Archive for the ‘Erica Courtney’ Category

June 7th, 2013 - 9:43 am

Perfectly Pearls at McCaskill & Company

Love, love, love these magical moonstone earrings by Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry at McCaskill and Company Fine Jewelry.

Moonstones have always been considered ‘lucky’ stones in the Eastern cultures. Yes, these are definitely ‘lucky’ earrings from Erica Courtney Inc. at McCaskill and Company Fine Jewelry.

It’s a beautiful day in paradise along the Emerald Coast. Top it off with ‘Paradise and Pearl’ by Marco Bicego fromMcCaskill and Company Fine Jewelry.

South Seas pearls at McCaskill and Company Fine Jewelry.

We’re celebrating June babies with Moonstone and Pearl Jewelry. Don’t forget about Alexandrite, also a birthstone of this fine month. Enjoy!

PEARL

Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries. They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market.

ALEXANDRITE
A relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities. Its color is a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color to a purplish red in incandescent light. Due to its rarity, some jewelers stock synthetic versions of this enchanting gemstone. (Synthetic gemstones are man-made alternatives to the natural material, possessing the same physical, optical, and chemical properties as the natural gemstone.)

MOONSTONE
The third birthstone for June is the Moonstone. It was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone’s appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century. A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multirayed star or a cat’s eye. Considered a sacred stone in India, moonstones often are displayed on a background of yellow (a sacred color) and are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune. Part of the family of minerals called feldspar, moonstone occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks and comes in a variety of colors such as green, blue, peach, and champagne. The most prized moonstones are from Sri Lanka; India, Australia, the United States, Mayanmar, and Madagascar are also sources.

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Posted in Erica Courtney, Marco Bicego, McCaskill & Company, Pamela Froman |

May 14th, 2013 - 1:45 pm

McCaskill & Company Hosts Drop Dead Gorgeous Celebrity Jeweler Erica Courtney

From accessorizing celebrities like Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Jessica Alba and Ellen Degeneres to mining for exquisite gems in Africa and Turkey, luxury jewelry designer Erica Courtney has an impressive list of accomplishments. Named “One of the Top Three Jewelry Designers in the World” by United Brands, Erica will be making a personal appearance at McCaskill & Company on May 16, 17 and 18 from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Drop by and meet Erica and view her renowned Drop Dead Gorgeous collection, seen regularly on red carpets and Hollywood’s elite. Erica’s style is glamorous, romantic and girly. She tirelessly travels the world to source the most precious, coveted and unique gemstones. Her trademark style is featured in a vast array of rings, necklaces, pendants and more recently engagement rings and wedding bands.

Though jewelry design was not her first career, it was her true calling. Thirty years ago, Erica was a young single mother without a financial future. In 1984, she began designing on a whim, embellishing sunglasses, watches, bandanas and bustiers with Swarovski crystals. Her brand, started as a one-woman operation out of her Dallas apartment. Over time, the Erica Courtney® collection evolved into fine jewelry, inspired by the undeniable glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Today, her line is one of the most recognized and successful fine jewelry brands in the industry. Erica’s timeless collection is made with the finest gold and platinum and the most exotic gemstones from around the world. Her jewelry has been described in many ways – but no descriptor is more fitting than Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Please make plans to join us for our Drop Dead Gorgeous Weekend with Erica Courtney. We are located between Destin and Sandestin.

Stay Tuned with McCaskill & Company on these Social Networks:

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McCaskill & Company on Pinterest

McCaskill & Company on Google +

Posted in Blog, Erica Courtney |

April 25th, 2013 - 11:25 am

Save the Date – Spectacular Summer Shows!

We have an exciting line up of shows and events planned for you in the upcoming months. Mark your calendars, because you will certainly not want to miss out.

