That’s a huge chunk of aquamarine!

I love crystals. I don’t know if it’s the belief that their energy benefits my state of mind, or if it’s just my autistic side showing (I can stare at the nice sparkly stones all day, hahaha) or just the fact that being a woman, I can’t resist delicate, beautiful jewelry, but I do know that whatever the case, I indulge myself every now and then with a nice bracelet, a funky ring, or a dramatic pendant.

So… what’s your sign? *wink*

I find that most people enjoy shopping for, or at least browsing through, crystal accessories and jewelry. There’s something about the stories behind each stone and the way they apply to all of us that make them quite compelling—whether you believe in astrology or feng shui, for example, it’s interesting to read about the different birthstones and the properties of various crystals. Even people skeptical about the healing power of crystals, or the way they amplify energy and belief, find it fun to think of rose quartz as a stone for love, or amethyst as a peace stone, or diamond as a symbol of unity. Crystals and semi-precious stones are simply universal—they appeal to the whole spectrum of people, from boho new-agey types to chic sophisticates.

A floral cuff adorned with rose quartz

There are challenges, of course: the most obvious being the issue of price. Tiangge suppliers may provide cheap stones, but you can never be too sure if they are authentic crystals, and the designs are often generic-looking or (gasp) downright baduy. Bigger and more reputable shops have gorgeous pieces, but they can be too expensive for the crystal enthusiast who is looking for a wide range of stones. I have a bunch of shops I like to visit, ranging from makeshift stands to classy boutiques, each serving its own purpose.

Beadazzled Jewelry in Pergola

One of my more recent and brilliant finds is Beadazzled, a cozy shop tucked away in a quiet corner of Pergola Mall in BF. It’s owned and run by a couple that’s a virtual match made in crystal heaven: Zu, a gemologist from the prestigious GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in New York, and her husband Raffy, a certified goldsmith. The two oversee the entire process of sourcing stones, designing the pieces, and creating the final products by hand.

They have matching sets…

… funky rings…

… and affordable bracelets…

The shop pretty much counters most of my crystal-buying (or browsing) challenges: first, they have a wide range of items, from inexpensive (but still classy) phone charms, bracelets, and rings, to fine custom-made jewelry designed with precious and semi-precious gems (which require a bit more saving up, but which are still relatively affordable, if you think about it). The nice thing about their smaller items is that they’re well designed, fresh, and festooned with real crystals, in addition to the usual beads and charms. There’s a unique look to their items, which sets something as simple as a phone charm apart from the usual selection of tiangge-bought pieces. Plus, there’s no need to worry about whether you’re getting real crystals or not—these are certified gemologists you’re talking about, after all. In fact, the shop provides stone and metal identification services, which means you can discover what stones are in your great grandmother’s heirloom tiara, or whether that ring your ardent suitor gave you is a real diamond or just a shiny piece of glass (ouch! Because of the recurrence of this particular scenario, Zu jokes that she also provides pop psych and counseling services at the shop).

… but they also have fine custom made jewelry…

(matching earrings)

… in clean, contemporary designs…

… like these delicate hoops.

Another nice thing about these jewelers is that they neatly toe the line between the new-agey-ness of crystals and the seriousness of hard gem science. There’s no need to feel like a flake when you come in and ask for jewelry with rose quartz to help you maintain your ideal weight (an oft-overlooked alleged benefit of the stone), nor is there cause to worry about elegance and quality when you’re looking for a unique engagement ring for your special someone. I know lots of couples who have gone ring-hunting in the bowels of Manila and come back stressed and disappointed with their rather old-school finds—Beadazzled provides a reasonable stress-free alternative (a hip, accessible jeweler in the South!), and designs modern, elegant, and unique pieces to boot (plus, they’ll work within your budget on customized jewelry, so you can have a special piece without breaking the bank).

A simple shop to browse in

The shop itself is fun to browse: it’s open and airy, and the items are displayed simply on shelves and hung from the walls. The couple is a pleasure to talk to and to be with, and the energy of the store is bright and positive, something that counts to crystal buffs like me. Valentines Day may have passed you by, but it’s always easy to come up with an excuse to visit—go browse and buy yourself (or your special someone) a treat.

Check out some more pieces from their collection:

A classic engagement ring

Beadazzled item code 08_19a

Beadazzled item code 08_23a

Beadazzled item code 08_141blue

Beadazzled item code 08_140

Beadazzled item code 08_85c

Beadazzled Jewelry
2/F Pergola Mall, Aguirre Avenue corner Elsie Gaches Street, Phase 1, BF Homes, Parañaque City
659-2896 (telefax), (0915) 783-2243
beadazzled.jewelry2003@gmail.com
http://beadazzled.jewelry2003.googlepages.com/home
Temporary Operating Hours: 11AM - 7PM, Tuesday - Sunday
Custom designed jewelry, jewelry appraisal and repair, stone and metal identification also available

Post taken from Southbound.ph