First look for jewelry junkies

Jewelry junkies will love this sample sale on Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. Talented local designers Francesca Letterly and Brandy D'Onofrio (aka F+B Jewelry) are hosting the sale at their studio in the Harbor Lofts. (Attendees should RSVP.)

The designers offer samples and new designs at about 20 percent above wholesale cost. Prices range from $45 to $300. "It's a way for us to test the market and show the public new designs as well," says D'Onofrio.

The duo is known for their organic yet elegant earrings, necklaces and bracelets in sterling and fine silver and 14k gold fill. They use big, chunky stones, like chalcedony in various gorgeous shades of green, rock quartz, white turquoise and other semiprecious stones. Their preference is for rough cuts rather than perfect facets that take away from the stones' natural beauty. Many of F+B's long, cascading necklaces can be shortened, doubled and worn more than one way. One of my favorites is a drippy multichained number that cascades to the belly button. Its titillating name: "Cleavatron 5000."

Though the sample sale is typically held every last Thursday of the month, the girls will be on hiatus in June and July while studying with a famous, très-chic Parisian jewelry designer. Sales will resume in August. E-mail them (brandy@francesca-brandy.com) to get on the list for the next shindig.

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