Right about now we could probably all use a bit of a vacation. What is it about the new year that has you feeling so revitalized and refreshed one moment, then exhausted and discouraged the next? It’s a mental obstacle course at best, and, when it comes to retail, the same may be said for your customers.

One moment, it’s all “treat yourself!” because it’s winter and pick-me-ups are nice and there are new things out there on the shelves to kick off the new year in beautiful fashion. But the next moment, suddenly they remember how much shopping they did for the holidays (and that New Year’s resolution was to start saving more), and so that wallet gets slammed shut as quickly as it opened. What a conundrum. “Dry January” may be the month shoppers give up more than just alcohol. Good thing Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

So—about that vacation. Well, most people probably aren’t taking those either, since they just had time off, but a mental escape can certainly assist with the post-holiday blues. I found an escape in K. Mita’s Rosy Peach earrings the moment I saw them. I do not exaggerate—I could hear the sea washing up on the shore and the song of a gull echoing in my ears. (Okay, maybe it was the crow outside. Close enough).

Mita’s pretty pink pair is one worthy of getting lost in. The long, slender rhodochrosite drops blossom and bloom with bands of white, which ripple out as if a pebble has been dropped into their rose-colored pools. I’m drawn to what’s unfamiliar, and for me, rhodochrosite mostly is. I’ve been seeing it a bit more recently, but it isn’t so common that I could gather a lineup of jewels featuring it.

When reading more about the mineral, I came across a website that claims that the stone heals the emotional wounds of childhood, leaving one feeling free and happy. Do with that what you will, but happiness is definitely a feeling most present when I look at these.

The opal sand diamonds also featured in this design bring glamour and sparkle, lending luminosity to an already beautiful pair. These are from K. Mita’s Washi collection, and the texture of traditional Japanese rice paper is replicated in the curl of gold that embraces the stones. It’s an additional detail that makes these all the more special.

Those who are escaping their winter prisons next month for the JCK Tucson show will be pleased to find K. Mita on exhibit, hopefully bringing this bit of happiness along with her line of inspiring designs.

Top: Rosy Peach earrings in 14k yellow gold with 38.85 cts. t.w. rhodochrosite and 1.21 cts. t.w. Ethiopian opal, $1,850; K. Mita Design

Brittany Siminitz

JCK Contributing Editor