Big Name Jewelry Brands Getting Hotter than Ever



A pedestrian walks past a Tiffany & Co. store in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010.

 Ever wonder "who buys that?" or "do people really by that?" when it comes to big name jewelry brands?  Check out this article on newstimes.com  in which one interviewee claims to be spending this year on brands like Wendy Mink and Roberto coin for family and friends.  Others commonly on holiday to-gift lists this year? - Tiffany Keys and Blue Nile Pearls...

Excerpt:
Justin Rosenblatt plans to fork over $2,000 this month for a Roberto Coin stackable ring, Sonya Renee
monogram necklaces and Wendy Mink hoop earrings for his wife and friends. That's twice what he spent on sparkle last year....

Read about it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/12/12/bloomberg1376-LD60EA0UQVI901-5K1ETFEAH5NRRDU5A4K29JU4BK.DTL

Who is Bounkit?

Chances are you've seen a lot of Bounkit's lucious gem rich pieces lately.  Even though this line is only four years young, it has quickly soared its way to the top of luxury favorites.  The line was founded by Hassan Bounkit who was no stranger to the design world prior to Bounkit's launch, previously working for modern greats Nicole Miller and Arnold Scaasi among others.

Bounkit creates pieces that combine the gleaming glamour of old Hollywood with a touch of modern vibrance and simplicity.  Self proclaiming influences from a Mediterranian background, ancient Morrocan culture, and 1940's Art Deco Boldness, Bounkit's line filled a void in the modern jewelry world that in hindsight is easy to tell existed not too long ago.    

Fashion editors and celebrities alike have solidly embraced this line.  Bounkit's bold stretch bracelets, glamorous rings, bold necklaces, prong set post earrings, and now brooches can be seen on the likes of celebrities like Oprah, Vanessa Williams, and Blake Lively among others.  You can shop the line which is full of stand out stones like turquoise, topaz, and amethyst (just to name a few) at many high end retailers as well as http://www.bounkit.com/.  This line is one of our absolute favorites.

Angelina Jolie Designing Charity Jewelry Line

It was only a matter of time.  Angelia Jolie is is re-entering the jewelry design world.  This will be the first full blown line since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie collaborated on designing a few serpent inspired pieces back in 2009.

The actress and mother of [oh we lost count - but we support adoption!] will be teaming up with former Asprey designer Robert Procop to create a line of high end jewelry with "statement stones" according to report by Women's Wear Daily.

We aren't talking "high end costume-y line here."  The collection is rumored to be include pricy pieces like 12 carat emeralds, large diamonds, and other dramatic gems.  All the proceeds from the collection will go to Angelina's personal charity "The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict."

According to recent reports, this line will not be coming to stores and you might even have a hard time trying to catch of glimpse of it at all.  Plans suggest Jolie's designs will only be offered to her personal network of high end and VIP clients.  Still dying to get a look?  Jolie wore one of the first pieces she collaborated with Procop on to the Berlin premiere of her film "Salt" in summer of 2010 - It was a black spinel becklace bezel set in rose gold.   Take a peek above.  The up and coming pieces are expected to be similar. 

Interestingly bucking the trend of well...ultra trendy trend lines, Jolie's designs are rumored to be "very classic" much like the pieces she wears herself.  Without any website or store presence, talk about the appeal of the forbidden.  You know you want some...or at least to see some photos of the pieces!

CNN Reports that Diamonds are Making a Huge Comeback

Taylor Swift's wears diamond earrings
to this year's CMA awards
(these are similar in style to the earrings
 I designed for my wedding in 2008!)

In a report by Katherine Dorsett, CNN has just reported that diamonds are making a huge comeback on holiday shopping lists this year. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, the number of people asking for jewelry for Christmas is up 13 percent from a year ago, now at a total of 23 percent. It seems that practical gifts such as cookware seemed to be in big demand last year, while "bling" is the thing a'coveted this 2010 holiday season.

Some experts are speculating that the increased demand for jewelry is actually a good signal that the economy may be recovering. Whatever the case may be, it seems that the public just can't wait any longer to be like their favorite celebrities, who are indeed wearing diamonds. From Taylor Swift to Prince William's fiance Kate Middleton diamonds are all over the media.

