Let's Get Minimal

I stumbled upon this romantic minimalist set at Polyvore with my Bubble + Chain stiletto earrings. I love the neutral taupe colors, the softness of the slip dress and all the different textures going on with the accessories. The blunt-toe platform shoes are an interesting contrast... don't you think?

Image courtesy of Polyvore. Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver Bubble + Chain Earrings $22 at Supermarket.

Super Cute

Into The Woods charm bangles $38 each

I just can’t help myself. I love super cute furry or feathered creatures the way some might love a fat baby. I’m currently obsessed with the Sweet Million ad campaign, with it’s sleeping piglets quivering on miniature bunk beds and piles of snoozing kittens dressed in onesies for a long winter’s nap. I grew up in the mythical 70’s pop culture, when graphic representations of wise owls and spotted toadstools were plastered on much of the decorative ware found in my friend’s homes. I carefully stitched embroidered butterfly appliqués to every piece of denim my closet and painted tiny canvases of lush fields sprouting a first grader’s interpretation of those ubiquitous mushrooms and butterflies with my beginner’s set of acrylic paints. As an adult, I have scoured thrift shops, flea markets and even my mother’s cupboard for reminders of that idyllic time, scoring kitschy vintage Arabia Finland pieces, for my collection of pure unadulterated nostalgia.

Into The Woods charm pendant $68

I’m a fairly serious jewelry designer, not generally given to fits of whimsy or pretentious post-modern irony, but I do have a soft spot in my heart for 70’s retro cute. Come autumn in New York City, my creativity is jet fueled by woodland fantasies conducted in brisk weather, as the thermometer tops 70 degrees. Inspired by the changing autumn leaf outside my window and the comforting knowledge that screech owls do indeed nest in the Forest of Central Park, I am overcome by my outdoorsy leanings, shuttering myself from the warm Indian Summer sun in my apartment studio niche, dreaming up cute designs for my little cast of woodland characters.

Woodsy Owl charm earrings $38

Cynthia Rybakoff oxidized sterling silver Into The Woods charm collection $28 to $68, on Supermarket.

Vintage Ads

The other day I was showing a friend some vintage media featuring my jewelry, and this ad practically leapt off the page of my chocolate leather portfolio. "Oooh, Janice Dickinson!" my friend squealed (she would never have recognized the diva, were she not currently a reality TV star). There she was, looking exceptionally young, gorgeous and natural, sitting for Richard Avedon in 1989.

Stylist Julie Britt, who hired me to design jewelry for Revlon's "The most unforgettable women in the world" campaign, was a creative dynamo, custom making everything, like those sculptural organza collars (I still have the fabric she gave me for inspiration). The pave rhinestone jewelry was originally designed for Isaac Mizrahi's first runway show, but lots of stylists and editors were requesting it for shoots, including Sarajane Hoare at British Vogue. Julie decided just one earring was enough, but make it longer!

I was invited to the shoot at Avedon's Upper East Side studio and remember meeting him briefly. The models were quite ethereal, having their make-up done. Not much conversation there. Truthfully, I was just delivering props for the set, so off I went back to my own studio slash bedroom, not quite ever believing I was really there.

Freshly Picked

Introducing Freshly Picked, a new weekly shopping event at Supermarket. Every Monday I’ll be featuring a brand new gemstone item at a very special price, for one week only. Get ‘em while they're in season and check back each week for more freshly picked items!

Starting today, Herkimer Diamond Drops are 30% off.

A unique variety of double-terminated quartz crystals found mainly in upstate New York’s Herkimer County, Herkimer Diamonds have a natural diamond-like geometric shape and are believed to be close to five hundred million years old. I recently fell in love with these magnificent works of nature, and like them best in their natural rough form. Get these beauties while supplies last for only $36.00.

Locally hand crafted in NYC, fresh gemstones in season, on sale this week only at Cynthia Rybakoff.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver and rock crystal Herkimer Diamond Drops from the Post Bling Collection, $36.00, this week only at Supermarket.

Superwoman

We all know that behind every Superman is a Superwoman. Clark, we appreciate your penchant for red and blue, but what about some rocks for her? What would make a strong statement? You definitely need to avoid green. Maybe something organic and futuristic looking in a crystal spike formation?

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver and rock crystal Fortress Of Solitude necklace, $74.00 and earrings, $38.00, from the Post Bling Collection at Supermarket.

Dripping Diamonds

Can luxury be democratic? Should we still buy it and wear it proudly? I think we can, but priorities have shifted dramatically in 2009. My new collection, appropriately entitled Post Bling, is based on more humble materials that either are real or fake versions of that ubiquitous rock, the diamond.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver and raw diamond Dripping Diamonds necklace, $228.00 and earrings, $68.00 at Supermarket.

Inconspicuous Luxury

So we’ve entered a post-luxury era. What to wear now that we’ve all lost our shirts? Luxury is still desirable, of course. Who wouldn't want beautiful, high quality things if they could afford it? And things are starting to look up, but conspicuous consumption is so Ancien Régime. Time to take it down a notch, regardless of your wallet size.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver and CZ Fake Necklace, $78.00 and Fake Hoops, $44.00 at Supermarket.

