Justin Buys Diamonds for Jessica!

Not to worry JT fans. It’s not THE diamond. Not yet, anyway. Superstar lovebirds Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel made their Roman holiday a lot brighter this week with a stop at an exclusive, unmarked jewelry store that specializes in pieces from the 1950s and 1970s.

People Magazine reports that Justin picked up a diamond bracelet and a diamond right hand ring for his talented love interest – both from the 1970s.

The couple spent about an hour in the shop and asked the sales assistant to empty the safe with all their best merchandise. Biel apparently tried on every piece in the store before making her selections.

A woman after my own heart!

At one point, Justin started serenading her with a song from her latest film – a period piece called Easy Virtue – while Biel tried on a vintage diamond necklace from the 17th century.

Yes, that’s gag-worthy it’s so cute, and yes it’s my personal fantasy come to life.

"I could tell they had very refined taste because they asked about the history of all the jewelry," shop owner Nicola Boncompagni told People. She added that the couple seemed "shy but in love."

Awww....

So are wedding bells in their future? A recent quote from the actress reveals her ambivalence.

“The actual idea of signing those papers and doing all this stuff ... I’ve never been someone who’s like, ‘I have to, have to, have to have it.' But the idea of being with somebody I care about, who is my soul mate, that sounds groovy!”

So does a lifetime of JT serenades and jewelry shopping sprees. Get into the groove, girlfriend!

Stan 1983 - 2008

My beloved old cockatiel Stan is now flying around heaven. I'm very sad and miss him terribly already.

Etsy Love

Today I found two notes in my Etsy inbox about lovely top picks my jewelry was included in!

This collection comes from a Storque Article you can find HERE.

 All of the designers are incredibly talented and I loved each piece.  

I was also included in this amazing treasury located HERE in Treasury West. Again, I was delighted by the surrounding artists. Thanks to the lovelies at GetReadySetGo for including me. Their luggage is amazing and I recently received a few pieces of it myself as a gift. I'll post some pics of them soon. 

Also, if you happened to notice, my blog got a little make-over courtesy of the super-talented Lelia of Red Heart Cult. You can find her jewelry and other dark lovelies HERE. Her blog is also a favorite stop of mine while voyaging the Internet. 

Famous Gem Heists

Feel like the rug is being pulled out from under you? It happens when the DOW takes a tumble - OK a plunge! In honor of that 'not so swell' feeling of loss, we thought we'd take a look at some of the fabulous gems that have been stolen over the ages. The good news? Each and every one of them were returned to their rightful owners. Let's hope the same can be said for our 401ks!

The Millennium Star
In 2000, police foiled a plan to steal the 203-ct. flawless pear-shaped Millennium Star diamond and 11 other rare blue diamonds, including the 27.64-ct. blue Heart of Eternity diamond from London’s Millennium Dome. In a scene right out of the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough," the robbers planned to make their getaway via a speedboat on the nearby Thames River. But police, acting on a tip given several weeks ago, had prepared for the theft and had officers stationed around the Millennium Dome dressed as members of the cleaning staff carrying weapons in their refuse bags. Some 100 officers lay in wait as a gang attempted to use a mechanical digger to steal the gems valued at £350 million. The robbers only managed to damage the glass display case, however, as the police swapped the jewels for worthless copies.

Koh-I-Noor
This fabled 105.60 ct. stone goes back to the 1300s, when it was owned by India's Rajah of Malwa. Following a series of wars, it fell into the hands of Sultan Babur in the 1500s and remained one of the most precious gems of the Mongul Emperors for the next 200 years. In 1739, the stone was obtained by Nadir Shah of Persia, who had invaded Delhi. Legend has it that Nadir Shah, failing to uncover the gem during his pillage of Delhi, was told by one of the harem women that the conquered Mongul emperor hid it inside his turban. Taking advantage of an Oriental custom, Nadir Shah invited the vanquished emperor to a feast and suggested they exchange turbans. After the feast, he unrolled the turban and found the gem, which he took back to Persia.

