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Pet Jewelry Fad is Upping the Madness

December 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Pets today get the treatment that many human beings would feel lucky to get. They no longer have to settle for a bi- annual visit to the vet. Today there are special pet hair salons, pet shrinks, pet life coaches, even pet astrologers. To keep pets wearing the latest fashion, there are countless special clothing shops for cats and dogs, often selling designer attire for our furry friends. Today there is even expensive jewelry made especially for pets – and lots of it.

pet jewelry

Pet Jewelry

Of course, most people can’t afford this luxury, but those who can have a huge selection of pet jewelry stores at their disposal. And surprisingly, they are not only accessible to the Hollywood elite. Many pet jewelry shops are online shops. All you need is a credit card and you can have your Labrador bling blinging like the queen of England – quite literally. Many luxury pet jewelry shops sell fancy tiaras. A famous Thai designer named Riwin Jirapolsek designed a diamond tiara for his dog worth 4.2 million dollars, which featured over 100 karats of diamonds.

And he’s not the only one to go crazy with his pet’s adornment. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are perhaps the most well known pet owners to pamper their dogs with ravishing accessories set with the finest and most expensive gemstones. Paris Hilton even included a pet collar in her own jewelry line.

And we ain’t just talking collars. Pet jewelry today includes a vast array of products such as ruby and diamond harnesses, diamond leashes, golden ID dog purses, emerald pet charms, and the list goes on.

One might ask oneself why anyone would ever need such products. I certainly am. What pet owner would actually think his or her pet is benefiting from carrying around terribly heavy diamond and gemstone jewelry. Couldn’t the money spent on diamond collars and crystal harnesses be put to better use? Is there even clientele for such pet jewelry items? Well, surprisingly, or not so surprisingly – yes there is. And it is a vastly growing niche in the jewelry industry. Many pet owners care a lot about their pets’ appearance. The pet has become another means of presenting and flaunting one’s status. If your kitty has a diamond and ruby collar, it says something about your status. But it says some other things about you too.

Several animal rights activists have voiced their objection to the whole “pet jewelry” idea. “Don’t drag your pet into your silly vanity parades. If you want to romp about wearing a 2.5 pound diamond tiara on your head – go right ahead. But don’t use your terrier for that purpose. That’s not what he or she is there for.”

Well, perhaps the folks who choose to adorn their pets with these exorbitant accessories figure they’ll just schedule an appointment with the pet shrink if their pets should show signs of discontentment with their owners’ new jewelry gifts.

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New Snake-themed Designer Jewelry Line by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

November 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Jewelry

Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Jewelry

As if it isn’t enough for them to adopt a child from every third world country, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are now making another attempt to save the world. The couple is pairing up with famous London based jewelry company, Asprey, to create a limited edition jewelry and baby collection called “The Protector”.

“The Protector” gold and silver jewelry line will include diamond, black diamond and pavé rings, silver baby spoons, an eggcup, tooth box, as well as diamond-encrusted bracelets, earrings, men’s cuff links and dress studs. The entire jewelry line’s motif is said to be snake-inspired. According to Angelina Jolie, the snake is a protective family emblem which helped her through her pregnancy with now 3-year-old daughter, Shiloh. Um, ok. That’s just freaky if you ask me.

To promote the new jewelry collection, Angelina Jolie sported one of the more expensive pieces on the red carpet of the BAFTA Awards in London this past February. The piece was a white diamond encrusted bangle bracelet shaped like a small snake with emerald eyes.

Of course, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s target jewelry consumers are the super-rich celebs who are more willing to part with their moolah than the Average Joe, especially if it is for a good cause. That isn’t to say that prices are jaw-droppingly high, but they are up there. Considering that accessories start at $525, the cheapest item being a snake-shaped silver baby spoon, you might want to save your money for something that won’t make your baby gag.

You do have to give the couple a bit of credit, though. The net proceeds from the “Protector” jewelry collection will go to Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, a non-profit organization cofounded by Angelina Jolie in 2006. The Organization was founded in an effort to educate children who are victims of war, conflict and natural disasters.

silver baby snake spoon

Silver Baby Snake Spoon

Angelina Jolie commented that these child victims are those who need a safe haven, education, encouragement and positive role modeling the most. She continued by saying that these children are more often than not forgotten and that they consequently fall by the wayside. Well, at least this’ll help you feel better about spending a month’s rent on a silver baby spoon shaped like a snake or other serpent-styled designer jewelry.

