Rough around the edges: the beauty lies in the imperfection with these wearable works of art; each is as unique as your own personal style

Natural Health, Oct, 2004 by Megan O'Connell

flair to spare

No sedate strands of pearls here: Those that adorn these striking pieces are iridescent, blue, gold, asymmetrical--and all of them gorgeons. Details like intricate beading and semiprecious stones are sure to stand out.

1 beaded, semiprecious-stone and irregular-pearl necklace by Claudia Grau ($170) 2 hand-beaded cuff bracelet by Eiko Sanders ($62) 3 double-strand baroque pearl necklace by Mary Jurek ($475) 4 chandelier earrings with gold pearls by Mary Jurek ($95) 5 opal and adventurine earrings by Vanessa Mellet ($120) 6 bracelet with citrine, lemon quartz, pearls and gold-vermeil beads by Mary Jurek ($180) 7 bracelet with green stones by Virgins, Saints and Angels ($144).

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color your world

Acid punch to a neutral fall wardrobe with these multicolored trinkets. Plastic that's been dyed with herbal extracts and recycled computer chips are just two of the unique materials that make these pieces one-of-a-kind.

1 chartreuse-jade and turquoise necklace by Carla McMorran ($175) 2 lariat with amazonite-faceted rounds and emerald-cut carnelian by Jools by Sybil Shimazu ($35) 3 necklace with ruby-chalcedony, olive-quartz rondelles and green-chalcedony pendant by Jools by Sybil Shimazu ($46) 4 sterling-silver bracelet with recycled computer chips by Johanna Craft ($130) 5 earrings of amazonite rounds with carnelian clusters by Jools by Sybil Shimazu ($20) 6 sterling pins with natural herb- and spice-colored inlays by David Urso ($400 and $160) 7 red-glass pendant bracelet by Tracy Ludwin ($29) 8 green-chrysoprase necklace with flower-stamped sterling beads by Jools by Sybil Shimazu ($79) 9 bracelet of ruby zoisite by Judy Hing ($135) 10 carnelian nugget earrings with red jasper and citrine by Mary Jurek ($80).

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second nature

Wear your love for the earth on your sleeve (or around your neck or wrist) with a twiglike pin, shell bracelet or hand carved pendants in organic forms. The only thing they mimic is Mother Nature.

1 abalone shell bracelet by Pippa Small ($300) 2 tumbled black-onyx and coral bracelet by Michael Bayes ($165) 3 gold-plated bronze thorn earrings by Lee Hale ($115) 4 22-karat gold and basalt river stones earrings by Lou Zeldis ($306) 5 oxidized sterling-silver thorny branch pin by Susan Chin ($140) 6 hand-carved amulet necklaces in green rormata ($100), black jade ($240) and apple jade ($240), all by Stephen Myhre 7 sterling circle Mozo necklace by Jill Platner ($185) 8 gemstone necklaces in green tourmaline ($125), pink tourmaline ($140) and amethyst ($65); blue-tourmaline rectangle on oxidized sterling chain ($300); and pink-tourmaline square pendant on 14-karat gold ball chain ($190), all Nightingale Design by Margaret Solow 9 14-karat gold citrine ring by TeaHouse Jewelry ($400); 10 textured silver rings by Joshua Dotson ($75 to $145) 11 sage-green freshwater pearl necklace by Jools by Sybil Shimazu ($50).

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