Recently in Rings Category

Stacked rings are shaping-up to be one of the biggest trends of the Spring/Summer season. They're a playful alternative to a big cocktail ring and are an easy way to draw out colors in an outfit. The above option from Kevia is one of my fave! It's $125 and the six rings in the set - two pounded gold vermeil, two brushed sterling silver, and two brushed rose gold -- are all handcrafted, fair trade, and made in an eco-friendly environment. You can see the full Kevia collection by clicking here. The line is designed by Kevia Jeffrey-West who studied art in Zimbabwe before starting her own line. The Zimbabwe influence is clear in a number of her pieces and I love the rustic, hammered feel that the designer's influence gives to the piece above.

Have you been sporting stacked rings this season?

This is one that must be tried on to be properly appreciated. I love the giant costume look, like something you would wear if you were dressing up as a Queen (not the Queen, as this is much too fun for her). And to fully have fun with this, the price is pretty darn fun as well, it is only $295 for a beautiful Oscar de la Renta piece that will be worn for many years. I would not wear too much other jewelry with this as it will just start to look too garish. There is so much detail in the bezel with the pearls and filigree, I seriously couldn't believe the price! At Bergdorf Goodman.

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:)

Seriously, how sick is this ring? I'm not a big jewelry guy, but I fell in love with this ring the moment I saw it at the McQueen showroom. Every now and then, an accessory comes along that is just too iconic and too must-have to resist! This particular bauble--if you can even refer to it as such--is called the "Hell's Knuckle" duster ring and is made of gold brass. Not only is it the ultimate statement maker--wear it with a tanktop and jeans or a fitted tuxedo--but it's also from the last McQueen collection designed prior to the designer's untimely death. In addition to McQueen's signature skull design, this piece of eye candy also features a trio of rings underneath the wing motif in which your fingers slide easily into. It's not terribly weighty, either, so aside from some minor inconvenience should you need to actually write with your fingers, this ring will be a fabulous addition to your jewelry box. Go bold! With this ring, you won't regret it!

$495, available at Saks.com

Anyone who's ever been to Chicago's Millennium Park will undoubtedly recognize the prominent Cloud Gate sculpture designed by Anish Kapoor. I'm a huge fan of his work and now, thanks to Bulgari, the Indian sculptor's ethereal designs can be worn as art--and at an affordable price point.
Kapoor reinterpreted Bulgari's iconic B.zero1 ring--first created to celebrate the new millennium--to combine the Tubogas and the double Bulgari logo inspired by Roman epigraphy and designed with a modular "bounce" to it. Having tried one on, I can attest to its lightweight nature. The wide frame of the ring makes for a solid design with a statement making look characteristic of the B.zero1 collection.

To date, over 1.5 million pieces of B.zero1 have sold. Fun fact: it's the first time Bulgari has collaborated with an artist on a piece that was subsequently available for purchase. The pink gold and stainless steel ring launched last week at Bulgari stores worldwide and at www.bulgari.com and comes housed in a special Kapoor-designed translucent case with silicone rubber.

A special YouTube video showing the inspiration behind the ring may be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-92Duyj5s0

$890, available at Bulgari stores and www.bulgari.com

Maybe if it were worn next to a "Non" ring I would understand the appeal of the white gold Dior Oui Ring ($675), but as is I simply don't get it. The popular piece comes in a variety of iterations and is worn above by Emma Watson (it's hard to spot I know, but trust that it's there!). While I like the script-shape of the letters, I can't get over the stupidity of what it says! On a side note, does the diminutive ring strike anyone else as far more Moschino than Christian Dior?

There are days when practicality goes out the door and it is all about decadent fun. This fringe ring is the perfect accessory for fun nights out, the swinging of the fringe will accentuate your animated talking with your hands. Definitely not something you wear when you need to sit still and be demure! Select strands are dotted with diamonds for more oomph (0.115-karat of white diamonds). The fringes are 18 Karat gold with a mesh base. Comes in a gorgeous black velvet box. At Net-aPorter for $6300.

I am all about the statement rings. The bigger the better! But this is not just bold, it is spectacularly cool. Yes, sure you have to be kinda careful with those raised spikes but that adds to the allure. Collect all the Alexander McQueen accessories you can from his last collection, they will be one for the fashion history books. And this fabulously fun piece is a Frugal Snob buy for only $146.58 at Browns Fashion. Comes in only large sizes for your index and middle fingers, which is where you want to wear this!

Citrine by Stones was started by a mother-daughter team and everything in the line is handcrafted at their studios in Miami and Peru (they also donate 10% of all profits from their website sales to Bridges Across Bordersa, a non-profit organization that focuses on clothing, feeding and providing shelter and education for Cambodian children). I love the Greek goddess feel of some of their 18K gold pieces. Particularly the three pictured above which are all versatile and easy to wear. I can totally picture these looking great with a flowing boho or draped dress! Most pieces in the line retail for under $250 which is great considering their 18K and handcrafted.

