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Colored Diamonds Continue to Hold the Spotlight with the Black Diamond Cameo in “Sex and the City 2”

August 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Black Diamonds - Sex & The City

Black Diamonds - Sex & The City

Undoubtedly donning the most fabulous clothing and jewelry imaginable, Carrie and the gang are back in full-fledged diamond-encrusted action! It could take hours to detail the gorgeous assortment of eye-popping jewelry that flaunts itself on the silver screen such as Charlotte’s pave white diamond disc pendant by Jennifer Fisher, Samantha’s Cleopatra 18k yellow gold earrings with 1.36 carats of diamonds by Wendy Brandes, or Miranda’s Alexis Bittar bracelets, but the MVP of jewelry in this film goes to the 5 carat black diamond ring from designer Itay Malkin that Big presents to Carrie, “because you are not like anyone else”.  Even now, I am still swooning.

This unique and magnificent fancy color diamond set in 18k white gold and surrounded by 80 round, white pave diamonds equaling 0.35k, is the only diamond engagement ring fitting for the ultimate New York City diva, Ms. Carrie Bradshaw.

Fancy colored diamonds have been popping up more and more in the last few years and their prices have hit new highs, with their value never decreasing on the wholesale level in the last 30 years.  This makes buying a colored diamond not only the latest fashion but also a smart investment.  Assouline has recently published a 231 page coffee-table-esk book titled “The Fancy Color Diamond Book”, by Eden Rachminov. Taking two and a half years to research, design, and produce, this book provides a wealth of information (both commercial and technical) about fancy color diamonds and diamonds in general. Meant for professionals and interested consumers alike, it delves into the important issues of grading, clarity, and the role of florescence in determining the value of fancy color diamonds while also clearing up a number of misconceptions regarding the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) diamond report.  The book is written in a user-friendly format and is filled with beautiful photographs. Rachminov said of the book, “It is especially useful for the experienced diamantaire but no doubt would be of interest to the private diamond high-end consumer”.

The rise of fancy colored diamonds as a hot trend was made clear at the 2010 Oscars where they appeared all over the red carpet.  Amanda Seyfried wore a brown diamond ball ring by Lorraine Schwartz, Rachel McAdams, also wearing Lorraine Schwartz, showed off natural multi-colored diamond earrings, and Mo’Nique accessorized with yellow diamond jewels from Chopard. From their appearance at the Oscars in March to their stunning cameo in “Sex and the City 2” you can be sure that fancy color diamonds are on the scene! J4E5BZXMCC82

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Sandra Bullock Wears a Bochic Diamond Bangle to Benefit Haiti

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment
sandra bullock diamond bangle

Sandra Bullock Diamond Bangle

With her big win at the Oscars this year, fashion magazines have been pealing apart Blind Side actress Sandra Bullock’s many glamorous looks, and enjoying her beautiful choices on the red carpets of this year’s award shows. She made no little splash at the Oscars, with her ornately fashioned, shimmering Marchesa gown and diamond jewelry by Neil Lane, personally designed for her alone. Always one to make a bodacious entrance, this look had a gorgeous, grown-up vibe with simple and classic styling that made her stand out at this year’s biggest event. With the excitement of her big win, and the spectacle of her failing marriage, it’s easy to focus only on that special night and the events that followed. I think, however, that it was at the SAG awards earlier this year, when Sandra Bullock wore a special diamond bangle, that she was showing off her most meaningful piece of diamond jewelry!

In the aftermath of the nightmarish earthquake in Haiti, many celebrities have made an effort to pitch in and help. Apparently, Sandra Bullock was looking for a way to get involved and made the decision to team up with jewelry designer Bochic, who launched a charitable initiative in the wake of the 2010 awards season. They have stated that any jewelry piece worn by a celebrity on the red carpet this year will be auctioned off later in the spring, with ALL proceeds going to help find clean water solutions in the aftermath of the disaster in Haiti. Obviously, the bigger the celebrity the higher the auction price of Bochic’s already super-luxurious designs made from precious metals and gemstones.

Sandra Bullock chose an Alexander McQueen dress to wear to this year’s SAG awards, and she accessorized the midnight-blue number with a special Bochic diamond bangle on her wrist. The bangle, usually sold for $5,250, is an all-black circlet with diamond accents inlaid in 18k white gold. This April it will be auctioned to the highest bidder at as high a price as possible, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the earthquake victims. David Joseph, founder of the Bochic jewelry brand, stated that Bochic has always had a great relationship with Sandra Bullock and is “…beyond thrilled to have her support…”. All in all, it was a very fashionable night for Ms. Bullock, and that glistening diamond bangle on her arm was given all the more significance by the just cause it will go to support!

