Pink Yves Saint Laurent Ring

For Valentine's Day, even though I sort of already bought myself a ring for it I would love to be able to wear a pink Yves Saint Laurent ring. I don't expect my beau to get me it and I really don't want to receive anything other than his time and attention but this pink ring has been on my mind lately as I've been tossing up between getting one in either black or pink and still haven't properly reached a deicision on which colour I prefer. The choice would be made so much more easily if I could compare them, wear one ring on each hand and have a good long think about it.

I could have bought a black one from Germany on eBay this morning but was outbid in the last 10 seconds and the strangest thing was that I was glad I didn't win it- I could buy a pink one for cheaper in a larger size as well. The nerve-wracking thing about eBay is that sometimes the photographs don't do the item justice and you're not getting what you payed for. 

I've currently got two in my sights that I would like to buy, but one if from a place that may or may not ship it to me safely and the other has a weird lined and segmented effect about the pink stone. The problem with both the pink YSL arty ovale rings I can find is that they don't look anything like the rings shown pictured in this post and I wonder what the stone will look like without the harsh and bright professional photographer lights and whether there are two mateials for the same shade of pink. In the end I'm sure I'll end up gambling over which one I want as well as how it will get over here but let's all hope things turn out in the end and I eventually get my hands on at least one of these fantastically designed rings!

Yves Saint Laurent Arty Dots Ring

A slick alternative to the Yves Saint Laurent Ovale Arty ring is what I assume to be their second most popular ring, the dots ring which features more glorious thick ring bands covered in precious metals and adorned in semi-precious stones. The notable difference in design for the two styles of ring by YSL is the size of the stones, where the Ovale arty ring indulges in a large cut oval sized piece of gem/ glass, the dots ring features several curling spirals which end with a small gem on the end. Both rings seem to have a slightly cosmic appeal to them, I think the Ovale arty ring is more like a thick comet with a streaking golden tail and the Dots ring is like a shower of meteors falling out of the sky and clustered together. 

There's less hype, colour variations and consumer demand for the Dots ring but I still quite like the thick golden band of the ring and the rich contrast of dark blue and the precious metal combined together. If you missed my earlier post about YSL rings you may not know my affinity for the combination of gold and Lapis Lazuli but it's sort of a geographical implication and match made in heaven for me. I can't describe it too well, other than it's a fantastic marriage of gold panning and striking gold.

I usually lean more towards gold rings when I can, particularly when it doesn't affect the price of a piece but I like the pink stones of this particular arty ring as well as the dull grunge silver of the band. In the crevices of each stone you can see the darkening effect, due to a little chemical process called oxidisation. Unlike a lot of the other arty rings these coloured stones are my favourite shade of pink/ purple/ lilac and would look very good with a few stacked rings in rose gold which I'm interested in buying. My mother once aptly noted that I need more fingers for all the rings I buy and for once she speaks the truth.

A symbol of bohemian, Rive Gauche-chic and outspoken sophistication, this Iconic Arty Dots ring pays homage to the renowned Yves Saint Laurent couture jewelry collection. A textured gold-finish metal setting encases eight individual, brilliant glass beads - a true statement piece that moves effortlessly from day to evening.

With the silver and pink glass stone dots ring unavailable direct from the Yves Saint Laurent website, my favourite ring of this style is the white and gold variation, again proving my point that I'm boring and playing it safe with neutral colours and failing to take a chance on something that actually says something about my personality and the way I dress myself. The inner conflict in my mind is that for paying so much money on a ring I should make it as versatile as possible and wear it as often as possible to get my money's worth and a sense of happiness from my ring but something wild and colourful too may help me fill that empty hole deep inside the cockles of my heart.

What's particularly charming me to me about this piece is the imperfect set of the stones, the bumps and knocks purposely incorporated into the design of the ring. This effect if appealing for two reasons, it adds charm and character to each ring and makes it seem individual and special to you as well as covers up any bumps and knocks that may occur in the time you wear it. Nothing is more nerve-wracking or depressing then seeing a scratch or imperfection on a new ring and feeling guilty about the whole ordeal. When this happens to me I usually leave the ring in a drawer for a few weeks until I get over it and get the courage to get some balls about it. Still though, with a ring of this rugged design you need not worry about going through such a cycle and can instead enjoy your ring with piece of mind.

Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ovale Ring

The Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ovale ring has been around for years now and has been produced in a whole spectrum of colours. At first there was just coral, turquoise and Lapis lazuli but now the only colours available directly from the website are the newer range of colours using glass speckled with pieces of gold foil as well as imitation wood and single colour blocked stones- just to name a few. There's also two other styles of the arty ring but the strong oval ring as well as the textured gold and thick band was such a revelation in the fashion world and there are literally thousands of knock-offs on the market. An art teacher once told me that imitation is the highest compliment but would it really kill to be original and come up with your own ideas?

