Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Designer Jewelry

Gem Gossip’s Pick of the Week!

I've decided to start a weekly post for my pick of the week.  There are no rules or stipulations--just whatever bracelet, necklace, ring, or earrings I feel should be mentioned, or is currently on my personal wish list.  Hopefully you will enjoy my choices, and you can even chime in with items you've spotted that you just "can't live without!"  Feel free to post links in the comments section below each weekly "pick of the week!"  So check back every Wednesday. This week's pick is this princess skull necklace. It is made of 9k gold, and rubies with white sapphires. Definitely a glammed up version of the rocker chic look. The shape almost resembles a cross--done purposely? Not sure, but you can purchase this at Kabiri which is a website that houses all sorts of eclectic pieces of jewelry from across the pond. Check it out at www.kabiri.co.uk Read More

Celebrity Jewelry

Miley’s Sweet Sixteen: My Proposed Gift List

Sweet Sixteens only come, well, once in a lifetime--so you better make your wish list count!  Miley Cyrus' sweet sixteen will soon be upon us (November 23), and the whole world will be watching.  Let's hope she is more grateful than those bratty girls on MTv's Sweet Sixteen tv show.  And it seems that may be so... Miley's birthday party will be held at DisneyLand, where she will have the whole place to herself and her birthday "guests."  Anyone who purchases a $250 ticket will be an official partygoer.  So not only is she sharing her fun-filled day with complete strangers, but all of the proceeds will benefit a charity.  Seems like Miley has a good-heart and is not a greedy birthday girl.  But, of course anyone who is anyone needs at least one present on his or her birthday.  So I've devised my own list of potential birthday presents.  Some sort of jewelry item has got to be on her wish list!  Maybe she will choose one of these great finds!  Enjoy! This heart necklace is dainty and cute, while still having a "grown-up" side to it. The purple amethyst is encased in 14k gold filigree, with a magnificent detail on the back. Designed by Becky Kelso and priced at $763, I could see Miley rocking out with this on. www.ElizaPage.com Miley is not one to obstain from the multiple bracelet trend. She's been seen wearing plenty of bracelets--on both wrists! I think this vintage diamond bangle would really add some elegance and edge to what she normally wears. And besides, the older you get, the wiser you get--why not opt for diamonds and gold, while other teenie boppers are wearing plastic bangles? This one is $550 from Fay Cullen. And lastly, Miley needs something extremely unique for any red carpet event. This ring will get heads turning! It is a purple sapphire (very rare) surrounded by champagne diamonds, set at an angle. Something so slight, like angles, will turn any ring into a piece of artwork. This unique ring is designed by Fatima Maria, and can be purchased for $2570 at Twist. Well, there you have some great gift ideas for Miley's sweet sixteen. Any of these are worthy and might very well be unwrapped come November 23.  Did you receive any memorable piece of jewelry for your sweet sixteen? Read More

Obsessions

Shake it Fast;; Watch Yourself!

Whether it's floating diamonds, rubies, sapphires or even flecks of gold, shaker jewelry is back in action.  But don't get this trend confused with what it was several years ago.  It is hard to explain, so I'll give you some visual pictures.  You will see the difference! Okay, here is what the trend looked like when it first debuted.  Usually a few diamonds, bezel set (gold around them) "floating" in usually a white sapphire crystal.  Not so cute anymore. Now here is the newly updated version of the shaker jewelry trend. You can definitely see the difference! Gemstones are not carefully placed inside the crystal anymore, no more gold border to them, and I even like the flecks of gold rather than gemstones. It's like you just went gemstone hunting, and put all your finds into an empty case. This necklace has faceted rubies inside a vintage crystal locket. I wonder how many little rubies there are? You can also special order this piece in sapphires or diamonds. Price ranges for this necklace are anywhere between $800-$4000. http://www.77thstreetimports.com So pretty! This is a different take on the shaker jewelry trend. Why not use flakes of gold? These flakes are actually rose gold, which makes it even more unique. The ring, designed by Moritz Glik, is set in 18k rose gold, using two white sapphire plates to hold the flecks of gold. It is $3160 and can be purchased at Ylang|23. Another great example of this trend is this peridot shaker necklace designed by Elisa Solomon. Many of us will like the price on this 'usually very expensive' trend--only $370. How was this accomplished? Just by using peridot gemstones, instead of diamonds and using 14k gold rather than 18k gold. Still top notch, by all means and the pretty green color of peridot will make this shaker necklace stand out above the rest! Read More