From left -

• Wire Cuff Simple, $188
  
• Chain Wire Ring Gold, $155
• Triple Bangle Gold, $217

Odds are you've never heard of Ben-Amun, but if you've ever flipped through Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, Marie Claire, or tuned your TV on to a red carpet, you've likely seen pieces from the collection. The brand has been in business for over 30 years and is designed by Isaac Manevitz who works extensively with lucite, pewter, glass, and crystal which help keep his pieces looking a lot pricier than they are (few pieces are over $400 and you can get many for as little as $60). Celebs love the line because they can wear pieces without having to worry about insurance, body guards etc. when they're doing casual on-air appearance. The line has also been used in Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren shows. 

A lot of the pieces aren't my style (a bit too boho), but click through the site and you'll find some wonderful costume pieces at prices that won't have you stressing!

Pictured above from left --

Charm and Chain is a one stop shop for all the unique jewel designers you love. And they love you back by giving Jewel Snob readers 15% off their entire site, including items already on sale! Here are my favorites but you should go through the site, you will be amazed by the variety and selection, and savings! Use code JEWELSNOB when you check out to get 15% OFF.

Jac Necklace, Hot Pink Quartz by Gemma Redux, seen on Blake Lively in Gossip Girls, on sale, was $369 and now $174.25 with Jewel Snob code.

Magical Landscape Ring by Pade Vavra. This is a show stopper, it is so incredibly interesting, it is an attention grabber. $4000 - $3400 with code.

Clip-on Fan Earrings by Badgley Mischka. Timeless yet chic and fabulous, on sale, was $300 and now $204 with code.

Yellow Sunburst Coil, exclusively for Charm & Chain. Industrial is in, and this feminine mix of chains and crystals embodies this trend but still making you feel delicate, $575 - $488.75 with code.

I just discovered DAMA, named for the queen in the Greek deck of cards, while shopping at Henri Bendel where the line was discreetly displayed on their second floor. It's designed by Heather Keller who credits Greece and New York City for influencing her work (the piece above is called Helios Choker and she seems best known for her borough ring and gear motif "meant to reflect New York's machine-age modernism and Greek classicism").

As the former editor of Rizzoli and Gloss.com, Keller learned a great deal about accessorizing over the years and when she decided to leave the editorial world for jewelry design she opted to enroll in goldsmithing classes at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. The expertise she acquired have translated into a 70-piece collection which she debuted less than a year ago (I wish there was more on her site since Bendel's just had a limited selection :-( See here for more stores). The collection includes gold, silver and brass statement cuffs and necklaces which retail from about $400 to about $15,000.

Maybe it's only because she's Greek, but I'm totally thinking Keller needs to team-up with Sophia Kokosalaki somehow...the necklace above looks like it was destined to complement one of Kokosalaki's draped dresses!

Pierre Hardy truly can do no wrong. The affable Frenchman, who's long been responsible for shoe design at Hermès, has extended his creative say at the luxe French brand, designing the label's first high jewelry collection. Dubbed "haute bijouterie," Hermès, which has until now been known for its silver jewelry, spent the last two years creating an aesthetically gorgeous capsule collection inspired by its equestrian heritage.

Take the Centaure collection, for example. Have you seen design inspired by horse's hoofs result in anything chicer? I think not. I love that a full suite of complementary pieces was designed for this particular collection as it's sure to be well received when it launches this fall as part of a world tour the pieces will go on (Tokyo in September, Hong Kong in October and Berlin in November). The bracelet, necklace, earrings and rings all focus on bold shapes--hence the hoof--and less on precious stones. They're cast in rose gold with a black jade or orange aventurine stone ringed with brilliant cut diamonds or entire paved with diamonds. I just absolutely love the Centaure necklace for evening and the ring for day!

Meanwhile, have you seen the Fouet necklace? Talk about slender elegance! A diamond necklace designed to mimic the lines of a whip, it's made of platinum and set with 3,669 diamonds, totaling 36.16 carats. The collection is priced from $23,675 for clip-on rose gold and black jade earrings to $880,000 for the diamond necklace. It'll take about five to seven months for the pieces to be made and delivered--clients can customize their pieces as they wish. Perhaps the best part? The pieces will come in custom-made boxes made of black alligator leather.

Elizabeth and James is one of my favorite contemporary brands, even if it's way over-priced given that the quality of the clothes aren't that great (most of the fabrics are so flimsy and thin that it's not uncommon for their pieces to get small holes after a few wears...and this is not only from my experience...unfortunately). While the design of the label's fashions may over-ride any issues of quality I have, I can't muster up the same love for their jewelry. Snakes are soooo over-done and while the feather motif that pops up in a number of their pieces is fine, they end up looking like pretty cheap-o pieces from Express (and from seeing the pieces the quality seems to match that aesthetic).

What do you think about Elizabeth and James jewelry? Snob or Slob?