Their slithering jewelry collection, which was wholly created and designed by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has been in the works for over a year. The two actually have a decent amount of experience in the jewelry-designing arena. Brad Pitt, who is a big architecture and design buff, has created a number of pieces for the Italian jeweler Damiani. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have also both privately commissioned jewelry pieces from Asprey in the past.

Asprey is hoping that this new jewelry line will be a big boost for the company which is currently working on refreshing and revamping its brand. Their new chairman, John Rigas, has already narrowed the Asprey product line from, well, very expensive to extremely expensive. “The Protector” jewelry line has a number of pieces already on sale at Asprey stores in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai

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Victoria’s Secret Presents: ‘The Diamond Harlequin Fantasy Bra’

November 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Victoria's Secret Diamond Bra

Victoria's Secret Diamond Bra

Victoria’s Secret has done it again! Every year, around Christmas, the renowned lingerie firm reveals their new line of women’s lingerie in a spectacular fashion show. This year, Victoria’s Secret has unveiled what they refer to as the ultimate holiday gift: the diamond studded Fantasy Harlequin Bra.

This fabulous and unique diamond set bra is perhaps the most expensive bra to have ever been manufactured, valued just over a whopping two million pounds. The diamond encrusted bra was set with 2,300 brilliant cut, white cognac and champagne colored diamonds, whose total carat weight reaches a staggering 150 carats. The bra’s main focal point is the dazzling 15 carat, heart shaped, champagne diamond pendant with a VS clarity, which is attached to the bra’s midsection. The diamonds are arranged in a wing-like pattern, which is reminiscent of the wings worn by the Victoria’s Secret’s Angels during the lingerie line’s fashion shows. The amount of careful work and craftsmanship that went into making the amazing diamond Harlequin Fantasy Bra was astounding. In fact, the diamond encrusted bra took over eight hundred hours to make due to the intricacy of its design and the time it took to weave the precious gemstones into the underwear’s delicate fabric.

Wearing the stunning diamond creation on the runway is Victoria’s Secret Angel, Marisa Miller. Marisa states that she was honored to be chosen to model the diamond encrusted Fantasy Harlequin bra. She confesses that, even though the diamond bra has such a large carat weight, it is still rather comfortable to wear. Marisa Miller was quoted saying: “When I put it on, I feel like a princess putting on a crown”. The stunning supermodel is set to walk down the runway wearing the show stopping diamond encrusted bra in next December’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Who wouldn’t want one of the stunning Victoria’s Secret diamond encrusted fantasy bras? These spectacular creations are designed to hug and complement a woman’s best assets: her curves. Each year, the famous lingerie company comes out with a new and improved fantasy bra design. Last year’s design, the Sexy Splendor Fantasy bra incorporated twenty nine hundred pave shaped diamonds and twenty two rubies (at a total carat weight of 108) in an 18 karat white gold floral design setting. This amazing diamond lingerie item, designed by legendary jewelry manufacturer Mouawad, took over three hundred hours to create and was valued at just over $12,500,000.

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Indian Bridal Jewelry Sparkles Exotic

October 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Colorful jewelry plays a pivotal role Indian wedding ceremonies, and Indian bridal attire comprises dozens of pieces of glittering gold, diamond and gemstone-set jewelry that together create a magnificently opulent look. Indian bridal jewelry tradition dates back thousands of years, and the bridal jewelry set has changed little over time.

indian bride jewelry

Indian Bride Jewelry

The bridal “look” includes a number of individual pieces of jewelry: some of the jewelry is mandatory and plays a symbolic role in the nuptials, while other jewelry pieces are merely decorative. Preferences generally lean towards yellow gold jewelry, although in contemporary weddings it’s not uncommon to see jewelry made from white gold, platinum, copper or silver, either to suit the bride’s personal tastes and to better accessorize her particular bridal gown, or in order to stick to a slimmer budget.

Gem-set jewels are also abundant in the bridal get-up, especially deeply colored precious and semi-precious gems such as rubies, amethysts, emeralds, jade and garnets, as well as diamonds and pearls.

Traditions vary according to region, but the basic jewelry elements are the same. The “Bridal Set” consists of a matching necklace and earrings. Large dangling gold earrings encrusted with precious gems or colorful crystals are typical, worn to match a heavy and ornate gold necklace, also encrusted with colorful gems.