Black Prince's Ruby
Perhaps the world's most famous 'ruby', this stone is actually a red spinel that is part of the British Crown Jewels, mounted in the Imperial Crown. The stone first surfaced in fourteenth century Spain. It was seized by Don Pedro the Cruel of Seville from Abu Said in 1366. After changing through numerous hands over the next few centuries, it was bought by an unknown party in 1660 and resold to Charles II after the restoration of the Stuarts. During the reign of Charles II, the gem was nearly stolen by the notorious Colonel Blood, who was later pardoned by the King.

The Regent Diamond
The Regent is one of the world's finest diamonds and has a long, well documented and interesting history complete with murder, revolution and theft.

In the rough, the diamond weighed 410 carats. It was found in India in the 17th century and smuggled to the coast hidden under the bandages covering a self inflicted wound. The finder was murdered by an English sea captain, who sold the diamond for $5,000 to a Iranian trader. In 1702, the diamond was sold to Thomas Pitt, Governor of Madras for about $100,000. Pitt sent it home to England where it was cut into a cushion shaped brilliant weighing 140.5 carats. The stone then became known as the Pitt. In 1717, Pitt sold the gem to Philippe, duke of Orleans and regent of France. It was worn in the crown of Louis XV at his coronation in 1722, and was frequently worn by Marie Antoinette two generations later.

In 1792, the diamond was stolen together with the French Blue and other French crown jewels. Unlike many others, it was quickly recovered. It was given as security for a war loan in 1797 but redeemed five years later.

When Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor of France in 1804, he carried the great diamond in the hilt of his sword. His second wife, Marie Louise, took it to Austria after the fall of Napoleon, but the jewel was later returned by the Austrian emperor. Charles X wore the Regent at his coronation in 1825, and it remained in this crown until placed in a diadem for the Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

In 1887, all of the French crown jewels except the Regent were sold at auction. The Regent was put on exhibition at the Louvre. Except for a short time during the Second World War when it was hidden behind a stone panel at the Chateau du Chambord, it remains at the Louvre.

Idol's Eye
In 1607, the East India Co. seized the stone from the owner, Persian Prince Rahab, in payment for his debts. It then disappeared for 300 years and was rediscoverd in 1906 in the possesion of Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey as the eye of a sacred idol in the Temple of Benghazi. Legend has that it was given as a ransom for the Princess Rasheetah by the Sheik of Kashmir to the Sultan of Turkey who had abducted her. Again, after being stolen from the Sultan's messenger and sold to a Paris pawnshop, it was purchased by a Spanish grandee and remained in a safe-deposit box vault in London for several years.

Scarlett Gets Hitched!

A glittering three-carat diamond ring was the only evidence of Hollywood screen queen, Scarlett Johansson’s plans to marry hunky actor, Ryan Reynolds. Rarely have we spotted the two together - the pair takes great pains to keep their relationship out of the press. A tall order these days.

It comes as no surprise, then, that the Associated Press reports the happy couple secretly tied the knot this weekend. The two reportedly wed in an intimate ceremony outside Vancouver, British Columbia in Reynolds's native Canada on Saturday. According to Us Weekly, the wedding took place at a gorgeous resort, and guests included Scarlett's mother Melanie Sloan, and her brother Adrian Johansson.

The couple began dating in February 2007 and announced their engagement in May 2008. Johansson’s icey diamond rock made a stunning debut soon after at the Met Costume Ball, where she was escorted by none other than fashion kings, Dolce and Gabbana.

Men everywhere are sure to go through a period of mourning now that the gorgeous A-lister is officially off the market. Not the least of which is director, Woody Allen, who makes no apologies for worshipping the ground she walks on. Then again, he’s never been one to follow the rules when it comes to infatuation.

Our congrats to the happy couple!

We Heart Milan Fashion Week

It’s true what the style hounds say: “It’s always fashion week somewhere in the world.” This week, the runways were working it in Milan where all eyes were on Italy’s most famous houses: Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. As usual, the runway fashions, jewelry looks, (and after parties) didn’t disappoint.

Donatella took things shorter, younger, and sweeter this season with a heart-themed line that sparkled in a series of chunky yellow-gold right hand rings and statement bangles. The 3-D heart shape formed by an open zipper found its way on her flirty short dresses – and even her handbags showed a little love. The days of tacky, gaudy Versace are decidedly (and thankfully) over. Bravo!

