Recently in Pendant Category

The trend is giant pendants. Well, I'm calling it that way even though it is still all about the bib necklaces still. Just wait and see. If you trust me or just love this, get a jump start on this new direction with this amazingly awesome Lanvin Jayappa pendant necklace. I love the chunky chain and the heavy jewel pendant that looks like an ancient artifact. The chain allows you to adjust the length between 16" to 18" inches. This statement piece will get well deserved attention with each wear. At Bergdorf Goodman for $1090.

French brand Etername is launching in the US this fall! If you read foreign glossies, you've likely seen the brand in French Vogue, Elle, L'Officiel, Stiletto, and Le Figaro or oogled the pieces on the likes of Sharon Stone, Diane Kruger, Julie Gayet, and Natalia Vodianova. The line, designed by Sarah Besnaiou (a Dior alum) is simply stunning! The only other place I've seen so many pieces that I'm dying for is at Cartier! Check-out her website (note though that it's still all in French), and start making a mental list of what you'll want come fall:)

Molly Sims, Edie Falco, Rachel Ray, and Angie Stone are just a few of the celebrities that have been spotted in pieces from the Olia collection. I'm particularly drawn to the New York-based designer's necklaces and the one above is my favorite. Called the Salam Necklace it retails for $64 and it says 'Salam' on one side and 'Shalom' on the other. Many people may not know this, but in Hebrew and in Arabic when you greet someone with 'Shalom' and with 'Salam,' respectively, you are not only saying 'hello,' but you are saying 'peace.' I have a lot of family in Tel Aviv and my parents are currently there for a wedding, so this necklace is particularly meaningful to me. I can't believe we are still dealing with all the violence. This necklace is a reminder to continue the fight for peace and the end of violence.

As a born and raised New Yorker I'm always into supporting local talent, so I was exciting when I found out about the line, Fancy Sexy Me, from a guest at an event recently. First off the name is genius! I would love for someone to ask me "where's your necklace from?" and for me to be able to answer "Fancy Sexy Me" - It's like an unintentional positive affirmation! The line is designed by Ronnie Aminov and Cynthia Catera and everything is hand-made in Williamsburg and in Manhattan. I'm particularly drawn to their gold pendant necklaces which range in price from about $40 to $70. 

A few weeks ago I was introduced by a mutual friend to Bianca Pratt while out for a drink at Monkey Bar in NYC. Pratt is a super-chic young designer (and strikingly beautiful mother!), who designs these precious little unassuming pendants inspired by her Brazilian/Canadian heritage. Her pieces sell at Barneys and a few other exclusive outlets  and she will be introducing e-commerce to her site soon. I love the fatima charm (pictured above in the middle), which is also available accented with a small diamond (a number of the pieces incorporate white, cognac, and blue diamonds, as well as rubies and sapphires). The pendant necklaces start at about $500 and include everything from Brazilian saints and Figa, to cold coin and bear charms (all 14K Gold). I love how pocket size and delicate these are. Definitely a thoughtful Mother's Day gift!

In time Spring, De Beers is proud to add to their offering of exquisite jewelry with two special edition series featuring beautifully selected pink diamonds set within some of their most iconic designs.

Enchanted Lotus Pendant
De Beers pink and white diamonds set in rose and white gold. 0.39 total carat weight.
$3,200.00

Enchanted Lotus Ring
De Beers pink and white diamonds set in rose and white gold. 0.47 total carat weight.
*Only available in stores
$3,200.00

Enchanted Lotus Band Ring
De Beers pink and white diamonds set in rose and white gold. 1.14 total carat weight.
*Only available in stores
$10,000.00

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 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.

Temple St. Clair is known for exquisite designs that are understated and classic. There are those who appreciate fine jewelery but are modest about the amount of bling. She calls her designs "restrained", I call it fabulous! These pieces from her current collection shows her range and background of art and architecture.

The Tolomeo Pendant with blue sapphire and diamonds is very architectural with an element of engineering feat that is eye catching. I love sapphire and the monochromatic simplicity of this piece because there is already so much going on, but there is also a version with multiple colored stones. For $25,000 (chain sold separately - 18K Classic Extra-Small Oval Link Chain, 18", $1,350).

I love pieces that are versatile and impactful.  The Graduated Necklace with Mango Green Moonstone and Diamonds is exquisite and elegant for formal affairs but this can easily be worn with a simple cocktail dress or even a nice luncheon.  for $85,000.

These Cluster Drop Earrings with Morganite, Diamonds and Green Beryl are gorgeous and of course curbs your pink diamond craving, or at least mine =)  For most, giant pink diamonds are not a reality but that does not mean we can't get the look of our favorite color!  For $15,000.

Cocktail rings are my thing.  I like to keep things simple and have one point of focus and this clearly fits the bill.  This Cluster Ring with Precious Topaz and Rosecut Diamonds is showy but in a modest, "restrained" way.  Yes, I am a sucker for anything pink but this isn't girly in any way, the setting is absolutely sophisticated.  For $62,500.  Available at Temple St. Clair, although not all the pieces shown here are on the website.  Contact their sales department at 800 590 7985 or 212 219 8664.