[h3]In “Fan Club”, Scott Keating shares his admiration for the designs of Alessandro Testi for Rebecca Jewelry.[/h3]

[dropcap cap=M]aking its U.S. debut two years ago, Rebecca Jewelry is quickly becoming a recognizable name among retailers and consumers alike. Celebri

ties such as Rihanna and Pink are fans, wearing pieces in videos and to awards shows. Crafted of gold-plated stainless steel, bronze and sterling silver and featuring faceted gemstones, the collection is both stylish and affordable, making it the perfect alternative to the high prices of precious metals in today’s soft economy. “The accessibility and innovative style has attracted the high-end stores where customers understand fashion, sophistication and value,” says Agostino Magni, president of Rebecca in the United States. Rebecca Jewelry is designed by Alessandro Testi of Testi S.p.A., who was ahead of his time in working with these affordable metals. When he founded his company in 1998, it was Testi’s passion to keep the quality, look and feel of Italian craftsmanship while offering glamorous yet affordable jewelry to women in all walks of life. — STORY BY BETH BERNSTEIN[/dropcap]

[contentheading]Scott Keating on Rebecca Jewelry[/contentheading]

“While Alessandro Testi created the company 10 years ago in Italy and it’s been a hit with the European market, Rebecca is pretty new to the United States. It’s got an incredible fashion look at accessible price points.”

“I admire the classic Italian ingenuity of Rebecca, which is to offer beautifully designed and crafted jewelry that is forward in its style but still has a timelessness. This is the type of jewelry that a woman can keep going back to and mixing up with other pieces in her jewelry wardrobe.”

“Retailers began recognizing the collection in the U.S. for its big-statement looks in alternative metals (sterling silver, gold-plated bronze) and wonderful colored stones. The timing is perfect for this type of creative yet affordable collection.”

“Even before we had to deal with this economic climate, the collection was geared to women who wore and recognized big-name labels. These pieces, while not expensive, could be worked in with Prada clothes and handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes. The looks came out of the fashion world. Not many fine jewelry designers are basing their collections on the runways, and the Rebecca collection fills this important niche.”

“I would say it’s one of the most relevant collections to watch today and that it will continue to grow in the U.S. market, particularly since it is sold as a complete brand. The vision is right on.”

[important color=grey title=About Scott Keating]

With his studio and home in Aspen, CO, award-winning designer Scott Keating says that “working in nature’s backyard” provides the influence for his jewelry collection, Scott Keating Design. He and his wife, sculptor N

ancy Lovendahl, moved there after meeting in Keating’s native Chicago where he studied design and engineering at the University of Illinois. In 2005, in addition to his own designs, he transitioned into a studio for worldwide jewelry. During a three-year partnership with Sandberg and Sikorski, Keating designed for its branded line, A. Jaffe. Scott Keating for Helzberg Diamonds was launched in 2006 with an exclusive private label branded collection. In 2008, Keating was hired as the creative director for all Jasani Group Worldwide collections. Keating is now launching a fashion line for Lovemark Diamonds by Jasani, a patented diamond cut made for bridal and fashion jewelry.[/important]

Roma collection gold-plated bronze necklace with citrine hydrothermal stones.

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Oblong-shaped iolite earrings.

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Two-stone ring crafted in bronze and set with blue topaz and amethyst.

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Steel and bronze triple-pendant necklace of garnet, citrine and tourmaline.

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