trend report 2012 -- says who?

whom, might i ask, has the final say for all these "top jewelry trends" that are hitting my inbox? (that will teach me to sign up for google alerts for "jewelry trends." go figure.) everyone and their sister has an opinion. the spring runways were ages ago, and we're definitely in-between the big red carpet moments, so does celebrity bling even count right now? yet terms like "yellow gold" and "chandeliers" are popping up on blogs and in magazines all over. even colors get claimed: one person's "tangerine" is another's "orangeade." what if you're in the mood for something a little more "cantaloupe?" will others snicker behind your back?

when it comes to jewelry, i tend to trend to practical -- not having a celeb's budget, i have to love a piece and be able to picture myself wearing it with oh so many looks for oh so many years. if it happens to be super-current, that's a happy bonus. we're talking gems and jewels here and it's harder, for me anyway, to justify the dollars on a sassy necklace that may feel dated two years from now than on an impulse purchase of skinny jeans, designer or not.

oh, and when, sometime later this year, i start going on and on about pearls because they're hot, hot, hot, please don't give me grief about not giving in to trends. sometimes a girl's just gotta go for it.

gift certificates – not a cop-out!

time is running out, people. check the calendar! you have just 3-1/2 shopping days before christmas (and a lucky bonus day this year if you're celebrating hanukah.)

well, i'm here to save you. can't find the perfect thing in your favorite jewelry shop? i say a lovely gift certificate is just the ticket. you're worried that you're asking her or him to S-H-O-P for themselves, like that's a bad thing? it's not. trust me. you're actually presenting a totally personal gift that says "i get you - and i know you might pick out something i wouldn't and i want you to have the best gift ever." and when the lucky recipient is presented with a cool gift certificate, packaged, wrapped and presented like an actual gift (see little black bag post below,) that is one awesome thing to unwrap.

fear not and come on in. tick, tick, tick.

all i want for christmas (and hanukah) is...

that little black bag. the one that makes bells jingle in my head even before i open it. (ok, not exactly.) it's quite mysterious, actually – all this blackness – bag, tissue, ribbon. why so dark? perhaps to best contrast with what sparkles within? that must be it.

and then there's the split of champagne, also black, of course. how cool is that? just perfect for a spontaneous mimosa!

so what's inside this year? those absolutely sleek and architectural earrings i tried on at the designer show? ( i swear, whoever invented wish lists was a GENIUS!)

here's hoping we all get the little black bag of our dreams this year...

10 designers, 2 days, 1 store.

once again, i. gorman is hosting our annual designer show on friday and saturday, december 2-3. the shows are something we started doing 16 years ago and they've become more and more popular with each year's growth.

if you've never been to one, let me tell you what to expect. the store looks the same, but different. we clear the showcases of their regular pieces and each designer takes over a section and makes it his or hers. you'll be greeted at the door (after you've taken advantage of our free parking) and offered champagne or another beverage. after that, it's all up to you.

you may choose to start with a walk around to look at all the incredible work you've never seen before. each of the 10 international designers who is attending will bring all their latest work to show, share and sell (and they love to impress.) or you may just head straight to a favorite designer and start chatting, oohing and ahhing and trying things on. you can ask the designers about custom changes to a particular piece, or complete custom designs inspired by something you see. the more you interact with the designers, the better the experience for everyone. it's a totally fun way to shop!

it's not by accident that the show is always in early december. we are absolutely ready to wrap your purchases for holiday gifts while you wait. equally important: adam, nicole, bonnie, ivan, jill, zue and aarti will all be on hand to help you make those tough decisions!

so who are the designers? For the first time, maria rzewuska and schmuckwerk are coming from germany. enric majoral is coming from spain, antonio bernardo from brazil. also from germany: gellner, michael weggenmann and marcel roelofs. margoni is coming from greece and todd reed and alishan will be here from boulder and california, respectively. we promise to post next week with a little more information about each designer – in the meantime you can check out their work on our website.

the show is from 11am to 6pm each day. there's complimentary parking across the street at colonial parking on friday. on saturday, just pull up to the valet in front.

hope to see you there!

Ring Fever, Spring Fever - I Gorman's Ultimate Ring Event is here!

Our Monday morning lull is non-existent today and while you might feel bad for us at I. Gorman know this: we’re all a buzz because of the Ultimate Ring Event coming up this Friday and Saturday.

Yes, you read right. Once again, we’ll be hosting a dozen phenomenal designers who will be bringing their entire engagement and wedding band collections. Just in time for spring wedding fever!

Of our classic favorites we’re of course going to be hosting Gebrueder Schaffrath’s line from Germany. If you’re into clean lines and a minimal aesthetic, then these designs are for you. You might have to do a double take though when you see the Lumina collection rings with floating diamonds; diamonds that dance and gleam in a constant state of free motion in order to catch every bit of light possible. And if these designs make you feel like a bull in a china shop then worry not. Put your trust in the hands of Schaffrath’s precise, German engineering.

Perhaps you prefer something with some intricacy and mystique. Maybe you’ve been eyeing some designs by Maevona. With their Celtic influence, these engagement designs by Maeve Gillies have a timeless look without being blah. Who can resist anything named after Scottish islands?

For the rugged side of you we’ve got superstar Todd Reed coming with his collection of raw diamond designs. While Todd is a charmer you may not be able to take your eyes off of his earthy, bold designs that incorporate all varieties of raw, rose cut and cube diamonds. If the mimosas don’t put you in a happy daze, Todd’s collection sure will!

As always, along with our favorites we always like to bring in something new, something fresh. This time, we’ll have a collection of romantic, vintage designs by Kirk Kara. These antique designs will make you feel like royalty, so watch out Kate Middleton!

All in all, the Ultimate Ring Event is something for you to put on your list for this weekend whether you’re in the market for bridal jewelry or just wanting to rub shoulders with some amazing designers from the world over. Find all of the details on the I. Gorman website. We’ll see you there!