July 2010 Archives

If you fancy yourself this 79 carat white gold Van Cleef & Arpels Couture Diamond Organdi Necklace, hurry up because there's only one that's currently for sale! It retails for $560,000 and if you're interested, it can be shipped to your nearest Van Cleef & Arpels for you to try on.

The Organdi is part of Van Cleef & Arpels' Couture collection which was inspired by fabric and fashion (think tassels and ribbons covered in precious stones). In keeping with the point of inspiration, this gorgeous statement piece was inspired by an organdy collar and uses hidden settings so that the scattered diamonds appear to float across your neckline when you wear it.

For more information call 1-877-VAN-CLEEF (826-2533).

What a stunner! This round diamond, 5.13 carat ring with baguettes set in platinum from Tiffany & Co. retails for a cool $1,100,000. It's new for 2010 and I saw it when I stopped by Tiffany's the other week. Let me tell you, you can see this ring sparkling from a mile away! Not that there's anything remotely shabby about a 5 carat rock, but when you add to the round diamond, the baguettes, the center stone appears even larger than its 5 carat size. When I saw this ring it was displayed next to the $7,000,000 necklace below (which I wrote about on Monday), and personally I think the ring outshines even the necklace!

Given that the prices on Cartier's jewelery keep going up, better buy now! I have my eye on the Double C Decor Ring. It's made from 18K gold and diamonds and retails for $3,400. I'm thinking about getting it as a much-delayed 25th birthday present, but I keep wavering on whether it looks too much like an engagement ring. It comes in a variety of iterations, but I keep going back to this one. I've had my eye on it forever! It's a classic that will only go up in value and I love the original shape.

What do you think about Cartier's Double C Decor Ring?

How could anyone say no to the Solange Azagury-Partridge Marry Me 18-karat Gold Ring ($1,500)? There's something so romantic about this ring. I only wish there was an "i" in "marry me" so there would be room for a big diamond on the "i"'s dot :-) Other than that the only concern I would have would be about how comfortable the ring would be given that the handwritten style of the "marry me" goes all around the finger, but I imagine that it's small enough that it's not bothersome.

Last week, over bubbly, hors d'oeuvres, and music I previewed the new 2010 Tiffany & Co. collection at their 5th Avenue flagship (for those that don't know, Tiffany recently launched an awesome iPhone app and has an extensive e-commerce component on their website) .

Of course the blindingly sparkling $7 million necklace pictured below on the left with its 20-carat, internally flawless diamond surrounded by countless other diamonds caught my eye - how could it not?! You should have seen the group gathered to ogle it! But the piece I realllly want, is the fabulously quirky caterpillar brooch above. The $45,000 stunner is part of Tiffany's Blue Book Collection and comes out in the fall.

Aside from the brooch, everything in the Frank Gehry for Tiffany & Co. Collection will stop you in your tracks. The Leaves Bracelet on the right below was designed with diamonds in 18 karat yellow, rose, and white gold and is priced at $70,000). I'm a huge Gehry fan and if you're traveling this summer and are able to make a pit stop in Bilbao, I highly recommend checking-out the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum. You'll see a number of signature design elements that are reflected in his jewelry - notably a fish room that is perfectly reflected in this necklace!

This takes stacking to a whole new level. This Philippe Audibert cuff has various designs of spikes and Swarovski crystals that simply slip on for a bold look that is refined and incredibly chic. Go all out Rock 'n Roll or keep it demure with a ladylike evening dress, and everywhere in between. I love pieces that make life easy on you, throw this on any blah outfit and you will instantly look like you keep a full time stylist on your payroll. At Net-a-Porter for $1095.

First of all, let's just make something perfectly clear - you DO NOT need a special occasion to wear a tiara, everyday can be tiara day. Just ask my 3 year old daughter, she will tell you that she does not take any days off as a Princess. OK, so you're not 3 and wearing a tiara everyday can be misconstrued as "crazy" but wedding day aside, you can still make this work if you have fun with your style and keep it kitschy - like, don't wear this with a ball gown for goodness sakes!! At Net-a_porter for $345.

The Charriol Celtic Noir Bracelet ($1,775) is a beautiful alternative to a classic diamond bangle. So gorgeous! I love the originality of diamonds set against an imposing black PVD band. The bracelet has what it takes to stand-out even when stacked or worn with a heavenly encrusted watch. The perfect balance of light and heavy!

