REAL JEWELS - HOLIDAY STAFF PICKS

The leaves aren't the only things that have changed colors!

We have, too (well, more like added colors)!

And we are so excited for you to see the cornucopia of new items you'll be thankful for on the revamped Real Jewels site!

But, between baking your pumpkin spice pie from Mom's secret recipe and setting the table for 12, you may not have time to give the new site the perusing it deserves.

Not to fear! As an homage to Julie Andrews (OK, really just to help you out), our staff has picked out a few of our favorite things from the always eco-friendly Real Sweet Collection -- one of 5 totally green, totally stylish collections offered at our website.

REAL JEWELS STAFF PICKS!

Long Fringe Earring with Pods - Real Sweet Collection - $350

Textured Bangle with Pods in Sterling Silver - Real Sweet - $250

Large Pod on Beaded Rhodolite Garnet Necklace - Real Sweet - $150

Pod Necklace 18 Karat Gold Over Sterling Silver - Real Sweet - $170

Heart Pendant with Diamond in Sterling Silver - Real Sweet - $90

Pod, Star and Lentil Ring in 18 Karat Gold over Sterling Silver with Diamond - Real Sweet - $190

Multi Pod Hoop Earrings in 18 Karat Gold over Sterling - Real Sweet - $190

With so many 100% recycled, fair trade pieces that look amazing layered or solo (starting at only $50)...you'll be singing FA LA LA LA LA in no time at all!

Make sure to keep checking back for more STAFF PICKS and holiday gift tips!

Until then, the Real Jewels family wishes you and yours a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful to do what we love and share it with the best customers in the world!

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

Out with the old, in with the NEW!

 
So, maybe it's a little early for New Year's, but we're already in the holiday spirit!

Why wait 'til 2011 to show you what we've been working so feverishly on when it could be sitting under your Christmas tree or shared with a loved one on the first night of the Festival of Lights?

If you're friends with us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (we hope you are!), you know that all month long we are celebrating Thanksgiving!  Because we want you to know just how grateful we are for everything & everyone in our lives (this includes, you, of course!). 

And, just in time for Thanksgiving, we are giving all you eco fashionistas out there something else to smile about -- our revamped website!  With so many new styles...you may have to call in sick (or at least surf the site during your lunch break).

We don't mess with success, so we still have all your classic green faves on the site ready to be wrapped up in our eco origami inspired envelope or 100% recycled gift box, but take a few moments and explore our new additions -- especially the Real Spirit and Real Sweet collections...now bursting with COLOR!

Real Jewels has bejeweled its pieces now more than ever before...Amethysts, Rose Quartz, and Pearls -- oh my!

The new site has launched...check it out NOW!

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team 

National Geographic Green Council

That would be how to solve this week's "Before and After" Real Jewels puzzle if we were on Wheel of Fortune...

But enough with the games!

We here at Real Jewels are honored to announce that National Geographic Magazine has recognized our company for its responsible jewelry practices and leadership role in the industry!

Get your copy of National Geographic Mag today and share in the glory :o)

In other exciting green news, we are as pleased as punch to be brand new members of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Now, don't get the wrong idea, we don't sit at a long wooden table and throw down the gavel on other jewelers...

The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit organization bringing together 250+ member companies (including Real Jewels!) across the jewelry supply chain. 

Members of the council are committed to promoting responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail.  Their commitment aims to reinforce consumer and stakeholder confidence in jewelry products. 

The RJC has existed since 2005 and in that time has grown from 14 to more than 250 organizations!  We are so proud to make that number one greater and hope that joining the RJC becomes the newest trend in fashion.

The council rests...(just kidding!)

Have a great weekend!

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

Freshly PRESS-ed

REAL JEWELS was featured as a "local gem" in last week's issue of Hamptons Magazine (you know, the one with the fierce photo of Serena Williams on the cover).

In the piece, founder and CEO Ilia McCormick shares that the inspiration behind Real Jewels came from a "respect for the environment" and her "desire to create jewelry that's relevant in design and substance."

As our loyal customers know, we use only 100% certified recycled gold and sterling silver and support local economy by producing our wares exclusively in New York City!

