January 2010 Archives

For as long as I've known Padma Lakshmi, I've always been impressed by her unique sense of style. Never one to follow trends, the statuesque former model--and, I'm happy to say, my friend--has blossomed into author, actress, "Top Chef" host and, most recently, jewelry designer. Her eponymous line of fine jewelry ranges in price from $300 to $6,000 and is available at seven high-profile retailers worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus in the U.S. As her third collection debuts this spring, not to mention the birth of her first child in a few short weeks, I chatted with her about how her line has evolved.

How does your culture play a role in your jewelry design?
"Jewelry is so much a part of Indian culture--especially Indian feminine culture--that it couldn't help but play a significant role. Jewelry is also India's greatest export. I have a lot of antiques and archival jewelry pieces I've amassed from relatives and gifts and through my travels as a model. Every kind of jewelry plays a big role in my designing. Some of the pieces have a direct influence from my heritage, but I'm also influenced by a Calder mobile or Erte sculpture or Verdura charm bracelet that I have of Maltese crosses (our charm bracelets are more slick, modern and younger versions of those). I didn't want to do costume jewelry; it's just not my bag. I really wanted, even in a humble pinky ring, it to last--something you could pass on to your daughter or niece. I'm Indian so we put a lot of stock in gold."

Keri Russell is the ultimate cute girl next door who looks good in anything and everything (except that super short hair do that her Felicity fans hated). She even makes a pair of simple wood hoop earrings look hip and stylish. I'm really into wood jewelry right now (wait til you see my latest discovery, The Woods!)-- it's an organic and beautiful element to add to my jewel collection. But I like my hoops (wood or not) with diamonds so lucky for me, Kara Ross also makes wood hoops with diamonds! Keri is wearing Kara Ross Maple Wood Hoop Earrings sans bling. Click here for buying info.

Little Mermaid take notice! How fabulous is this tiara style cuff in gold coral and laced with Strass Swarovski crystals! Valentino has some incredible jewelry this season but it is this inspired cuff that has me swimming in a day dream of all the looks I can wear this with. What's the point of wearing jewelry to just blend in? I always want double takes and compliments when I spend money on jewelry! But with this, you will definitely look like you spent a lot more, especially when you say, "Oh this, Valentino?" =) At Net-a-Porter for $425.

Wowza!! Julianne Moore had the privilege of wearing these incredible $3 million Bvlgari emerald earrings to the Globes for being in their Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign (wearing the same earrings). The Colombian pear shaped emeralds weigh in at 52.86 and 62.32 carats. Colombia has the world's finest emeralds. My mother-in-law is Colombian so she makes sure I know this fact!! =) This pair of perfect emeralds were shown at Bvlgari's first retrospective exhibition at Il Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome last year. I wonder if she pulled a Sharon Stone number and kept them!!

Take out those tea sets and polish off your plaid caps: "Alice in Wonderland" mania is on the horizon. And who better than Stella McCartney, whose youth-infused designs and spirit has made her a go-to designer for a legion of women, to partner with Disney Consumer Products on a limited edition jewelry necklace and bracelet inspired by the Tim Burton adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll film. Using iconic images from the epic 3D fantasy tale, McCartney's designs--hand made in Italy--feature the same light gold brass chain used in her best selling Falabella bag. Plexi Alice charms such as a rabbit, a Mad Hatter's hat and a suit of spade, club, hearts and diamond adorn the chain while pearl baubles and Swarovski crystals accents provide a feminine touch. And because it's Stella, we can say for certain: no White Rabbits were harmed in the making of these items.

Alice necklace, $425.00, and bracelet, $395.00, available next month at Stella McCartney stores worldwide

Julia Roberts tops off a simple black YSL dress with a stunning vintage sautoir from Van Cleef & Arpels. As soon as I saw it, I was fascinated and knew that there was something special about it because it was pretty much her entire look. She wasn't going to go unnoticed in just a LDB! The scene stealing pendant is encrusted with 29 citrines and diamonds and is set in 18K gold. How much does it weigh though? She probably needed a massage the next day!