And while Donatella made a heartfelt showing, the D & G boys –as always – took things up a notch. The sleepwear-inspired line had oodles of satiny fabrics, mini-mouse sleeve silhouettes and jewelry that ranged from the big and bold to the bigger and bolder. Vintage brooches, statement chains and hairpieces littered the runway, adding just enough wattage to each look without putting them over the top.

Celebs like Jennifer Lopez and hubby, Marc Anthony, Matthew McConaughey and wife, Camila Alves, and supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova sat runway-side and were all VIP guests at the closing night party at the uber-exclusive restaurant, Gold. After dinner, guests were whisked away for a surprise performance of none other than Diana Ross in honor of Gabbana’s 50th birthday.

Apparently there really ain’t no mountain high enough for these fashion icons. And in case you're worried about runway withdrawal, I have three words for you: Next week, Paris.


Versace

Diamond Ring #2 for Bachelorette, Jen Schefft

Looks like old Jen finally got it right. After two failed attempts at love on TV’s The Bachelorette, Jen Schefft has a diamond ring she can actually wear on her ring finger. The lucky guy is Joe Waterman, a trader who hails from Chicago.

The couple met on a blind date in February, and the hook up came through one of Schefft’s previous blind dates that didn’t work out. You gotta give a girl props for getting out there.

"I'm so excited and so happy," says Schefft. "We really get each other. I guess it's true things move fast when you meet the right person."

This news comes on the heels of her former fiancé, Andrew Firestone’s, announcement that he and his wife are expecting their first child. Jen was reportedly heart broken when their relationship ended, and kept the 2.8 carat Harry Winston engagement ring when the two parted ways.

We're still scouting the specs for the diamond rock from Waterman and their early wedding details, but USMagazine reports the happy couple will most likely have a small affair next spring in Chicago.

"We're going to keep it small and intimate - just really close family and friends,” says Schefft.

Looks like this reality show veteran wants to keep it real. Our fingers are crossed for you, Jen. One bit of advice for your florist: No. Roses.

Dolled Up for Diamomds

Economic bailout bills, suspended presidential campaigns, global warming-induced tropical storms…what the heck is going on out there? In these uncertain times, thankfully we can rely on the sanity of the folks at Tomy Toys. The Japanese toy company recently unveiled “Licca-chan”, a doll every girl will certainly put on her must-have list.

The little lady is not your ordinary doll – she’s sporting more ice than a hip-hop mogul on Oscar night. How much bling? Try 881 diamonds for a pricetag of about $1,000,000. And you thought Tickle Me Elmo was a tough buy.

Licca-chan’s 51.4 carats appear on her tiny tiara and are threaded throughout her little red gown. And parents, rest easy. The company created the one-of-a-kind doll as part of an exhibit that encourages adults to value toys well beyond their formative years.

Now that's the best idea I've heard all day.

Transported

"Where am I?" She sat up, heart pounding, with no idea of how she had gotten here, or, indeed, where 'here' was. Trees. Her mind registered trees. Tall trees. Lots of trees. A forest. Okay, she was in a forest. It was a rather nice forest; the ground was soft and mossy; the air was comfortably cool, and it was shady, but not too dark.

Looking more closely, she identified pine, and hemlock, and perhaps an oak over there; but trees were not reliable landmarks, it was not in the least like recognizing restaurants or boutiques. One could simply not place oneself with any confidence by identifying trees.

Surely she was dreaming? No, this was entirely too real. She gradually became aware that her jeans and t-shirt had been replaced by a gown of something soft and perfectly fitted to her; she stretched, and it stretched with her. Her feet were sheathed in boots of the finest leather; they were quite the prettiest shoes she'd ever seen. She turned her foot one way, and then the other; admiring the look even more than the fit.

"How odd," she thought. "I really should mind this more than I do."

© 2008 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Seed beads, vintage glass, and lampwork by Melissa Vess of Inner Realm Creations. Hand fabricated, princess length necklace using traditional needlelace techniques in beads.

I Guess That's Why They Call It the Bling

Break out your checkbooks, music fans. A diamond and sapphire brooch worn by Elton John is on the auction block in London tomorrow. The 1930s Art Deco piece was worn by Sir Elton in his 1988 music video, “I Don’t Wanna Go on With You Like That.” A photograph of him wearing the piece during the filming of the video accompanies the lot.

