Kelly Bensimon Picks Jewelry Over Jellybeans

Jewelry and the New York Housewives go together like pinot grigio and 'turtle time' - so it comes as no surprise that Hamptons hottie, Kelly Bensimon, is adding more trinkets to her celebrity jewelry line.

While Bensimon described her previous jewelry offering as 'Pocahontas goes to the disco' (huh?), her recent bauble collection has a more bodacious provenance:

"One of the most influential icons for me has always been Raquel Welch," Bensimon, 42, tells UsMagazine.com in a statement. "Wrapped in suede and golden-tanned skin, Welch in One Million B.C. epitomized raw beauty."

The creatively named, "Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon" collection mixes metals, leather, feathers and crystals and ranges from $50 to $150 at Intermix stores across the country.

Bensimon also designed a limited number of baubles for charity, with 100% of the proceeds going to Feeding America.

At least she's not dropping a dance tune.

Celebrity Engagement Ring Blitz

Cupid is making the rounds in celebrity-land this month, giving we jewelry hounds a cornucopia of diamond carats to count.

First and foremost - we've got another royal wedding on our hands. Huzzah! HRH Prince Albert of Monaco finally parted ways with his bachelor lifestyle by proposing to Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock, with what appears to be a 3-carat pear-shaped diamond stunner (see Jewelry.com's report for more diamond details).


Next up? Our favorite swashbuckling elf, Orlando Bloom, is breaking hearts with news of his engagement to model, Miranda Kerr. A rep at the Diamond Information Center told Us Kerr's ring is an oval diamond set on a white gold or platinum band weighing in at an estimated 3-4 carats with a price as high as $65,000.

Ugly Betty may have lost the ratings war, but its star won big in the end with her recent engagement to longtime beau, Ryan Piers Williams. Reports put the carat count of the round center stone at 4 with an estimated price tag of around $70 large.


Finally? Vienna Miller's diamond engagement ring is making news because, well, it's still on her ring finger. Reports are swirling that Bachelor, Jake Pavelka, kicked her to the curb after discovering she was cheating on him while he was away on business.

If you didn't see that one coming, I have some beach property in the Gulf I'd like to show you.

And if prior Bachelor break-ups are any indication, she won't be wearing the 2-carat Neil Lane diamond much longer. The show's producers get back the bling once the honeymoon's over.

Are there any other recent celebrity betrothals I'm missing? Weigh in!

Diamond Soccer Ball Bling

In honor of USA's brilliant World Cup win today, I thought I'd post this little diamond ditty to tickle your football fancy.

South African jeweler, Yair Shimansky, created the world's most brilliant soccer ball to draw attention to his brand during the World Cup festivities, and the result is a black and white dazzler worth a whopping $2.6 million.


The five-pound ball is covered in 6,620 white and 2,640 black round brilliant cut diamonds, all sourced in South Africa, for a grand total of 3,500 carats.

Replicas rendered in crystals will be in Shimansky's seven national stores for the duration of the World Cup and will be auctioned after the festivities, with proceeds going to charity.

In the meantime, that's not the only World Cup winner that's easy on the eyes. I'll be glued to the TV as Team USA enters the next round - the first time we've made it this far since 1930!

USA! USA! USA!

Anne Hathaway's Jewelry Up for Auction

When your boyfriend brings you diamond jewelry like it's your morning latte, you know you've hitched your wagon to one keeper of a pony.

Unless you're Anne Hathaway.

The Cinderella story of Miss Anne and her uber-rich boyfriend Raffaello Follieri hit a snag back in 2008 when he was convicted of 14 felony counts of fraud, so the Feds are trying to recoup his losses Bernie Madoff-style by auctioning off anything and everything he owned - including the jewelry he gave to Anne.

Hathaway, who broke up with then-arrested Follieri in June 2008, turned the items over to the FBI that August, including two watches, two rings, two bracelets, two necklaces, two chains, silver earrings, and a Louis Vuitton box. While the jewelry's total value has not been disclosed, a gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona given to Hathaway retails for about $25,000.

