The Cherry Collection

This bold new color of Freshwater Pearls has quickly become our hottest new collection of Pearl Jewelry.  The Cherry Collection has become a “must have” for Pearl Girls who want to make a statement.  Featured in our new “Very Cherry!” ad, our ringed pearls are the clear favorite in this up and coming collection.  You can see all three pieces featured in this advertisement from the New York Times here or visit our collections page to see the entire cherry collection!

The Wildflowers Collection

Spring and Summer pastels are back with Honora’s new Wildflowers Collection!  This assortment of vibrant colors is L’array’s new take on our popular Multi-Pastel necklace that helped kick off the pearl color trend along side our Chocolate and Dark-Multi collections.  This selection is the perfect companion to your favorite summer dress, but still has strong enough colors to work year round.  Check out the baroque pearl necklace featured in our New York Times ad or view the entire Wildflowers Collection of Pearl Jewelry.

The Sunrise Collection

Rise and shine with L’array’s rich color combination of pearl colors including our new favorite, Cherry!  This selection of vivid colors will instantly remind you of the array pink, reds and oranges that we all associate with the rising sun.  We invite you to see the baroque pearl necklace featured in our New York Times Sunrise advertisement or you can view the entire Sunrise Collection here.

You can find all of these collections and more at The Honora Store or at your Local Honora Jeweler.  Let us know which of our latest collections is your favorite as well as what you think of our latest advertisements in the comments section!

As those of you who received our monthly newsletter already know, almost everyone in the office is working frantically on the annual trade show in Las Vegas. It’s the countdown to JCK and the whole industry is scrambling to wrap up their new collections and to unveil them to the world.  The Design department, on the other hand, is a very different story.  While everyone else is focused on the now, we are already living in the future working out collections for 2011! It should be nice and quiet here next week…

What will be different at Honora next year? While we are just starting to work on this, I can tell you that we are looking to infuse more metal into the line alongside our popular pearl color mixes.  The past few years we have focused on creating our exclusive colored pearls, now we are ready to take this to the next level.  One of our thoughts for 2011 are to expand upon the popularity of these strands by adding sterling silver designs and gemstones to differentiate the line.

Just to get you thinking, here is what what we’re inspired by so far….

• Honora’s heritage: learning all about the company is inspiring me to design a collection that celebrates Honora’s history in the industry, we are after all heading into our 64th year!  Retire at 65?!  I think not!  We are just getting started!  The goal of this signature collection is to take traditional Honora elements that you know and love and present them in a fresh way.  Think modern classic.
• I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely crazy for Coin pearls! What a sophisticated shape! I love how smooth they are and how they lay perfectly flat against the skin. We are toying with the idea of complimenting these unique beauties with coordinating semi precious stones.
• Summer’s coming and I know I should be out looking for deals on swimwear, but the magazines are already showing Fall runway and I can’t help but be inspired by the wild new accessories! Croco, python, leopard, oh my!  I have a sneaking suspicion that something sexy will slither its way into Honora for 2011. These luxury materials easily translate to exciting new textures for sterling (& way more animal friendly in case you were worried!)
• There’s no time like Honora time! Never miss Ralph and Joel on QVC again! The girls and I are are working to make Honora one to “watch” as the design team plays up some ideas that really “tick”!

Ok, that’s enough top secret info for the moment.  Let me know which of these concepts you are most excited to see come to life in the comments section.  Perhaps I can arrange a sneak peek next month… tune in next time!  Your Girl with the Pearls – Julie

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York (Canarsie to be exact) and started making jewelry at a young age. My family belonged to the Seaview Pool for 3 years, all of which I hated- except for 5pm when the day camp would close and I would scrounge around under their picnic tables and find beads that dropped into the sand. I would collect them, take them home and wash them off, then sort them in Hot Wheels carrying cases- quite a process! Not only did that keep me busy for hours (when I could have been fighting with my brother) I was also producing stuff my mom would wear, so she was pretty happy!

I first heard of the High School of Art & Design through a friend’s older brother, I knew I had to go there! No, it’s not “the Fame school” (Laguardia) there was no dancing in the hallways- just design.  My best friend Renee introduced me to Sculpey modeling compound and Canal Street plastics.  I was making jewelry out of acrylic and beads as well as keys, bottle caps, nail polish, nuts and bolts from my dad’s garage- anything that wasn’t nailed down.  After graduating A&D as an illustration major I entered Syracuse University’s Metalsmithing program. I learned soldering, casting, wax carving and other bench working basics as well as doing a semester abroad in Florence.

