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Peace is the word for jewelry

By Tracy E. Hopkins | Special to amNewYork

January 21, 2008

Jewelry from Dyanne Belle. (Handout / January 20, 2008)

Start the New Year by making more than a fashion statement. Several local jewelry designers have made accessory pieces that inspire peace and harmony. Check out our favorites.

Rosena Sammi
Even Lindsay Lohan has her Zen moments. The party girl was recently spotted wearing Rosena Sammi's "Bliss Letter Necklace." The 22kt gold vermeil necklace ($99; also sold in sterling silver, $88) is part of the designer's Kismat Collection.

"When your thoughts and feelings tend towards purity of mind/body, hope, and bliss," she says, "the effect on your life can be profound."

Sold at ABC Carpet & Home (888 Broadway) and www.rosenasammi.com.

Tanya Farah
Through her "Language of Peace" necklace collection featuring 18-and-24 karat gold circular pendants inscribed with the words "faith, peace, love, kindness and respect" in English, Arabic, and Hebrew ($800 to $3000), designer Tanya Farah wants to inspire people "to talk through their differences."

Raised in Iran by Jewish Iraqi parents, a percentage of Farah's sales go to Seeds of Hope, an organization that works with Israeli and Palestinian youth.

Go to www.tanyafarah.com for more information.

Dyanne Belle
To promote breast cancer awareness, Dyanne Belle designer Deb Schecter made the sterling silver "Hope" pendant with 14k gold key and butterfly charms ($120). Proceeds are donated to the cancer research organization SHARE.

The designer also has a "Peace" necklace (gold, $520; silver, $145) meant "to change the negative messages we hear day in and day out."

Sold at Butterfly Studio (149 Fifth Avenue) and www.dyannebelle.com.

Chameleon
Designer Jennifer Young's eclectic, Asian-inspired Chameleon jewelry is modern and earthy. One of her bestsellers is a colorful, good luck charm fish necklace w/ fortune cookie ($22 -$30).

"I love change," she says, "and jewelry shows what kind of mood you're in."

Sold at EdgeNY NoHo (65 Bleecker Street) and The Market (268 Mulberry Street).

Issy Salomon
Issy Salomon's bold costume jewelry is eye-catching and thought-provoking. One of his most provocative creations is a pair of earrings with dangling charms of the Star of David, a Christian cross, and a watch face ($46).

"The time we live in is so global," the Mexican designer says. "Regardless of our religious beliefs and backgrounds, we should all co-exist."

Sold at Edge NY NoHo (65 Bleecker Street). For more information go to www.issysalomondesigns.com.