For many women, jewelry has become a staple accessory, defining style and identity. It's also seen as a fundamental element of fashion, suggesting that outfits may feel incomplete without it.

Miami-based Anna Zuckerman, founder of her eponymous jewelry company, understands how jewelry can quickly boost a woman's confidence and self-worth. And the 48-year-old designer also understands that jewelry doesn't have to come with a high price tag; it can be both elegant and affordable.

"For me, wearing jewelry is all about confidence and affordability. Not everything should be glamorous and expensive," said Zuckerman, who was recently in Manila to showcase her sparkling jewelry in a special trunk show at The Gallerie of Rustan's Makati held last February. She brought in about 200 pieces of her best-sellers from her jewelry line that now carries 4,000 items.

Zuckerman saw the demand for affordable luxury jewelry suitable for everyday use and, of course, budgets. This led her to develop Diamond Coated Crystalline, a groundbreaking method using nanotechnology. This permanent coating gives her designs a natural diamond-like sparkle and features lab-grown gemstones and precious metals at a reasonable price. Each piece is made either in rhodium-plated sterling silver or 18-carat yellow gold to prevent tarnishing. 

"It takes a trained eye to spot the difference," said Zuckerman. "We created a process of coating synthetic gems with real lab-grown diamonds. It looks and feels like a diamond except you are not paying the price that you would pay for hundreds or thousands of dollars. There is a very good thickness of coating and plating wherein it doesn't tarnish. It's hypoallergenic. It has no nickel."