September 2007 Archives

My love affair with bangles started with a Japanese anime book I read in Junior High, the heroine was a ballerina and she had waist length hair and a stack of bangles on her arm which was just the most chic thing I could imagine wearing at that age. 20 years later, it's still the most chic accessory to me, gold, silver, diamonds, antiques, I have quite a collection of bangles and I wear them by the stacks! Ippolita has the most unique gold bangles, hand hammered and often accented with just a few diamonds or precious stones and pearls. This six diamond bangle (upper left) will bring lots of sparkle to your collection, I suggest getting at least two of these so you can bling properly. Ippolita Six-Diamond Bangle $1,200, Ippolita 18K Gold Bubble Bangle $1,800.

Ippolita 18K Gold Two-Diamond Bangle $1,370, Ippolita 18K Gold Bangle w/Pearl $1,600, Ippolita Blue Topaz Bangle $1,800
Ippolita Diamond Bangle $6,750.

All at Saks.

I love big bold bangles, especially in brightly hued colors! If you can not get into the '80s color block trend, a bright blue bangle will update your black/brown/gray wardrobe and instantly lighten your day! Bracelet length jackets are also the rage this season, even better to show off this lovely bauble. Roberto Cavalli is the king of animal print frocks but I am more into his line of funky fashion jewels. Roberto Cavalli Floral engraved bangle $315 at Net-a-porter.

In 1932 Coco Chanel walked into a Parisian jewelry workshop and demanded the impossible. As the pièce de résistance of her first fine-jewelry collection, the ever-progressive Mademoiselle had dreamt up a 600-plus diamond necklace that featured an irregularly shaped star and draped around the neck like a light French foulard. "I can only imagine the astounded faces in the workshop when she proposed this," says Marc Auclert, director of Chanel Fine Jewelry.

H Stern's divine interpretation of the twinklers in the sky, the Stern Stars collection, is worthy of its glittery name. Fashioned in the style of star jewelry in the Victorian era, these gorgeous baubles are perfect for a special night out or just an average day that needs a little bling. One of my favorite things about moving to Dallas is the fact that no one would blink an eye if I were to decide to pile on every single piece of jewelry I own to a soccer game. It's like playing dress up except it's not Barbie, it's yourself! I have never worn as much make up or jewelry in my life but I am having a ball! The 'Star' earrings are made of 1.72 carats of pave diamonds in 18k noble gold for $3,800 at Neiman Marcus. The wrap bracelet on right is available at H. Stern stores worldwide.

This is one of the most stand out watch designs from Cartier in a very long time. I first noticed it in their ads when it launched this year but did not fall in love with it until I saw my friend Patsy at lunch sporting it like a rock star. The Ballon Bleu is the embodiment of the modern woman; with a large face that rivals that of traditional men's watches, the Ballon is for the woman who is not afraid to show her strength and kick some ass when she has to (just like Patsy, no one messes with her!).

It comes in three sizes in 18k white or pink gold, the case is set with round-cut diamonds and has 18k pink or white gold fluted crown set with a blue sapphire cabochon. The dial is silvered opaline, guilloche (curved like a balloon, thus the name) and lacquered with roman numerals and sword-shaped blue steel hands. It is also water resistant to 30 meters/100 feet. Retail is $37,900 for the large size with diamonds, I prefer the medium for myself as I am petite but if you are of average height, the large size is totally the bomb! Forget the small size cuz the point of this watch is bad ass and how can you look the part with a tiny watch on your wrist? Call Nicole at Cartier for further details. 972-726-7670

Ivanka Trump Earrings $27,750

Ivanka Trump's eponymous line of Fine Jewels shows that she is more than Daddy's girl. Ambitious and beautiful, she's figured out at an early age how to parlay all of her assets to her advantage and the result is a breathtaking collection of fine jewels. I love all the ultra feminine pieces she created for her line, from a pair of $750 black onyx earrings to a $350,000 disco balls pave diamond necklace, the collection is elegant, understated and gorgeous, just like her. Ivanka Trump fine jewelry collection, $750-$350,000, at Ivanka Trump, 683 Madison Ave. New York.

Clockwise from top left: Black onyx and diamond earrings $750, Black onyx diamond ring $4,500, Disco ball necklace $350,000, White agate and diamond ring $4,500

The bold necklace is tres important for Fall, if you can only buy one piece of jewelry to accessorize with, you must go for a great necklace! It can turn a plain t-shirt into a stylish top for any occasion and you don't have to spend a small fortune either! Take this fabulous Marc by Marc Jacobs glass heart necklace, it is made of juicy colorful glass that will perk up the most boring of outfits. It is also in the season's must have silhouette, long and chunky (54")! Rock it with a simple tank dress at night and you'll be ready to party or double it up during the day with a white t-shirt for a bit of color and drama.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Glass Heart Necklace is available for $148 here

From WWD: "Bergdorf hopes to cash in on the recent boom in jewelry sales by completing a luxe fine jewels section in its store, the 1,150 sq ft area took eight weeks to complete and will focus on jewelry artists. Four years ago, Bergdorf's sought to differentiate its fine jewelry assortment from Fifth Avenue competitors such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Harry Winston and Cartier by choosing not to sell commodities such as basic diamond engagement rings and line bracelets, and to instead offer artisan and rarefied designs.

The department is designed in the Thirties and Forties French Moderne style, with a Max Ingrand-inspired étagère inlaid with shagreen and bone, cabinets of Macassar ebony veneer and parquet floors with custom-designed carpeting.

Prices for luxury jewelry range from $16,000 to $300,000. The retailer will also source special pieces from its vendors for clients seeking something customized, and so prices will likely reach even higher. Gold noted that there has been no price resistance in any of Bergdorf's jewelry categories."

What exciting news! I can't wait to visit the new Jewelry Art area at Bergdorf Goodman, I am always looking for unique pieces to add to my collection and am looking forward to seeing the selection. Some of the brands featured at Bergdorf's: Siegelson, known for its breadth of top-notch estate pieces and its own impressive diamond pieces; Carnet, designed by the Hong Kong-based Michelle Ong; de Grisogono, famous for its whimsical gemstone-infused baubles, and Henry Dunay, known for his satin-finished gold work. The space's former occupants, Buccellati and Barry Kieselstein-Cord, will also be exhibited there. Don't forget to check this out when you are in New York!

Source: WWD

I am currently obsessed with this diamond serpent on wooden bangle from Vivre.com. I look at it often and have given many hints to the hubby about it, much like Eve tempting Adam to the apple. I have always found serpents fascinating and intriguing; why are they always blamed for some sort of evil in western history? In Chinese folklore, snakes are symbols of beauty and grace to be revered, which is probably why I am obsessed with this amazing piece of jewelry. I can only imagine the workmanship it took to wrap the ruby eyed diamond encrusted serpent so tightly around the polished wood bangle. It is truly a work of art and deserves to be in a loving home like mine. Now to convince my husband.... Serpent bracelet $26,700 at Vivre.com