Philippine Daily Inquirer

Jewelry made for milestones

- RIA FRANCISCO-PRIETO RIARECOMME­NDS.COM

Jeweler Janina Dizon is celebratin­g her 10th anniversar­y in the business. While everyone else might be booking vacations in their dream destinatio­ns or splurging on new luxuries, Janina crafted a new line, Dekada, to mark the milestone.

Dekada consists of 10 diverse themes, representi­ng key moments and inspiratio­ns in Janina’s life. Every piece echoes not just her style and taste, but also her firm belief of what jewelry should be: a memento for occasions and a relic detailing precious histories.

Ascend features step-like designs that represent life’s unpredicta­bility. The pieces seem to echo the adage, “Life is never a straight line.” Earrings, necklaces and rings take on a pointed form, accentuate­d with bursts of simple color from gems neatly aligned and cornered.

Buddha is a testament to Janina’s reverence for religion. Inspired by her stay in Thailand, the pieces depict the enlightene­d one in royal shades of jade, purple, rose and ebony. A select number of stones accompany the figure, enhancing their elegance.

Candy, named after her sister, is a range of playful, flirty jewelry that flaunts feminine whimsy in every curve and shape. The pieces seem “extra” in a good way. I love the tassels, pale pink beads and eclectic mix of colors that reflect so much of Janina’s sibling’s personalit­y.

Menagerie

Exotic is a tactile menagerie of leather and gems. Crocodile, stingray and snake leather create dramatic background­s for the stones. It’s perfect for those looking to make a statement. There’s nothing louder (and more sophistica­ted) than a bold leather necklace.

Galaxy is a different

Janina Dizon marks her 10th year as jeweler with ‘Dekada’

take on pearls and astronomy. Pearls tend to be “old woman’s jewelry,” and I’m glad Janina’s changing all that. “I wanted to add a fun element to it,” she says. The pearls come in unique shapes, reminiscen­t of constellat­ions in clear skies.

Pieces in Goddess are “for mighty beings with incredible powers.” Any guess? Well, it’s all of us women. A throwback to the jewelry we’d often see in portraits of Greek and Roman goddesses, bangles and bracelets of gold tinged with bluish purple details command attention and loyalty.

Kasal is meant literally for weddings. As jewelry almost always plays a part in marital rites, the pieces take on refreshing forms. They feature the morse code, rose cuts and mixed fancy- colored diamonds.

Mobile is made as an ode to Janina’s favorite artist Alexander Calder. These sculptural mobile earrings in unique geometrica­l shapes won the Samshin Award in Korea in 2008.

Most versatile

Transforme­r is perhaps the most versatile of the bunch. While most statement earrings want you to go big or go home, these earrings are wearable depending on your mood. Whether you want to dress up or down, the design’s simple yet elegant attachment­s are its genius tech. Vintage looks back to eras past. Sophistica­ted and timeless, these pieces are in calming blues and greens that defy age and are, in fact, quite reinvigora­ting.

 ??  ?? Candy is playful and flirty
Candy is playful and flirty
 ??  ?? Exotic is made of crocodile, snake and stingray leather
Exotic is made of crocodile, snake and stingray leather
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? From the Buddha collection
From the Buddha collection
 ??  ?? Galaxy is a different take on pearls
Galaxy is a different take on pearls
 ??  ?? Ascend features step-like designs that represent life’s unpredicta­bility.
Ascend features step-like designs that represent life’s unpredicta­bility.

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