Recently in Gold Category

The entire Fall 2010 collection from ready to wear to accessories was inspired by the beetle. The colors, an opalescent green blue that degrades to a bright yet gentle yellow. The jewelry is elegant and refined, yet edgy and surprising. I did not know a beetle could be anything but icky, but after Tomas Maier tames them, they become a beautiful and interesting creature. The beetles are made of enamel. He also has a new technique that is used on gold. Just like the woven leather bags, here gold is woven and made into belted chokers. Super chic and decadent! And the craftsmanship is astounding! They are handmade in Germany. For fine jewelry, there are silver links with pave diamond for their loyal customers who will and always remain classic and timeless.

I always say that for the man or woman that has it all, get them something monogrammed or somehow customized/personalized. On that note for Valentine's Day check-out the Cathy Waterman Monogram Ring ($3,510). Cathy Waterman's pieces have been worn by dozens of stars including Charlize Theron and Julia Roberts and the designer is known for taking inspiration from nature which is clear in the way the letters are shaped on this ring. Plus everything in the collection is handmade using recycled metals and fair trade stones. The only drawback to the ring is the price. Nearly $4,000 (when you factor in tax), is a very, very steep price to pay for something that is 22K with no stones (and given that this is an under-stated ring, there's not even that much gold...). The craftsmanship however of the piece is tops, so if you can afford it stop by Barneys. It would make an especially great gift for a soon-to-be or new mom!

Halle Berry appears on NBC's Nightly News wearing this kick ass Fiona Paxton Sylvie Necklace. She is known for her funky and cool jewelry, and not the kind that is dripping in diamonds, just unique and very very her. This stunner is going to be a hit and most likely copied, so don't wait until the bandwagon, jump on it now! At
Shopbop for $300. Makes an amazing gift!!

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I love bling but I am not into the kind of bling that blinds and turns heads. Fine, call me crazy but I am modest that way =) Well, not really, if you consider this necklace that I would kill to have. This Lisa Sheldon Petros Necklace is a giant rough-cut amethyst a "snake bale" of diamonds surrounding it. Yes, that's right, a bale of diamonds. It is bordered in four pink tourmalines and the pendant is suspended from a coordinating 18-karat white gold gunmetal rhodium finished long link chain. You will not see another one like this! At Portero for $24,050.

Wow. Once in a while I peruse the latest jewels from Banana Republic, and find myself blown away by the fantastic designs and the fantastic prices. Kind-of makes me wonder what on earth I'm doing spending more than necessary elsewhere. Anyhow, clearly it's been a while since I took a look at BR's new offerings, because this stunning ring is already on SALE! To me, this piece looks sharp - and significantly more expensive than it is. $34.99 here.

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.

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!

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.

This "Connie" necklace by Fiona Paxton is one of many reasons I'm warming up to gold again. I love the drapey quality and the vibrant graphic design that reminds me of the kind of thing a Roman Goddess would wear with a long column style dress. So feminine - and yet still packs a significant punch. Available for $340.

So I had lunch with my mom the other day, and she was wearing a number of pieces I was drooling over, including a museum-quality cameo and a gold link bracelet. I asked her if it was vintage - and she said yes. (Keep in-mind, that my mother's business is vintage and estate jewelry). That being said, I wanted the bracelet, but she wasn't about the part with it because it is the only gold-tone piece she owns at the moment that works with the recently acquired cameo.

Anyway, today, I found this $58 Estate Link Bracelet on the J Crew website - and I'm thrilled, because it practically mirrors my mom's!

Speaking of my mom, I'll be doing a post on her jewels, (the ones that are available for purchase) soon, but she is lacking a website, so it might take a bit longer than I'd like. Let's just say however, that she is a hidden resource in Los Angeles for phenomenal vintage pieces that won't break the bank, that sell for 10 times the price elsewhere.

In case you get impatient, and don't want to wait for the next post because you're a vintage jewelry junky like myself, you can check out her wares at all of the Senna Cosmetics boutiques in Beverly Hills, Tarzana, Corona del Mar and Valencia - www.sennacosmetics.com. And while this isn't a Beauty Snob post, Senna Cosmetics' products are amazing - and I don't care what anyone says - Anastasia is NOT the Queen of Brows. Eugenia Weston, founder of Senna Cosmetics is.

Starting today, Ippolita is launching a half-price sale for select jewels on their website. There are some phenomenal pieces including these 18k Onyx and Smoky Topaz Earrings for $447.50. They were originally $895, and they will be again as of August 4th, so if you're looking for some classic accessories, get 'em while you can.

As we all know, some things in life just aren't fair. Take for example the freakishly beautiful and talented Padma Lakshmi. Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, but she's smart as a whip and has held a successful career as an award-winning author and television host for programs including the Emmy-nominated Top Chef series on Bravo. Not too shabby.

Recently she launched a jewelry collection inspired by the female form, aptly named "Padma" with its drippy, sensuous curves and exotic shapes. Pricing ranges from $300 to $6,000 and can be found at Bergdorf Goodman.

Today I'm coveting the 14k and 10k Lattice Pod Earrings with Briolettes.

What's next Padma? Politics? World peace? Or perhaps just global domination...

My lack of a post yesterday can be attributed to a multitude of things, including fodder for an upcoming post which I am quite excited about. I was at the brand new Judith Leiber boutique at Two Rodeo yesterday, and was absolutely blown away, but more on that later.

In the meantime, enjoy this breathtaking Monaco Ring by Judith Ripka, (not to be confused with Judith Leiber), also available at Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, for $15,000. In 18k yellow gold with a black onyx center stone, royal pave black diamond shank and bezel set round briiliant diamond prongs, what's not to love?

