Jessica's New Jewel

Unlucky in love - lucky in diamonds? One way to ease the break-up blues is with a sparkling free diamond ring. Jessica Simpson may not be reveling in the state of her love life following the singer's well-publicized recent split from super-jock Tony Romo, but jeweler Pascal Mouawad gave her reason to smile on Tuesday night.

During a party for one of Pa Simpson's new artists, An-Ya, Mouawad gave Jessica a stunning $10,000 5-carat diamond ring from his Black and White Diamond Collection.

The jeweler is well known for his fondness of celebrity muses. Heidi Klum and Nicole Richie are a couple of the jeweler's celebrity designers - is he wooing Jessica to join his stable of stars?

Whatever his plans, they'll have to wait as the Simpsons are headed East next week to spend some time in Japan to work on her on her upcoming VH1 reality show about beauty.

Ivanka Trump Flaunts 'The Ring'

This weekend, the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) feted the fairer sex of their industry, and the glittering event brought out the bling in full force.

Among the shimmering crowd at Chelsea Piers in New York was a glowing Ivanka Trump - CEO of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry - who wore basic black and diamonds galore. Included in the ice was her new engagement ring from fiance, Jared Kushner, that's rumored to be a 5-carat stunner from her own jewelry collection. I'm also digging her diamond tassle necklace - an emerging silhouette that may just be fall's biggest trend. Stay tuned.



Another fashion superstar in diamonds last night was Diane von Furstenberg, who was honored with the WJA Lifetime Achievment Award - it's not hard to guess why. The Divine Miss D has been a presence in the jewelry industry for decades, most recently teaming up with luxury jeweler, H. Stern, for a line of talisman jewels.


Noticeably absent from the event were 'celebrity jewelry' faces that have been putting their mugs on jewelry lines for a chance at fashion fame - and fortune.

Looks like the WJA knows how to single out the real women who know both business and baubles. Bravo!

Angelina’s Oscar Emeralds…on Nicky Hilton?

Jewelry hounds, I need your peepers. Is it me or is Nicky Hilton wearing THE SAME emerald earrings that Angelina Jolie made famous at the Oscars this year? The horror!

The giant teardrop-sized stunners are cut in the same shape as Angelina’s green gems, but I quite simply can’t imagine anyone who would want to trod that same hallowed jewelry ground. Especially someone low-key like Paris’s younger sib.

Hilton was walking the red carpet of sister Paris’s narcissistic, I mean, self-titled documentary, Paris, not France last week when the emeralds made their appearance.

It is possible that Lorraine Schwartz accessorized both Angelina and Nicky with the same emeralds, but any stylist worth their salt would surely know that repeating a history-making jewelry moment – and one made by Angelina Jolie no less – is anything but a wise choice in today's shark-infested fashion waters.

Mon Dieu!

What do you guys think? Are they the same earrings? Or are they look-alikes? Regardless, should she have steered clear of the fashion faux-pas or are the emerald earrings fair game for anyone who wants to be a…well..wannabe?

Michael Jackson Memorialized in Diamonds

Now I’ve heard everything. Just when you thought commercially exploiting Michael Jackson’s death couldn’t get any more unseemly, news hit the wires today that Michael Jackson’s charred hair from that infamous Pepsi commercial is going to be turned into (drumroll......) diamonds.

Huh?

This may just beat Poppa Jackson’s disgusting self-promotion in the day’s following the King of Pop’s death and Jermaine’s chronic wearing of his Jackson 5 T-shirt. We get it, Jermaine. You're important too.


So Ralph Cohen, the Executive Producer for the Pepsi commercial, was apparently quick on his feet back then – not only saving Michael from his Jerry curl fire, but (eureka!) taking time out from the firey blaze to scoop up his charred hair to save for a rainy day.

Cohen eventually turned it in to John Reznikoff, one of America's most highly respected collectors, and now LifeGem, the world's first purveyor of diamond memorials, is creating high quality diamonds out of it for a limited collection.

No word yet on how much these little beauties will go for, but you can bet LifeGem is banking on at least high six, low seven figures.

I don’t know why I am surprised by this turn of events. The gold-plated coffin has barely left the Staples Center and folks are only seeing dollar signs.



What do you guys think? Is it OK for people to make money on the King of Pop’s death? Or have things gone too far? Would you buy a diamond made out of Michael Jackson's DNA if you could afford it? Weigh in!

Celebrity Jewelry Line Overload

From health care reform to rising unemployment and stimulus dough, there are a lot of issues out there for us all to ponder these days. But I’ve got one pressing question that’s been keeping me up nights.

How many friggin’ celebrity jewelry lines do we need, people?

I mean really. There are the success stories like Nicole Richie’s boho chic House of Harlow line and Paula Abdul’s HSN juggernaut. But do we really need D-listers like Christie Brinkley, Gladys Knight, New York Housewife, Kelly Bensimon and Heidi Montag’s sister joining the ranks?