I have been collecting jewelry from India for almost 7 years now, way before the style became popular with the mainstream. I bought many of my pieces from LA based designer Suzanne Wilson, who has an incredible eye and travels to India often to find gems to share with her clients in the US. My favorite style is called Indo-Russian, a period inspired by the styles of Russian and Victorian jewels. Old mine cut diamonds are used (not to be confused with Old European cut, old mine cut refer to diamonds from old diamond mines from India) and I prefer the look of old diamonds over new. It's less shiny and so much more tasteful. You can stack three or more old mine cut diamond bracelets on and it won't look tacky! Most Indo Russian pieces are cast in 22k gold with the diamonds set in oxydized silver. You can distinguish a well made Indian jewels by the gallery work put in it (intricate metalsmith work on back of the jewelry). Indian jewelry will look just as beautiful from the back as the front, so turn it around to check out the details before you buy! The antique pieces are best but there are also amazing pieces made in India in the last few decades that use the old mine cut diamonds (the diamonds are hundreds of years old, the setting is not).
There is so much Indian jewelry available right now but the best is still Gem Palace in Jaipur (the Cartier of India). I have several pieces from there and wear them with everything from jeans and ball gowns. The versatility of Indo Russian jewels make them great to travel with!

I am Chinese and I am a cheesy romantic who thinks Valentine's Day is sweet so this year being that Chinese New Years lands on February 14th, I have that much more to celebrate! And it is the year of the tiger, which for a Jewel Snob is a good thing because tiger designs are way cool (uh, better than like a chicken or rat). What a perfect gift for your sweetie (or to hint to your sweetie to buy for you) for this Valentine's Day. Also a great gift for babies born this year! If you are a tiger (born in years 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 and 2010), it would be wrong not to have one of these!! The tiger charm is 18k gold with diamonds, at Tiffany & Co. for $850. Chain sold separately. Tiffany & Co. is bringing their Paloma Picasso Roadshow to Beverly Hills from January 18th-22nd in honor of their 30 year partnership.

Garrard makes the royal jewels for the British Royal Family. And they do custom pieces, which means you can have yourself a royal tiara for the right price (I was told they make a lot of these for serious Jewel Snobs in Malaysia!). The history of Garrard is long and detailed but the one liner is - Queen Victoria made Garrard the Crown Jeweler in 1843 and they've kept the job since, for 6 successive monarchs. The most impressive piece is the Sovereign's Sceptre with the Cross, it was remade in 1910 to add the world's largest and finest diamond, the Cullinan I, weighing 530 carats. They are known for 2 main things, classic engagement rings and their wings. You may have seen these wings in other places but Garrard are the original and responsible for its popularity. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, two wings, single wings, with diamonds, gold, platinum. The Large Wing pendant (approx. 3 inches) with diamonds is $17,250; Mid-size Wing pendant is $6,600; Yellow gold w/out diamonds is $2,150. Chains are sold separately from $700 - $2400 depending on weight and length. For purchasing inquiries contact their only store in the US on 202 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 877 222 1735.

Ranjana Khan has clearly become my favorite costume jewelry designer. You get drama, bling and feminine luxury. This new collection of pearls and crystals is a cascade of everything you love - frills and shiny things! The Chain Necklace has cultured pearls and faceted glass crystals with a silk rose making this a dream for the most girly of all girly girls. For $920, you are getting a romantic journey into a world of whim, fantasy and distinct sophistication. The Crystal and Flower Bracelet is a must with this piece, for $330. At Neiman Marcus.

This is more novel than it is beautiful. And not all that practical, make sure you wear this on your non-eating wrist or you'll be sopping up pasta sauce with this and making a huge mess. Halle Berry is known for her off the radar style and she is wearing this with a leather jacket so it almost looks like it is a part of her sleeve. Wear it with caution and it would be a focal point of conversation. Pazz Fringe Bracelet at Vita for $525.