Drop Dead Gorgeous Weekend: May 16^th, 17^th and 18^t – Erica Courtney is coming to McCaskill & Company for a Personal Appearance and Trunk Show! Named as one of the “Top 10 Jewelry Designers in the World”, Erica Courtney is one of the most recognized and successful luxury jewelry businesses today. She describes her jewelry as “pretty, girly, beautiful, wearable and little bit edgy”, but no descriptor is more fitting than ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’! With a huge celebrity following, she is one of frequently featured on the Red Carpet as well as television shows and celebrity events. She is exceptionally personable and is looking forward to visiting with you during her trip to Destin.

Unlock Your Chances: June 21^st and 22^nd – David Yurman Special Event – Without question, David Yurman is one of the most highly recognized jewelry designers in the world. Always a favorite, we will host an event featuring the latest in David Yurman’s Spring and Summer collections, as well as his classics. This will be a fun, festive event where you have a chance to win a beautiful cable bracelet.

Konstantino Trunk Show: July 19^th and 20^th – Back by popular demand! Our Konstantino Shows showcase of the vast collections from one of our favorite designers. The Konstantino jewelry line is known throughout the world for its unique designs and remarkable artisanship. The collections, conceived by the creative genius of Konstantino Sioulas, are inspired by the art, architecture, mythology, and people of Greece. All Konstantino adornments are individually crafted in Athens, Greece, from sterling silver and 18-karat gold.

McCaskill & Company is located between Destin and Sandestin and is home to many of the most renowned jewelry designers. We hope that you are able to attend our shows – or just stop by and visit at any time. 850-650-2262

Posted in Blog, David Yurman, Diamonds, Erica Courtney, Events, Konstantino, McCaskill & Company |

April 11th, 2013 - 1:51 pm

Why Platinum?

Many of you have asked why platinum is consider the metal of choice for bridal rings. For starters platinum is the rarest and heaviest of the precious metals. All of the Platinum ever mined would fit in the average size living room!!! Platinum is the heaviest of precious metals and weighs almost twice as much as a karat of gold.

Alex Sepkus Platinum and Diamond Wedding Band

Some of the advantages (source Platinum Guild International)

Holds Diamonds Securely: Platinum’s strength and durability makes it the most secure setting for diamonds and precious gemstones. Platinum prongs offer better protection for diamonds, which is why the world’s most significant diamonds, from the Hope Diamond to the 60-Carat Taylor-Burton Diamond, are all set in platinum.

Naturally White Color that Doesn’t Fade or Change: Platinum, a naturally white metal, will never fade or change color. The optimal setting for diamonds is platinum, a naturally white metal that won’t ever reflect color into the diamond. Platinum enhances the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones.

Durable Enough for Everyday Wear: A platinum engagement ring and wedding band is everlasting, perfect for a lifetime of everyday wear. Platinum’s density makes platinum highly durable, so it doesn’t wear away over time. White gold loses little slivers of metal with every scratch, requiring many rings to be reinforced or reshanked to replace metal that has worn away.

Platinum is hypo-allergenic: This is the reason why Platinum has so many medical and dental applications and a large factor in its popularity as jewelry. Besides being a great option for jewelry, the versatility of this metal also allows for it to be a great option for industrial and environmental purposes too. A few things that depend on

Erica Courtney Platinum and Diamond Ring

Interesting facts:

Some people believe that platinum is a somewhat newer metal, however, it is legendary. The ancient Egyptians and South American Inca’s thought it was priceless. Louis XVI of France made a proclamation that it was the only medal fit for royalty.

The Spanish considered platinum a nuisance and named it platina, which means small silver. Platinum was the same color as silver, but it resisted melting or forging so the Spanish government banned it.

When World War II began, the U.S. government declared Platinum a strategic metal and its use in non-military applications, including jewelry, was disallowed.

It takes 10 tons of ore and a five-month process to make 1 ounce of platinum.

It is a pure metal and jewelry made of platinum contains anything from 90-95% of the metal.

Once extracted from the earth, process takes up to 2 months, at least, to refine platinum.

