Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Kim Kardashian's Engagement Ring Details!


Kim Kardashian's engagement ring is the perfect fit for the uber-reality starlet's personal style. It's bold. It's beautiful. And (good gracious) is it BIG!

New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries popped the question after dating Kim for only 6 months with a whopping 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz stunner, People reports!  (Schwartz is a longtime friend of the Kardashian clan and is known for her 'bigger means better' bling on all the important red carpet events.)


“It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” Kardashian told People. “It’s perfect.”

And TMZ is reporting the stone is valued at over $2 million smackers! (someone get me a chair....)

The 16.5-carat emerald-cut center stone is flanked by a pair of 2-carat trapezoids, for a total weight of 20.5 carats! Humphries even managed to work with Schwartz on the design behind Kim's back.


“[Lorraine] always listened to what I would want and the shapes I love. I had said I loved an emerald cut and they were scheming and plotting for a while,” she explained.

No wedding date is set yet, and while Humphries isn't keen on a big celebration he joked with Kim's momager, Kris Jenner, that he'd be "fine if there were mini-horses there."


Careful what you wish for,  sport...

Click here to see the other recently engaged star who's flashing an emerald-cut sparkler on her ring finger! And remember sister Khloe Kardashian's basketball-bought bling? She too dated her basketball beau, Lamar Odom, for a mere six months before gettin' hitched. Way to take your time, ladies.

Remember her carat count? Re-live all the Kardashian diamond details with me here!


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Emerald Tiara Smashes Auction Record


LOWER JAW DROP ALERT! Everything's coming up emeralds these days - from the couture at the Cannes Film Festival to fashion frenzy at The Met Gala.

So it comes as no surprise that one heckofa crown jewel - an emerald and diamond tiara - sold at Sotheby's Geneva auction last week for a price-busting $12.76 million - the highest price ever achieved for an emerald jewel.

Model, Bianca Balti, wears emerald jewelry at the Cannes Film Festival
"It is needless to say a world record price at auction for a tiara," said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's Europe and Middle East jewelry department.

The bauble originally belonged to German prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, who commissioned it for his second wife Katharina around 1900.  (With a name like that, you better have a budget for bling. Yikes.)

An anonymous bidder from North America is the lucky owner of the royal green gem. Oprah's got some down time coming her way. Maybe she wanted a crown to go with her Queen of Daytime moniker?


Rihanna wears emerald earrings to The Met's Costume Institute Gala

But who needs Oprah (sorry, Gayle) when you've got me to bring you buckets of bling on a budget, right? To that end, I give you one of my favorite emerald styles on the NEW Jewelry.com. I like it because it could be a great fashion piece - OR - an alternative bridal look.

And at just over $200 for real emeralds and 1/4ct of diamond ice? Well, let's just say you don't have to marry a prince to bring one home for your own collection.

Not your style? Check out Jewelry.com's entire emerald jewelry treasure chest here. Go green or go home, jewelry hounds!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Angelina Jolie's Diamond Disappointment



The most anticipated star to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival this year, hands down, was Angelina Jolie. Always elegant, always gorgeous - and often with nary a jewel to the naked eye - this A-lister has it well within her power to make every jewelry gawker and diamond diva quiver in our boots with a jaw-dropping jewelry choice (Exhibit A: The Oscar emeralds).

However.

She ususally just doesn't go there. And Monday night was no exception. Her chocolate Atelier Versace gown was pure perfection - but instead of a creative couture jewelry choice from festival sponsor, Chopard, for example, she went with the tried and true stud (and I'm not talking about Brad).

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Cannes Film Festival Jewelry Update

Aishwarya Rai in Chopard

Good news, jewelry hounds! More crazy carats were spotted on the Croisette at the 64th Annual CannesFilm Festival! We're talking Sarah Jessica Parker, Penelope Cruz, Uma Thurman - even Jane Fonda!

Sarah Jessica Parker in Fred Leighton

Chopard continues to sparkle on all the big names - and while I've seen Ms. Fonda's Chopard 160-carat (!) sapphire stunner before on their Co-President, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele back in 2009 -  a bauble like that never really gets old, right?

Jane Fonda in Chopard

Uma brought out another pair of Chopard chandeliers for the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere, but IMHO - they're not nearly as jaw-dropping as her opening night emeralds).

Uma Thurman in Chopard

But color was definitely a continuing trend as A-lister Penelope Cruz rocked these rubellite earrings (also by Chopard) for her Pirates of the Caribbean red carpet waltz.

Penelope Cruz in Chopard

Tonight, though, is a big night. Why? Brangelina is making a red carpet appearance for Brad's film, Tree of Life. And while Ms. Jolie is usually a "diamonds on the down low" kindof jewelry celeb, I'm hoping just this ONCE - she rocks out with a statement piece. A jewelry hound can dream....

Stay tuned! In the meantime, here are some more highlights:



Thursday, May 12, 2011

Emeralds Explode at Cannes!

Jewelry at the Cannes Film Festival is a 'go big or go home' explosion of some of the world's most expensive jewels and gems. Why? Because high-end jewelry house (and my personal fave), Chopard, is the sponsor, and that means the red carpet waltz is all about the 'BA-ling'.

While diamonds are always dripping from the likes of Hollywood celebs, models and various other socialite types - the opening of the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival will forever be known as "The Year of the Emerald".

