Chicago - March 13, 2007

Le Geek, C’est Chic

ByJeannie Jewelry

You’ve got buffet-dar (the ability to sense a spread within a twelve-mile radius) and toupee-dar (you can spot a rug before it walks in the door). But your nerd-dar is the most acute in all the land.

So how’d you let Jeannie Vianney (computer sci major turned jewelry designer) of ByJeannie Jewelry pass you by?

Easy. Her vintage-meets-modern collection is anything but pocket protector inspired.

Instead, Vianney’s necklaces and earrings take their cues from art and architecture — particularly Gaudí. The 14-karat gold-filled and sterling silver chains are offset with a combination of antique and contemporary charms, ivory pendants, gemstones, and wood carvings.

We couldn’t take our eyes off the brass bunny on a jade cabochon that dangles from a gold-filled rope. Which must be how Vianney escaped your radar in the first place.

She blinded you with science.

Available at Habit, 1951 West Division Street, at Damen Avenue (773-342-0093 or habitchicago.com); online at byjeannie.com.