Kwiat Legacy Raindrop Earrings

McCaskill & Company is the area’s source for platinum jewelry and bridal jewelry – from platinum rings to platinum necklaces and platinum earrings. Because of the marked advantages of platinum, it is often used by our designers, especially bridal jewelry. Our platinum bridal (engagement rings and wedding bands) jewelry designers include Kwiat, Henri Daussi, Christopher Designs, Erica Courtney, Oscar Heyman, Pamela Froman, Daniel K and Louis Glick. Come by and feel the difference with platinum. We are located between Destin and Sandestin.

Posted in Alex Sepkus, Blog, Diamonds, Erica Courtney, Kwiat, McCaskill & Company |

February 25th, 2013 - 12:37 pm

Marvelous March Pieces from McCaskill & Company Fine Jewelry

The month of March is quickly falling upon us with all of the hope that belongs only to a blooming new spring! As McCaskill and Company prepares for Easter to reveal treasures in baskets and hidden with colored eggs and Saint Patrick’s Day clovers to bring us new kinds of lucky, today we will share with you a few pieces of fine jewelry worth sticking out the winter for.

From a delicate, creative necklace to a strong silver statement bracelet, these featured McCaskill & Company pieces will have you looking and feeling like a sun-kissed goddess, ready for the quickly approaching Summer. With accents of leather, paua shells and other unique in-corporations, these featured pieces of Spring worthy fine jewelry from McCaskill & Company offer one more reason to celebrate March’s arrival.

Wendy Mignot Golden South Sea Pearls on Leather ‘Watercolor’ Necklace

Gurhan 24K and Silver Surf Paua Shell Bracelet

In addition to the spectacular sea and shell inspired pieces, the collection of fine jewelry at McCaskill & Company also features a tremendously transcendent ring by Erica Courtney. This green tourmaline empress ring highlights a tourmaline gemstone, and guarantees to leave you breathless.

Erica Courtney Green Tourmaline Empress Ring

Splendid Spring wishes are sent your way from McCaskill and Company. Be sure to visit us on Facebook and Twitter for more spectacular sun and sea inspired pieces.

Posted in Blog, Erica Courtney, McCaskill & Company |

December 21st, 2012 - 11:56 am

MEET ERICA COURTNEY

Early Life

From the beginning, Erica Courtney, originally known as Tasha Ingram, lived a life accustomed to being surrounded by glamorous things. Her knack for making jewelry showed at an early age when she was given some Austrian crystal jewelry by a neighbor, which she used to fashion a necklace for her cat.

Later in life, she stopped making jewelry, having had some legal trouble after she and her at-the-time husband, Ron Cappo, were divorced, having kidnapped her son in fear of his father getting custody. But, tired of surviving on $1,000 a month, courtesy of her mother, she began using rhinestones to decorate sunglasses, and later moved to diamonds.

Fate caught up with her, though, when she attended a jewelry show in Manhattan in 1992. FBI agents cornered her in her hotel room, where she was taken into custody, and given a lenient 2 year probation sentence.

-source People Magezine – May 5, 2003 pg. 105-106

Erica Courtney 18k Gold and Diamond Cross Rings and no Cross Rings

The Erica Courtney Collection

Today, Erica Courtney’s one of a kind jewelry designs can be found worn by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Her designs are renowned all over the country and very fitting for her byline, “Drop Dead Gorgeous”. Her business is also one of the most successful in the country’s luxury jewelry industry.

Jewelry that Erica describes as “pretty, girly, beautiful, wearable and a little bit edge” is available at the finest jewelry stores nationwide, including McCaskill & Company. Make that special somebody’s eyes light up this holiday season with a piece from the Erica Courtney collection.

Erica Courtney Aquamarine and Diamond Pendant Erica Courtney Tanzanite and Diamond Earrings Erica Courtney African Green Tourmaline earring

At McCaskill & Company…

We are thrilled to be a representative of Erica Courtney! The unique and visionary designs have quickly become one of the most popular collections in our store. We also offer a full array of diamond jewelry to include diamond rings, engagement rings, diamonds, diamond earrings, diamond bands, diamond studs, diamond hoops, diamond bracelets and diamond necklaces.