Seriously.


Now news of singer, Lily Allen’s, new line is hitting the newswires and frankly? I could care less. You had me at Padma Lakshmi and jumped the shark at Tori Spelling, folks.

Do we really need the same old gold charm necklace you can get at any department store marked up an additional 40% because a singer with one big hit and a history of public drunkenness has her name on it?


I think I can live a full life never knowing or caring that Holly Montag gets to put her name on some gold chains simply because she ‘has always loved jewelry’, according to MTV. As if loving jewelry and having the same genetic makeup of a pathetic reality TV star are the only qualifications for for launching a bauble line.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe I’m being too harsh? I suppose there is room for everyone to peddle their wares out there. But I’m wondering if I’m the only one who has had my fill? What do you guys think?

Have you ever bought a piece from a celebrity jewelry line? Share your stories!

Jewelry Fit for Kings and Queens

Jewelry hounds, you may be the only folks who really understand this next sentiment. You know that moment when the jewelry stars align, and you see a piece of jewelry so perfectly designed - so beautifully crafted - so YOU - that you know it will be forever ingrained on the fashion-obsessed part of your cerebral cortex?

I just had that moment when reviewing the new Dior Joaillerie line - their royal ‘Kings & Queens’ collection by Victoire de Castellane. The jewels feature one of my favorite trends – skulls – in an adorable brooch and ring pair. Yes, you’re meant to buy them as a royal couple! Adorable!


Just look at these little beauties. Can you imagine the gasps as you wear the skull ring to your next big event? Or better yet? Imagine the skulls' shine as you reach for that orange chicken Lean Cuisine during your next trip down the frozen food aisle. Glamour, people. Glamour.




The collection is made out of diamonds, opal, jade, quartz and obsidian, which along with the skulls symbolizes “eternity”, according to Dior. I’ve not been able to track down price points - which I’m thinking is just as well.

The King and Queen pieces even have cute little names: Queen of Jadélénie and King Opal to name a few.

Sigh.


So have you ever had a jewelry epiphany that rivals my new Dior skull obsession? If so, share the wealth! And what do you think about the royals? You die? Or not your style?

Diamond iPhone Tickled Pink

Pink diamonds have been lighting up celebrity betrothals for years now – from J-Lo’s famous rock back in the Ben days to Portia deRossi’s pink diamond ring bling. But pink ice isn’t just for ring fingers.

The Apple iphone 3GS just got a pink diamond makeover from UK-based Stuart Hughes.

Paris Hilton? Are you listening?

The pink beauty is made from 18ct rose gold and is decorated with 53 pink diamond gems set in the Apple logo to add a little sparkle.

And the cost to add this ‘essential’ accessory to your warchest? Only about $35,575, all told.

If pink diamond jewelry is more your style, check out Jewelry.com's assortment of colored diamond gems -all at prices that are much less than a new luxury coup.

And if you've ever wondered how diamonds get their color, they've got a great education section that tells you all you need to know.

Ivanka Trump’s Engagement Ring Bling

Update 2: Click here for my round up of the actual Ivanka Trump wedding jewelry - tasteful and surprisingly not too Trump-y.

Update 1: Here is a real pic of Ivanka's stunning engagement ring. At the time of the post, no pics had surfaced. Enjoy, jewelry hounds...


Jewelry is not just Ivanka Trump’s passion - it’s her business. So when the Trump heiress, real estate guru and jewelry magnate gets engaged to another financial phenom, you can bet the rock is going to be something special.

While no photos have surfaced yet of the ring New York Observer owner, Jared Kushner, gave to Ivanka when he popped the question last Wednesday, Women’s Wear Daily is reporting she got a whopping 5 carat cushion-cut stunner in a platinum setting from her own signature ring line.

The young groom-to-be apparently proposed in front of Ivanka’s jewelry colleagues - in case they didn’t already envy the wench.

"Jared and I are very similar in that we're very ambitious. That's what makes it so amazing to be in a relationship with someone who is supportive of that," Trump told New York Magazine. "I'm happy for him when he is in the office working late. I know how good that feels when you sit down and return e-mails."

The young New York power couple have been dating for a while now, but Kushner’s Orthodox Jewish faith posed a problem in terms of taking things up a notch. But much like our favorite romantic, Charlotte York of SATC fame, Ivanka is studying to convert to Judaism under the tutelage of a rabbi. Awww.....

No wedding date has been set, but you can bet the event will be a Who’s Who of famous New Yorkers, rich real estate types and gravity-defying toupees.

Good thing The Donald has deep pockets!

Orlando Bloom’s Stolen Jewels

Pirates of a different sort robbed superhunk, Orlando Bloom’s, treasure chest of nearly $500,000 in jewelry and loot this week.

