Shoppers still appreciate a unique or limited edition item even with jewelry designs below $50.  John S. Brana, who designs fine jewelry pieces valued up to $20,000, has also mastered the art of fashion jewelry with his copper jewelry and aluminum handcrafted jewelry collections.  Clients especially enjoy the light-as-a-feather weight with the sterling silver look provided by aluminum earrings.  “Their weight allows woman to wear them all day without feeling like they are wearing a heavier silver earring,” describes Brana.

Working with aluminum allows John S. Brana to continue to design his signature handcrafted textures while providing clients with a lower priced fashion jewelry piece.  Styles range from $25 to $65 retail and the handcrafted textures are endless.

John S. Brana is one of the few fashion jewelry designers today experimenting with the beautiful rainbows created by applying a chemical process known as patina to copper jewelry.   Patina is a natural reaction to metals such as copper when it comes in contact with natural chemicals including ammonia and hydrochloric acids.  “I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different lengths of time because the colors that occur vary dramatically,” describes Brana.

Patinated jewelry is brilliantly colored and often resembles hand painted pieces.  The benefits to patinas versus paint are numerous and include permanent finishes that cannot rub or flake off.  “I’m loving the turquoise greens and ocean blues I’m producing right now.”

Brana has become known by his collectors as an expert in creating beautiful textures with metals.  His patinated earring designs have repeatedly sold through in several Bay Area stores and the retailers continue to request more styles.  “My clients are seeking unique designs and the very act of applying a patina creates a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry every time.”

In the 5 years John S. Brana has been handcrafting his jewelry designs, developing new techniques, recycling mistakes and older pieces, and creating new textures, he has developed a stock of literally thousands of unique pieces of jewelry.  From dramatic gemstone layered necklaces to understated links with a subtle texture he has developed a line as diverse as the city of the collections’ origins - San Francisco.

From commissioned cuffs in 18K gold that are valued over $10,000 to hammered aluminum lightweight earrings retailing for just $45, John S. Brana’s expertise stretches the gamut.  “I’m so intrigued by the contrasts of color and texture,” he describes while working down in his studio filled with sculpting tools, small machines, scraps of metal, and drawers full of gemstones.
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John S. Brana explains the design concepts behind his dramatic jewelry collection, Barbary Coast Layered Gemstone Jewelry.

After a whirlwind schedule of Valentine’s runway and theatrical shows wardrobing models and performers with dramatic jewelry, John S. Brana gears up for Spring shopping events for his fans.  Look for his signature high end collections including corrugated cuffs and layered gemstone necklaces at the Contemporary Crafts Market in San Francisco’s Fort Mason, March 14 and 15.  Shoppers will also enjoy copper, sterling silver and 14K gold-filled designs priced under $150 at Appel and Frank’s Spring Into Style Shopping Event, March 26 at the Regency Center.
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