Rihanna's Rocking Rocks

According to OK Magazine, Rihanna's going to be blinging the charts soon. Her rumored boyfriend Chris Brown has apparently given his sweetie a ruby and diamond necklace worth a cool $100,000.

Beverly-Hills based jewelry designer Jason Arasheben told the mag that 'Chris went for the heart theme. He said, 'She's going to love this because she loves hearts.'

Rihanna is apparently returning the favor, ordering from the swanky jeweler a diamond-encrusted cross for Chris . The jeweler, not one for keeping quiet about his customers, also told the gossip mag that the singer 'gave specific instructions about Chris' gift. She was very particular about wanting the cross to match his other jewelry.'

In The Soup

Keeping your jewelry safe is one thing. Stashing it in an empty soup can though isn't necessarily the best place to hide your treasures as one women recently discovered.

She thought she was doing a good deed and as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Theresa Hekel recently filled a large bag full of cans of food to donate to the Postal Service's canned food drive. While she was busy raiding her pantry, she forgot that that one of the soup cans was actually full of her jewelry. She thought it was a safe place to keep her gems, including her wedding ring.

Once she realized that she'd donated more than just tomato soup, she hurried on down to the warehouse where the food was being sorted and distributed. After hours and hours of searching though, the fake soup can still eluded the good deeder and volunteers who were helping look.

Today, a plea went out to anyone who may discover more than crushed tomatoes when they open their can of soup...... and yes, the soup will be replaced along with a reward for the return of the jewelry.

Jewelry.com - Resetting Etiquette

Whether it’s an engagement ring that’s been relegated to the jewelry box, a diamond ring you’ve inherited or a generous diamond gift that just isn’t you, the question to reset or not is usually a painful one to answer. Diamonds are an emotional gem and to change their home is a difficult decision. But, before you decide one way or another, make sure you’re fully aware of all your options and when you decide, be happy with your decision.

Divorce is probably the number one reason why most women take off their diamond engagement ring. One of the most common questions I’m asked, is ‘should I sell the ring and if so, where?’ Just remember, the resale price of a diamond ring is way below the price paid for it. Most people after finding out how much they’ll receive, decide it’s not worth selling, but then have no idea what to do with the ring. Most don’t feel comfortable wearing the ring as is.
One of the most popular ways to re-set a diamond ring is either to take out the diamond and set it as a pendant, or reset the diamond with smaller gemstones surrounding it, to give it an entirely different look and feel.

If you have an heirloom the question of to reset or not is even harder. After all, this ring may have been passed down from generation to generation and to take it out of its originally setting is almost like breaking the chain. You are the only one to answer this question, there is no right or wrong when it comes to etiquette in this situation. If you have children, talk to them to see how they feel, after all it maybe theirs one day. If you do decide to reset, then when you talk to your jeweler, find out about having an antique setting that is more to your taste, but still keeping within the era of the original setting.

If the diamond was a gift from a generous friend, then be aware, if you do decide to reset the diamond, how will you explain this when they ask you where it is? Whatever you do, don’t reset without speaking to them first. After all, what’s more important, a piece of jewelry or a lifelong friendship?

If you do decide to take the resetting plunge, make sure you go to a reputable jeweler that specializes in resetting. Spend time with the jeweler and make sure you’re confident that they understand what you’re looking for.

A good idea is to have the diamond graded by a professional gemological laboratory such as IGI or GIA. They’ll examine the stone and you’ll receive a diamond certificate detailing the diamond’s properties. That way if any queries arise when you receive the diamond back in it’s new setting you can re-check that it is the same stone.

Make sure the jeweler insures the stone during the period they have it. If they don’t make sure your insurance covers the diamond during this time.

Find out how long it will take to reset the stone - you don’t want any nasty surprises.
If you’re having additional stones in the new setting, make sure they’re the quality you want, ask to see a sample of the types of gems of diamonds that will be surrounding the diamond, together with your diamond. Some colors or diamonds reflect in the main stone, making the stone appear duller than it is (and vice-versa, they may bring added brilliance to your gem).
The same applies if you’ve having it set in gold. Some diamonds appear to have a more pronounced yellow tint when set in yellow gold. White gold or platinum may make the stone appear more colorless.