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The Daring Fashion Jewelry of Young Hollywood Celebrities

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
celebrity fashion jewelry

Celebrity Fashion Jewelry

When it comes to red carpet events, most seasoned actresses like to make safe and classic jewelry choices that won’t hit the dreaded Worst Dressed List. With the industry’s appreciation of young Hollywood talent, we are now beginning to see more playful and daring fashion jewelry choices that keep us on our toes. Like a breath of fresh air, young Hollywood actresses are really starting to show us how fashion jewelry should be done!

We were delighted with Twilight star, Kristen Stewart’s fabulous appearance at the 2010 Oscar Awards. Her elegant Monique Lhuillier black silk organza gown was beautifully accentuated in her surprisingly mature jewelry choice. Instead of overpowering it with over-the-top earrings or necklaces, like so many established actresses tend to do, she alternatively chose to pair it with a simple, yet stunning diamond bangle. This no-fuss nude-like appearance just goes to show that these young women are certainly capable of making tasteful and elegant jewelry choices.

Miley Cyrus, the fresh-faced singer superstar, certainly captures the epitome of teen spirit in her daring jewelry choices. She oozes personality and originality when it comes to jewelry accessories, going for multi-layered extra long necklace chains and stacked bangles that give off that ‘rock-chick’ flair. She is not afraid to breezily mix real diamond stunners with faux gems, like adorning a luxurious H. Stern black diamond ring together with multiple plastic bangles, as she did in her Hanna Montana premier. Speaking of Hanna Montana, we could also learn a thing or two from Miley Cyrus’s famous alter-ego, who is always seen with multicolored bangle bracelets and cute heart shaped pendants that create a splash of color and vividness.

Another young actress who is super styled and fashionable is the lovely Vanessa Hudgens. She is always spotted wearing incredibly trendy outfits accessorized with original jewelry pieces, whether she’s at a red carpet event or just out and about. She makes elegant, yet daring jewelry choices by mixing classic items together that would normally be worn apart. Take for example her 2009 MTV Awards appearance where she was seen wearing a stunning oversized H. Stern gold Buddhist love knot necklace together with a dramatic Melinda Maria round gold pendant, complete with a stack of gold bangles on her wrist. But don’t let her wild mix and match jewelry tactics fool you – Vanessa Hudgens knows how to take it down a notch and still look super trendy, just as she did that same year when she wore a stunning pair of dangle white gemstone earrings together with an oversized ring to match, looking marvelously elegant and chic.

It seems like young Hollywood actresses, likes of Kristen Stewart, Miley Syrus, and Vanessa Hudgens are becoming a fashion force to be reckoned with. Hollywood has seen enough of tamed risk-less jewelry accessorizing and is now beginning to appreciate the surprisingly fresh and daring jewelry attitude of these young fashionistas.

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Food and Diamond Combos – Easy On The Eyes, Hard On The Stomach

December 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Engagement ProposalHiding a stunning diamond engagement ring inside a piece of chocolate cake when proposing to your significant other is one thing, but lately the elite have taken the whole diamond-food combo concept to a whole new level of madness.

The dazzling life of the rich and famous has always included expensive food and drinks and pricey jewelry. Usually, however, these two ideas were separate. Well, not anymore! Today everything seems to be undergoing extravagant upgrades as stunning gemstones are being juxtaposed in the oddest places – even in food! Why settle for a $500 bottle of champagne when just a handful of diamond studs can up its value by thousands of dollars?

Food and diamond combinations are no longer only part of a once in a lifetime romantic gesture. The affluent members of high society are mixing expensive diamonds and edibles like there’s no tomorrow. Diamonds today can be found in cakes, cookies, pears, berries, pineapple, even sushi. A man named Athur Von Lotzamunie, for example, bought a diamond studded pineapple through the Sotheby’s south pacific auction house, which he now keeps on display. It really all depends on the impression you want to leave on your dinner guests. If you can imagine it and if you can afford it, food & diamond blends are available for you.

Of course, a major sub-trend of the food & diamond idea is “bling-bling wedding cakes.” If there is one event in which men and women of means wish to be as flashy as they can be and to flaunt their extravagant lifestyles, it is their wedding day. Along with diamond necklaces, diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, diamond cuffs and diamond hair pieces, and the diamond studded jewelry often adorning a bride’s bouquet, there is of course the wedding cake to consider. The wedding cake serves as another opportunity to be artistic, sparkly and show off those gemstones so it was only a matter of time before diamond wedding cakes came along.