Sometimes a more tribal and South American vibe is favoured, using turquoise and silver together but I do like the rich yellow gold of the ring which is plated and the rich turquoise stone at the heart of the design. The ripples through the stone and 'faults' also add individual character to each piece which is why I prefer the arty rings that use semi-precious stones rather than say, glass. At the moment I'm spoiled for choice for a ring to buy online but I really do have to be careful about my choice since it will be a while till I get some proper money flowing, I'd say a basketball tournament earning maybe $250+ as well as uang bao for Chinese New Year. 

I never before considered the pink stone YSL Arty Ovale ring as a choice to consider buying but seeing the filtered effect of space over the top of this image, the use of black nail polish and a floral skirt I am rethinking the whole thing over. Sadly I can only find a size 5 available to buy and I have been warned that the ring sizes runs a little small so maybe it could be a feminine and statement pinky ring for me? This is quite the dilemma, while I was originally going to stick with traditional black and gold for versatility I love the use of colour in this photograph and frequently wear black and red nail polish throughout the year which would look good with this ring...

My favourite colour currently available direct from the Yves Saint Laurent website is white and gold, but seeing as that variation has sold out I'll show you the next best colour which is a jade coloured stone with lovely dark hues around the edge of this oval stone. I usually don't go for green, but then again there is nothing really usual or ordinary about these rings and I should go for something bold and exciting that takes on a life of its own when worn. That's what I liked about the photograph of the pink stone, it didn't have to purposely match the outfit so maybe I'm over thinking things by going for what's safe and should go for something that I like as a piece in itself. These babies aren't called the arty rings for nothing.

It must be the harsh lights as well as the macro setting of the camera to bring out such exquisite and fine detail of the ring as well as causing the red stone to glow with such energy and heart. With wear, the edges of the ring will be sure to show the plating but that's really a problem for another day since I wouldn't really consider it to be a problem; I barely wear rings without occasion unless I have something to do in which people will actually look at my hands and wearing them everyday I go to university may be asking for trouble... It would be nice to be able to excuse myself for having a glamorous ring on my finger; no matter what the colour of the stone the band of the ring remains the same and looks more like a sculpted and raw gold nuggets fresh from the Earth rather than something someone designed. It's a nice touch to the symmetrical oval stone.

The Lapis Lazuli stone shown surrounded by gold has been an on-again-off-again favourite of mine. At this point I would like to point out that these are not the only variations of the Arty Ovale ring by Yves Saint Laurent and as well as a gold band, there is silver but these are my personal favourites for showing off colour as well as old school Hollywood glamor. The deep blue of the stone above reminds me of the meeting between the sea and the sun on the horizon at sunset or perhaps the golden sand meeting with a dark blue ocean. Whatever the case, it still reminds me of long and boring geography lessons as well as deep and hypnotic style.

Jewellery by Gala Curios

I feel a little bad about using such large format images for this post- but with the narrow size of the images I can adequately show you each detail of the gorgeous gold jewellery by Gala Curios which is full of dramatic conventions that for some reason remind me a bit of Italian opera. There's sharp lines of ruching of leather, fanning out as well as accordion type pleating effects in metal, resin pieces and tiny little golden hands used as clasps. It's all very dramatic and glamorous but the styling for the photo shoot of their pieces has taken a more romantic approach- I personally would have liked to see the use of glitter as well as masquerade masks but maybe that's something I'll have to demonstrate for myself and to you, dear reader.

The best thing about the dips and crevices within this accordion pleated style ring in gold is the way the metal shows off different characteristics as well as colours. While each sheet of the metal seems to have been melded together, as you can see the joins of each metal panel are very smooth and all this is attached to a thick banded gold ring. It's quite the statement ring, and not for those who fiddle and wear dresses with fringing or anything else that can get caught on the edges of the ring. It would look very showy in a photograph in which you raise a toast for someone- and bathed in a semi-dark light it would take on a more moody and gorgeous character.

The black oxidised metal cuff with sharper corners, more shallow triangular pieces and around a wide opened bangle reminds me a lot of a cookie cutter- and I say that with the kindest most endearing means possible. I've never seen anything like this in design, though it's not that often you see a metal cuff. Most of the cuff designs that spring to my mind are of resin but I quite like the dark and edgy effect of this cuff as well as the different tints and hue on the metal. For more class and a little more elegance this cuff comes in white, silver and gold. I love the gold items from Gala Curios.

As well as spectacular designs in jewellery the designs have also been christened with names involving puns? What more could a girl ask for? I love the contrasting colour combinations of mismatching leather swatches for the ruffles against the cuffs it's very chic. My favourite cuff from this quartet would have to be the cuff on the far right with a stone coloured leather and a brassy coloured cuff. I like the cute little bolt through the pinched leather- it gives a sense of symmetry to the piece.