Some of you more curious fashionistas out there may wonder who an eco brand like this is geared towards?  Ilia explains, "There's something for everyone.  Real Jewels was designed to speak to many tastes and price points."  And, of course, we also create signature pieces for charity like the pelican pendant we crafted after teaming up with Waterkeeper Alliance to raise money for Save Our Gulf.

Interested in learning more of the inside scoop?  Check out the full interview HERE. 

And don't forget to check back next week...we have a feeling we may have some more green press to share with you...

Until then...

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

Sendin' Out an SOS!

Calling all our philanthropic fashionistas!

Although the oil spill seems to be under control, so much work still remains to be done to reverse damage done to the Gulf communities! 

 The Waterkeepers Alliance is doing an amazing job and we here at Real Jewels want to keep supporting them the best way we know how – with 100% of the profits from our eco-friendly SOS (Save Our Shores) pendant!

The SOS pendant makes a great back-to-school gift for your nature-loving high schooler or your college kid who made sure her dorm room was set to separate plastic and glass this semester!

The SOS pendant features the iconic pelican and is made of 100% recycled sterling silver.  And, at $85 and with 100% of profits going to Save Our Gulf, this is one fashion statement anyone can get behind.

Also, we’d love to give a big thank you to TreeHugger.com for giving us some props on their site!  Check out their fab article HERE. 

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

Philanthropy's Afloat at Real Jewels

Ahoy matey! 

Real Jewels has been out at sea, dreaming up a way to help fashion and the planet in unison.  And now, we are so very proud to introduce our SOS (Save Our Shores) Collection, our personal effort to save the Gulf Coast’s communities and environment from the long-term devastating impacts of the BP oil spill.

Real Jewels will be donating 100% of the profit of sales from our new SOS green jewelry collection to the Save Our Gulf, an initiative by Waterkeeper Alliance whose vast knowledge of the marshes, wetlands, beaches, and inner-coastal waters make them invaluable first responders.

The SOS Collection features the iconic symbol of the Gulf disaster – the pelican - transformed into gorgeous (and 100% recycled) sterling silver charm.  You can float away with this lovely creature on a sterling silver necklace $85!

Because you’re reading our blog, we’re guessing you know that showing respect for the environment isn’t merely a trendy tactic for Real Jewels.  Doing good by the environment and by the people who craft our pieces is kind of the Real Jewels M.O.  Since the company’s start in 2009, Real Jewels has been making pieces exclusively out of 100% recycled precious metals, alleviating the need for irresponsible and dirty mining practices.  Each Real Jewels piece is also embellished with a signature fair trade, natural green Peridot Tag, your assurance that the piece your are wearing has been made in a responsible manner.

So, what are you waiting for?  Surf over to http://www.real-jewels.com and help Save the Gulf!  Wearing a piece from the SOS Collection shows that you care, and, because the entire collection is made in a responsible, sustainable manner in New York City, you can feel good about doing your part to help save the environment in more ways than one!

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

 

Your Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you, but do so with all your heart."

 -Marcus Aurelius 

No matter what religion you follow (or if you're even religious at all), we think there's one thing we all can agree on -- we all need a little daily inspiration!

Lucky for you, we have created the Real Jewels Real Spirit green jewelry collection....a little something you can slip on to help you through whatever obstacles and challenges life throws your way!

These eco jewelry pieces act as touchstones, talismans of sorts...giving us strength and constantly reminding us what's really important in life...like...

FAMILY

Keep the Tree of Life pendant close to your heart when loved ones can't be by your side

PEACE

Our Peace Sign pendant will remind you and those around you to take a breath before irrationally acting on things both big and small

HAMSA

We don't know about you, but we can never have enough protection and guidance through the journey of life!

HEART

Wearing our Heart pendant can act as a simple reminder of love and the fact that we all have the ability to give...

Each piece of eco friendly jewelry comes on a unique quotation card (a different quotation for each motif), is made from 100% recycled post consumer product, and printed with soy based ink.

These cards fit neatly into our signature origami inspired envelope which makes them the perfect present!

And what better gift is there than one of clarity and tranquility?

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team