But all's well that ends well. Follieri is serving a 4/12 year sentence, and A-lister Annie's only crime is her performance in Valentine's Day.

What would you do with jewelry given to you by a lying, cheating ex? This excellent site, www.exboyfriendjewelry.com ("You don't want it, he can't have it back!") has the perfect answer - and a brilliant business plan. Check it out!

Tiaras and True Love at Sweden's Royal Wedding

Jewelry gawking has its favorite occasions like the Oscars and the Golden Globes, but it really doesn't get any better than that rarest of gems - a royal wedding. This weekend, we got a crown jewel of a soiree as Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria wed the lowly commoner, Daniel Westling.

Not since Charles and Di has there been a wedding so anticipated among royal watchers, but unlike that ill-fated pairing this one's a real love story.


In Stockholm Cathedral, 1,200 royal guests and dignitaries watched the nuptials, along with 500,000 people who lined the streets, and an estimated 500 million TV viewers from around the world. Yet the princess only had eyes for her groom, Daniel Westling - her former personal trainer turned prince charming.


Victoria wore the historic Cameo Tiara for her trip down the aisle (see Jewelry.com for more on this storied gem). It's certainly not the blingiest bauble on the block but it suits the occasion and looks lovely on her.


Her mom, Queen Silvia, on the other hand? Well, a picture says a thousand words. Wowza!


Here are more of my favorite tiara triumphs. No one summarizes the provenance of each jewel better than blogger, Mad Hattery, so I'll refer you to their excellent Tiara-pedia for all the specifics.

Victoria's sister Madeleine may be smarting from her recent engagement break-up, but she can dry her tears knowing she can put these on when she's feeling blue.


Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg:


Queen Sonja of Norway:

Queen Sofia of Spain:

Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands:


Crown Princess Letizia of Asturias:

Crown Princess Mette-Merit of Norway:


Princess Margaret Louise of Norway:

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark:

Princess Elena of Spain:

Crown Princess Mathilde of Brabant (Belgium)

Megan Fox Loses $60,000 Engagement Ring

It's a jewelry nightmare for the record books. When megastar Megan Fox got engaged to 90210's Brian Austin Green (for the second time) during their Hawaiian beach vacation, she was so excited she lost her $60,000 diamond engagement ring in the sand.

Not down the drain, as many jewelry calamities play out. In the sand. Despite the metal detector attempts of the Four Seasons staff, the 2-carat ring is still MIA.

The good news is: she's a multi-millionaire many times over. And 90210 is in syndication.

JewelClub Vault Sale Specs - 25% Off Wholesale

As promised, here are a few of the incredible deals you can steal on JewelClub for the next few days. I wrote about their Vault Sale on Monday but wasn't privy to the styles they are featuring. They published the 18 pretties today and here are a few of my favs:

Diamond Studs. They're like a good bra - every girl needs 'em, right? These were originally priced at $229 and are $51.09 until Monday. 'Nuff said.

Bridal Bling. Anyone shopping for an engagement ring/wedding band combo would be loathe to miss this offering. White gold is 'in' and the 1 and 3/8 ct. design has a vintage feel to it. The price is what's really incredible: $804.41 down from $3949.

Finally, I'm loving these chocolate diamond hoops. Combining two trends in one (hoops and colored diamonds), JewelClub is crazy to give these away for just $295 (down from $1429).

But then again, "Crazy sells", according to NY Housewife, Kelly Bensimon.

You usually have to have an invite to shop the sales, but if you follow my lead, you can get in on the savings with all the rest of the JewelClubers:

1. Click on any piece in this announcement: JewelClub Vault Sale
2. Enter your email
3. Use the Access Code: INSIDER

And you're good to go.

I think I've said enough, but I will leave you with these two parting words: Shipping included.

Get on it, jewelry hounds!

So You Think You Can Hock Jewelry?