I recently bought this Alexis Bittar Large Gold Scaled Cuff ($225) at Alexis Bittar's Madison Avenue boutique in gold and rose gold - absolutely love it! I was actually walking past the store when I noticed one of the women who works at the boutique wearing it while she was adjusting something in the window. I went in to ask her where she got her bracelet and I got lucky that I didn't have to go far to find it! It doesn't look it, but it's actually lightweight and it's ajustable so you don't need to worry about size. The cuff comes in gold, rose gold, and silver styles, but only the gold and silver are carrying over into next season, so you should be able to get the rose gold on sale for less than $225 (I got it for $190).

My jewelry collection wouldn't be nearly as fun if it weren't for Kenneth Jay Lane. From huge rose rings, to elephant bracelets, the designer is responsible for countless quirky pieces, not to mention the endless other jewelers he has inspired (from BCBG to Soho street vendors - I feel like I see KJL knock-offs everywhere!). With so many colorful, bold designs, it's easy to forget that KJL actually has some jewelry box staple pieces like this Kenneth Jay Lane Swarovski-Embellished Chain-Link Bracelet ($450), as well. I love the chunkiness of this piece and the versatility will make it a long-time viable option.

I have always loved Chanel's J12 watch line from the moment it first launched. The instant classic style of the ceramic timepiece helped make it a best-selling piece amongst the jet-setting fashion crowd. Now Chanel is introducing its first official men's diving watch spinoff, dubbed the J12 Marine, and tapping none other than surf legend Laird Hamilton to help promote it.

Hamilton, this being his first-ever watch endorsement deal, will join Diane Kruger and French actress Anna Mouglalis as Chanel personalities who will be on hand at select events and public appearances (more direct impact than simply lending their faces to an ad campaign I suppose).

The J12 Marine arrives in Chanel boutiques this month and is available in a series of sleek combinations: either a black band with a black or blue face, or a white band with a white face. It comes in two sizes, a 38 mm. retailing for $4,700 and a 42 mm. retailing for $4,900. Also of note: it's waterproof to more than 300 meters, has glow-in-the-dark numbers and hands, a steel unidirectional rotating bezel, a self-winding Swiss movement and a rubberized strap with openings that allow water to flow through.

Cocktails, anyone?!  How insane is this ring from Piaget? It actually looks like a cocktail, which makes me crave one!  I don't think I've ever seen such a whimsical ring.  I love the lime wedge, my mouth is watering just looking at it.  I mean, I don't know if I should wear it or lick it!  Admittedly it's a bit kitsch but sometimes you have to check your good taste at the door and just have fun!  At Piaget.

Clad in a delightfully simple red column Valentino gown while attending a private dinner celebrating the opening of the "Valentino Garavani Archives" private museum on the outskirts of Paris, Jessica Alba was a picture of sheer perfection--save a ruffle or two. To complement her look? A soft upsweep hairdo and a stunning Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet. The diamond dazzler she donned on her wrist, which carries a six-figure price tag, is from the jeweler's iconic "Butterfly" collection and features 13 carats of diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. Gorgeous, no? I love a bracelet that is designed more like a cuff and doesn't go all the way around the wrist; it's a bit more unexpected but at the same time completely appropriate for such an occasion. The butterflies are elegantly crafted and I like how on one side the bracelet splits off into two--like a wishbone--to allow for two additional butterflies to emerge.

How cute is this Peter Silver Tail Ring ($14.99)? I have to say though I'm a little upset because it looks nearly identical to one I bought in Madrid at Uterque for nearly four time the price! It's cute without being kitschy and I'm always a fan of chic, conversation-starting accessories and this certainly falls into that category. It gets a snob vote from me!

What do you think about this bunny ring? Snob or Slob?

Few jewelry designers have exploded the way Alexis Bittar has. CFDA Awards, multiple store openings, a slew of A-list designer collaboration, and the list goes on and on. Luckily the attention the young designer has been getting is all very well deserved! The New Yorker is a unique talent and he has a vast collection of affordable, versatile finds. I love the Crystal Encrusted Golden Earrings pictured above. I just got them at the Madison Ave store in NYC in rose gold.  Marked down to only $90 ($115 in Alexis Bittar boutiques), the cupped earrings' concave form with hammered texture and Swarovski crystals make them attention grabbing without being ostentatious. They're a bit heavy though and to give you an idea of the size, about 1/3 of the earring hangs below the lobe. I'm wearing them at the moment with a white tee and stacked gold chain necklaces:-)

Looks like style has made its way onto the sidelines. Keen watchers of the World Cup may have noticed Germany soccer team head coach Joachim Löw's trademark cobalt blue v-neck sweater; but look closer: you'll see the bracelet on his wrist. Family heirloom? Self made? None of the above. Instead, Löw's trinket is part of Tod's new "My Colors" braided leather bracelets that have been fashioned in all the national teams' colors. Word has it they were ordered for the entire German national soccer team, and while they lost to Spain in the semi-finals, they did at least get them that far.