Mommy and Me

Gift with purchase & complimentary gift packaging at Supermarket

My mother and I are particularly close. "Cyn pleeeeze, no more jewelry. I have enough sweetie!", she quips, as she hands back the box of custom emerald earrings with another cheerful reminder: "sell them honey, I don't need a thing!". She quickly adds, "you know what I DO need? An orange earring to go with that Donna Karan sweater,". OK, so this relationship is strictly on her terms.

Mother's Day is a joyous one for giving, nonetheless. With May 10th less than 2 weeks away, you must check out my gift guide of beautifully packaged and affordable sterling silver jewelry at Supermarket, and get a free gift with purchase for that other important person in your life (insert here: your name or your daughter's).

Get a free pair of Cynthia Rybakoff 8mm sterling silver bubble earrings with your purchase of $50 or more at Supermarket. Offer good until May 24th.

Shiny Disco Balls

clockwise from top left: Donna Karan via style.com, Cynthia Rybakoff Disco Bubble Earrings, $124 at Supermarkethq.com, Luc Gensollen chandelier

The bubble has gone oversized, sleek and shiny. The post-luxury era beckons the return of a more understated and affordable precious metal, sterling silver. Molecular clusters of silver beads have a futuristic look. The effect is sci-fi chic meets disco diva meets atomic mad scientist.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver Atomic Bubble Bracelet, $298 at Supermarkethq.com

Here's a first look at my new sterling silver Bubble Collection, now available exclusively at my Supermarket shop, where it's easy to buy great design online! Bubblicious earrings, necklaces and bracelets from $14 - $298, with most pieces under $100. Check back over the next week as I add more items...

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver Disco Bubble Necklace, $188 at Supermarkethq.com

Playing Cupid

The Victorians viewed the world through a veil of romance and sentiment. Flowers, hands, anchors, knots and hearts were symbols of emotion and attachment. Cupid, or Eros, was the consummate love token. The god of erotic love and beauty, he is often depicted with wings, a bow and a quiver of arrows with which to "inspire" romantic love. Cupid’s arrow, once struck the heart, makes the victim fall in love.

Around the mid-eighteenth century, discoveries of archaeological sites in Italy and Egypt sparked an obsession for neo-classicism that widely influenced the architecture, art and design of the period, including Josiah Wedgwood's jasperware, with its distinctive raised white bas-relief depictions of Greek and Roman mythology. Cupid was a popular Wedgwood motif throughout the mid-twentieth century, when many of the pieces I collect were manufactured.

Cynthia Rybakoff’s single edition re-mixed Wedgwood Cupid cameo jewelry: vintage 14k gold filled black basalt heart pendant on 17 1/2" vintage chains, $315; 12k gold filled vintage classic blue screw back earrings, $105; 12k gold filled vintage sage green pendant with modern 24k vermeil 23" pearl chain, $275. By request at CynthiaRybakoff.com.

Initial Reaction

Personalized gifts are an ideal way to celebrate a special occasion or mark a milestone in the journey of life. The tradition of engraved jewelry is the perfect way to show you care. My most popular gift items are vintage style sterling silver pendants, charms and earrings suitable for engraving with a loved one’s initials or interlocking monogram.


Each piece, like the initial earrings and pendant, pictured above, is engraved to order in my fave vintage script font by skilled artisans who practice a dying craft. Although most personalized jewelry is now engraved by machine, engraving by hand produces a unique design each time, ensuring that no two engravings will ever be exactly alike. It costs a bit more, but it's a worthwhile investment, for an heirloom quality keepsake.

Beautifully engraved monograms were a passion of the Victorians, who popularized the three letter monogram, and created the rules regarding placement of the initials. Victorian convention ruled that the bride and groom’s last initial be placed in the center with the grooms first initial on the left and the bride’s first initial on the right. Today, placement of the initials is according to preference. When designing a monogram for an individual, the last initial is placed center with the first initial to the left and the middle initial to the right. If the individual is a married woman, she may choose to place the initial for her maiden name to the right instead.

Each vintage style interlocking monogram, like the medallion pictured above, is a unique design that the engraver must first create, according the particular combination of letter shapes. Alas, there is no substitute for the human aesthetic, when it comes to creating a one of a kind monogram.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver hand engraved initial earrings, $195.00; sterling silver hand engraved initial pendant, $150.00; sterling silver hand engraved monogram medallion, $295.00, all made to order by request at CynthiaRybakoff.com.

A Golden Voice

Lori Cotler is an amazing vocalist and a dear friend. Her range runs from Jazz standards to South Indian Konakkol, her voice a percussive instrument of rhythmic precision. My favorite is her cover of Nature Boy, but give everything a listen. Lori's music is rare treat.


We did an impromtu photo shoot of Lori, one afternoon, and she chose some simple jewelry to wear, from the 18k gold Link Collection. Her favorite item was a pair of delicate chandelier earrings with tiny oval links, pictured above. Lori tells me comfort is essential on stage, and these long , shiny gold earrings are incredibly lightweight and catch the light from a distance. You can see other styles in the gold gallery on CynthiaRybakoff.com, including these one-of-a-kind bluish grey Umba sapphire briolette drops.

Cynthia Rybakoff 18k gold cascading link earrings, $1,100, by request at CynthiaRybakoff.com.