The “Shringar Patti” and “Maang Tikka” are sort of bejeweled tiaras, worn along the hairline at the forehead and down the part line, usually made of gold. They feature a bejeweled gold pendant that dangles in the center of the bride’s forehead.

The “Nath” is a traditional nose ring, comprising a stud nose ring or a hoop ring that is linked by a gold chain towards the ear or into the tiara.

The famous gold or glass bangle bracelets are called “Chudi”, and are generally worn up the arm in various colors that match the bridal sari.

A “Hathpool” is a piece of jewelry generally unique to Indian bridal jewelry, and consists of a bracelet that adorns the wrist with a jeweled chain running down the back of the hand, ending as a ring around the middle finger.

The “Bichhua” is a toe ring, generally silver, and signifies a woman’s marital status. “Payal” are anklets that are required to be worn by the bride. It is usually a silver ankle bracelet adorned with beads or gems.

While most of the jewelry is optional according to the bride’s tastes and preference, the “Anguthi” are compulsory finger gold and diamond rings, in addition to the engagement rings. Multiple anguthi rings can be worn on any of the fingers.

Another compulsory piece is the “Mangal Sutra”, which is actually plays a symbolic role in the wedding ceremony, as the groom fastens the necklace around her neck to symbolize their unity. The mangal sutra is a black beaded necklace, decorated by a diamond or gold pendant. Arm bands called “Baaju” used to be a mandatory component of bridal jewelry in the past, but are now optional. They can be worn on either one or both arms.

Although the best source of gorgeous Indian bridal jewelry is of course in India, a good deal of stunning gold and precious gemstone jewelry is available through various online shops. Cities with extensive Indian communities are another good place to look for these elegant, colorful and exotic pieces of jewelry.

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Pearl Powder – Where Pearls Have Cosmetic Value

September 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

No one can deny the aesthetic value of pearls. Some even argue that pearls are too shiny and full of lust. But pearls don’t only have a superficial ostentatious effect, they can actually have a positive effect on a woman’s skin. A large proportion of global jewelry pearls are cultured in China, yet Chinese tradition also appreciates the therapeutic function of pearls. Pearl powder is a good treatment against aging effects according to the Chinese medicine. Apparently, many of the famous beautiful women of ancient China used pearl powder or even special pearl powder masks to keep their skin soft. With the Chinese appreciation for silky skin I bet that the powder’s merits have been checked diligently.

So what is so good about crushing pearls into powder? The mixture of chemicals embodied in pearls includes magnesium, aluminum, zinc, tungsten, calcium, carbon, lithium and iron. Some of these chemicals induce an anti-aging reaction when they contact a human skin. The powder also comprises of several type of aminophenol molecules, which are especially beneficial for generating healthy results. These molecules can increase the body’s metabolism, which also suppresses anti-aging natural processes and helps maintaining a soft skin.

With such positive outcomes why won’t every aging woman use pearl powder?! I have read that such powder can have different effect on different users, so before getting excited about this option it is better to give pearl powder a trial run and see how it makes you feel. Stunning results, if possible at all, could be obtained within several months of using pearl powder daily.

pearl powder lady

Pearl Powder Lady

I find it amusing that some women avoid using pearl powder but still, one of the reasons they like wearing pearls is their therapeutic effect. Well, nobody can prove that wearing an Akoya pearl necklace doesn’t have any positive effect on one’s skin, still, claiming it does is a funny superstition, even in jewelry lovers’ standards. Though, if you ask me, the luster of round and white pearls could bounce of your skin in a way that would eliminate any face wrinkles and would generate the anti-aging effect every woman would like to achieve.

Concerning pearl powder, one of its disadvantages is its high price, and if you add the fact that it is used daily, it is a much less economic purchase than, let’s say, a pearl necklace. But when you consider the fact that pearl powder’s “magic” has been appreciated for the last 2000 years of Chinese medicine it cannot be argued that it is not worth your skin’s while.

In more practical terms, my friend Christine told me that she likes creating pearl powder masks and she can feel her skin becoming younger when she’s wearing it. Such a mask is consisted of 2 spoons of egg white with 1 spoon of pearl powder mixed together. Eggs are effective for reducing acne. An omlet on the face should become a new teenager acne fighting strategy, if you ask me.