I have been trying to decide on a new watch for ages. My whim wants a cool white ceramic watch - it just looks so amazing on!! But my conservative practical side says I should hold out for a classic, like the Cartier Ballon I've been wanting for years now. Of course, it comes down to the price. Something like the Michele Watches Tahitian Ceramic Diamond Watch is immediately obtainable for $1995. It has 100 diamonds (well, the total weight is only .47 carats) and has a sapphire crystal, which is a must for the way I bang up my watches. It's also water resistant so I can wear it in the shower. But that's 2 grand I can save up towards something I will never need to replace. The Cartier Medium Ballon Bleu Steel Watch, with the large face and blue hands and that distinctive Cartier dial. It really doesn't make sense to get a throw away $2000 watch when my true love is only $2650 more. But then again, plunking down $4650 all at once is a hard thing to do. And that's why I still have not gotten a new watch, I just can't justify going either way.

Oscar de la Renta instinctively understands the needs of the modern woman.  Feeling that fashion jewelry is very of the moment and that most women don't always want to be wearing something precious.... he called upon his long time friend, Loulou de la Falaise to collaborate on a fashion jewelry line.  Of course, when two iconic fashion figures join forces, the result can be no less than spectacular.  Like all of Mr. de la Renta's work, the pieces are inspired by the places he calls home and the many global cultures he has long admired.  The Silk Coded Necklace (above) will be moving into my jewel box soon.  The Smoke, Ivory and Matte Espresso Beads lend a tribal chic vibe yet is sophisticated enough for a night out in the city, all I'll need is the taffeta sleeveless dress from ODLR resort!  $790.00

This Corded necklace is based on Oscar's embroideries done in India. With the piece, Oscar wanted to bring his technique of twisting fabric to the jewelry. So, the necklace is based on the idea of twisting metal. Then the jewels were applied in much the same way that Oscar embroiders fabric with crystals.  Silver Silk Corded Mixed Metal, Silver Lame, and Multi Bead Twisted Necklace.  $990.00 (jump for more!) 

Post apocalyptic Mad Max looks are in! Instead of the Jetson's version of futuristic with clean lines and awesome robot maids, the current vision of the future is melting metal and leather and rags. Sounds depressing you say? It doens't have to be! Look at the Anndra Neen collection, the Island Coral Necklace, $745, with hammered copper, antique silver and gold mixed-media breastplate is definitely making the future look a bit brighter. And if that's not aggro enough for you, how about the Gladiator Cuff, $545, of hammered antique silver with spiked horns. Doubles as a weapon if the future is as dangerous as Hollywood is making it out to be.

If you follow tabloids, you know Jennifer Meyer as Tobey Maguire's wife, but if you are a Jewel Snob, you know her for her fabulous understated jewelry with a celebrity following that rivals the client directory at CAA. These disco ball earrings make me want to get all dressed up and get my hair properly done for a full blown night out - you know the kind you hydrate for days in preparation for! The disco balls are in rose gold with pink pave diamonds, at Barneys New York for $8000.

You can never have too many fun little trinkets especially when they are well priced. Sometimes on a casual day, just throwing on something like this multiple wrap chain and leather bracelet is all you need to take your look up a notch. It is very young so wear it with something sophisticated for an edgy look. Or just be young =) At Shopbop for $72.

As all things YSL, its jewelry collection is chic and edgy. I fell in love with this ring only to find it does not come in my size! The largest size I can wear is a 5 on the middle finger and this ring starts at a size 6. So, I purchased it anyway, for a friend who loves all things Celtic. At least I can admire her wearing it! The shape is so cool, it's a large heart that wraps around your finger and spans up the first knuckle.  It's definitely a don't F with me ring!  The intricate motif is actually the YSL logo ingeniously designed to look like Celtic symbols!
At YSL.com and boutiques (Was $395 now $179!)