Fine Jewelry: Cartier celebrated 100 years in America with a star-studded bash and a new limited-edition bracelet.
Kate Hudson, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake glittered in Cartier gems at the party, held April 30, 2009 at the Cartier mansion in New York.
Hudson wore a $905,000 onyx and diamond panther necklace with a midriff-baring gown by Rachel Roy. Hathaway's black lace hanky dress by Jill Stuart got a dose of dazzle from two Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelets - each valued in the $140,000 range - and a sapphire and diamond cocktail ring.
Bernard Fornas, President & CEO of Cartier International and Frédéric de Narp, President & CEO of Cartier North America also welcomed Ashley Olsen, Rachel Weisz, Sir Elton John, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Martha Stewart and Stephen Wynn.
On display were 100 one-of-a-kind Cartier creations alongside pieces on loan from private collections. Standouts included a 231-carat diamond commissioned by Wynn for his wife and the ruby, gold and diamond Taj Mahal necklace that Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor.
The exhibition runs through May 21st before moving to Cartier's Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive boutique and running June 1-14, 2009.
Earlier, Demi Moore helped launch a new Trinity charity bracelet benefiting ServiceNation. The limited-edition bracelet in 18k yellow, rose and white gold and diamonds, will be sold on individual red, white and blue silk cords at all Cartier boutiques in the U.S. Each bracelet is $1,750 with a $350 donation going to the cause.
Luxury Jewelry: Raw food diets, tree trunk coffee tables, and stones that seem carved from the side of a cliff are all part of a larger trend that indicates a yearning for simpler times.
So it is with jewelry designer Dara Dubinet who is based in Venice, Calif. Her Raw Collection of natural jewelry includes expansive hunks of seemingly untouched stones that look as if they have been plunked into settings that don't quite fit.
That's because Dubinet prefers to have Mother Nature do the crafting, then she "embraces" the stones with 18 kt gold or sterling silver.
There are spinels and aquamarines that resemble hard sugar candies. And a ring with a mishapen topaz has a forlorn look about it, almost like it has been run over by a truck.
But there is an allure in the gritty authenticity of Dubinet's approach. She believes that the stones have absorbed the earth's raw healing energies for thousands of years and are able to affect the wearer.
An area on Dubinet's website called Desires allows shoppers to search for jewelry based on the healing qualities they most desire. Someone seeking love is directed to look at pieces with morganite, rose quartz, peridot, rhodoscrosite and ruby.
Britney Spears was recently photographed in Dubinet's Watermelon Tourmaline ring, with that stone thought to ignite passion, vitality, sexuality and excitement - just right for a young woman on a concert tour.
And back in 2008, Madonna acquired the $5,100 Black Onyx Gypsy Ring, designed to protect from negativity and past emotional entanglements. Given Madonna's new boyfriend and family expansion plans, that all seems to have clicked.
Engagement Rings: Selecting the "right" diamond for your fiancée is a wonderful way to express the love and tender feelings in your precious relationship. Yet with so many diamonds to choose from; each with their own unique technical specifications, the experience can be overbearing. The best advice I can offer is to learn as much as you can about your fiancée's jewelry preferences. By exploring her dreams, wishes and desires, you can narrow the field and begin to focus on what's important for her...and you.
All women have some expectation and desire for certain types of jewels. And most women will talk about the sizes and shapes of diamonds they prefer, but never price. With this in mind, spend some time to open up communication about diamonds and jewelry:
Talk with her about diamonds and other jewels; find out what she likes and dislikes
Comment on rings that her friends or neighbors wear, make it open conversation
Check with her friends or possibly even her mother to gain further insight into her favorites
When shopping together, don't shy away from jewelry stores, explore them with her
These efforts will establish a solid rapport around the topic of jewelry and diamonds in particular. Soon you'll grow comfortable discussing diamonds as well as gain knowledge of what's available, but more importantly, you'll know what's right for her.
It's a common rule of thumb to reserve 2 months salary as the amount to spend on your engagement ring. Talk about it with her to further gauge her expectations and desires, it's likely that she'll be thinking not only about "the ring", but also your relationship, both now and in the future. You are embarking on a lifelong partnership, so she'll be thinking of your current situation and the myriad of next steps your take together, house, family and lifestyle in general. Look at your current and future earning potential and work together on what you both want. If you decide on more than 2 months, then you can work this common goal into your plan.
I consider diamonds in the 1.5 - 2.0 carat size to be "Ideal!" because they are a nice viewing size, meaning that the stone is large enough to easily see and admire. The following table provides some diamond size guidance.