The brooch, which is expected to fetch over $20,000, is shaped like the letter “J” and has brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds and oval-cut and circular-cut sapphires.

"Diamonds have an enduring appeal," Jean Ghika, Bonhams' UK director of jewelry, said Tuesday. "They provide timeless elegance in a fast-moving fashion arena and in many instances maintain their worth."

An 11-carat emerald-cut diamond ring by De Beers that auctioneers say could go for as much as $593,000 is among the other items being sold. Economic crisis? What economic crisis?

For those of you who miss music videos with narrative through lines dramatized through interpretive dance (or heck – just music videos), check out the old Elton MTV gem on You Tube here. Playing the synthesizer in a long-tailed suit never looked so cool.

Garage cleaning

Kelly decided it was time to get rid of one of the by-products of racing - the crashed helmets. They are so expensive (averaging $500 each) that you tend to hang on to them even though they are of no use anymore. Here are mine, lined up on my bike. After I took the picture, I remembered that there was still one more in the closet!

Huge Diamond Found in Africa

One whopper of a diamond was unearthed this month at Gem Diamonds’ Letseng mine in Lsotho, a small kingdom inside South Africa. The company announced the 478-carat rough gem has the potential to become one of the largest round-cut diamonds in the world. My hands are shaking…

The diamond, which has not yet been named, is the 20th largest ever to be mined and could yield a 150-carat polished stone of the highest quality. That would dwarf the 105-carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond seized by Britain from India in the 19th century, which is now part of the Crown Jewels.

Gem Diamonds reports that two bigger stones - 603 and 493 carats - were found in the same mine in 2006 and 2007, respectively and a 601-carat diamond was mined there in 1960. Good grief!

Clifford Elphick, Gem Diamonds’ chief executive said, "Letseng continues to reward its shareholders with the production of these significant diamonds and to confirm its position as one of the great mines in the diamond industry. With a further 45 years of life remaining, we expect Letseng to make history for many years to come." Indeed.

We'll be tracking the progress of this little beauty to see if things shape up as expected. It beats following the stock market.

Faux Bone pieces

Here are my finished pieces from Robert's workshop. Very different from what I usually do! I really had a great time making these. I was able to let loose and experiment without worrying about the outcome. Working in a material that is not expensive is very freeing. Silver, especially PMC silver, is quite expensive these days, which makes it hard to do something completely experimental.

Jewelry Fashion Dazzles for Emmy’s Diamond Anniversary

Diamonds dripped on the red carpet as TV’s biggest stars celebrated the Primetime Emmy Award’s diamond anniversary last night. Appropriately, the celebs (and their devoted stylists) didn’t skimp in the jewelry department. Diamond statement necklaces, diamond right hand rings and the new diamond pin trend made bold appearances along with earring looks that ranged from the traditional stud to the dangling chandelier.

Fashion winners included Sandra Oh in a stunning Oscar de la Renta retro-style black lace dress with a ribbon sash and an icey 5.5 carats of emerald cut, Bulgari diamonds on each ear. America Ferrara was anything but ugly in a dramatic Fred Leighton 19th Century diamond flower necklace, paired with 2.5-carat, old mine-cut diamond pendant earrings, a rose-cut diamond cluster bracelet and a 19th century diamond line bracelet.

Host Heidi Klum’s gorgeous diamond butterfly earrings far outshined her flat onstage performance. Brooke Shields and Nicolette Sheridan dazzled in the season’s hottest colors: fuschia and plum, and their diamond statement earrings rivaled those of Kate Walsh in Neil Lane and the always-stunning Debra Messing in 19th century diamond fan pendants from Fred Leighton.

Perhaps the most anticipated red carpet return was Cristina Applegate who didn't disappoint in gorgeous fancy colored diamond chandelier drops and a trendy asymmetrical Reem Acra gown with metallic patches.

"I think Applegate was one of the best dressed of the night," said stylist Marie Alice Stephenson. "She was glamorous, elegant and she pushed it."