From left --

• Elizabeth and James Snake Hoops ($250)
• Elizabeth and James Small Snake Bracelet with Diamond ($125)
• Elizabeth and James Feather Ring ($95)

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Keith Haring the fabulous Leeora Catalan of nOir teamed-up with the also fabulous Patricia Field for a collection called K.Haring by House of Field. Using the bright colors and characters found in Haring's work, the Catalan-designed pieces feature images of some of Haring' most iconic pieces and do an amazing job at paying homage to an artist that has inspired so many designers. Plus all the proceeds from the collaboration will be going to the Keith Haring Foundation to assist AIDS
related and Children's charities. Oddly enough, though I'm a big fan of bright colors, my fave piece is the cuff below:)

Mary-Kate Olsen, Rihanna, and Angelia Jolie are among the many celebs that have been spotted in Made Her Think recently. The knuckle rings are totally up those stars alley, but I think the Made Her Think Talon Knuckle Buster Rings ($110) are a bit too intense for my taste. They look like a bird claw to me! Plus I've never seen a ring that covers multiple fingers that I've liked.

My vote is slob. What say you? Snob or Slob?

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

I think you know by now that I love big crazy cocktail rings; I pick them up everywhere from vintage boutiques, department stores and fine jewelers with prices ranging from $20 to very very expensive.  I do not bring my diamonds when I travel (they stay in a bank vault) and prefer fashion pieces like this ring from Cavalli.  For one thing I don't have to worry about losing it and for another, you do not want to mess with a girl who has this on her finger, she will CUT you!  This silver-tone brass ring with black Swarovski crystal embellishment is totally sick though it does eerily resemble a spider but don't think about that!  Just think about all the fun you'll have wearing it.  Roberto Cavalli Spider Swarovski Crystal Ring
$430.00

Heart on your sleeve is one thing; soul on your finger is quite another--and something I highly recommend if it's from Jil Sander. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the fashion house has debuted a new Soul collection of rings available only at the label's online boutique. Crafted in Italy, the finger candy boasts a chunky silver-and-enamel design that's a surefire standout for the minimalist house. It might not have quite the commanding presence of a Graff cocktail ring, but it's also one-tenth the price! Wear it to work with your suit and to cocktails with an LBD. A truly versatile ring, it whispers, doesn't shout, subtle style. The best part? I love that it's available in bright, perky colors like orange, blue, pink and yellow (not to mention black, which is an option for gents).

$540 available exclusively at www.jilsander.com

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!

How fab are the two pieces pictured above? They're both Francesca Visconti pieces, an Italian line run by one of my best friends, Flavia Masson (who also happened to be Visconti's daughter). Every time I see Flavia wearing the above pieces I swoon and beg her to make less expensive versions for QVC (Visconti has a diffusion line for QVC which Flavia sells on-air multiple times a year). The above ring is ebony and 18kt yellow gold with zircons ($3,800), while the cuff is ebony with 18kt yellow gold studs ($5,000). Unfortunately the QVC audience does not respond well to wood so the only way to get these pieces is by purchasing them from the couture line by contacting  (212) 593-6106. Check out more from Francesca Visconti here! The line has plenty of bold, colorful, and fun pieces perfect for a mild Valentine's Day splurge:-)

Amanda Rudey jewelry is seen coast to coast, from the streets of New York on Gossip Girls to the shores of California on 90210. And the best part, you can be a Frugal Snob AND still look like a shining star without compromising. This handmade North Star ring is only $130 and with code PEOPLEAR, you will recieve 20% off at AMANDA RUDEY, making is only $104!! Her collection ranges from $60-$345 - this code is good site wide until Feb. 12th. Let me know if you need me to send a hint to your significant other for the perfect Valentine's gift =) Code and info via People Style Watch.

As all things YSL, its jewelry collection is chic and edgy. I fell in love with this ring only to find it does not come in my size! The largest size I can wear is a 5 on the middle finger and this ring starts at a size 6. So, I purchased it anyway, for a friend who loves all things Celtic. At least I can admire her wearing it! The shape is so cool, it's a large heart that wraps around your finger and spans up the first knuckle.  It's definitely a don't F with me ring!  The intricate motif is actually the YSL logo ingeniously designed to look like Celtic symbols!
At YSL.com and boutiques (Was $395 now $179!)

It's not even that Henri Bendel is a must stop shop for me in New York but somehow when they opened in LA, I just had to go. And good thing I did. Their fashion jewelry collection is so much fun! Like this totally outlandishly fabulous disco cocktail ring. It is giant, but I have big hands so I can get away with it. The other thing that is huge is the WOW factor. There are over 100 crystals and cubic zirconia on the dome shaped ring. There are 3 color choices but this hematite with the brown and anthracite stones is clearly the stand out. At Henri Bendel online for $78, available in sizes 6,7,8.

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.

Pyrite rings are the absolute best for making fun, bold statements that are always conversation-starters. When I was in Paris last year for the S/S 2009 collections I was waiting for the Estrella Archs show to start (yes THAT Estrella Archs who now, a year later, made a disastrous collection with Lindsay Lohan over at Emanuel Ungaro), when I spotted a nearby-boutique that had all these pyrite baubles in the window. I can't remember the exact location of the boutique, but Estrella Archs' show was at the Garage Turenne (66 rue de Turenne), in the 3eme that season so for anyone heading to Paris you'll see it if you go to that address. If Paris isn't in the decks for you, for about the same price you can snap this Dannijo Rocco Pyrite Ring ($385), over at Shopbop.

Obviously I love this ring, but what do you think? Snob or Slob?