Officers were called to the Pirates of the Caribbean star's home in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening, after one of the actor's relatives found the home had been broken into, police spokeswoman Tenesha Dobine said.

Cash and jewelry were taken, but Dobine declined to provide a value for the items. Celebrity website TMZ.com reported that $500,000 worth of goods was stolen. Two pricey watches are rumored to be among the missing loot.

Yikes!

While nothing can replace the emotional value of your jewelry, there are steps you can take to protect your financial investment from the sticky finger brigade that seems to be having a field day in Hollywood lately (see Paris Hilton and Queen Latifah for more)

Check out this earlier entry about jewelry certificates, appraisals and insurance, and sleep a little better at night knowing your jewelry stash is safe from the urban pirates.

Chris Brown’s Daring Diamonds

There’s statement jewelry and then there’s statement jewelry.

Hip hop stars have been blinging their way into bauble history with extravagant jewels since Flav gave the world the clock necklace. And while the Wall Street Journal reports the ice factor is on the wane due to the troubled economy, rappers like T-Pain and his jaw-dropping 'Big Ass Chain' didn’t seem to get the memo.

One might think the troubled star, Chris Brown, would certainly not do anything to draw attention to himself after his recent legal woes, but the jerk - I mean, singer – showed up to the after-party for Diddy’s White Party in Los Angeles earlier this month in a $300,000 diamond necklace that spelled out the word ‘Oops’.

Huh?


Is this an ‘Oops’ - I didn’t mean to beat Rihanna within an inch of her life. Or ‘Oops’ - I didn’t mean to get caught after I beat Rihanna within an inch of her life. Or ‘Oops’ - I can’t help but wear this ridiculously extravagant necklace while I party with people who don’t seem to care that I was three hairs shy of an OJ trial.

Crikey.

The pricey piece was created by jeweler, Jason of Beverly Hills, and was said to be Brown's idea to sport something unapologetically bold according to the New York Daily News.



"Chris has been a client of mine for some time now," the jeweler said. "It's always a pleasure to work him because it gives me a chance to be creative. He came to me with a great idea and I am very pleased with the finished product."

A great idea? Brown may think the flashy, diamond-encrusted pendant, which reportedly took 218 hours to complete, is his way of issuing a public apology, but I think it’s an offensive display of nonchalance.


What do you guys think? Is Brown’s ‘Oops’ sentiment appropriate under the circumstances? Or is it a bold jewelry statement that tells the world we shouldn’t take nearly beating your girlfriend to death so seriously?

Maybe Bernie Madoff could give Jason of Beverly Hills a call to design an 'Aw, Shucks' chain to liven up his prison garb?

American Idol Judge Weds in Dozens of Diamonds

Wedding jewelry for most of us consists of a diamond ring and matching band and perhaps some pearls here and there. But if you’re a celeb, the high-end jewelers come out in droves to make sure you’re dripping in their diamonds – and American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi is no exception.

The superstar songwriter and Bikini Girl wanna-be walked down the aisle on July 5th in Prospect, Maine wearing a Vera Wang gown and almost 100 carats of diamonds from jeweler to the stars, Neil Lane.

She sparkled in a 30-carat diamond-and-platinum bracelet and chandelier earrings with 20 carats of diamonds. The total value? $250,000.

"She wanted something glamorous," jeweler Neil Lane told People about DioGuardi's wedding bling.

I guess 250 large qualifies.


Kara got engaged to Mike McCuddy, a general contractor, on December 8th after a year and a half of dating. The engagement took place while they were on vacation in Mexico and the alternative engagement ring was another Neil Lane creation featuring a smokey topaz center stone instead of the more traditional diamond fare.

In fact, many women today are going for colored stones instead of diamonds for their bridal bling – including the Today Show bride, who is sporting an emerald solitaire on her ring finger for her big day.

What do you guys think? Would you wear a colored stone engagement ring or are you afraid to buck with diamond tradition? Weigh in! And in the meantime, take a gander at Jewelry.com’s education section about the many ways to skin the engagement ring cat.

Ok. Bad metaphor. But you get the idea…

Jewelry Makes a Statement in Paris

It’s my favorite jewelry fashion time of year – the Paris Haute Couture Shows. And while this go-round has not delivered the Christian Lacroix craziness that lit up the runways last year, there are some serious statements worth coveting.


Dior did diamonds in flowers and bows, and pearls in both black and white and ‘bigger means better’ silhouettes.



Armani kept the statement necklace trend going strong with grey, metallic, chunky looks that must have weighed more than a newborn.



Valentino used headpieces as his accessory du jour, with stunning lace looks that oozed style and sophistication.


And gold kept glittering at the Givency and Christian Lacroix shows (a sad showing since this will be his last Couture collection due to financial issues).