Last week Oprah upped the ante for the diamond trend when she gave her guests "a little bling" by Dana Rebecca Designs. Each guests received the "Jessica Leigh" diamond earrings that include 1.17 carats of diamonds. Fashion critic Pinny Gniwish told CNN "People want gifts that will last...[they] want to feel like they are not only giving a gift but investing in forever." Read the full story here.

Are diamonds or other gems on your gift list for the holidays this year?

Hope Diamond's New Setting Revealed, Smithsonian Documents Gem's History

Frederic de Narp, president and CEO of Harry Winston Inc.
shows some serious excitement over the unveiling of
The Hope Diamonds new Setting.
AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

There is a great deal of buzz going around lately about The Hope Diamond as a new chapter in its life is celebrated.  Widely accepted as the world's most famous diamond, this diamond has left its famous  Cartier setting, in order to be displayed in its new temporary setting, "Embracing Hope," designed by Harry Winston. 

The setting was publically unveiled on November 18 marking the 50th anniversay of the Hope Dimond's donation to the museum.  The Smithsonian channel documented the history of this illustrious diamond last Friday in the television premier of "Mystery of the Hope Diamond." 

In an interesting pairing of a strong sexy woman with a strong sexy diamond, the special was narrated by Academy Award winning actress Kim Basinger.  All in high-definition, the "film follows the famous gemstone from its geological formation to its origins in a mine in India about 350 years ago to its mysterious journey though Europe and its final home at the Smithsonian."

Prince William Proposes to Kate Middleton with Mother's Engagement Ring

"The ring was made by Garrard and consists of an oval cut Ceylon sapphire weighing 12 carats surrounded by fourteen brilliant cut diamonds set in 18ct white gold." This ring was said to cause a stir the first time around, sparking wedding jewelry purchasing trends around the world. Think it will do the same now that it has resurfaced?

"If she loses it, she's in big trouble." - Prince William

Rare Pink Diamond to be Auctioned by Sotheby's

A Sotheby's employee displays a 24.78-carat
 "fancy intense pink"
 (Credit: AP Photo)




.



A rare pink diamond will be auctioned off by Sotheby's in Geneva next week. The legendary office house in hinting that this piece of jewelry is on course fetch record bids.

According to reports, The auctioneers have valued the 24.78 carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond mounted on a ring at 27 million to 38 million dollars (20 million to 28 million euros. This would break the record of 24 million bid on a rare blue diamond a few years ago.

One of 500 lots to be auctioned off by Sotheby's next week, the diamond is ranked in the top 2% of diamonds in the world when it comes to flawlessness.

According to msnbc reports, "It was last seen on the market about 60 years ago when it was sold by legendary US jeweller Harry Winston and kept in a private collection since then, a feature that is adding to its value."

The rare gemstone market has recently seen a surge in interest as high end buyers look for alternative investments and luxury goods. Rare pink diamonds have been collected by the very wealthy and gem connoisseurs since being discovered in India decades ago.

Via msnbc, "other lots on sale next week have historic celebrity value, including jewellery that belonged to Cristina Onassis, Cristina Ford, wife of Henry Ford II, grandson of the founder of the Ford Motor Company, as well as items that belonged to Abbas Hilmi II (1874-1944), the last Khedive or viceroy of Egypt and Sudan."

The auction will be held in Geneva next week, where it is often held twice yearly, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. 

Why is There a Tiger on our Page?

That's not just any tiger! Sure, I'm obsessed with all cats (insert obnoxious 'naughty' clawing meow noise here)...but the majestic piece pictured above is an esteemed work of art from one of the most well known jewelry houses in the world.  As part of the Cartier Inde Mysteriuse (love that word) collection, the ring is inspired "by the depths of India." The ring has 18 carats of white and yellow diamonds, emerald eyes, onyx, and traditional diamonds.

Where can I see it in person???

I can't promise you the ring is there, but matching pieces from this collection can be seen at the fifth Ave Cartier flagship in NYC. Cartier has been producing jungle cat inspired jewelry for years, but the Inde Mysteriuse collection is particularly extravagant.

What does it cost???

...Nobodyyy knows.  Well, someone knows but they can't publish  it.  Only serious clients can request the price.  I doubt any piggy bank most have can fit the kind of change this is worth (unless the change is pure gold) but if you find out, by all means, let us know!