J3-New Open Hawaiian Jewelry Store in Royal Hawaiian Center Waikiki

Oct. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- J3, a store that will be redefining the concept of Hawaiian jewelry, opened its first location on October 6, 2009, on the first floor of Building B in the Royal Hawaiian Center.  J3 represents three distinct expressions of jewelry—one with a Gothic/rock influence, a second with a sense of urban chic, and a third with a traditional heirloom yet casual style.

The three manifestations of Hawaiian jewelry may be viewed in terms of degrees on a spectrum.  On the conservative end is the casual but more culturally conventional lines of Hawaiian jewelry, such as the Plumeria Collection and Barrel Pendant Collection.  These heirloom-styled jewelry incorporate the iconic plumeria, leaves and scrolls in a variety of media—pink and yellow gold as well as silver.  Another line to be made available soon is the Ali’i Collection, which incorporates contoured pieces of highly prized koa wood inlaid in rings framed by gold or silver.  

In the middle of the spectrum is a line that has more of a contemporary urban panache, integrating darker shades via lesser precious metals combined with a variety of materials and carefully integrated use of precious and semi-precious stones.  Sleek designs, smooth edges, creative use of color and modernized interpretations of popular icons—such as hearts, crosses and fishhooks—best describe this line.  One of the ensembles within this line is the soon-to-be-released Eternity Collection which utilizes tungsten checker-inlaid with gold or wood squares.  

The Gothic and rock n’ roll styles represent the radical, edgier end of the gamut with its bold use of cross designs and stylishly sharp facets added to traditional Hawaiian icons such as fishhooks.  The Black Sand Collection within this line features burnished sterling silver modified with a dark finish giving it a slightly darker hue.  The Lava “Rock” Collection takes an avant-garde approach by adding a new twist to the common silver jewelry—black silver, a proprietary silver blend which posseseses a matted yet more nebulous quality.   Prices for the various jewelry range from $100 to $15,000.

The interior design of J3’s new store will integrate various components from the three seemingly divergent disciplines of jewelry design.  Using a simple palette of materials and colors, the modern yet mysteriously sacred “lounge” boutique will be replete with a balance of dark hues with contrastingly bright accents.  Urban styles are suggested in the rustic stained Sugi Pine (Japanese Cedar) on the walls dramatically counterbalanced by melodramatic plank wood floors and glowing display cases of glass, gunmetal steel and wood, which draw attention to the merchandise.   The remaining walls and ceilings are done with flat finish paints in charcoal grey and a purplish grey, further emphasizing the effect.  The Gothic and rock theme is embodied in the incorporation of interior accents including an ornately detailed frame with mirror, black jewel-cut chandeliers and upholstered seating.  A subliminal Celtic cross is also integrated into the framing of the glass façade which “casts a white shadow” of refined porcelain tiles on the dark rusticated wood floor.  Finally, the traditional Hawaiian component is represented in some of the decor, such as the war club installation.  Inspired by the Hawaiian culture, the linear placement of the war clubs across the wall will create a tattoo-like pattern once often seen as bands around arms or down the leg of native Hawaiians.

“We are excited to bring new perspectives to the industry with our innovative interpretations of Hawaiian jewelry.  The store will have a wide variety of style for different people looking for just the right jewelry that defines their individuality,” said Brian Hee, owner and designer of J3.