Cat Deeley, the beautiful blonde Brit who hosts So You Think You Can Dance? is joining the ranks of celebrity jewelry designers with her latest line for QVC.

Inspired by all things vintage the Cat Deeley Modern Vintage line features classic designs that have been updated with bold modern accents, according to a release.

Signature pieces, including the Tear Drop Chandelier Earrings and Marquise Link Bracelet, embody a more playful look while more understated items, including the Multi-Strand Antique Gold Necklace and Heart Earrings, offer a more sophisticated style.

"The collection really has something for everyone," Deeley said. "I created each piece to reflect the different sides of a woman's personality. From fun and flirty earrings to more subdued, classic pendants and necklaces, my new collection is the perfect solution for anyone looking to diversify her look."

Prices range from approximately $39.00 to $200.00 and will be available through QVC on Friday, June 18 at 4 PM (ET) and on QVC.com.

Jewelry Sample Sale Alert!

Jewelry hounds, mark your calendars. I just got word that my favorite jewelry sample sale site, JewelClub, is launching a rare vault sale where they're knocking off 25% on 18 select styles.

That's 25% off WHOLESALE!

Um, yeah. Now that I've got your attention...

The sale will start this Thursday, June 17th but will only last a few days (through Monday, June 21st) - and like most big discount sales the inventory is limited and may go quickly.


I have only seen this teaser piece to whet your whistle - it's a three-stone bridal ring that's over $3,000 off the suggested retail price. (insert lower jaw-drop here)

But brides and grooms aren't the only audience they're targeting; they assure me there will be trendy pieces, jewelry box staples and colorful creations all ripe for the picking.


So be sure to sign up on www.jewelclub.com, using the code: INSIDER (if you haven't already) to get in the loop on this super sale. I won't steer you wrong on this. Their prices are as low as a Mariah Carey neckline.

Blondes, Baubles and Bad Taste at the CMT Awards

Jewelry hounds, I'm not trying to be disagreeable. Red carpet jewelry and fashion gawking is certainly not saving any oil-soaked pelicans or curing cancer anytime soon. But when Jersey Shore's Snooki looks better than half the divas doing the rounds at the Country Music Television (CMT) Awards, you know you're in for a long night.

And what is Snooki doing at the CMT Awards?

Let's start with the good. Taylor Swift. Always a fashion winner. Love the straight hair. Hoops. Galliano. Louboutin. What's not to like?


What's not to like? How about this unfortunate statement necklace choice by Kellie Pickler?


Or this bizarre lace mini green monster thing on Hayden Panitierre?


Or the weird day-glo dress meets sparkly gold teardrop earring look on Leann Rimes?


Or Laura Bell Bundy's gold stripper, I mean, red carpet get-up?


Or Miranda Lambert's Snooki impression?

Or this ho-hum look an the usually stunning Faith Hill (love the trendy big hoops, though)?


Clearly this battle of the blonde bombshells left me battered and bruised. Am I going off the rails here? Or is Country Music in desperate need of a Rachel Zoe makeover?

Summer Jewelry Trend Alert: Get Cuffed

Forget 'raindrops and roses' and 'whiskers on kittens', 'summer' and 'jewelry' are a few of my favorite things - and one of the hottest bauble trends of the season is both affordable and creative:

Cuffs!

Sarah Jessica Parker can't get enough of them and designers like Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenburg are using them on their runways like nobody's business.

So how do you wear them?

You can go for just one big look like this cool agate cuff from Nordies for only $68!


Or better yet, layer them up using a variety of cuff categories - like this Betsey Johnson floral look with this metal stretch piece.




And there's no rule against using a cuff/bangle combo. How cool would this trendy faux turquoise style look with a series of gold clinks to go with?

Jewelry.com has a great assortment of statement cuff cuties from the hottest (and most trusted) jewelry retailers. Or you can cruise vintage stores, garage sales and grandma's jewelry box for styles screaming for summertime fun.

Getting cuffed never looked this glam. Unless you saw this 'bachelorette party' gift on The New York Housewives last week (ahem).