Judith Ripka's designs are all absolutely beautiful and there isn't a piece in the store I wouldn't wear. If you live in the area, or are visiting L.A. anytime soon, it is worth a trip to either invest in or drool over all the feminine, pretty baubles - many of which are quite affordable, with pricing ranging from $100, (frugal snob), to $60,000, (super-uber snob).

Isn't this Chanel Camelia necklace in 18k white gold with diamonds just, well...so darn pretty? Look at it! Who doesn't love a beautiful flower covered in diamonds? Even if you're not a girly-girl like me, you have to appreciate this piece. I have no idea what on earth it retails for, since Chanel does not list pricing on its website, but I do know that the Camelia collection rings fetch somewhere between $20000 - $36000, so this necklace has to run a wee bit more. I know it's nothing new... the Camelia collection has been around for quite some time, but I felt this necklace deserved a moment in the sun so we could all be reminded of its beauty and the nearly-perfect fashion behemoth that is the house of Chanel.

Anyway, I'm still suffering from a nasty ear infection and can hardly hear in my left ear, so if you happen to disagree with me, that's the ear that won't be listening. Besides, I'm clearly on some extended nature kick...

Anaconda Elisa Ring

Part of the trouble respecting editing for a jewelry site, is that occasionally you'll happen upon something you desperately want - and can't have.

I've found a ring that pretty much encompasses everything I'm attracted to when it comes to investment pieces - classic beauty with a feel of elegant antiquity and a certain amount of uniqueness. (In other words, I'm not the kind of girl who wears a solitaire and calls it a day). That being said, I might spend the vast majority of my day pouting over this ring, because at $7150, it's simply not an option at the moment, unless of course, I'm fine with homelessness or can somehow forgo eating for the next 12 months.

Hmm...

With 19k white gold, brilliant cut champagne diamonds and a large drool-worthy, ethereal center moonstone, it's just, well, perfect.

Anaconda designer Monica Rossi hails from Italy - and has evidently been designing for quite some time, unbeknownst to me. Sort of wish it had stayed that way.

*Sigh*

Demistache by Rachael White - Georgina Necklace in Rose Gold
I am not a fan of mustaches overall - though once in a blue moon, I see one that somehow simply suits its owner. It's a rare occurrence, but it happens.

In the case of jewelry designer Rachael White's Demistache collection however, I could see these suiting just about anybody. I never imagined I'd see questionable facial hair transform into a delicate and pretty accessory. Serious credit is due here for creativity.

Intrigued by such a bizarre concept, I actually bothered to look up the history of the mustache and according to Wikipedia, (perhaps not the most reliable source, but I can be lazy), the oldest portrait showing a shaved man with a mustache dates back to 300 BC. I also discovered that the longest mustache ever belongs to Bajansinh Juwansinh Gurjar of India. In 2004, his measured 12 feet and 6 inches. It took him 22 years to achieve that record.

As described by the company, the Demistache pieces are "chic yet cheeky" and I feel that description is quite apt. No grooming required for these babies either.

Other famous mustaches include those belonging to Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin, Frank Zappa, Howard Hughes and Freddie Mercury - who was the source of inspiration behind one of the Demistache pieces, (below).

Demistache by Rachael White - Freddy Necklace in White Gold with Pave Diamonds
Ranging from $65 for select styles in sterling silver, to $1865 for select styles in either yellow, rose, white or oxidized gold with pave diamonds, the entire collection can be seen online.

John Hardy Gold Ring Dragon Bracelet

While I am not a huge fan of John Hardy, (particularly not the seemingly endless stream of logo-emblazoned-wannabe-tattoo-artist-punk-rocker T-shirts that droves of people wear for reasons unbeknownst to me), this bracelet is definitely an exception. I absolutely love that from afar it looks like a classic piece - but up close it's an unexpected sculpturally detailed rendition of a traditional Chinese dragon and it's gorgeous. It reminds me a bit of Kieselstein-Cord, but way more modern. As a fan of asian design in general, the dragon has always been one of my favorite iconic images and I want this bracelet. It retails for $1295.00 and is a combination of sterling silver and yellow gold.

Sand Pendant Necklace (Left) and Heritage Emerald Ring (Above)

I had the pleasure of meeting Shawn Warren, former psychologist turned jewelry designer extraordinaire, at her Los Angeles launch event a few weeks ago, and discovered a true talent whose eye for design is impeccable. Her collection, which ranges from whimsical yet classic, to modern interpretations of antiquities, is exquisite. What is truly exceptional about her designs is that they can be worn with a cocktail dress or with jeans and a t-shirt. I love versatile pieces like these and the price points are incredibly reasonable as well.

I fell in love with the two pieces shown here: the diamond Sand pendants and the Heritage emerald rings, (of which there are only two and are part of a limited edition series).

The Sand necklaces are available in 18k white, yellow or rose gold and feature either white or champagne diamonds. The pendant has a special open-and-close diamond bail piece, so it can be worn on various chains/ribbons/leather, or whatever suits your fancy. Comes in 2 sizes, the small length: 15"-16" is $1950; and the Medium Length: 16"-18" is $3450.

The Heritage emerald rings feature 18k yellow gold and silver with black rhodium, diamonds and a sizable emerald. It is $2300.

Warren's launch event was among the most elegant events I've been to in quite some time. Warren's jewelry cannot be found in-stores, as she works only with a private clientele, (for now), but you can see her work online at Shawn Warren Jewelry.