100% Organic

Oxidized sterling silver colorblock torsade with antique Chinese turquoise, tiger's eye, carnelian and malachite

I've been collecting beads from around the world since 1973. Sometimes inspiration is as simple as a color story and rummaging through dozens of clear boxes and drawers filled with thousands of semi-precious stone beads in every color, size and cut imaginable. The result, a one-of-a-kind collection of beaded pieces, each stone with a story to tell.

Oxidized sterling silver colorblock bracelet with antique Chinese turquoise, tiger's eye, carnelian and malachite

The GreenPiece Collection debuted in the Summer of 2008 at The Parrish Art Museum Shop, as a seemingly randomly patterned assemblage of vintage beads chosen for their uniquely unadulterated color and form. The collection focused on an earthy palette of high quality semi-precious stone in luxe-bohemian style with superb and rare examples of greenish vintage turquoise. Crossing all lines between fashion, art and craft, GreenPiece is really about the visceral beauty of making things by hand.

Selections from the GreenPiece Collection are available only by special request at cynthiarybakoff.com, $138 to $995 .

Buckle Up!

Bottega Veneta via style.com

My favorite look of the Fall 2009 season so far is Bottega Veneta's dusty mauve elegance. The luxurious dresses were so wonderfully understated when accessorized with just the right amount of white gold and colorless stone jewelry. One look in particular caught my eye - a lovely woven buckle cuff with pave diamond accents.

Cynthia Rybakoff Estate Collection sterling silver Edwardian hinged buckle cuff
with hand etched vine motif, $695 at CynthiaRybakoff.com

Ornate buckle motif cuffs were extremely popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, as sterling silver jewelry regained favor in the waning years of the 19th Century. The buckle symbol stood for strength and protection, making them, in a sense, the original Wonder Woman cuffs. Today these timeless cuff bangles are simply classic and chic.