Recently in Rings Category

Kimberly began working with geodes for her first jewelry collection in 2007, but her fascination with the crystal-filled rock formations goes back to childhood, when she was a self-described "rock geek" who filled cans with cool-looking stones plucked from the driveway. Working only by hand, she pairs the naturally stunning geodes with other precious stones (one pair of earrings features inch-long, paper-thin slices of diamond) and reclaimed precious metals. Earth-honoring efforts permeate all her pieces; any wood she uses has been re-purposed from things like shipping containers and musical instruments.

I was lucky enough to get to wear these blue geode earrings and ring for a night this past weekend, and it was just what my super comfortable but almost dangerously understated black Alaia dress needed: a dash of celestial blue with a flash of diamonds at the edges. Kimberly said the geodes would bring good luck, and they did, for me, in that I did not (as is always my fear) fall down, tear my dress or otherwise embarrass myself. Also, I got lots of compliments, which is always nice.

Visit kimberlymcdonald.com for more information and to find a list of retailers. (photos by Steweart Schecter)

Editor's Note: Unlike myself, Liza was too humble to include a photo of herself in these to die for jewels!  See Liza in Kimberly McDonald Jewels here.

To do a collaborative collection for collaboration's sake is just plain dumb. So you can imagine my fascination when H.Stern announced it had designed a collection of jewels inspired by and honoring architect Oscar Niemeyer. Now 102 years old, Niemeyer, a native of Brazil--which also happens to be where the H.Stern brand hails from is best known for his fascination with curves. What's even more special, the collection of jewelry is based on his own sketches. They include a jewel designed by Niemeyer in a silk-screen print from the 1980s, and various others inspired by the female form, which he recorded in different designs. When I first saw the collection, I fell in love with Niemeyer's ability to seemingly bend straight lines, "transforming curves into a natural solution for his creations." H.Stern has gone and done the same with gold and diamonds. Rings, bracelets and earrings, meanwhile, emphasize simple lines, interspersed by empty spaces.

The H.Stern Collection by Oscar Niemeyer includes jewelry in gold and diamonds, divided into eight different lines and baptized with the names of designs, works and some famous projects. The sub-collections, with names like "Favorite Woman," "Pampulha," "Brasilia" and "Curves," convey the simplicity of the outlines: loose, free and flowing.

Available at H.Stern boutiques nationwide, 1-800-7HSTERN, www.hstern.net

The design of this ring is pure genius. I, being Chinese, equate jade with old fashion old ladies. There is definitely nothing fresh or hip about jade. But this Mawi ring with traditional looking vines over a perfect and gorgeous green hue jade topped with a skull breaks every rule in the book but the most fun way imaginable. It's like a food fight at an uptight ladies' luncheon. LOVE IT!! But you wouldn't really do this to real jade because you would be breaking some sacred Chinese law (we are serious about jade and even more serious about death) so it's even better that it's just costume jewels here. I wonder what my mom would think if I took her jade jewelry and started adding skulls to them? Not sure I want to find out... =) MAWI Gold-Plated Jade and Skull Ring at Net-a-Porter for $340, available in 3 sizes.

I discovered Dara Ettinger's gemstone jewelry when a friend from Los Angeles gifted me one of the designer's beautiful rings on one of his recent visits to NYC. There's a raw, bohemian quality to the LA-based designer's work that makes it impossible for you to wear anything from her collection without drawing attention (the good kind, of course!). 

Ettinger graduated from the Parsons School of Design and worked in apparel design at Polo Ralph Lauren, Cynthia Steffe, and Michael Kors before starting her jewelry line. She only works with natural, raw, semi-precious, and precious stones and luxurious metals and her materials come from all over the world.

Most of Ettinger's pieces retail for between $100 and $450. For more information call 310.474.3272 or email info@daraettinger.com.

Anna Kendrick recently walked the red carpet at the LA premiere of "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" wearing Kwiat vintage collection rose cut diamond drop earrings ($7,300) and the matching ring ($6,200). Such gorgeous pieces! I actually predicted that they would be a lot pricier than they are given their delicate craftsmanship. I only wish that Anna had her hair pulled back a little bit more so she could show off the earrings better!

To inquire about either of these Kwiat pieces call (212) 725-7777.

I don't even remember how I came to discover Darcy Miro, but the New York-based artist is one of the most talented sculptors and jewelery designers I've seen in a long while. Seriously her pieces make you want to wear nothing else besides her jewelry! She makes everything from handcrafted mirrors and door knobs, to gorgeous cuffs and rings. Her one-of-a-kind pieces are inspired from such everyday things as leaves and side-walk cracks (she uses found objects to shape sheets of wax which are then cast into metal). Her line is crafted from oxidized copper, gold, and sterling silver.

There is a gritty-meets-earthy-ness to Miro's work (nothing is ever polished), which feels very authentically New York, but with a rustic twist. The designer has a number of collaborations in the works including ones with Yigal Azrouel and Brett Westfall of Unholy Matrimony. Check-out her website to see her work or if you're in the NYC-area stop by the artist's Fort Greene studio in Brooklyn. Call 212.366.9896.

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.