Shari Wacks Jewelry
Jewelry That Speaks to the Soul
We are excited to feature Shari Wacks Jewelry as one of our Editor’s Picks. Shari Wacks Jewelry offers many styles of necklaces and pendants that can be worn alone or layered to create what Shari calls “color stories” to express each woman’s creativity. Based in Los Angeles, Shari has been creating “trendsetting yet timeless jewelry” for over a decade. Her inspiration behind Shari Wacks Jewelry is that she has always loved jewelry. From looking at jewelry and designs in stores, books, and magazines, to finding the perfect piece that makes her feel great, she adores everything about jewelry. Shari says, “As I started to dabble in jewelry design, I found that wearing specific jewelry can really influence the way I felt… in a positive way. I wanted to be able to help others change their mood by simply putting on jewelry.” She soon realized that there is nothing more rewarding then seeing someone smile while wearing one of her pieces.
Shari was born into a very creative family and attended a performing arts school to study painting, creative writing, and the violin, which she played for many years. Her preview of her future jewelry business started when she designed beaded bracelets for her friends in elementary school. Shari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. Her collection keeps her best selling designs while changing the stones for each season to keep items fresh, while also adding new collections three times a year. In the next few years, Shari sees her company continuing to expand as it has over the past fifteen years. She wants to keep finding ways to express her creativity while bringing beauty and pleasure to those who adorn themselves with her jewelry.
A luxuriously sexy piece is I-D1, a double chain necklace with a stone of your choice (white freshwater pearl, mint chalcedony, champagne topaz, aquamarine, peridot, goldstone, carnelian, amethyst, or ruby). Shown here with a blue quartz drop, the gold-filled double chain in different links and textures adds edginess to the classic semi-precious stone pendant. This piece is quite lovely when worn with an open blouse or even a v-neck tee. Shari designs all pieces herself along with two production assistants to assist with manufacturing. Her design process is inspired by anything and everything, from lovely paintings, laying on the beach, or traveling afar to experience other cultures and people. Other times, seeing the colors of the ocean, sand, and sky help her think of a new color palette, or sitting in her office with stones brings about new designs.
One of our favorites was MD5 with chrysoprase faceted drops along a gold-filled chain. This was also seen on Keira Knightley in white Coral and on Kate Walsh in amazonite. The tiny faceted drops hang daintily from the chain, making this a feminine and everyday piece. Or you can get alternating drops in different stones like green, turquoise and blue jade faceted drops (MD2). For Shari, all her designs are very personal and she only designs pieces that she would personally feel great about wearing. “My designs motivate and inspire me while bringing a feeling of beauty and strength. I want those who wear my jewelry to feel these same feelings,” reflects Shari.
Her signature style is the layered look, comprised of individual necklaces combined to decorate the décolletage. “I have been showing women how to layer necklaces for years; By combining pieces with different textures and colors, you can achieve a look that is custom fit for every individual,” says Wacks. Here, this look is comprised of the MD5
and MD2 mentioned earlier, along with ID5 and ID9. ID5 features a small single faceted teardrop pendant in aqua-green while ID9 has a larger single teardrop pendant in sea-foam green. It is all the more eye-catching as your chest is adorned with different cuts and colors. On Shari’s website, simply click on the “How to Layer” tab to learn piece by piece. This other lovely look is more dramatic with its carnelian red hues and thicker, larger chain links. By mixing and matching pendants with various strands of stones, one is able to give new life to their wardrobe and create layered looks to suit each outfit.
In sharing some of Shari’s favorite items from the Spring and Summer 2009 collection, we start with her personalized jewelry of words and symbols. She adores A005, A008, A15, A34, A25 and A03, which contain words and symbols such as imagine peace, ohm, Hamsa hand for protection, BE and clarity. They really speak to her and each one evokes such positive feelings when she wears them. In her charms and pendants category, she feels protected when wearing necklaces with charms of hearts, shells, peace symbols and hands. Her favorites are 1D-5, 1D-100, 1D-57 and CP56A. Moving onto something more simple and classic, her single drops category has necklaces that can be worn with anything and add a punch of shimmer and color. Her picks are 1D-1, HC3S and HC4S.
Shari Wacks Jewelry is also a celebrity favorite around town. Keira Knightley (LN1, MD5 in white coral), Mischa Barton (CP4, LS3, T1-7, CN10, LS10), Jennifer Lopez (1D-10), and
Kate Walsh (CP5, LM1-8, LP9, MD6) are all big fans and often layer her pieces to add depth and color. Rachel Bilson’s pick is 1D-2A, a charming filigree and enamel owl necklace. Hanging from a gold-filled chain, the gold owl is approximately 1 1/4" long with ornate filigree detail and blue and red enamel to accentuate its features. Lindsay Lohan has been sporting the ID-3A white mother of pearl star necklace (also available in peach and caramel mother of pearl). The tiny pristine white pearl star is approximately 1/2" and sits delicately against your collar.
Shari shares that, “Just like I have many facets to my personality, so does the style of my jewelry. There are simple and classical styles, bohemian chic, and like me, there are surprises with color and design.” She mainly works with gold-filled metals, semi-precious stones, and pearls, with high quality stones being her favorite because there is nothing like working with gorgeous, rich, clear stones. “I feel grateful to be surrounded by such beauty!!!” she exclaims. Her collection also features a variety of single drop pendants made with faceted semi-precious stones in all cuts and sizes. This necklace (X26) has a teardrop shaped emerald green jade hanging from a gold-filled chain. The deep rich color of the emerald jade is soothing and powerful at the same time.
Shari loves to travel and considers Thailand and Hong Kong her two most influential destinations. In Thailand, she was inspired by their attention to detail and bright color combinations of colors she would have never imagined. Her trip to Hong Kong was filled with Chinese words, symbols, charms, and treasures and inspired one of her largest collections to date. This collection is one of her most fulfilling because she created charm necklaces that felt and looked like a treasure chest. Shari is also constantly inspired by Asian and Middle-Eastern designers as she loves those genres of jewelry. Shari Wacks is sold at boutiques worldwide and many international retailers, including Japan, Taiwan, and Australian. You can also purchase her collection directly at shariwacks.com.
www.shariwacks.com