Under The Cover Of Gold

When I saw the following article, all I could think was 'who would have such much money, yet so little brains to buy it.....' Yet another of the 'world's most expensive' titles has been bestowed - this time for sheets. Yep, bed linen.

A British-based company, Charlotte Thomas has created some sheets and pillowcases for the super-rich. Forget Egyptian cotton and thread count, this is way beyond such minutae.

The company recently launched a set of hand-made linen that features 22-carat gold sewn into merino fabric. Every piece is supported with an Indian silk jacquard and of course is 1000- thread Egyptian cotton.

The price of gold covered dreams? Well a pillowcase will set you back $2400.

The Mother Of All Diamonds

Did you know that the biggest diamond ever found is really out of this planet. I mean that. There's a star somewhere out there which is in fact a mega-diamond, reportedly weighing 10 billion trillion trillion carats. In other words, bigger than big- some 4,000 kilometers in diameter.

Don't expect this diamond though to ever find its way to a diamond dealers’ scales as it’s some 50 light years away from earth.

"You would need a jeweler’s loupe the size of the Sun to grade this diamond," says astronomer Travis Metcalfe, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who led the team of researchers that discovered it.

The huge cosmic diamond - technically known as BPM 37093 - is actually a crystallized white dwarf. A white dwarf is the hot core of a star, left over after the star uses up its nuclear fuel and dies. It is made mostly of carbon. The space diamond (apparently a ‘she’) was christened Lucy in a tribute to the Beatles song ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’

Astronomers expect our Sun will become a white dwarf when it dies 5 billion years from now. Some two billion years after that, the Sun's ember core will crystallize as well, leaving a giant diamond in the center of the solar system.

"Our Sun will become a diamond that truly is forever," says Metcalfe.

The cosmic stone completely outclasses all diamonds that have ever been found on Earth. The largest diamond weighing 546 carats was found in South Africa. The diamond, The Star of Africa, resides in the Crown Jewels of England. The Star of Africa was cut from the largest diamond ever found on Earth, a 3,100-carat gem.

Pretty In Pink

At the New York premiere of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Indie's other half looked surreally stunning in a delicate pink dress.....

Calista Flockheart has the 'ethereal' look down to a tee. Eschewing the bold colors seen of late, she stayed true to the more neutral shades that only a few can pull off. And she can.

A pair of pink sapphire earrings with a diamond splash would be the perfect accessory for such a delicate look. And, if you're looking for something on the lighter side, what could be more perfect than a pink sapphire angel pendant like this one from Jewelry.com.

Smell The Bling

Parfums Lolita Lempicka has unveiled two new 20ml purse sprays: what sets these mini-sprays apart from the rest, isn't so much their scent, rather their style. The company is describing the little bottles as “true works of jewelry for your handbag”. In other words they're expensive and decorated with gold.

'The First Feminine Fragance' features antique gold ivy leaves wrapped around transparent lilac-coloured glass, while the other scent 'L by Lolita Lempicka' is inside a turquoise glass bottle which has a gold chain around its neck, and an L-shaped charm.

As for the scents themselves, apparently the liquorice and immortelle flower have something to do with their fragance. But, I can guarantee, people won't be buying these for their fragances.

For the ultimate in handbag size perfume sprays, a few months ago, a Belgium diamond company introduced a gold and, of course, diamond bottle. The EXIRE®, perfume bottle can hold up to 4ml of perfume but that's not why you'd buy it. For the ultimate in smelling the bling, this bottle can't be beat. It's set with 201 brilliant EXIRE® diamonds weighing a total 3.67 carats.

