I recently was given the chance to review a wonderful mother and daughter owned business Alef Bet Jewelry. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Hebrew Alef and Bet are the first two letters of the Hebrew Alphabet and the company which is based in Los Angeles, was founded in 1996 with a single idea: Hebrew sterling silver alphabet beads. Paula Brooks and Alissa Haroush, a mother and daughter team, oversee the design and product of each item which has now expanded to include a line of Garden themes.

I received the Jewish Star pendant, recently purchased by the costume department at Suburgatory on ABC. This oxidized sterling silver necklace with a gold dipped Jewish Star charm is very appealing to me and quite in line with modern jewelry trends. I love looking at all of the small charms on sterling chains that adorn display cases at department stores and specialty boutiques but honestly have never been keen on purchasing something that holds little meaning to me. Usually what I find are small gold circles with some stamped print and a tiny crystal bead on a jump ring hanging next to it. Tiny appeals to me, I love the look of small simple jewelry but in Chicago the price tags are high at $50-75 for something that doesn’t grab me.

Well, this simple charm style pendant definitely holds meaning to me and is not so large as to be overpowering. I am proud of my heritage but I don’t feel the need to be weighed down by a large clunky symbol of it. This piece sits delicately below the collarbone and lays flat, something I appreciate, and accentuates the neck in a graceful manner. I wasn’t sure that the two tone style would appeal to me but it really makes this tiny Star of David stand out.

If you are interested in Judaic Jewelry you have to peruse their website. I eerily enough found a Hamsa Bracelet with a pendant that is the exact duplicate of one that was brought into my shop 10 years ago by a couple looking to purchase another one for luck and protection. They couldn’t remember where they had purchased it but loved its tiny unique quality design, especially the raised swirl – I was kind of amazed to find it on Alef Bet after all the years so I sent the couple a FB message!

Alef Bet’s line is all encompassing from Hebrew Saying Charms on a sterling flat ring design that is all the rage everywhere I look, more traditional “I Am My Beloved…” eternity rings to, I kid you not, a hot pink sterling silver mezuzah pendant, which makes a great gift for someone that likes dainty jewelry, a confirmation-graduation gift, or a child’s gift.

Pieces are very reasonably priced from $25 and there is definitely a piece of jewelry for every price range and taste on this site. If you are not a fan of chains, they have corded pieces and if you prefer more bling they have pendants decked out in diamonds.

A testament to the high quality and craftsmanship is that I wore this all day and it did not break, not a chain link, not the jump ring holding the charm on, no the lobster claw closure. You may say to yourself one day isn’t that long but when for me an on the go mom and business owners who teaches fitness classes, nurses a grabby handed toddler who pulls on anything, takes (9 months) pregnant naps that involve a lot of tossing and turning on top of showering and painting a deck all wearing a delicate looking piece of fine jewelry – I’m impressed. Most of my jewelry doesn’t last a day in my life which is why clients, friends and family seldom if ever catch me wearing even my wedding band (it had to go into the jewelers two times to have stones replaced in the first two months before I gave up wearing it!)

Think you have to be Jewish to enjoy Alef Bet’s line? Guess again! They have many inspiring pieces that are appropriate for all those who appreciate quality jewelry. Some of their piece were also featured in Zumba’s Z-Life, so all my Zumba Fitness Fans out there take note – these trendy pieces will be heating up the party!

Check out post with photos
http://skyyogastudio.com/2011/11/05/alefbetjewelry-reconnecting-to-tradition-with-modern-style-jewelry/

Alef Bet's Site
http://www.alefbet.com