jewelry but maybe something more low-key.” How about this Green Onyx and Apatite bracelet from Debbie Fisher?

It’s pretty and fresh without being over-the-top.

The again, maybe the object of your affection is a free spirit whose taste is more whimsical, in which case look no farther than Pepita:

This Eleonora necklace, with its hand-sewn fabric beads blooming from within brass petals, is sure to appeal to her love of one-of-a-kind treasures! A unique beauty deserves something uniquely beautiful!

And if your sweetheart could use a little dose of spring about now, Sophie Digard has just the thing to remind her warmer weather is right around the corner:

Sophie’s cheerful Three Flower Brooch (you can also opt for a single-bloom pin) will brighten up any winter coat or sweater.

Of course, it’s the thought that counts, but a beautiful gift that makes your favorite gal feel more beautiful is a wonderful way to show how much you care! (And if you need to drop a hint or two, remember you can mark anything at Ped as a “favorite” and then share that list with the one who loves you best.)

Happy Valentine’s Day in advance! May love fill every Ped fan’s life!

Twinkling lights, glittering tinsel, wreaths of greenery, and mistletoe waiting to inspire kisses are just a few of the reasons we love this time of year. Here at Ped HQ, we think you, too, should shine as brightly as the Holidays! As long as you’re hanging ornaments on the tree or lighting the menorah candles, why not add a little dazzle to your neck (or to the one of someone you love)? We have the prettiest necklaces at Ped to make your festive spirit sparkle (and they’ll look just as beautiful in the new year)!

Nothing catches the eye quite like diamonds and gold! Jamie Joseph’s new Buttercup necklace is absolutely stunning:

Jamie’s organic designs always make us swoon! This necklace’s trio of diamonds look like tiny stars sitting so prettily in their gold buttercup.

Want to make a bolder statement with your jewelry? Sophie Digard has just the thing:

Ped’s Laura recently got Sophie’s Pastille Pop necklace, and she says everyone goes gaga whenever she wears it! Not only do the velvety beads slide, allowing you to cluster them in a variety of ways, but each features a different color combo on each side, so you can spin them to change up the overall composition!

If you really want to create a buzz, nothing gets people talking like Pepita’s imaginative jewelry!

We can’t get over this Agnese necklace with its fantastic mix of fabric beads, brass fittings, glass beads, braided silk cord, and chiffon rosette! Imagine how great this necklace would look with your favorite little black dress on New Year’s Eve!!! Everyone will be toasting your style!

So, deck your neck as you deck the halls! You’ll look spectacular!

I’ve written before about how much I admire our Seattle-based jeweler friend, Jamie Joseph, and her husband, Jeremy. What a team they make—she designs the pieces, and he cuts the gemstones! At Ped, we love the clean aesthetic of their handmade jewelry, but we also prize their ethics. Jamie only buys stones from dealers she knows are socially and environmentally responsible, and she repurposes gold without sacrificing her sky-high standards. Each Jamie Joseph piece celebrates nature and showcases the individual beauty of each stone.

But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself! Here are a few pieces from our latest Jamie Joseph shipment:

Isn’t this Jamie Joseph Rainbow Moonstone ring mesmerizing? I love how there seems to be motion within the stone. Dreamy!

Another new favorite is this stunning Indian Ruby ring. Although the stone is opaque, it still seems to have an inner light. Plus the facets make it twinkle and shine!

One thing we love about Jamie is her sense of composition and balance, beautifully reflected in this Orange Chalcedony Charm necklace. The reticulated gold coin, faceted teardrop stone, and pearl bead harmonize in such a lovely way. This piece also offers the advantage of an adjustable cord, allowing you to create the perfect length for whatever neckline you’re wearing.

When it comes to Jamie Joseph’s designs, it’s not only diamonds that are a girl’s best friend—it’s all JJ’s lovely gems. As the song goes, “square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their shape!” Rock on, sisters!