So stop by our store at 13390 Highway 98 West, Destin, Florida 32550. We are open Monday – Saturday, 10AM – 5:30 PM.

Visit our website to sign up for our newsletter to receive news of special promotions and events.

Posted in Blog, Erica Courtney |

December 10th, 2012 - 12:35 pm

DECEMBER BIRTHSTONES

There are actually thirteen different stones listed as birthstone for December! Included are turquoise, blue topaz, tanzanite, zircon, lapis, onyx, amethyst, ruby and chrysoprase. In the U.S. today we generally recognizes tanzanite, turquoise and blue topaz. All three are very different form the on other, but have one thing in common – the unique blue color that makes them perfect for many kinds of fashionable and creative jewelry.

Blue Topaz

The most recognizable birthstone for December is blue topaz, a variation of the common gem, topaz. Topaz becomes blue when it is heated, either naturally or artificially. The heating process results in three shades of blue that varies in intensity. The more intense the blue, the more valuable, although the deepest shade, London Blue, is not produced in nature and is always enhanced. It is believed by some that the wearer of this birthstone gains a pleasant disposition and patient attitude. Blue topaz is also a symbol of fidelity and love, and has been said to cure a variety of diseases.

Jude Frances Blue Topaz

Turquoise

Turquoise is one of the earliest known stones to be used in jewelry and found in tombs dating back as early as 5500 B.C. The rulers of ancient Egypt treasured the turquoise. In fact, the iconic burial mask of King Tut is inlaid with turquoise,

among other gems. Long before it was denoted as the birthstone of December, turquoise was treasured by the Indian, Chinese, Aztecs, Persians, and Mesopotamians. Native Americans have been using the gemstone to create jewelry and ornamental pieces for the past several thousand years.In recent years it has become an extremely popular choice for designer fashion jewelry as cabochons and the rough stone. Turquoise is considered by some to be a symbol of success and good fortune. Found in weathered igneous rock that contains copper minerals, the turquoise crystallizes in veins and nodules. A sky blue shade in turquoise is due to the presence of copper, while a more greenish color is the result of the presence of more iron. The most valuable turquoise is the intense sky blue color – like the color of a robin’s egg.

Konstantino Sterling Silver, 18K Gold and Turqouise Collection

Tanzanite

In October 2002, Tanzanite was added to the official birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association as an additional birthstone for December. This blue-lavender stone primarily mined in foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, deep in the

heart of Tanzania was discovered only in 1967 and has since been associated with the virtues of contentment and understanding. Tanzanite has a unique attribute called trichroism – which means that it can appear deep blue, violet or burgundy depending on the orientation of the crystal structure and the cutting of the stone. You may be surprised that when mined, tanzanite is usually a deep red and once it is heated to 600 degrees, it gradually transforms into a violet blue. The incredible sparkle and intense color make tanzanite one of our favorite gems for McCaskill & Company jewelry.

Erica Courtney Tanzanite and Diamond Earrings

Posted in Diamonds, Erica Courtney, Jude Frances, Konstantino, McCaskill & Company |

November 15th, 2012 - 1:36 pm

NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE

Those lucky to be born in November have two birthstones – Topaz and Citrine.

Yurman blue topaz ring

The word ‘topaz,’ comes from a Sanskrit word meaning “fire.” And in ancient lore, the topaz could be used to control heat. It was said to have the power to cool boiling water, as well as excessive anger. As medication, topaz was used to cure fever.

Topaz occurs in a range of magnificent colors – blue, pale green, varying shades of yellow, pink, red, brown and even black. Pure topaz itself is a colorless stone. This gem, with its lively fire, clarity, beautiful colors and hardness is ideal for jewelry such as clips, necklaces, brooches and bracelets. Pure topaz, when brilliantly cut, can be often mistaken for a diamond. Brazil is the largest producer of topaz, the most notable source being the Minas Geranis region. Gems are also found in Russia, the Ukraine, Pakistan, Scotland, Japan and Sri Lanka. In the United States, the gemstones have been found in Colorado and California.