And while it’s hard to make diamonds look bad, of course there were your tried-and-true fashion missteps. Actress Kat Kramer was all wrong in a yellow gown and diamond earrings so long they almost scraped her navel. Kathy Griffin – love the show, hate the gaudy metallic number, the goddess hair and the gold earrings. Ghost Whisperer, Jennifer Love Hewitt ruined a gorgeous Carolina Herrara gown with a misplaced diamond Y-neck and a slumber party-inspired updo. And actress Christina DeRosa in the white fan number? Well, words fail us here.

For a complete list of last night’s big winners, click here.

Robert Dancik workshop

I was fortunate to have attended a two day workshop last week with Robert Dancik, who was teaching how to use his Faux Bone product. FB is a plastic that you can do just about anything to. It's amazing stuff, but even more amazing was Robert himself! He is a truly gifted artist and wonderful teacher, and I got much more out of his class than I expected. I would take a class in floor mopping if he was offering it. Seriously! I hope to take photos tonight of the pieces I made, which are quite different than what I usually do.

Some Faux Bone examples:

The man and his glorious mess!

Sarah Jessica, Sequels and Sparkle

Hot pink, diamonds and cosmos were the winning triumvirate at the DVD launch party this week for our favorite summer flick, Sex and the City: The Movie. The fête took place at – where else? - the New York Public Library now known to fans as the ‘scene of the crime’.

SJP channeled her inner Audrey Hepburn with a little black dress, hot pink pumps, black gloves and diamonds to die for. We love the vintage diamond choker look with the Palin-esque updo. And the bangs are working for you, sister.

Also on the pink carpet were co-stars Cynthia Nixon, wearing the current long chain trend to its minimalist best, and, of course, Kim Cattrall whose plunging neckline made her no necklace/only earrings choice a wise one. Missing was the fourth musketeer, Kristin Davis, but we’re crossing our fingers the recent buzz about a sequel will bring the gal pals back together soon.

"It's very easy to make a sequel," Parker explained. "Everybody's ready, and obviously the studio is excited about it, which is very flattering to us, but you can't just do it for that reason. You have to tell a good story."

What a tease!!

In the meantime, we SATC junkies can OD on the DVD extras, which include an extended cut featuring many movie moments that hit the cutting room floor. And Candace Bushnell just announced she is writing two books based on Carrie’s high school years.

Yes, I’ll be reading them. And yes, I’m embarrassed about it.

The Emmys Bling from the Chandeliers

The Emmy Awards are celebrating their diamond (60th) anniversary this year, and they commissioned a $10 million diamond chandelier to mark the occasion. These Emmy folks don’t mess around.

Boston-based jeweler, Hearts On Fire, designed the one-of-a-kind, three-tiered chandelier that will appear as the centerpiece of the backstage Greenroom where celebs make final preparations (drink heavily) before they appear on stage.

The officially named "Hearts On Fire Diamond Chandelier" is made with over 3,300 perfectly cut diamonds totaling over 1,000 carats and consists of a series of diamond strands that are illuminated by fiber optics. The hand-made beauty was created by a team led by Katherine Rosenberg Pineau, Hearts On Fire's jewelry designer, and is guarded under 24-hour security.

"The Hearts On Fire diamond chandelier is the most extravagant, brilliant, glamorous diamond chandelier ever made. You can't even imagine when it is illuminated how spectacular it is," said Ms. Rosenberg Pineau. Oh we can imagine. It’s all we can do, thanks for reminding us.

Hearts On Fire will be providing white glove service to celebrities who want to touch and feel the chandelier in all its glory, and the piece will be for sale after the show.

The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards airs tomorrow - Sunday, September 21 at 8 PM, and you can bet we’ll be tracking all the red carpet shenanigans for you right here. Stay tuned.

Diamond Rocks on the Auction Block

It’s rough being the world’s richest supermodel. Diamonds are thrown at your feet, gemstones are bestowed upon you like royalty, and big name actors woo you with bling that would make even a pirate blush. What to do with the clutter? What any sensible, rich, criminally gorgeous woman would do. Get rid of it.

Brazilian beauty, Gisele Bundchen, is streamlining her treasure chest by auctioning thousands of dollars worth of glittering jewels in the Christie’s Jewels: The New York Sale scheduled for October 15th. Tom Brady’s significant other will be selling a 3.35 carat colored Sabbadini diamond ring expected to fetch between $15,000 to $20,000. She is also unloading a six carat diamond pendant necklace worth between $120,000 to $150,000.