Gold Stars

This month is gold month so there’s no excuse for not wearing the gold of gold – a simple golden pendant. Nicole Richie’s designing her own, Rihanna’s making sure hers stays dry under her umbrella and Jodie Foster won’t leave home without it. No outfit is perfect without a pendant. Remember, you've only got a few days left to win your favorite golden jewel at www.jewelry.com/gold.

Another golden star is, of course gold hoops. Whether they’re thin and oversized like Cindy Crawford’s favorite jewels, thick and squiggly or bejeweled and flowing like this pair on Alicia Keys – gold hoops are set to be summer sizzlers.

On the wrists, forget keeping it simple – pile on the gold with stacks of golden bracelets and cuffs like the paparazzi’s golden girl Paris Hilton.

Fortunately, it’s not only the celebrities that can bask in gold’s glittering hue. From golden hoops to delicate pendants and stacks of bracelets, there’s a golden story for everyone.

Gorgeously Green

If you haven't got the green message yet - then let me reiterate - GO GREEN. Being green isn't just about recycling or changing the lightbulbs. It's not only hybrid cars or eco-friendly products - its far more simplier..... It's simply about having some respect for what's outside.

I certainly am not a green preacher. I admit, not all my lightbulbs are the 'green' friendly type. I try to recycle but fall short most of the time and sometimes the price of organic drives me back to the chemically altered mutant veggies. Going green is a process for most of us - its just one step at a time.

The green message though it filtering through into so many aspects of life. I mean, take a look at what people are wearing. It's not only natural fibres, but natural colors such as white and beige and of course green, green, green.

Jewelry-wise most people think just of an emerald as a green gem. (Color-wise not eco-wise). But there are so many more; green sapphires, topaz, green diamonds, green amethyst, tzavorite, periodot and on and on.

So wear some green and take a step - you never know where it may lead.

Emerald Pendant by Jewelry.com for JC Penney for $359.

Peridot ring by Jewelry.com for an amazing $159

Emerald Flower Set for just $105 (limited time only)

Million-Dollar Dress

I believe that luxury is a necessity. It has nothing to do with practicality or value. Luxury to me, is simply something gorgeous, decadent and abseloutly out of my range. Basically, if I can have/buy/save for it, then chances are - it ain't a true luxury. For example, the smallest chocolate box from an 'artisan' chocolatiere (or whatever they're called) is not a luxury. A giant, heart-shaped, eat-em-all and you'll be sick box costing four figures is..... And that's something I can only dream of.

The dress Israeli-model Bar Refaeli was wearing in Cannes is luxury. It's gorgeous, decadent and really expensive - I mean really, really expensive. We're talking over a million dollars. The jewel encrusted lilac sheath by Alberta Ferrati features splashes of diamonds and other gemstones and is about to be auctioned off. In this case, proceeds from the gown will benefit the AIDS research charity AMFAR.

According to Refaeli, "It's worth a $ 1 million and I definitely feel like $ 10 million." And no, if any men are thinking of bidding, she doesn't come with the dress.

Riveria Rocks - Cannes Sparkles

The Cannes Film Festival is just as much about the frocks and the rocks as it is the movies and the art. It may be Europe's powerhouse movie fiesta, but it's just as much a fashion fete. A-listers, B-listers and the 'who are they' run to the Riveria to be seen in their sparkly best. It doesn't matter whether they have a movie showing or not. It's more about their showing than any 'art' showing.

This year, glam is simply a case of black and white. Colors were mostly muted with many of the silver screen's beauties opting for black or white or a mixture of both.Jewelry was, as has been over the past 12 months, focused on the ears.

Oversized drop earrings were the take home winners of the day, with once again, necklines baring all.It is Europe though and that means chic - especially Chanel-style chic reigns. Pearls were out in force under the Southern French sun.

From large drops framing the face to Dita Von Teese's ultra swank necklace, it was a perfect place to be a pearl.

Formula One's Blinged Out Helmets

Monaco and glamour go hand in hand, specially when the country's Grand Prix closes off the streets and the racing cars buzz. This year though, two drivers will have more than their fair share of attention. Lewis Hamilton and his McClaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen have revved the game up a notch, sporting diamond encrusted helmets as part of their Grand Prix gear.