I began working right after college for a few family run businesses like Erickson Beamon, Robert Rose, and Michael Anthony. I then started working for larger companies and designed for Nine West Jewelry and Avon. I can definitely say my varied experiences in different facets of the industry have led me to the right place- here with you!

I look forward to blogging with you on a monthly basis. I would like to use this platform to preview new ideas and get your (honest) feedback. I’ll also be giving you a behind the scenes account of what we’re working on, inspiration we’ve found, upcoming shows and places we’ve gone all in the name of pearls! Most importantly our conversations will keep you up to date with what’s coming next for Honora (before all the other kids see it!!!) and keep me up to date with what you really want from Honora. Please be encouraged to leave requests in the comments section, I promise I will read them!

See you next month!  Your Girl With the Pearls, Julie

A wide range of natural colors and shapes will grow in the same mollusk.

This is part of the Freshwater Pearls Made Simple series where we offer short posts to demystify this unique variety of Cultured Pearls.  Be sure to visit our post on Confusing Words You Need to Know if some of these terms are unfamiliar.

While we will be sure to explain many of these in their own posts, we wanted to take a second to highlight some of the features that set Freshwater Pearls apart from other varieties of Cultured Pearls.

More Pearls Per Mollusk – Traditional Akoya and South Sea mollusks offer one (occasionally two) pearls at a time using the bead nucleation process where Freshwater Pearl mollusks can offer nearly 40 pearls at a time using the newer tissue nucleation process for cultivating pearls.

More Pearl Colors – Freshwater Pearls offer the widest range of naturally occurring colors.  You will often find White, Peach, Pink, Plum and Purple pearls side by side in the same mollusk.

More Pearl Shapes – The combination of a smaller nucleus, more pearls and larger mollusks has created several new and popular shapes including buttons, baroque, ringed and near round pearls.  Position within the mollusk will often go a long way towards determining the shape.

More Pearl Sizes – Larger mollusk sizes along with the newer tissue nucleation process for cultivating pearls offers the widest range of sizes spanning 4MM to 18MM.

More Pearl Nacre – Using tissue from small mollusks instead of mother-of-pearl beads to start pearl growth creates a cultured pearl that is over 90% nacre, the closest to naturally occurring pearls.

More Affordable Prices – The combination of more pearls per mollusk, no mother-of-pearl bead and a wider range of shapes has helped make Freshwater Pearls the best value in Cultured Pearls.

We hope this helps you get a better feeling for what makes Freshwater Pearls a unique and exceptional value in the pearl world.  Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section.  We will be sure to answer them there or add them to future Freshwater Pearls Made Simple posts.

To celebrate the launch of The Sunrise Collection and our upcoming Pearl Harvest shows on QVC, we are holding a contest for a chance to win a Sterling Silver 8-9MM Baroque Sunrise Collection 36″ Necklace.  Click here to enter into the contest and be sure to share the news! If we get to 3000 fans on the Honora Facebook Fan Page, Joel and Ralph are going to double the prize and offer a second necklace to members of our mailing list (by entering this contest, you automatically join that list).

See our newest collection of pearl jewelry and let us know what you think of Sunrise in the comments section.  To learn more about our April 3rd and 4th Pearl Harvest shows on QVC, check out our latest post on our QVC Blog.

[If you cannot see the video, click here]

Women are constantly worried about finding the perfect occasion to wear their Honora pearl jewelry. So in this week’s episode, we hope to show you the time and place is anytime and anywhere!

Join Honora TV Host, Anna Swanson and Special Guest, Costume Designer Michael Bevins, as they compliment a wide range of outfits with Honora’s Freshwater Pearls.  Whether its casual or formal, never be intimidated to incorporate Pearls into your everyday wardrobe. Then, in the second half of this episode, watch as a single strand of Honora Freshwater Pearls is magically transformed into a one-piece-suits-all-occasions accessory!

Let us know how you mix and match your pearl jewelry and outfits in the comments section and keep an eye out for brand-new episodes of Honora TV.