The supermodel, who formerly dated actor Leonardo DiCaprio, has not officially revealed who gave her the lavish leftovers she's shedding, but we’re thinking old Leo’s King of the World days are decidedly over. There’s nowhere to go but down, quite frankly.

People reports that a portion of the auction proceeds will go to the Russell Simmons co-founded charity Diamond Empowerment Fund, which provides educational funding to diamond-producing countries in Africa.

For a look at all the yummy baubles up for sale, including the largest stone in the auction, weighing 102 carats and costing an estimated $4 million, click here.

Gag Me With a Diamond

Diamond crosses, diamond right hand rings, and diamond bracelets were just some of the jewelry styles The Hills diva, Heidi Montag, fawned over as she visited the exclusive Jason of Beverly Hills boutique to pick out some bling for her 22nd birthday.

Evil incarnate, I mean, boyfriend Spencer Pratt feigned interest as the two browsed through a bevy of beautiful baubles. She left with a diamond cross pendant that would make even The Almighty blush. And ‘Quel surprise!’ - photographers just happened to be there to capture all those genuine, heartfelt birthday moments on film for us all. Just look at the love in her eyes. What a treasure.

Not only did the couple celebrate with diamonds, they had a romantic picnic for two complete with cake, champagne, ankle boots and paid-for paparazzi in a field somewhere we’re sure only three MTV Location Scouts and a handful of Product Placement execs approved of.

Ah, Speidi. We can’t wait for you to procreate.

I thee wed

How long had she been planning this day? Since before she could remember, she'd dreamt of being a bride. She lifted the lid of the old cedar chest that would one day be hers, and gently took out her great-grandmother's veil. The silk netting was gossamer thin and the color of heavy cream; the lace was handmade and as delicate as a spider's web. Under it was more silk; yards and yards of embroidered antique silk, gathered onto a bodice that clung to her every curve and fit like a dream.

She'd always known that she would wear these things; she'd grown up looking into this cedar chest and dreaming of this day. She didn't want a new dress, a new veil, a trip to a trendy and expensive fashion designer's salon. She wanted to greet this day clothed in all the love and lace that her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had handed down; she wanted to bring that love to her husband and share it with him.

© 2008 Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Seed beads, freshwater pearls and gold-filled findings. Hand woven and embroidered bead lace. Hand fabricated.

Art Therapy

My 25 1/2 year old cockatiel, Stan, has not being doing so well lately. In fact, I'm amazed that he is still here. 25.5 is VERY old for a cockatiel, the oldest my vet has seen is 21! I made myself this piece from a very cute photo of him, it was good therapy. He's getting lots of attention right now, and all his favorite foods - I'm grateful I have this time to dote on him. I've lived with Stan for over half my life!

Diamonds and Platinum - It's in the Bag!

If your purse strings loosen at the sight of platinum and diamonds, have we got a bauble for you. Cate Adair, costume designer for Desperate Housewives, and luxury jewelry company, Kwiat, have created the “Platinum Clutch” in honor of the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Some lucky celeb will walk the red carpet with this platinum, one-of-a-kind bag bejeweled with Kwiat diamonds. It's valued at more than $500,000, so best not to leave it in the ladies' room during commercial breaks. Yikes.

Known in fashion circles as the next Kate Spade, Adair explains, “The idea for the Platinum Clutch came to me when I was giving a lecture about the importance of accessories in defining television and movie characters.” What school is this and where can I sign up? She goes on to say, “I realized I could combine my two passions – luxury handbags and the luxury, rarity and durability of fine Platinum – to create the ultimate accessory.” Ultimate indeed.

The clutch will make a post-Emmy appearance at the new Kwiat flagship store on Manhattan’s Madison Avenue. The 1,000-square-foot boutique opened on September 4th and showcases a wide variety of Kwiat's diamond jewelry collections, with pieces ranging from $2,500 to more than $1 million.

In the meantime, we’ll be waiting to see what lucky lady they choose to babysit the purse to end all purses on the red carpet this Sunday. We’re guessing Winona Ryder isn’t on their A-list.