Monday, February 8, 2016

Creating Beauty: San Francisco jewelry designer Alina de Albergaria’s elegant new jewelry collection, Designs by Alina, highlights baroque South Sea pearls, beautifully crafted pavé diamond pendants, flirty earrings, and romantic leather thong bracelets

I met Alina and her Italian husband Bernardo last year—and fell in love with her jewels, especially the casual/chic pink opal necklaces, her shimmering pale grey Tahitian pearl necklaces, her oxidized silver pavé clasps, and the discreet and versatile pearl drop pendants.

Come with me this week to meet the delightful Alina and her family and to discover her stunning new jewels for Designs by Alina.



Alina’s collection includes earrings, pendants, bracelets and Tahitian pearl necklaces. They’re modern and classic—and look beautiful with a white t-shirt or a pretty sundress, or beachwear, and a dinner-date black dress.



I can reveal exclusively: coming this spring are Designs by Alina sleek rings inspired by her travels in Greece and Portugal.




About Alina

Alina's cosmopolitan approach is not surprising. She was raised in Los Angeles, Venezuela and England. Following a successful career in Hollywood behind and in front of the camera, she moved to Santa Barbara where she married her husband, Bernardo, who was born in Rome (also grew up in Italy and Portugal).


She studied figure drawing, jewelry making and painting, always returning to the art of jewelry design, and was drawn to the allure of working in gold, silver, pearls, and gemstones.

Now her exclusive designs feature grey, white and lavender Tahitian pearls, 14K or 18K gold, pavé diamonds, natural leather, and oxidized silver. 






The designs are hand forged and/or assembled by Alina in San Francisco. Her designs are inspired by travel.

The angular earrings were inspired by a recent trip to Greece and are hand forged by Alina.

Designs by Alina introduced pavé diamonds because she loves the juxtaposition of hand-chosen baroque pearls with the sparkle of precious gems. Components are fabricated exclusively for the line.






SIGNATURE PIECES:

Pearl Collection: And Diamond Makes Nine, And Diamond Makes Eight.

Tahitian: Diamond Flame" mixes diamonds and pearls.

Diamond collection: Newlyweds (earrings) and My Diamond Trio (bracelet) are diamond pieces from the latest collection, Winter 2015.

Price range: $180 - $1,980






The World of Designs by Alina

Spring/Summer 2014:
Designs by Alina launched. The de Albergaria family moves to San Francisco.

On arrival Alina serendipitously shops at Elizabeth Charles fashion boutique on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. Elizabeth, the boutique owner (originally from Melbourne) purchased a pearl necklace literally off Alina's neck and began to carry the line.


Fall/Winter 2014:
Designs by Alina unveiled The Diamond Collection.


Spring/Summer 2015:
Becomes the first company to collaborate with online retailer Road Twenty-Two. Alina’s jewels are carried at Whistle Club Boutique,1235 Coast Village Road Montecito, and Satine boutique on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice.


Fall/Winter 2015:
Designs by Alina teamed up with Children of Shelters at Elizabeth Charles to formally introduce the collection.






Alina is meticulous about all aspects of design, including her packaging. The informal kraft jewelry box with custom wax seal is lined with elegant Belgian linen, which she hand-frays and pre-washes in her studio.




Where to Buy

San Francisco
Pacific Heights: Elizabeth Charles boutique (full collection), Fillmore Street, (near California Street).

Presidio Heights:  Pascaline Paris, Sacramento Street.

Santa Barbara
Whistle Club boutique

Los Angeles
Satine boutique

Venice
Satine boutique




Prices
Alina’s necklaces range from $180 for a small Tahitian or baroque pearl on leather to $2,200 for a necklace with large Tahitian pearls, a diamond pendant and diamond clasp.

Bracelets range from $180 for a small Tahitian pearl or baroque pearl on leather to $750 for a diamond centerpiece and diamond clasp on leather.



Credits
Photography by Alina de Albergaria and Bernardo de Albergaria, used here with express permission.


For more information: www.designsbyalina.com





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