Technical diamond specifications are important, but they should not overshadow how she feels; her view of what's important. If you are not familiar with diamond specifications or if you want to freshen up your knowledge on the subject, take a look at the Wikipedia article on diamond gemological characteristics. Before you decide to buy, make sure the diamond has a GIA or AGS certificate which clearly details all of the diamonds specifications.
I think by now you get the point; time spent getting to know the expectations of your fiancée pays off; it helps you to grow even closer and avoids possible disappointment when you decide to pop the question!
One final note, get what she is expecting plus a little more. This speaks to your true feelings more than anything.
Luxury Jewelry: Stephanie Simek has a true eye for the unusual (pun intended: her most recognized pieces include her immensely popular eyelash necklaces) and this piece fits into her repertoire beautifully: the gold quail egg necklace.
Don't let the 23-karat gold leaf lining the inside of the shell fool you: these are real egg shells; Japanese quail egg shells to be exact. Their insides are filmed by hand with gold leaf and the effect is unlike anything you'll see on chains elsewhere. The inside of the shell is the perfect environment for light, allowing the gold film to do its job impeccably: the shell simply glows from inside-out.
Wearing Stephanie Simek's handcrafted pieces doesn't mean anxiety, either: each shell receives a healthy coating of plastic for strength. And, just in case you were worried about showing up to the party wearing the same ol' egg around your neck as someone else, rest assured: each shell is naturally speckled and dotted with unique markings and varies slightly in size, so no two look alike.
Simek, a New York photographer/performance artist/designer has always been bold in her concepts but this necklace strikes a new note altogether. Hanging on eighteen inches of thread-like chain, her organic concept shines as the focal point, almost too beautiful to touch. Now who knows where to find gold-dipped twig earrings?
Luxury Watches: Because cars and watches share special elements of precision, style and function, both have also shared a long history together. This cannot be truer than in the Meccaniche Veloci Quattro Valvole CCM, a carbon-ceramic chronograph created in partnership with Brembo, the famous brake manufacturer.
The chronograph highlights four independent Swiss movements set into an ultra-modern carbon ceramic face combining form with function in agreement to the four-valve configuration of current racing machines.
The crown of the watch is made from hand-polished titanium and the face comes with four colors, including black, red, silver or yellow. To round off the design, the timepiece comes with black alligator hide or modern polymer.
The limited edition timepieces are built exclusively in Italy with the carbon ceramic face, for example, custom cut with a 5,000 bar waterjet, consequently the finished product comes with a price tag that agrees with its exclusive characteristic, beginning at $15,500. In spite of its intricate and modern construction the operation of the watch is strikingly simple. For instance, winding is done by a simple wrist action, and a single button controls the adjustment for each individual ETA 2671 Swiss mechanical function.
Luxury Watches: Shades of grey distinctly define Vacheron Constantin's newest additions to its Overseas collection. Delving deeply into hues of grey, the newest arrivals feature a slate grey dial, an anthracite grey bezel, a steel grey case, and a mouse grey strap. Each wristwatch also comes with an additional black rubber strap-offering a duality in look that enriches the elegant timepiece with a sporty or more casual side. There is an automatic and an automatic chronograph version.
The watches, both classic and contemporary, have a pedigreed history. The Overseas line, which was launched in 1996, is a reinterpretation of a watch originally introduced in 1933 and reprised as a limited edition in 1977.
Bigger is better these days, as both models have a stainless steel case that measures a hearty 42 millimeters. The Overseas Automatic Chronograph has two counters and an oversized date window. The Overseas Automatic houses 36 rubies, while the Automatic Chronograph contains 37 rubies. The mouse-grey strap is hand-stitched alligator leather. The emblematic three-masted sail ship of the Overseas collection, the Amerigo Vespucci, is engraved on the back of the case of both variants.
Fine Jewelry: The band plays on even after the smoke is gone!
Bands O' Gold takes the band around a cigar and transforms it in to a gold ring. This is a signature piece of jewelry that defines a cigar enthusiast's status, style, and favorite brand of cigar. It also is a great looking piece of wearable artwork.
The highly personalized rings, which are made using original cigar bands, is the work of master jeweler Jake Weinraub, the company's founder. Mr. Weinraub, who possesses an extensive background in the manufacturing of custom gold jewelry, has a team of master jewelers capable of delivering a one-off handmade 14k-gold ring in about four weeks. A clear ceramic is applied that bonds a cigar band to a ring's surface permanently, leaving the intricate artwork from a cigar band perfectly intact.
Clients provide two cigar bands and their ring size. It is vital that the ring size be exact as it is difficult to re-size a ring once it is completed. The price for a customized Bands O' Gold ring is $1,500.