On top of each helmet, the signature of the driver has been paved with a line of hundreds of Steinmetz diamonds. To complete the bling bounty, Steinmetz, one of the world's most famous diamond houses has given Hamilton and Kovalainen a diamond ring to go with the $10,000 one modeled on a tire which Hamilton received last year.

Seems driving fast cars is a nice job if you can get.

A Record-breaking Rock

An oval blue diamond just won the heavyweight title of the most expensive gem to ever be auctioned. The 3.7 carat fancy-colored blue diamond became the latest acquistion of famed London jeweler, Laurence Graff when he paid a not-to-be-sneezed at $1.33 million per carat for the rock.

The stone was part a jewelry auction in Geneva that raked in around $48.3 million. Other jewels that were snapped at in the swanky Swiss city auction included an emerald colored diamond and pearl necklace that went for $5.6 million and an emerald, colored diamond and pearl necklace that sold for $4.4 million.

Obviously the super-rich aren't feeling the need to tighten the family belt any time soon.

The Black Diamond Un-Scandal

Oh please - sometimes people (i.e. tabloids) come out with the most ridiculous ideas. My latest peeve is the headlines slamming Carmen Electra's new fiance, Rob Patterson. The poor guy apparently committed a greater sin than mere cheating, lying, stealing, drunk-driving, shooting-up etc. (i.e. the regular misdeamnours). What did he do? Well, he apparently bought a diamond ring and didn't want to pay more than he had to.

Apparently the Korn musician has a brain. Instead of going to a 'name' and paying a fortune just for the pleasure of having his finance state it's a #### ring. He searched around - found a different (black diamond) ring, something he thought his beloved would like. Probably researched the prices and bought something that was value for money.

According to the papers - this was not a wise move. “She seems really embarrassed,” an insider tells Life and Style Magazine. “I think the ring is a real deal breaker. She thought she’d be getting this giant rock. Instead, Rob bought it online for a bargain price!”

A bargain price???? Shame on him....

Actually shame on whoever thinks that finding a bargain is wrong. Since when is love measured by the price of the ring. Apparently too often. Surely a ring should be something the betrothed loves. Something that reflects her personality. Something unique to the couple. And surely internet bargains are great deals. After all, who wants to spend more than necessary.

Apparently - the black diamond ring cost just under $2000.

If only he'd asked, I would have sent him to Jewelry.com for JCPenney where they have this gorgeous, Champagne, Black and White diamond ring for under $900.

Golden Triva - Did You Really Want To Know?

May is Gold Month and for some that means winning the golden jewel of their dreams at www.jewelry.com/gold where I found these stunning golden chandelier earrings. Now, that you’ve voted for (and who knows, maybe even won) your favorite gold gem – it’s time to learn a few golden facts. When you think gold, you may think shiny, perhaps you think of a shimmering yellow, you may even stretch the imagination somewhat and think ‘white gold', but colors like green, purple even black probably wouldn't come to mind.

Long gone though are the days when gold was simply gold. Today, jewelers are creating a myriad of stylish gold pieces in all colors of the rainbow. The tint the gold takes on depends on the metals it is mixed, or alloyed with:Yellow gold, White gold, Rose gold, Green gold, Peach gold, Purple gold and even black gold (and we don't mean oil).

We've all watched the movies, seen the thieves load up the bullion bars from Fort Knox and seen the treasure hunters discover a crate load at the bottom of the Atlantic, but how much do they weigh? According to the World Gold Council the official name for those gold bars is 'London Good Delivery Bars' and they weigh about 27 lbs.

Another useless piece of trivia ... did you know that if all the gold ever produced was made into a thin wire it could stretch around the circumference of the world an astounding 7.2 million times. (Just who works out this stuff?)