Anna Swanson – Host

Sterling Silver Denim Baroque Freshwater Pearl 36″ Necklace – HN1360DEN36
Sterling Silver Denim Coin Freshwater Pearl 36″ Necklace – HN1298DEN36
Sterling Silver Denim Baroque Freshwater Pearl 36″ Necklace - LN4193DEN3

Robin DeMarco – Guest

Sterling Silver Onyx and Freshwater Pearl 60″ Necklace – LN5459WB60
Sterling Silver White Freshwater Pearl Hoop Earrings – LE4800WH

Emily Morse – Guest

Sterling Silver Black Freshwater Pearl Ring – LR3605BL
Sterling Silver Black Freshwater Pearl Pendant – LR3910BL
Sterling Silver Black Freshwater Pearl Earring – LE4355BL

Beth Murphy – Guest

Sterling Silver Black Keshi Freshwater Pearl 36″ Necklace – From the “Make Your Own Pearl” section of The Honora Store

All the Guests -

Baroque Freshwater Pearl 125″ Ropes – Various Colors

It doesn’t matter if you love or hate Lady Gaga’s fashion sense, but you cannot help but admire the risks she takes.  At Honora, we’ve always worked hard to live up to our motto of A Fresh New Look At Pearls and we have to commend Gaga on taking a Freshwater Pearl look to the next level.

Lady Gaga, you looked amazing decked out in all of those pearls, but we have to make one tiny suggestion.  Next time, give us a call and add in some of our pearl colors!  We are always here if you need us.

So, what do you think of Gaga’s one-of-a-kind pearl look?  Let us know in the poll below or in the comments section!

I cannot wait to read your entries and may even be inspired to share my own!  Don’t worry if this has nothing to do with our Freshwater Pearls, we just really would love to hear your own romantic story.  As it has been a while since our last contest, we have something special for the winner!  The author of my favorite story will receive one of our newest Cherry pieces, a 13-14MM Coin Freshwater Pearl 36″ Necklace valued at $490 MSRP that is pictured in this post.  This item is so new, that it isn’t even featured on our Pearl Jewelry Collection pages yet!

Please tell us your story in the comments section below to ensure that you are entered into the contest.  We will accept entries through Wednesday, February 17th and I will feature the winner and their romantic story here on The Honora Blog the very next day.  If you haven’t joined us on our Facebook Fan Page, be sure to check it out and be on the lookout for my weekly pics!  I am looking forward to a difficult decision!

The need for aid in Haiti is clear and Honora wants to help.  With this in mind we have created a pearl necklace from the colors of Haiti’s flag and will donate 100% of the proceeds to the ongoing efforts.

Inspired by initiatives from our friends at 12for12K, we will donate all proceeds from our 36″ 7-8MM Cherry and Navy Blue Freshwater Pearl Necklace to the Naples, FL based charity, Hope for Haiti.

For nearly 20 years, this amazing charity has improved the quality of life in Haiti and they have been working tirelessly since the earthquake in Port-Au-Prince.  We chose Hope for Haiti as they have been engaged in improving life in Haiti long before the human disasters of the past month.  Thanks to their immense volunteer base, they are able to give $0.95 of every dollar directly to humanitarian program needs.   You can read Hope For Haiti’s press release about their aid program here.

Nicole is wearing the Sterling Silver 7-8MM Freshwater Pearl Hope For Haiti Necklace, $140 MSRP

Honora will donate 100% of the proceeds from every purchase of the Hope For Haiti necklace directly to their charitable efforts.  This necklace is only available through The Honora Store in New York City and can be ordered via phone at 212.308.8707 or through email at retail57@honora.com.

If you would rather make a personal contribution directly to the charity, simply use the widget below and 100% of your donation will go to Hope For Haiti (12for12K is a fully volunteer-based call-to-action with no admin costs).

[Click here if you cannot see this widget]

This evocative color collection of Cultured Pearls felt like the perfect way to start the new year.  Our Sr. Merchandising Manager, Larry Lippert, “L’array”, who creates our color combinations, had this to say, “Denim is center-stage in fashion again and I wanted to work with our newest blue tones to make a statement, even when dressing casually.”

We think you will love the 8-9 MM selection featured in our NY Times ad.  You can click here to see our entire selection of Blue Moon designs on our Collections Page.  These items are available now at our retail store on Madison Avenue and at your local authorized Honora dealer.

You can always reach us for more information by calling us at 212.308.8707, emailing us at retail57@honora.com or go to our Where to Buy page for your local retailer.