Fine Jewelry: Marlaina Stone's pieces are unique works of art, as individual as the women they are designed for.
The Marlaina Stone artesian collection consists of one of a kind necklaces, bracelets, cuffs, and rings. Each piece has its own name and backstory.
One of our favorite designs,"Colette," is a layered necklace, with hand-knotted on white cord with quartz, freshwater pearls, moonstone and geode stones. Although the piece is white, it evokes individuality through its unique design and distinct personality.
Composed of precious stones, exotic crystals, the Marlaina Stone Jewelry Collection is adorned with vintage treasures from around the globe and are strung together by artists from all over the map.
Marlaina Stone entered into the fashion world at the tender age of 16 and has since expanded her fashion knowledge into the business world, becoming a solid name in the industry. Partnering with metal artist Ashley Heidrich, the creative duo has teamed up with artists from around the world to help execute their vision that fashion should make you think, as well as make you look good.
To help people think and feel, the collection uses rare stones, exotic crystals and funky beads to evoke emotions in the concrete pieces of artwear. Each piece with its special meaning carries its own look, just like the signature hand-cut sterling silver and hand-stamped leather signature that makes Marlaina a part of each piece.
The line follows Marlaina's credo, "Call it a necklace, call it a bracelet, call it a ring, but whatever you do, don't call it jewelry," reflecting her fearless ambition and passion for the creative.
Luxury Watches & Jewelry: Kobe Bryant and Nubeo International are teaming up to bring the Black Mambo wristwatch to the marketplace. Nubeo International, a prominent Switzerland-based watchmaker, is introducing the watch as the most complex watchcase ever built. It is the most expensive high-tech sports watch. Reports vary on the MSRP of the Black Mambo; the approximate price range is low $20,000s up to the Ultimate versions at $285,000.
The self-winding watch with 131 components has a diameter of 48 millimeters and a black-matte finish. It is water resistant up to 100 meters. The watch's inventive material mix of ceramic, titanium is further strengthened by diamond-like carbon treatments throughout. The Ultimate versions of the Black Mambo feature black sapphires on the bezel or the flange of the upscale sports watch.
The Black Mambo, which is Bryant's popular nickname and alter ego, will be introduced at the 2009 Baselworld. The conference is an annual watch and jewelry show held in Basel, Switzerland, in April.
The luxurious Black Mambo high-tech sports watch will be available in Europe this summer and in the U.S. by fall.
Fine Watches: To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Patek Philippe Salon at Tiffany & Co.s famed Fifth Avenue flagship in NYC next month, the two companies are producing a new limited edition diamond and gold ladies wristwatch. Only 100 examples are being made, priced at $21,800 apiece, equally divided between two dial options: a white lacquered dial with black external minute railroad and a black lacquered dial with white external minute railroad.
The Gondolo design is inspired by Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. timepieces from the 1930s and features a curved, tonneau-shaped case in 18 karat white gold accented with 164 round brilliant-cut diamonds, a lacquer dial with classic guilloche pattern, Arabic numerals and black, hand-stitched alligator strap. The timepiece is double-signed Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. and will be sold exclusively through Tiffanys Patek Philippe Salon, the renowned Swiss watchmakers first in the U.S. and fifth worldwide.
Watches: It has been a long tradition among carmakers to celebrate their anniversaries with a timepiece that is representative of the years leading up to the event. So, Audi is celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a special watch created in partnership with Chronoswiss. The watch is dubbed "Tachoscope" and it highlights Audi Design exterior with a precision C. 125 caliber mechanism and a few unique functions. Only the minute hand is connected to the dial's center. Two individual inset dials work as the hour and second hands, providing extra space for the stop-watch and tachometer functions of the timepiece. This timepiece does not only measure time, but also speed, an appropriate representation of Audi.
The timepiece is not the only functional, but also a grand artwork. The device is coated with real enamel and the numbers are inspired by the iconic Audi-designed Auto Union race cars of the 30s, particularly the Type C Grand Prix car, offering the Tachocope a definitely automotive elegance. The crown of the timepiece is made to look like a gearwheel, with a see-through back offering a view of the mechanisms inside when the watch is not in use.
The anniversary is engraved and is visible through the glass casing. There will be a limited 100 timepieces to be built, each representing a year in the 100-year anniversary. Sixty-five of these watches will be done in white gold while the remaining 35 in platinum. The white gold version will fetch €14,900 ($20,100+) and the more precious platinum models will come with a €24,900 Euro ($33,700) sticker price.