And Fashion Week isn’t over yet! The stars are still arriving and the catwalks still cracking with fashion that you can’t even afford in your dreams. But what’s a jewelry fantasy without a dash of inaccessibility, right?

Stay tuned for more couture coverage, and check out a complete album of stunning jewelry looks fresh from Paris on Jewelry.com’s Facebook page.

Drool, dream and covet, jewelry hounds!

New York Housewive Spotted with Diamond Ring

Bethenny Frankel finally has that diamond on her ring finger, according to US Magazine. The only Real Housewife of New York who isn’t really a ‘wife’ may get that moniker changed if the story holds true.

The Bravo reality show star was spotted wearing a diamond ring in Miami on Saturday, and her rep confirmed to US that an engagement is ‘definitely in the works’.

Good for her!

The ring itself is apparently only a starter engagement ring with the real deal still in development according to a source.

"He's hunting for the ring, but in the meantime this is a place holder or promise ring," the source told Us.

The couple first met at NYC nightclub Tenjune. Since then, the Frankel and Hoppy - who works in real estate - have attended several events together and went on a romantic vacation in Turks & Caicos in May. She has even reportedly gotten approval from her Housewives friends, who say Hoppy is a catch.

Although Frankel has struggled to find love on the hit Bravo show, the 38-year-old admits to falling for the hunk.

"I'm in love," Frankel said at an event in the Hamptons. "I'm pretty much certain I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him... I'm really happy."

Take THAT Kelly Bensimon!

Jason Biggs and the Proposal that Defied Tradition

I’ve heard of non-traditional engagement rings, but this is a first. Comedy star, Jason Biggs, threw convention out the window when he proposed to his girlfriend last year by presenting her not with a diamond for her ring finger, but with – an earring for her, um, lobe?

"I proposed twice," he told People.com. "We were in St Martin. I just bought her these earrings and I took one out of her ear and proposed to her with it."

You have to give the guy credit for spontaneity.

Biggs followed the impromptu proposal with a more formal one a few months later along with the traditional jewelry garb for such a weighty occasion. But a part of me thinks they should have left it at that.

Who says we have to wear an engagement ring to signify our pending nuptials? If you want to go wtih a ring, many folks are going with colored stones instead of icy diamond looks to mix things up. And there are some lovebirds who pledge their love for one another without jewelry altogether (god forbid).

Have any of you been proposed to with anything but a diamond ring? I'd like to hear your stories. Weigh in - and have a great holiday weekend!

Rock it in Rubies for the 4th

Can it be possible that it’s already time to July 4th our way through the weekend? Aside from strategic blanket placement at the fireworks display and avoiding drunk Uncle Joe at the family BBQ, the only thing you really have to worry about is adding a little red, white and blue to your wardrobe.

Luckily, the JI has your back.


Nothing says July more than the month’s birthstone – the rockin’ red ruby. And I say rockin’ because these days the stone is finding it’s way on more hip jewelry styles than your traditional cross necklace and simple pair of studs (the blood-thirsty Twilight vampires would surely agree).



Now, rubies are generally not thought of as an ‘affordable’ stone. They fall into the precious gemstone category along with sapphires and emeralds so are often found in higher price points than the frugalista budget allows.

But with your super secret code to the Friends and Family site, JewelClub, you have access to a whole host of ruby styles at 60% - 70% off the suggested retail price.



I just did a search through their stash, and there are plenty of cool styles that would go perfectly with your Americana garb this weekend – from bold cocktail rings to fun fashion pieces like this ruby purse pendant that is only $60 with their special July discount on selected ruby merchandise. And the original price? $279!!



So whether you’re in the market for the 4th or want to get a meaningful gift for the July birthday girl in your life, take a gander at the JewelClub treasure chest (www.jewelclub.com), enter the special code: INSIDER and walk away with savings you won’t get anywhere else.

Happy birthday to America, happy birthday to you.

Swarovski Opens Concept Store

Looking lovely in white, Gossip Girls star Blake Lively hosted the opening of the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store in New York on Thursday, June 25th.

Lively was joined by Chloe Sevigny, Lucy Liu, and Evan Rachel Wood as she unveiled the special editions necklaces for the launch of the store. All the proceeds go to benefit charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.



"The availability of clean water is such an important issue and it is wonderful to be involved in a project that is striving to make this basic resource available to all people throughout the world," Lively said.

The Swarovski Concept Store will offer customizable jewelry for its customers, as well as collections from cutting edge designers.



So if you’re in New York City and want a cool, new item for your girls’ night ‘to do’ list or a groovy gift idea for your bridesmaids, head to the Swarovski store where you can sip iced lattes while they put the finishing touches on your customized jewelry piece.

A much better idea for bridesmaids' gifts than a (snore) picture frame or a scented candle, right?