When going for the purchase, avoid dubious dealers who try to sell duplicate pearl powder and check every pearl powder product you come across thoroughly. Online purchasing can be beneficial, just look for a brand which has had many good reviews, otherwise your skin might continue to age as before, and your anger as a frustrated customer may lead to the emergence of new annoying wrinkles…

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Jewelry for Animal Lovers

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
owl

Owl

What’s your favorite animal? Everyone’s got one, whether you find cats irresistibly adorable or admire buffalos’ fortitude. Animals are a great motif for decorating jewelry, especially pendant necklaces, charm bracelets, gem-encrusted brooches or diamond earrings, plus, they’re a great way for you to express yourself through your jewelry by wearing something that you strongly identify with.

My grandmother, for example, loves owls. Her living room is accessorized with no less than 63(!) owl paintings, figurines, plant holders – the works! But her favorite owl accessories are three pieces of jewelry that she never leaves home without wearing at least one of – a thin gold chain necklace with a tiny owl pendant, a diamond and ruby studded owl brooch, and another dangling beaded necklace with a silver owl amulet. In folklore, owls are considered noble and powerful spiritual guides, symbolizing truth, intelligence, maturity and self control. Since they have such a great look, with those wise round eyes, owls also make excellent pendants, with diamonds and colored gemstones for the eyes and feathers.

Dragonflies are also a common jewelry motif, often found in diamond earrings and gold or silver pendants. The mysterious and elegant insects symbolize passion tempered by balance and mental clarity. They are also warm, summer creatures, that can represent light and joy, commonly in Japanese paintings. Native American culture touts dragonflies as souls of the dead. Their weightlessness and graceful flight patterns reflect lightness and the ability to cope with problems and obstacles that we encounter in an enlightened manner.

Another animal that makes for elegant jewelry and that has strong cultural symbolism is the elephant. As a totem, elephants signify strength, power, perseverance and diligence. Elephants are also associated with dignity and royalty. Since elephants are native to India and a sacred animal in the East, they feature prominently in gorgeous Indian jewelry, with ruby and emerald encrusted elephant pins and medallions commonly found. You may even want to scout out vintage shops for truly unique elephant jewelry pieces. Watch out for charms carved from elephant ivory though, they are usually from illegally poached elephants so steer clear.

And of course there are cats. You either love them or you hate them (especially if they make you sneeze yourself senseless). Felines are known to be loyal, loving and independent creatures, usually associated with femininity. Cats are also known to be symbols of mystery, meditation, and wisdom, as well as spiritual protection. Cat pendants and brooches are easy to find at jewelry stores, and make an excellent gift for any sworn cat lover. Whichever animal it is you identify with, animal charms and pendants are great to wear for spiritual protection. They also give a boost in confidence and self-assurance; it just makes you feel better to have an animal friend nearby, especially if its studded with diamonds and sapphires.

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Diamond-studded Rolex Going Once… Government Auctions Off Bling

August 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Anyone feels great wearing a diamond-studded Rolex, but would it boost the thrill even more if your new timepiece used to adorn a gangster’s wrist? Well, it could happen! The loot forfeited by the government when they lock up criminals, gangsters and drug dealers doesn’t just collect dust in a drawer at the police station.

Every four months, the US Marshals Service holds an auction in a different city, as part of its asset forfeiture program, and offers up hundreds of pieces for sale to the public at large. The quadr-annual auction was just held in Austin, Texas, on August 1, raking in a whopping $2 million to benefit victim service programs and law enforcement agencies that played a role in the arrests. Where else can the money you spend blinging yourself out actually go for a good cause?

The pieces range from dazzling to downright tacky, with the most interesting pieces rating off the charts for gaudiness. Bidding at yesterday’s Austin auction started off with the more modest pieces – engagement rings and diamond bracelets, but progresssed consistently towards the more “unusual”. The priciest ice was a white gold bracelet studded with 250 round cut diamonds, and a Joe Rodeo wristwatch with no less than 252 diamonds encircling the band, plus 20 more carats glittering in the watch face – both valued at about $35,000. The “blingier” lot included a diamond-studded golden goblet engraved with a Medusa emblem and a plastic cup insert ($10,500), and a long gold chain with a pendant reading “Paid in Full”.

About 2000 people showed up for the Texas auction, mostly diamond retailers. But even if you can’t make it out to Texas, there’s online bidding at the auction website and a lot gallery that’s worth having a look at (check out the US Marshals Service site for updates). If you missed it this time around, don’t fret – there’s another one coming up in four months. Another reason to hope the PD gets those criminals off the street in the meantime!

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