Luxury Timepieces: We know that Europe's biggest endurance race, the 24h of Le Mans, is going to take place on 13rd and 14th of June and as usual, in order to celebrate this event, Tag Heuer, the well-known watch manufacturer revealed today its latest Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph. The new watch features an over sized "24" at 12 o-clock as well as the emblematic blue and orange colors of Gulf Oil, the same colors that Steve McQuenn wore in his 1970 film classic, Le Mans. The watch shows an unique tubular design,two innovative two-part sub-counters at 9 and 3 o'clock, is made using industrial-grade tungstem and is powered by the superlative TAG Heuer Calibre 36 Movement. Of course, it is also water resistant to 100 meters, features anti-reflective double-sided treatment on the curved sapphire scratch-resistant crystal glass and comes with the revolutionary new shock absorber, the Advanced Dynamic Absorption System (ADAS) - which makes it able to resist to an impact of 24,000 G or a 20-metre fall.
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Fine Jewelry: Cartier celebrated 100 years in America with a star-studded bash and a new limited-edition bracelet.
Engagement Rings: Selecting the "right" diamond for your fiancée is a wonderful way to express the love and tender feelings in your precious relationship. Yet with so many diamonds to choose from; each with their own unique technical specifications, the experience can be overbearing. The best advice I can offer is to learn as much as you can about your fiancée's jewelry preferences. By exploring her dreams, wishes and desires, you can narrow the field and begin to focus on what's important for her...and you.
Luxury Jewelry: Stephanie Simek has a true eye for the unusual (pun intended: her most recognized pieces include her immensely popular eyelash necklaces) and this piece fits into her repertoire beautifully: the gold quail egg necklace.
Luxury Watches: Because cars and watches share special elements of precision, style and function, both have also shared a long history together. This cannot be truer than in the Meccaniche Veloci Quattro Valvole CCM, a carbon-ceramic chronograph created in partnership with Brembo, the famous brake manufacturer.
Luxury Watches: Shades of grey distinctly define Vacheron Constantin's newest additions to its Overseas collection. Delving deeply into hues of grey, the newest arrivals feature a slate grey dial, an anthracite grey bezel, a steel grey case, and a mouse grey strap. Each wristwatch also comes with an additional black rubber strap-offering a duality in look that enriches the elegant timepiece with a sporty or more casual side. There is an automatic and an automatic chronograph version.
Fine Jewelry: The band plays on even after the smoke is gone!
Fine Jewelry: Marlaina Stone's pieces are unique works of art, as individual as the women they are designed for.
Luxury Watches & Jewelry: Kobe Bryant and Nubeo International are teaming up to bring the Black Mambo wristwatch to the marketplace. Nubeo International, a prominent Switzerland-based watchmaker, is introducing the watch as the most complex watchcase ever built. It is the most expensive high-tech sports watch. Reports vary on the MSRP of the Black Mambo; the approximate price range is low $20,000s up to the Ultimate versions at $285,000.
Fine Watches: To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Patek Philippe Salon at Tiffany & Co.s famed Fifth Avenue flagship in NYC next month, the two companies are producing a new limited edition diamond and gold ladies wristwatch. Only 100 examples are being made, priced at $21,800 apiece, equally divided between two dial options: a white lacquered dial with black external minute railroad and a black lacquered dial with white external minute railroad.
Watches: It has been a long tradition among carmakers to celebrate their anniversaries with a timepiece that is representative of the years leading up to the event. So, Audi is celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a special watch created in partnership with Chronoswiss. The watch is dubbed "Tachoscope" and it highlights Audi Design exterior with a precision C. 125 caliber mechanism and a few unique functions. Only the minute hand is connected to the dial's center. Two individual inset dials work as the hour and second hands, providing extra space for the stop-watch and tachometer functions of the timepiece. This timepiece does not only measure time, but also speed, an appropriate representation of Audi.
Luxury Timepieces: We know that Europe's biggest endurance race, the 24h of Le Mans, is going to take place on 13rd and 14th of June and as usual, in order to celebrate this event, Tag Heuer, the well-known watch manufacturer revealed today its latest Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph. The new watch features an over sized "24" at 12 o-clock as well as the emblematic blue and orange colors of Gulf Oil, the same colors that Steve McQuenn wore in his 1970 film classic, Le Mans. The watch shows an unique tubular design,two innovative two-part sub-counters at 9 and 3 o'clock, is made using industrial-grade tungstem and is powered by the superlative TAG Heuer Calibre 36 Movement. Of course, it is also water resistant to 100 meters, features anti-reflective double-sided treatment on the curved sapphire scratch-resistant crystal glass and comes with the revolutionary new shock absorber, the Advanced Dynamic Absorption System (ADAS) - which makes it able to resist to an impact of 24,000 G or a 20-metre fall.
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