Recently in Platinum Category

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:)

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.

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.

Christie's will is holding their "Magnificent Jewels" auction on December 1, 2009. The total value of this lot is estimated at over $33 million and includes 2 vivid colored diamonds that would seriously make me consider doing very bad things for. Especially the 5.00 carats natural vivid pink diamond ring by Graff. The pink diamond is cushion shaped and is flawless (VS1 clarity). This type of naturally colored pink diamonds (type lla) are extremely rare and known for its uniform color. It is surrounded by shield-shape diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18K rose gold. Staring bid is $5 million and is estimated to go for upwards of $7 million.

Another indeedly magnificent colored diamond in the lot is the vivid yellow, also by Graff. It is a 9.03 carats, oval shaped, fancy vivid yellow diamond with 2 pear shaped diamonds on either side, mounted in platinum and yellow gold. The clarity of this diamond is VVS1 and is type la, which is more common. Thus, the lower starting bid of $933,395 - $1,166,744, even though it is so much bigger!

Bidding begins at Christie's on December 1, 2009 in Hong Kong. You can bid online as well as track the live bidding on their website.

So, to wrap up our Tiffany Week here on Jewelsnob, I thought it appropriate to highlight what makes a Tiffany diamond so special. Prior to my visit with Frank Everett at the Tiffany boutique in Beverly Hills, I wasn't really aware of what differentiates a Tiffany diamond from others. I am now 'schooled' and have a greater appreciation for Tiffany in general.

Evidently, for Tiffany & Co., it all has to do with cut and clarity. (Two of the well known 4 C's). The most famous Tiffany cut is represented by one of the largest naturally colored yellow diamonds ever found, weighing 287.42 carats and featuring 90 facets, which is on display at the New York City boutique. Tiffany's diamonds are cut for brilliance, not size. In addition, Tiffany's standards of grading are significantly stricter than those of their competitors. While certain occlusions are acceptable for the VS and VVS categories, Tiffany holds its diamonds to a higher standard, allowing for less occlusions and prettier stones overall.

Makes sense to me.

Pictured here are three of Tiffany & Co.'s Statement Diamonds Rings in platinum settings. From left: round diamond ring, 8.25 carats, D color, internally flawless, $2,300,000; pear-shaped diamond ring, 6.03 carats, D color, VS1, $575,000; cushion-shaped diamond ring, 8.52 carats, E color, VS1, $800,000.

Talk about making a statement. You might need a bodyguard to sport one of these babies.

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!

Models wearing the Key Collection layered with other pieces; Tiffany display on the balcony of the suite overlooking Hollywood

Last night Vogue hosted a party for Tiffany at the Chateau Marmont for the launch of Tiffany's new Key Collection. It was an intimate affair in the penthouse suite of the hotel with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Vogue's Lauren Santo Domingo went around showing guests how to make the collection versatile by layering it with other pieces. It was such a small party that everyone was mingling and having a genuine good time. I say that because a lot of these parties, believe it or not, is not that fun. There were celebrities there, like Nicolette Sheridan, Melissa George and Jordana Brewster who were totally relaxed and unguarded. In fact, Nicolette came up to my husband and I when I was taking pictures of him and she joked that he is America's next top model. See, this is funny because he clearly is not, but because he is so adorable, it was fair game. We started chatting and I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions. One was easy and one was tough, she raised an eyebrow at first because she thought it was going to be about her personal life but I always stick to strictly fashion! I asked what she was wearing (easy): Michael Kors with YSL stiletto sandals. And then the toughie, what is your favorite bag?: "That is a tough one! I can't pick just one", she said. She thought about it for a while but then came up with, "YSL, Chloe and Gucci".

The collection consisted of various skeleton key pedants, some with pave diamonds and others in simple gold or silver. There were also linked chain necklaces with different key charms. My favorite is the pedal key pendant with diamonds in platinum on a long chain ($6825). It is kind of mysterious having a key dangle around your neck. It is like you have a secret or that there is something deeper if you can get to the key and open it. I really love that concept! The collection is available at all Tiffany stores and online.