First, there's Uma Thurman. A festival juror this year, the A-lister dazzled in a stunning white Versace strapless gown and jaw-dropping Chopard emerald jewels (the chandelier earrings alone are 54 cts(!) set in 18 K white gold).

Not to be outdone is model, Bianca Balti, whose emerald statement necklace, cocktail ring and dangle earrings almost defy description. My jaw is still scraping the floor.  Credit is assumed to belong to her red carpet companion, Fawaz Gruosi, who is one of the most sought after jewelry and watch designers working today (he owns Geneva-based de Grisogono) .


Salma Hayek makes every Cannes red carpet a spectator sport - and this year she wowed in head-to-toe Gucci. Win!

Creative couture is the hallmark of Chopard, and their Co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele brought out their big-time bling in what appear to be peacock dangle earrings and a matching wrap-around cuff from their Animal World Collection.

Here's a smattering of some of the other incredible jewelry looks I spotted on opening night, where Woody Allen's latest, Midnight in Paris, screened. But this is just the beginning. Stay with me and Jewelry.com for more crazy carat coverage from Cannes as the festival continues!









Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Rachel Zoe Trades Diapers for Diamonds

Hard labor has its perks. New mom Rachel Zoe got one doozy of a 'push present' from hubby, Rodger Berman - a 10 carat cushion-cut right hand ring from celebrity designer, Neil Lane!

“Rodger wanted to surprise Rachel with something romantic — and huge,” Lane told People.com of the sparkler, which is surrounded by smaller diamonds in a platinum setting. “I knew she’s wanted a cushion cut forever. It was their first baby and she’s been working so hard that Rodger wanted to do something very special. Rachel was thrilled and hasn’t taken it off since!”

Cushion-cut stones have becomen the 'must-have' look among the celebrity set and bridal crowd the past few years.

"A lot of it has to do with Hollywood," president of New York manufacturer J. Birnbach told National Jeweler. "Celebrities have been embracing the cushions and the Asschers for the last couple years."

Famous brides like Ivanka Trump, Alyssa Milano and Anna Paquin each received cushion-cut engagement rings. And we're seeing A-listers like Penelope Cruz wear cushion-cut jewels to big events like the Oscars.

And if it will 'cushion' the blow of the baby blues - I'm all for it.

Did any of you get a 'push present'? Weigh in! And here's a link to my previous post on other great jewelry gift ideas for new moms. Enjoy!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Penelope Cruz: Perfection at 'Pirates' Premiere

Penelope Cruz dripped in diamonds at the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides premiere in Los Angeles - easily the most anticipated film of the summer.

The 37-year-old Spanish actress sparkled in Chopard jewelry and a midnight off-the-shoulder custom gown from Marchesa with embroidered feather and jet crystal detail.

Her platinum and diamond earrings are in the trendy teardrop shape - like Kate's royal wedding sparklers - and a whopping 57-carat platinum and diamond bracelet finished off the ice for this winning look.

But Penelope wasn't the only brunette bauble belle of the ball. Eva Longoria rocked teardrop danglers and a white shift dress - a great combo for spring/summer.

Emma Roberts wore a beaded Saloni dome necklace and Dana Rebecca Designs earrings to liven up her 'little black dress'.

Vanessa Hudgens decorated her ring fingers with a turquoise Herndon Heald ring and a skull silhouette.


And Teri Hatcher sported a great gemstone bangle look and her favorite accessory, daughter Emerson!




But perhaps the most photographed celebs of the night were superstar, Johnny Depp and 'Orignal Gansta' pirate, Keith Richards - Depp's good friend and well-known inspiration for his iconic Jack Sparrow role.


Both wore their signature rocker beads - and a laugh that sounded something like the one you take 'all the way to the bank'....

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Green, Glam and Hair Gems Light Up The Met

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney
Red carpet fashion gawking doesn't get much better than the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala. And since this year honored the late Alexander McQueen - the fashion-forward had a field day, turning jewelry style quite literally - on its head.


It looks like the Brits aren't the only ones with a penchant for haute couture headwear. Everyone from newly engaged Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba to uber-designer Stella McCartney and Fergie put icy diamonds on their tresses.

Stella McCartney



Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren dress and jewelry


Although (and I risk the wrath of Campbell when I say this...) this isn't one of Naomi's better fashion moments.Yikes!

It appears green is still the 'go-to' color for gemstones, with Rihanna, Ginnfer Goowdwin, Mary Kate Olsen, Tory Burch, and many others channeling their inner Kermit for couture's sake.

Rihanna in Stella McCartney and Wilfredo Rosado jewelry

Ginnifer Goodwin in TopShop and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Mary Kate Olsen in Givenchy Couture and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry


Great statement earrings shined on the likes of Kristin Bell, Lea Michele and Cristina Hendricks.

Kristin Bell in Tory Burch and Amrapali Earrings


Ashely Greene in Donna Karan and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry



Lea Michele in Escada and Kimberly McDonald earrings
And, of course, diamonds still rule when it comes to red carpet sparkle. I was pleasantly surprised to see Madonna in this understated, spidery look by Cartier. And the "less-is-more" queens of diamond stud-wear wore just the right splash of sparkle (although, Michelle Williams? It's time to mix it up, sister.)

Madonna in Stella McCartney and Cartier jewelry

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci and H. Stern jewelry


Who wore your favorite look of the night?