December 2007 Archives

These stunning earrings by Villa are made of Aquamarine, Sapphires and Tsavorite. If you have never heard of tsavorite, the shining green tsavorite is a young gemstone with a very long geological history. Its home is the East-African bushland along the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The few mines lie in a uniquely beautiful landscape of arid grassland with bare, dry hills. It's dangerous country, the habitat of snakes, and now and then a lion patrols, on the lookout for prey. There, near the world-famous Tsavo National Park, that history began.

Unlike many other gemstones, the tsavorite is neither burnt nor oiled. This gemstone is not in need of any such treatment. Like all the other garnets it is simply a piece of pure, unadulterated Nature.

I just discovered an amazing store in Dallas (it took a friend in New York to tell me about it, I am still not very familiar with this town but I am getting there!). It is a gorgeous boutique full of treasures from around the world that International Interior Designer Michelle Nussbaumer finds, including the gorgeous Indian old mine cut diamond and emerald necklace above. I went to a private trunk show for Indian Moghul jewelry and exotic skin handbags (what else does a girl need?) there last Friday and got the most stunning pair of earrings and super chic bracelet! Michelle keeps stock of select items she can't part with so those of you who are lucky enough to live in Dallas, run over there and tell her Jewel Snob sent you!

Ceylon et Cie- 1319 Dragon St. Dallas 75207 Tel: 214-747-7632

If you don't live here, call the store and find out what they still have- they can send you photos of more lovely items for your home, body and spirit than you can imagine. The store is going to become a serious addition for me, I can see it now.

A few weeks ago, I went to a showroom opening for Fashion on Main a few weeks ago, the new Fashion Museum in Dallas, and I had the privledge of meeting Kelly Alexandra. She was so sophisticated and well-spoken. I could hardly believe that she was 12-years-old! She had on several pieces of her handmade jewelry and that were simply to die for! I'm not usually a big fan of big chunky pieces of jewelry. I consider myself more of a classicist, but I could definately veer away from my traditional views of chic to wear one of these necklaces for a night. Each piece is handmade and they come in all sorts of different materials from recycled sea glass to African trading beads. Abi Ferren, one of Dallas' hottest new designers, loves to pair her work with Kelly's pieces. Kelly Alexandra's work can be found at Abi Ferrin's The Revolving Door, (214) 565-0055.

Don't tell anyone, but I sometimes watch the Tyra Banks Show. The other night, I had some free time so I took advantage of this secret indulgence. Tyra was pretty painful to watch (it's a good thing she's beautiful) but her guest was so inspirational that I had to write a story about her. Her name is Somaly Mam and she is an escaped victim from a brothel in Cambodia. She has started the Somaly Mam Foundation which raises money for young women and children who have fallen victim to this horrible system of enslavement. The foundation raises money through the sale of handmade bracelets. I think the red bracelet is the cutest! This is the perfect way to finish up your holiday shopping while helping to save the world. Go ahead, have your cake and eat it too! Akun Bracelet, $25.00 at www.somaly.org.

Seriously now, what Jewel Snob in her right mind would purchase this silly Panda Pendant for $3,300? Unless you are a Billionaire Olsen twin and look like you're 12 years old you should not be seen in this (nor waste your money on it)! There is a lot you can buy for this kind of money, 2 or 3 diamond/gold bangle from Ippolita for example or a Cartier Love Bracelet. All classic and chic items that will never go out of style. Check out Qeelin Body Bo Bo Pendant at Saks.

Is this not the most exquisite brooch you have ever seen? From the American Exhibit at Fred Leighton (one of my favorite jewelers, my husband knows to go there for special treats for me), this estate piece is a Tiffany Edwardian Diamond Fan made of natural black pearl, diamonds, platinum and gold from 1910- a hundred years later and it is still relevant, this is why I love great jewelry. I know brooches remind you of your Great Aunt but when worn right, they can be very young and fun! I love brooches and usually wear them as pendants or in my hair. At Fred Leighton New York and Las Vegas. Call 212-288-1872 for purchase.

I gushed about these earrings back in August and if you did not get them yet, they are now on sale! Was $216, now $151- how can you pass that up? It is perfect for the Holidays! Buy Mawi Quartz drop earrings HERE

While you're at it, check out the funky Mawi smoky quartz necklace and mixed stone bracelet, both also on sale.
Mawi Teardrop necklace- Was $400, now $240
Mawi Mixed stone bracelet- Was $378, now $226

We were shopping the other day and passed the Gucci jewelry boutique on Via Rodeo II and I had thought the Gucci store moved from its former location (the two story monster in the middle of Rodeo Drive) but upon closer inspection, we realized it was the Gucci fine jewelry store. Uh, Gucci fine jewelry? WTF? I decided to check the line out and could not believe the retail prices, a gold chain with a small purple amethyst for $4,000? Why wouldn't you go to Cartier for a love bracelet bangle with a DIAMOND for the same price?

And check out the lame logo earrings above for $1,775 with only .23 ct of diamonds - no I am not kidding, that is how much they really are! I know, they look like $25 Chinatown knockoffs don't they? And for the privilege of displaying the Gucci logo loudly on a ring, the price is $2,100. Who would waste money on this crap? You can see it at Saks online if you want a good laugh.

I was not a John Hardy fan until I discovered how its jewels are made. John and Cynthia Hardy believe passionately in a concept of luxury that extends to the people involved in the process of making their beautiful jewelry. “When you invest in something that might be passed on to your children and grandchildren, it’s nice to know that it was made by someone who learned his craft from his father and grandfather,” says John. Their workshop is built literally out of the earth of Bali. The place is a complex of rustic buildings whose walls are made of woven bamboo and mud plaster and whose floors are of soft local stone. “You don’t turn rice fields into a factory without leaving a way to convert them back again,” says John Hardy, now fifty-three, who has lived in Bali for nearly thirty years. “You’re not going to be on earth forever. So if someday the Balinese want to turn this factory back into rice fields, they could do it in about a week. There’s no concrete here.” The jewelry workshop is also a small organic farm, and the food is grown to feed the people who work there. The food supply is augmented by rice fields and organic gardens in another part of Bali, owned by a company that John helped start.

If you are looking for a gift with a little bling but do not have a 7 figure income to indulge at Harry Winston, this could be the gift for you. At $595 you get a lot of style and Balinese craftsmanship. John Hardy Kawung Diamond/Silver Necklace at Saks