Erica Courtney Citrine Ring -7.72 carat citrine

Citrine is the modern November birthstone as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1923. Most people have come to know and love this stone under the name gold topaz, or Maderia or Spanish topaz; although in actual fact it has very little in common with higher quality topaz. The name is derived from the color – the yellow of the lemon, although the most sought after stones have a clear, radiant yellowish to brownish red. Known as the “healing quartz”, this golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain

Erica Courtney Peridot and Citrine Earrings

From various shades of citrine to the delightful array of topaz colors, McCaskill & Company has got you covered with designs from David Yurman, Erica Courtney, Jude Frances, Alex Sepkus, Konstantino, Marco Bicego and JFA Designs. Come check them out!

Posted in Blog, David Yurman, Diamonds, Erica Courtney, McCaskill & Company |

August 23rd, 2012 - 12:05 pm

Tips on Necklace Lengths

We have a large selection of necklaces with varying lengths. Your necklace length varies with your occassion, neckline, personal preference and style. Designers shown below are David Yurman, Marco Bicego, Kwiat, Erica Courtney and Wendy Mignot.

Necklace Lengths

COLLAR: The collar necklace encircles the middle of the neck. It works well with v-necks, boat necks, and shoulder-baring styles. A gemstone collar necklace calls extra attention to the neck.

CHOKER: A choker lies just above the collarbones and emphasizes the neckline. A simple gemstone or pearl choker looks elegant with almost any style, except high or turtle-necks. Chokers are a beautiful choice for many wedding or bridesmaid dresses.

PRINCESS: This is the most common necklace length, hanging over the collarbones. The princess length necklace looks great with crew and high necklines. For evening, this length looks stunning with plunging necklines, when paired with an appropriate gemstone color and/or metal. Pendants, lockets or other embellishments are great ways to add to the allure of a handcrafted princess necklace.

MATINEE: The matinee necklace hangs between the princess and opera lengths. It falls to the top of the bust and looks wonderful with a variety of necklines. The matinee necklace compliments professional looks (think blazers and button-up blouses) and also flatters bigger busts.

OPERA: The opera's impressive length makes it possible to wear as a single, double, or sometimes even triple, strand. Like the matinee necklace, it works well with a variety of necklines and is versatile enough to transition from day to evening. Many chunky, layered, and dramatic gemstone necklaces are opera length.

ROPE: The ultra-long rope necklace is a bold look that will easily dress up any outfit. It can be wrapped, taking it from one long strand to multiple shorter strands, or worn at its full, stunning length. When choosing an ultra long style, keep in mind that larger gemstone necklaces will often look too heavy unless they are wrapped. Some rope necklaces include extra clasps, making it easy to transform their length.

Posted in Blog, David Yurman, Diamonds, Erica Courtney, Kwiat, Marco Bicego, McCaskill & Company, Wendy Mignot |

June 21st, 2012 - 2:26 pm

Pamela Froman nominated for WJA Award for Excellence

We thought you might like to know, Pamela Froman is honored to have been nominated for the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Award for Excellence in the category of Fine Jewelry Design!

Pamela shares this prestigious nomination with fellow Couture designers, Monica Rich Kosann, Ippolita, and Kara Ross. “WJA is delighted to celebrate these accomplished women,” Tryna Kochanek, president of WJA, said in a statement. “These dedicated women set professional standards in their areas of expertise, and represent an important contribution to the advancement of women in our industry.” This is Pamela’s second time being nominated for an Award for Excellence, the first time being early in her career (2009), she is thrilled to have received the nomination once again!

Established in 1984, the WJA Annual Awards for Excellence gala is one of the most well attended and highly anticipated events in the jewelry industry each year. At this annual event, awards are presented for Excellence in Jewelry Retail, Manufacturing, Marketing/Communications, Editorial/Reporting, and Fine Jewelry Design. Past winners in the Design category include Erica Courtney, Paula Crevoshay, Lisa Jenks, and Penny Preville.