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Designer Jewelry

Designer Spotlight: Karen Karch

When I came across jewelry designer Karen Karch and her website, it was like Christmas morning for me. Every time I clicked "next page" I got more and more thrilled by her jewelry designs. Talk about one-of-a-kind! Brides-to-be love her organic and simply stunning engagement rings. They are different, and will continue to be beautiful throughout your lifetime. Brides can choose from a wide range of wedding bands, many featuring vines and tiara shapes. White and Cognac diamonds are used in engagement style rings. Karch also has some breath-taking everyday jewelry. Her collection features lapis, jade, coral, turquoise and tiger's eye. Any jewelry lover who is not familiar with Karch's designs should check out her site--you will love it! The bright blue of the lapis against the yellow gold really makes this ring stand out. The band is made out of golden vines, which give the ring an organic look. The lapis is rose cut, making it even more unique. The prongs look like claws--so neat! Price is $4200, and the ring is called Spellbound. Karch has many lucky horn pendants in her collection. You can purchase them in turquoise, jade, coral, onyx, tiger's eye, even a diamond encrusted horn. Some have different caps, having more or less diamonds...it depends on your style (and budget!) This one is the most simple, and is green jade. Price: $1900 This is called the Supreme ring--the name says it all. The black diamonds really contrast against the 18k rose gold. Tiny white diamonds border around the center stone. The total carat weight of diamonds in this ring is 2.17, price $6800. Read More

Designer Jewelry

Get Familiar: Karen Karch

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Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Bravo Chad; Victoria’s Vintage 1 year Anniversary Gift

You know you watch the show every week; you even watch reruns and not even know it.  Twenty minutes into the rerun you're like--"wait, didn't I just watch this episode last night?"  But you'll finish the last ten minutes until the end just because.  Million Dollar Listing has been pretty good television.  I even get to have snack breaks when Madison's part comes on (he's so boring).  Chad is my favorite.  I also like to predict what clips are going to be on The Soup because Joel McHale does a sweet job of making fun of him.  Now, after the latest episode, I've come to like Chad and his girlfriend Victoria even more, so I might not laugh as hard the next time Joel McHale makes fun of him.  The episode shows Chad at a jewelry store, picking out a gift for Victoria for their one year anniversary.  Chad chose a vintage diamond ring from the 1920s--nice move.  The ring was perfect for the occasion and he presented it to her in Palm Springs.  I've found a few "look-alikes" on some vintage jewelry online shops, so check them out below, and you could have you're very own vintage ring as seen on Million Dollar Listing! This ring has a similar style to the one Chad gave Victoria. It is also from the same time period. There are seven rose cut diamonds (lucky number??) and the ring is set in 18k yellow and white gold. It can be found here at Adin. Price: around $625. The next similar ring comes from Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry. This one is very elegant and has more diamond weight to it--1.15 carats to be exact. It is also set in platinum. The price on this one is $3950. Worth it! This one is probably the most similar to the style and shape of the ring Chad got Victoria. He mentioned while purchasing the ring, that it sort of looked like a butterfly, and this does as well. It is from the Ross-Simons estate collection, and priced at $1195 ($956 if you catch the Labor Day Sale). Very pretty, set in 14k white gold with, again, seven diamonds. Must be a trend that was done back in the 20s-30s, with the seven diamonds. You can tune in to the Bravo channel, and check your local listings for times of Million Dollar Listing. You could probably turn it on TV right now and watch it, it's always on. Read More