Hmm... I might be changing my tune when it comes to cuff bracelets after all. This stunning piece comprised of leather, lucite and enamel has me drooling. Sexy, sleek and sculptural.
$250 at SFA.
August 2009 Archives
There's something quite alluring about this ring by Devon Leigh. Not sure if it's the fact that it looks sort-of like the mouth of a monster consuming a rather large stone, or just the fact that it's a great combination of yellow gold and emerald green... but I love it. $495 for a bronze dipped in 18 karat yellow gold concoction with a large green cubic zirconia center.
Well, I've fallen for all of the pieces in the new fall collection from Jose & Maria Barrera. These teardrop earrings with Austrian crystal detail and agate are gorgeous - and for only $215, I think they're quite the bargain.
The color of this Jose & Maria Barrera piece is unreal. I wasn't even aware that red tiger's eye existed - and I'm happy that I now am. I love the multi-strand layering of the intense brick-colored tiger's eye alongside delicate glass beads. It's dramatic and powerful. Available for $740 at Neiman Marcus.
So, to wrap up our Tiffany Week here on Jewelsnob, I thought it appropriate to highlight what makes a Tiffany diamond so special. Prior to my visit with Frank Everett at the Tiffany boutique in Beverly Hills, I wasn't really aware of what differentiates a Tiffany diamond from others. I am now 'schooled' and have a greater appreciation for Tiffany in general.
Evidently, for Tiffany & Co., it all has to do with cut and clarity. (Two of the well known 4 C's). The most famous Tiffany cut is represented by one of the largest naturally colored yellow diamonds ever found, weighing 287.42 carats and featuring 90 facets, which is on display at the New York City boutique. Tiffany's diamonds are cut for brilliance, not size. In addition, Tiffany's standards of grading are significantly stricter than those of their competitors. While certain occlusions are acceptable for the VS and VVS categories, Tiffany holds its diamonds to a higher standard, allowing for less occlusions and prettier stones overall.
Makes sense to me.
Pictured here are three of Tiffany & Co.'s Statement Diamonds Rings in platinum settings. From left: round diamond ring, 8.25 carats, D color, internally flawless, $2,300,000; pear-shaped diamond ring, 6.03 carats, D color, VS1, $575,000; cushion-shaped diamond ring, 8.52 carats, E color, VS1, $800,000.
Talk about making a statement. You might need a bodyguard to sport one of these babies.
Here are a few of the gorgeous pieces from Tiffany's new holiday collection.
The cocktail watch is inspired by the curves and inward stepping of a Venetian mirror frame and features a bezel with 98 round brilliant diamonds and a buckle with 23 diamonds in 18 karat white gold with a sleek black satin strap. I love delicate watches with just enough bling like this to make it double as a stunning piece of jewelry and a great timepiece. $12,600 at Tiffany & Co.
These are the latest additions to the key collection. I love the fairy tale nature of the entire key collection and these delicate and slightly smaller keys would look fantastic with their larger predecessors, or alone. From left is a diamond and black enamel frame key in 18k white gold, a diamond and blue enamel checkerboard key in 18k white gold and a diamond and blue and green enamel octagon key in 18k white gold. $2,250 each.
And finally, perhaps the piece de resistance, is this Victorian-inspired Bangle in black enamel with diamonds set in platinum. Available at Tiffany & Co. for $90,000.
Now who doesn't want a little blue box during the holidays?
Elsa Peretti is one of only four designers permitted to sign their names to the famed jewelry company's pieces. Known for her sensual, fluid designs, the bone cuff is among the most renowned, and this latest incarnation is my absolute favorite. It literally looks like liquid gunmetal gray, poured onto the wrist and sexy as hell. In ruthenium over copper, this classic piece can be yours for $400 at Tiffany.
Each year in November, Tiffany & Co. unveils a special collection comprised of approximately 100 pieces, most of which are one-of-a-kind with a few exceptions that are replicated in very limited quantity. The vast majority of the pieces sell the first weekend, with many pieces ranging from $10,000 to well over 6 million.
I happened to try this Cobblestone bracelet on while at Tiffany & Co. last week - and let's just say that the picture hardly does it justice. It is a remarkable piece, the weight of which feels incredibly luxurious on your wrist. It is a subtle replica, (they are never exact), of one of the pieces from last year's Blue Book Collection. Featuring exquisite rose cut green tourmalines, aquamarines and diamonds, the bracelet retails for $86,500 and the earrings for $19,500. The millegrain detail surrounding each individual stone is remarkable. Yet another example of Tiffany & Co.'s flawless craftsmanship and timeless style. If you'd like to visit with it in person, you should take a trip to Two Rodeo in Beverly Hills.
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Frank Everett, Director of Tiffany & Co. in Beverly Hills, to preview their new holiday collection. Frank was such a wealth of information however about the history, designers and importance of Tiffany & Co. that I was inspired to run a week devoted exclusively to the renowned company.
One of the first pieces Frank showed me was a Jean Schlumberger Floral Bracelet, that was absolutely breathtaking, along with the rest of the collection including this Schlumberger Leaves Necklace for $385,000. Comprised of a stunning number of beautifully matched green tourmalines and platinum set diamonds in 18k gold, this piece is without question, a show stopper. Definitely red carpet material.
Schlumberger, whose career began designing buttons for Elsa Schiaparelli, was honored with a show at the Louvre museum in Paris. Not too shabby and, with pieces like these, clearly well-deserved. His fans included the likes of John F. Kennedy, the Duchess of Windsor, Greta Garbo, Gloria Guinness, Françoise de la Renta, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, Gloria Vanderbilt, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. It is said that Jacqueline Kennedy wore so many of Schlumberger's bracelets that the press dubbed them "Jackie bracelets".
While Schlumberger is no longer with us, his designs live on at Tiffany & Co.
My visit to the illustrious Beverly Hills boutique at Two Rodeo was quite enlightening. Tiffany & Co. is about far more than spectacular engagement rings and iconic sterling pieces. The collections feature some of the greatest designers in the world, including architect Frank Gehry.
Stay tuned for more Tiffany & Co. features all week!
This YSL bracelet is nice. I wouldn't say it's extraordinary - but it's nice. While perusing the YSL site for new jewels this morning, I happened upon it and thought exactly that. Nice. Thing is, I'm relatively certain that I've seen similar pieces at stores like J Crew and Banana Republic for 1/8 of the price. At $585, I can't really see myself purchasing this... but it's nice. Maybe not snob-worthy, and I would've expected more from YSL, but it's nice. Okay - it's Friday - and clearly I'm desperate for the weekend, since I'm sounding like a broken record and I'm not exactly enthralled by this piece but stay tuned, because Tiffany Week kicks off on Monday!
Until then, enjoy this nice bracelet.
Another perfect example of great things on the horizon for fall. What a great impact costume piece in such a cool neutral for just $80!
While I am not crazy about cuff bracelets, I have to admit that this one is insanely exquisite. It's covered in pave diamonds, (my favorite), and perfectly evokes the absolutely beautiful '20s deco-inspired designs that brought us beauties like the Chrysler building in NYC. Judith Ripka's designs are classic - and while this piece harkens back to to the Roaring '20s, I can't imagine anyone would ever tire of wearing it. They better not at $60,000 either. Available at the Judith Ripka boutique in Beverly Hills at Two Rodeo.
