New York socialite Ann Dexter-Jones’s boho baubles come to L.A.
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Ann Dexter-Jones may be most famous these days for mothering a brood of talented kids, including DJ Samantha Ronson and producer-musician Mark Ronson.
But the British-born New Yorker has worn many hats over the years, including socialite, rock star wife (to Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones) and freelance writer (for the New York Times, among others).
And recently she’s added another hyphenate to her persona: jewelry designer. The mother of five launched a collection of rock-inspired baubles -- using stones embedded in silver and 18-karat gold -- in late 2008. The collection, which recently has been picked up by some of the world’s swankiest boutiques (including Colette in Paris) is now available in L.A., at West Hollywood jewelry outpost Roseark.
Dexter-Jones started making jewelry for herself eight years ago, when looking for a ‘more glamorous, rock ‘n’ roll version of the basic ID bracelets that were around,’ she said. After creating her own ‘dream ID bracelet,’ she was stopped so often by friends and acquaintances wanting to buy one, she decided to get serious about jewelry design.
‘I am so inspired and absolutely love my new career,’ she said, adding that learning from veteran craftspeople has been an eye-opening experience. ‘I work only with the old-school artisans. I feel blessed, as they are a dying breed, soon to be replaced by machinery and computers.’
The collection -- which uses a wide array of materials, including lapis, onyx, agates, opals, woods and crystals, feels earthy, but with an edge. And it’s psychically sound -- Dexter-Jones ‘energizes’ her stones with reiki before sending them out into the world.
But it takes more than good vibes to come into possession of a piece; because the designer often embellishes her designs with colored diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and other precious gems, prices are firmly in the fine jewelry realm -- $4,500 to $25,000, to be exact. We can dare to dream.
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