Available in a slew of color combinations (light blue, white/red/green; red/black/yellow, red/white/light blue, white/red, yellow/green, yellow/red, with/light blue, blue/red/white, red/yellow/green), they're meant to foster team spirit and togetherness. They remind of the lanyard bracelets I made as a kid; they're fun to collect and I recommend wearing multiples at a time. It's a chic and simple summer look that'll easily and quickly add some oomph that crisp buttondown.

$225, available at Tod's boutiques

I spent last weekend in the Hamptons with my very good friend Cristina who was sporting a handful of watches on her left wrist. Stacked one over the other they looked like fun, colorful bracelets...I didn't even realize they were watches until closer inspection! Turns out a friend of hers is one of 3 boys behind a line of affordable (reallllly affordable....they're only $20), watches called Rumba Time. The watches are super fun and I love the idea of wearing multiple colors (if you buy four you get one free which makes the idea of stocking up in  bulk all the more appealing). The silicone watches are ultra light-weight and water resistant, making them convenient for summer. The VanDam collection is the latest from the brand, but I prefer their Original collection. 

Bulgari's philanthropic pact continues on. The Rome-based jeweler has announced plans to introduce a second one-of-a-kind ring, whose design emulates the B.Zero 1 jewelry line, this October October as part of the company's charity campaign Rewrite the Future with Save the Children launched in 2008 during its 125th-anniversary celebrations.

The beautiful silver and ceramic ring follows in the footsteps of a silver ring introduced in 2009 that paid homage to the silversmith origins of the founder of the company, Sotirio Bulgari. The ring features the Save the Children logo engraved on the inside and is a stunning way to do some good while acquiring a new bauble. I'm a big fan of the B.Zero 1 line both as a ring and timepiece, so I'm happy to see Bulgari capitalizing on the collection's handsome and clean lines.

For 2010 and 2011, the Italian jeweler pledged 6 million euros, or $7.5 million at current exchange rates, to support quality education for children most in need globally. Last year, Bulgari raised more than $9 million to improve the quality of education for over 10 million children worldwide.

$370 (of which $75 will be donated to Save the Children), available in Bulgari stores worldwide, select department stores and on the brand's U.S. Web site.

Cameron Diaz always knows how to make a statement--but in the most subtle of ways. Take, for example, the Pomellato necklace she wore to the recent Rio de Janeiro premiere of her new movie "Knight and Day." The "Tango" necklace, fashioned in 18-karat rose gold and burnished silver with countless brown pave diamonds and handmade in the Italian jeweler's Milanese workshop, was a soft and seemingly natural complement to Diaz's soft, wavy hair and loose-fitting forest green dress. It's hard to tell, but Diaz also sported Pomellato's "Lola" earrings in smoky quartz. It's really the necklace, however, that tells the story--as not only did Madonna recently wear the "Tango" necklace and matching brown diamond bracelet on the May cover of Interview, but said bracelet can also be attached to the necklace for an entirely new look!

$57,000, available at Pomellato NYC (741 Madison Avenue, 212-879-2118)

Rachel Zoe just came-out with some new additions to her line of jewelry for QVC. This Rachel Zoe Crystal Accent Wrapped Leaves Hinged Bracelet ($76.74), is the collection stand-out. I love how the model in the video wears two of them stacked - so chic! It's a great day bracelet to complement a bohemian Rachel Zoe-esque look. It comes in Goldtone, Silvertone, or Rosetone, but as a note of caution, I have a few QVC cuffs and they veer on the large side, so if you have a small wrist, you might find this one-size-fits-all cuff sliding off your arm - so buy with caution!

This Erica Weiner Perfume Locket Necklace ($125) is an awesome conversation starter. Based on the necklaces women in the 18th and 19th century wore to mask unpleasant aromas, the lockets come with five pieces of linen each of which you use to soak up a few drops of one of the two concentrated perfumes that the necklace come with. You then fold the linen, place it in the locket, and refresh it with perfume as the scent fades. Fun and handy idea - especially here in NYC:)

If you loved the Judith Leiber Cupcake Minaudiere but was aghast by the $4,689.84 price tag (like all of us!) then this is a cute alternative that still gives you the sweet tooth fix. Now these trinkets make way more sense as a key fob than as an actual bag, more useful too. I'm not sure you will be tempted by cupcakes at your 4th of July BBQ this weekend so I don't know if this will satiate your cupcake cravings or just act as a constant reminder of the thousand calories treat =) The multi-colored crystals are cute on a key fob instead of being garish on a clutch. At Net-a-Porter for $295.