If you're not a fan of thin cuffs but love the design of the accordion folding cuff you could wear all four at once for extra glamour and maybe colour. If you're not loving all the four colours maybe you could get two of your favourite colour and wear them together? In my opinion, you can't go wrong with black and gold together.

The Accordion Bangle has been cleverly developed using state-of-the-art rapid-prototyping, in an effort to emulate exacting pleated forms in solid metal. This tough cuff will add an edge of polish to any outfit, for guys & girls alike.

Solid brass with black nickel 'oilslick' plating.
Inner diameter 5cm, cuff height 1.5cm.

Packaged in a custom, velvet-lined GALA gift box.

I discovered this particular brand by searching the online world for things to buy, specifically The Grand Social and their sale section- I found these lovely bracelet in gold featuring two hands being held together as claps and a centre piece for the golden chains. The fancy 'G' tag written in cursive script is a nice touch and it seems to have particular importance to me since both my parent's first initial is 'G' as well. The hand holding motif reminds me of the lovely and romantic feeling I get when walking around with my boyfriend and the comfort it brings. Also the hands remind me a bit of Asian jewellery and Buddhas hand but the detail of the fingers, dual gold chain and cuffs seems to take on more of an Italian design. It's something on my hit list when I can get some more suitable work- looking forward to the Australia day basketball tournament coming up.

An eye-patch made of pastel coloured flowers? Now that is something U definitely want to try! I love the soft look of this photograph, the criss-crossing chains in gold and silver and the way they aimlessly drape across her entire body. I wonder if the spiked headband is a part of the Gala Curios collection too- it's rather edgy and you could easily wear it with a punk edge. The tiny spike platelets remind me of the hat worn by the Statue of Liberty.

I watched 'Jaws' last night or the good bits of it anyway, as in the last half an hour or so with the climatic confrontation with the shark as well as the drunken three men; Brody, Quinn and Hooper singing drunken songs together and comparing battle scars. The sharp and angular pyramid cuff in gold-stone features a brass cuff coated in gold and what I assume to be a white piece of resin. All of the pieces within the Gala Curios range would do well when combined with a thick and showy clutch- I'm thinking sequins and studs on leather.

Leaning more towards the impractical side of design but certainly the modern comes this tasseled ring featuring a metal shackle bolt keeping the threads of chain together. A word of advice: if wearing a skirt which features tulle in anyway or any means avoid such a piece because there is sure to be friction between the two pieces. Something bold like this would go well with the sleek lines of a satin looking dress in simple design. The flowing tassels in metal remind me a bit of sexual fetishes and bondage but it's still very glamorous. There's even a tiny inscribed monogram 'G' on the inside band of the ring- how sweet.

Bling

I've been splashing out on luxury items for the past few days, burning up nearly half of my fat pay-check after working in the pre-Christmas season but it seems that my prays have been answered and I will now be delivering catalogues once a week in my local area. Laugh all you want, for it's not glamorous and in no way something to brag about but at the moment I'm so desperate to take on any job I'm willing to do it. Anything that brings me closer to getting to own gorgeous and shiny things isn't all that bad- and now I'll have something that forces me to get some fresh air and a little exercise, walking just under two kilometres for each round. I could be able to get something pretty from this post such as a frenzy of sequins attached to a little clutch or some very thick and gorgeous gold rings.

I love the romantictone of the lighting of this photograph as well as the sheer blouse- which reminds me that I have a lovely American Apparel blouse heading my way soon when my Paypal clears through. I don't have a mirrored disco ball to hold in front of my face but I have danced on floors where the shimmering lights bathe the interior.

 

I wish I could have bought a plain black gem and gold metal Yves Saint Laurent Arty ring when I had the chance- I don't really like any of the colours that I've seen and the two designs I have fallen in love with are very elusive on the online market. That is this black beauty and a purple and pink glass arty ring. While I could always go for broke and get a cheap knock-off and there are plenty I take pride in wearing good brands and not ripping off original and ingenuity in designs. It may take a while for another lovely looking ring to come online or on eBay but with a little extra pocket money I'll be able to save for it now and pounce on the opportunity when it eventuates.

While all good colours of the YSL arty oval ring seem to have disappeared off the face of the planet, I may indulge myself in a dotty arty ring such as the one shown above. The white dots in glass embedded in a gold ring seems to go with any ensemble and seems especially sweet and pretty with this punk but tough ensemble. It must be the added studs. While I can't afford the best of glamorous gold items now I'm sure with a few more eBay listings under my belt and my paper round I'll get around to it and save some money to keep my mother at ease.

A final way to add glamour to an outfit or photograph is the careful and judicious application of make up such as Denni from the Chicmuse wearing shimmering and golden eyeshadow and sporting red lipstick. I've got my eye on a few vintage Chanel choker necklaces as well as pieces from Claire Inc., but for now all that will have to be on hold till I can get a little more money behind me as well as cleaning my room and starting university. There's so much to look forward to this year and the fashion is a rather large aspect I eagerly anticipate.