Recently in Brooch/Pin Category

Rose Byrne chose a gorgeous Lanvin gown in the most popular shade of the Golden Globes--purple! I thought the dramatic and deep shade of her gown was the most tasteful of all Sunday night. She paired it with Brian Atwood shoes (poor lovelies never got any airtime under all that fabric!) and a stunning set of vintage jewels from Stephen Russell. A great way to wear big pieces of jewelry is to incorporate them into your hair and dress like she did, it leaves arms and neck bare yet still gives her outfit a lot of glitz. I am big on hair jewelry and have some frugal options for you below! I have several ornate hair pins that I wear in the evenings with a simple dress, looks especially pretty on dark hair! Sparkling Ribbon Hair Pin $44.95

This is a 1940's signed piece from H. Pomerantz & Co NY. So lovely and will look amazing on gowns or blazers or just with a scarf on your shoulder! ($125) Vintage Brooches here

Tiffany's Blue Book Collection was why Holly Golightly went all batty. This is their most precious of jewels and I was able to preview this collection at their Rodeo Drive store. Trying not to faint was a serious feat. Everything was beyond, but these few pieces caught my eye and imagination (wouldn't it be fantastic to just sleep with these?). For those waiting for that proposal, you can keep your eye and heart out for this 6.19 carat brilliant diamond - flawless and colorless with a double border diamond setting that enhances already giant size of the center stone. A cool $1,475,000 for the lucky man who buys this for his lovely lady.

Tiffany brought back many pieces from legendary designer, Jean Schlumberger.  This flower Jardinet Diamond Bracelet in 18K gold is one of the exceptional pieces with amazingly intricate details, so gorgeous you can't believe your eyes!!  For $320,000.

These diamond earrings set in platinum are blingy and fabulous but the best part is that you can wear them every day.  Why invest in something that only gets to come out and play a couple of times a year?  Imagine these with jeans and a sweater.  Rock it out with a mini skirt and boots.  Anything you wear will surely benefit from these dazzlers.  The Pendulum Diamond Drop Earrings are $35,000, Swirl Diamond Drop Earrings are $35,000 and my favorite, the simple but stunning Teardrop Diamond Drop Earrings are $40,000.

What can be more Tiffany than a blue box with perfect ribbons?  How about an enormous Aquamarine with Diamond and Platinum Bow Brooch?  I don't know the exact weight but it was a good 1 1/2" tall.  Totally fun and shows you're true Tiffany fanatic!  For $100,000.  To purchase any of these, contact your closest Tiffany store.

Elizabeth Taylor wearing La Peregrina Pearl; Portrait by Diego Velazquez of Queen Mariana of Spain wearing La Peregrina Pearl

I went to see Cartier's 100th Anniversary exhibit at their Rodeo Drive store and there were a lot of incredible pieces, many worthy of individual mention but since I love other people's drama, the one that caught my full attention is La Peregrina Pearl, on loan from Elizabeth Taylor. Seriously, a movie or entire soap opera saga can be based on it's 500 year history.

The origins are a bit fuzzy, there are several versions with varying details but the basic story is the same. It was found in Panama in 1513 by a slave and brought to Spain and given to the Crown Prince, Phillip II. He rewarded the slave with freedom. The pearl was given to Mary Tudor of England (daughter of the notorious womanizer, Henry VIII, she was the daughter of the first of his 6 wives) as an engagement present in 1554. She ascended the throne in 1553 and was a sweet and well like Princess. But she had differing views on religion from her dad. See, he needed to keep divorcing or beheading his wives because they couldn't give him a son. Catholicism, and mainly the Pope, wasn't so hot on his marital practices so Henry had to turn the entire country Protestant in order to get his divorce.

The problem is, the person he needed to divorce was Mary's mother, Catherine of Aragon, who was Spanish and devoutly Catholic. Henry made Mary sign some papers renouncing Catherine as ever being the Queen, basically making Mary a bastard. She held a grudge and was pretty bitter so when she ascended to the throne, she made the country Catholic again, which didn't go over so well. Many died during this period, for which she was held accountable thus given the lovely nickname "Bloody Mary". Now you know what had to happen the next time you're hungover and enjoying one of those. Mary died in 1558 to the relief of the entire country and the throne went to her half sister, Elizabeth I, whose reign is knowns as The Golden Age (like the movie!).

The romance and mystery of the past and the elegant restraint of the present distinguish the work of jewelry designer Temple St. Clair. Rooted in the mystery and the romance of the past, Temple’s pieces feature an elegant restraint, a clean modern line, and a sensitivity to color that are indisputably contemporary — yet utterly timeless. I had lunch with a girlfriend who was wearing a delicate gold chain with a gold pendant made of sparking sapphires. Without asking, I knew it was Temple St. Clair. Her signature style is unmistakable as is the workmanship of her jewels.

I was recently introduced to the spirit of Cindy Chao, a jewelry designer based in Taiwan. I love discovering new jewelry designers, especially those with an incredible eye for detail and design like Cindy- one of the most promising jewelry designers I have seen in a very long time! A friend of mine had several pieces made by Cindy and showed them to me during her last visit, the pieces were extraordinary and exquisite and like nothing I had ever seen. Inspired by her Eastern roots and by the forces of nature, Cindy's jewelry is astounding and fascinating. Owning one of her pieces is like capturing the essence of nature and owning the spirit of beauty. Each piece is carefully designed and meticulously handcrafted- a conch pearl rests delicately against the sensual curves of lily petals made of diamonds, a golden pearl mounted as the exotic center of a spray of diamonds, a diamond nestled in a cluster of pearls, each piece unique in its own way. I am waiting for my first Cindy Chao pieces, I was told the wait would be long, but as all things worth owning, it is worth the wait. Email her showroom for details and point of purchase.

More photos after the jump!

I've always been a fan of Hermes scarves but I am always hesitant to wear them because, worn the wrong way, they can make your look so outdated. (I am all for classicism but I don't want to look like a fashionably confused version of my grandmother!) This Alexis Bittar pin can be a cleaver way to allow you to wear your favorite scarf while still updating the look. (The trick is to clip the pin in an unusual place so that you are still revealing an alluring amount of skin that appears accidental.) My favorite way to incorporate a pin in this way is to pin the scarf at the back of the neck or to one shoulder. This way, when you turn around there is an interesting element to your look that looks very creative yet sophisticates. Alexis Bittar Large Jolie Fleur Pin, $245.00, saksfifthavenue.com.

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.