To date, the most expensive wedding cake ever sculpted is a $20 million diamond cake designed by Mimi So Jewelers together with Nahid La Patisserie Artistique. The extravagant diamond wedding cake was unveiled at the Luxury Brands Bridal Show which was held on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Where else? The diamond cake was guarded by uniformed security guards around the clock. It is not edible. To quote Ilona Sherman, the organizer of the event: “Diamonds are too hard on the stomach.” It would probably be a safety hazard as well, putting eaters in danger of choking with every bite. Oh well, that’s unfortunate. This is one wedding cake that would have been worth the calories.

Filed Under: Diamond Stories, Love & Diamonds Tagged With: , , , , ,

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

Filed Under: Diamond Shopping, Diamonds & Celebrities Tagged With: , , , ,

Household Remedies for Cleaning Precious Metal Jewelry

October 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Though it is true that jewelry generally looks its best when professionally cleaned by a licensed jeweler, taking your jewelry to a jeweler can cost a pretty penny. However, cleaning your precious metal jewelry doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive undertaking. There are alternative, inexpensive ways for cleaning your jewelry. Alternatively, various house hold items can be used to effectively clean your precious metals jewelry, and make it look like new again.

cleaning jewelry

Cleaning Jewelry

Toothpaste, for instance, is a common enough household item, which can successfully clean any type of precious, or semi-precious, metal. Polish your metal jewelry using mild toothpaste and a soft bristled old toothbrush. Toothpaste contains sodium bicarbonate and xylitol, two components which do not only clean teeth, but are highly effective when polishing various precious metals. White vinegar can also be highly effective for cleaning metal jewelry. The vinegar eats through most kinds of algae, corrosion and verdigris. A word of caution, vinegar shouldn’t be excessively used with malleable precious metals such as pure gold or platinum, since the vinegar’s acids can become quite harmful with prolonged use.

Also, ketchup, and tomato sauce in general, works wonders when cleaning metal jewelry (especially copper, brass or zinc jewelry). The tomato’s natural acids burn away patina and rust. Spray your jewelry with water and then rub the ketchup into its surface. The ketchup will oxidize tarnish and other forms of corrosion.

If all else fails, you could always make your own, homemade cleaning solutions out of a few common house hold items. For instance, mix 1 part ammonia in with 6 parts of water, to create a solution which will help revive your jewelries’ old luster, or use lime and a teaspoon of salt in water, for a blend which will eat away at corrosion.

Whether you use ketchup, lime solution, vinegar or an ammonia blend, make sure to properly rinse out and dry off your precious metal jewelry before storing it away. Jewelry which isn’t rinsed properly or is stored when it is still wet can further corrode and damage.

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The Origin of Bling Diamond Jewelry

October 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bling-Bling! You hear it in hip hop and the entertainment industry to describe the shine of the most lavish and sparkling diamond jewelry, but what are the origins of this peculiar term? The fact is that bling is actually a bastardization of the made-up word “pling”. The term “pling” was first coined by the Ultra Brite toothpaste company to convey the “sound” of a shiny white smile.

Check out the original Ultra Brite commercial here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md7uxYtZes0

lilwayne_sporting_his_diamond_encrusted_bling

Lilwayne Sporting His Diamond Encrusted Blling

The term was later parodied by comedians as “bling”. It was not until much later, the late nineteen nineties that bling evolved into the word that it is today. Probably the lasting achievement of New Orleans’ own “Cash Money Millionaires”, bling was first used to describe the light shining off gold or diamond encrusted jewelry. Specifically Lil Wayne was the first to use the term, and it was later featured as the name of a collaborative song called “Bling, Bling”. This song was a huge hit and catapulted both Lil Wayne and the term bling into the national lexicon.

The video clip can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDoxxlgNG0

Bling was so catchy that it soon caught on and created a huge demand for diamond jewelry that did not exist before. Now anyone who was just wearing gold in the hip hop community was considered old school and out of touch. The new style was strictly platinum encrusted with diamonds. If your jewelry didn’t have that diamond bling then you weren’t keeping your game up to par. It was a symbol of economic power and success, and not a cheap one at that. You truly needed to be a grand earner in order to afford these lavish diamond encrusted pieces. This led to a conflict amongst up and coming rappers who did not yet have that hit song and that capital to buy their lavish diamond jewelry. This discrepancy of earnings and flash led to the phenomenon of renting bling for public appearances or video shoots.

Bling is now so main stream that it has become synonymous with diamonds and shiny jewelry. Main stream corporations looking to push their product use the catchy term to sell anything from automobiles to cell phones. This commercialization of the term has led to a significant backlash amongst the originators in the hip hop community. The term is now rarely used amongst current hip hop artists as it is seen as “played out”. It seems that bling might not be cool anymore but it is here to stay as it recently received official recognition in Websters Dictionary.



Filed Under: Diamond Stories, Diamonds & Celebrities Tagged With: ,
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