And finally, when it comes to gold, recycling is far from new. In fact gold sets the standards when it comes to recycling. Ever since it was first discovered, gold has always been recycled thanks to its inherent high value. So that means your modern jewelry or dental crown could contain gold that was mined in prehistoric times, and might have even been part of some priceless item belonging to ancient royalty! Today, at least 15% of annual gold consumption is recycled each year.

Diamond Journey Couples

Diamond journey pieces are everywhere. The styles features a series of diamonds gradually increasing in size, representing - so we're told - the growing love of a couple's journey.

Next year will see the release of the diamond seperation pieces - apparently you just turn a 'journey' piece upside down and figure out the represenation for yourselves.

Anyway, cyncism aside, I decided to do a quick review of some really mindless mags and and see which celebrities can call the past 12 months– their ‘journey year’.

Bend It Beckhams

Hate ‘em or love ‘em – it’s been an incredible year for the Beckhams. From Madrid to LA, Mrs and Mrs Beckham are on a mission to conquer the world. With new BFFs, Tom and Katie Cruise, the Bs and their kids are now fully ensconced as Tinseltown royalty.

Rihanna

Rihanna's had a rocket-style journey lately. The world seemed to be humming her ‘ella’, she won award after award and became a Cover Girl. All that before she hit 20.

Eva and Tony

A definite shoe-in for wedding of the year. When Eva Longoria said “oui” to Tony Parker, diamond sellers around the world cheered. It was a diamond fest like no other. The Desperate Housewives star's band was made from 18K white gold with two rows of 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. These were separated by a row of 27 square-cut diamonds, for a total of 107 jewels. Mario Lopez obviously knew how much the couple loves their jewels. Wishing them a happy marriage, he presented the new Mrs. Parker with an 18-carat white-gold bracelet from the Kwiat Solaris Collection. The bracelet, adorned with 102 round diamonds, weighs a whopping 2.03 carats -- and is valued at $8,150. Mr. Parker wasn’t forgotten, he unwrapped a 1.27-carat diamond tiepin, also from Kwait.

Baby Boom

It seems Hollywood is all about going ‘mama’. J Lo, Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, Naomi Watts, and Salma Hayek,were just some stars taking on the most important role of their life this year.

Sex, Earrings And One Mighty Big Hat

So Sex In The City premiered in London, a city for sure, just not the obvious city. While the critics were bewailing the location of the opening, the fashion press were more interested in what they were wearing (and what not).

Sarah Jessica Parker made her statement loud and clear with what can only be termed an ‘unusual’ hat by Phillip Treacy. Very Carrie-ish, but on the streets of London - I thinkg not.

Kim Cattrall - seemed un-Samantha like conservative in her one-shouldered Vivienne Westwood number. She was as gorgeous as ever, just tamer than would have been expected.

Kristin Davis (I confess my favorite of them all) was totally Charlotte- like in a pinkish vintage dress by Guy Laroche.

But the fairest of them all – and this is where the long-shot comes in to win – Cynthia Nixon in a daring black Calvin Klein dress.

Now this is a jewelry-blog so over to the jewelry. Once again, necklaces were missing in action. Word to the wise, if you’re attending any red-carpet even this year – leave the neck bare and focus on the ears.

All four beauties wore elegant earrings drawing attention to their face and not their other assets.

Big Baubles You Are Beautiful

According to Style.com the days of the 'It' bag could be numbered. The fashion bible has decreed there's a new Golden Calf in town - the need-it-now bauble.

'More and more houses—Bottega Veneta and Burberry to name just two—are entering the jewelry arena. And they're not doing so quietly: Chunky statement pieces are the trend. Fall was a gem of a season for necklaces in particular,' says the online trend dictator.

While I love the runway looks, just trying wearing some in the real world. Some thing is most definately lost in translation. Runway looks aren't meant to be taken 'as are'. If they were - the streets of Milan, New York and London would like some art-house movie set in another dimension.

Still the message is clear. Big is better. From necks to wrists, fingers to ears - pile 'em on and pile 'em high