Paris Hilton - Jewelry Thief?

Is Paris Hilton the latest paparazzi princess to add jewelry thief to her illustrious resume?

According to the New York Daily News, the 'heirhead' is being sued by German insurance giant, Allianz, for not returning $60,000 worth of Damiani loaner jewelry that was stolen (and subsequently recovered) from her house in that notorious celebrity jewelry crime spree back in 2009.

Why do I feel like I've been in this movie before?

"Despite having recovered Damiani's jewelry, \[Hilton has\] failed to return all of the jewelry to Damiani as required by the Agreements," the suit said.

In court paper, Allianz said Damiani in 2007 loaned Hilton $60,000 of jewelry to wear for public appearances. As part of the deal, Hilton agreed to stash the jewelry in a safe or a vault whenever she wasn't wearing it.

But, or course, our Paris does whatever she darn well pleases - so she left the baubles for the world to grab in her unlocked, unalarmed Beverly Hills mansion. And now that the police have long recovered the stolen bling, she just hasn't 'bothered' to return it to its rightful owners.

I'm of half a mind to think she's doing it to get back in the headlines after Lindsay Lohan and Kim Kardashian stole her 'famous for being famous' thunder this year. But my guess is? She's just not into details.

No comment yet from the Hilton camp. Why can't these ladies get their diamond details down? Is this just poor planning or an 'I'm above it all' attitude gone bad?

2011 Golden Globes Jewelry Fashion Recap

Natalie Portman in Victor & Rolf and Tiffany jewelry

Jewelry fashion at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards was a lot like that bittersweet time when you realize there isn't an Easter Bunny. You're kinda disappointed - but as long as you still have some sugar in a basket - all is good.

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

While no one knocked my socks off this year, the sugary sparkle came in the guise of big earring looks, gumball-sized cocktail rings, layered wristwear and a few whimsical surprises to keep us all guessing.

Julianne Moore in Lanvin and Bvlgari jewelry

Candy-colored frocks in pinks (I was right!) and greens littered the carpet, with a dose of 'hide your husband' red and basic black for good measure.

Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace and Robert Procop jewelry

January Jones in Versace and Neil Lane jewelry (not pictured)

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang and David Webb jewelry

Statement earrings were the most popular jewelry choice tonight, with traditional diamond chandeliers rocking it right along with newcomers like geode gems on Kelly Osbourne and the forgotten step-child of the jewelry world - onyx on Nicole Kidman.  Who knew?

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen and Kimberly McDonald jewelry

Leighton Meester in Burberry and Cathy Waterman jewelry

Tina Fey in L'Wren Scott and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Guiliana Rancic in Ippolita jewelry

Nicole Kidman in Prada and Fred Leighton jewelry

Many opted for the understated but always-elegant diamond stud earring to add the sparkle splash. Zzzzzzz......

Piper Perabo in Oscar de la Renta

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen and Neil Lane jewelry

Delicate, web-like diamond necklace designs took the place of the blingtastic bib-look of years' past:

Dame Helen Mirren in $1.6 million Cartier necklace

Sarah Hyland in Max Azria and Mikimoto jewelry

Diana Argon in J Mendel and Cathy Waterman jewelry

 And turquoise is still going strong? Who knew?

The jewelry-loving peanut gallery in our champagne-filled Live Red Carpet Twitter chat last night all agreed that Jane Krakowski's Lorraine Schwartz earrings, Tina Fey's Lorraine Schwartz ensemble, Halle Berry's diamond bangles and Sofia Vergara's, well, everything were some of the best jewels of the night.

And the worst? According to the JIC ladies, Heidi Klum jumped the shark in an ensemble that was "all project and no runway". Classic.
 

While bigger wasn't better in the bauble department this year - it was de riguer for these bride of Frankenstien-inspired tresses. Yikes.

And Sandra Bullock's bangs deserve their own accessory category called: "unfortunate". Sorry, Sandy.

Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham

What do you guys think? Who did I miss? Weigh in! And thanks again to all who joined the #globejewelry Twitter chat extravaganza. See you at the Oscars on Feburary 27th (#oscarjewelry)!

Angelina Jolie Shines at "The Tourist" Premiere

Angelina Jolie's red carpet fashion choices lately have left me, well, underwhelmed. There are only so many incarnations of the black gown/diamond stud combo we jewelry hounds are expected to endure on the most beautiful A-lister in the world, right?

But she SO redeemed herself at last night's New York premiere for her latest flick, The Tourist, in a sultry winter white Versace number and unique emerald-cut beryl earrings that sent me scrambling to find out more.

So here's the skinny:

Of course someone as gorg. as A-Jo has to have her own personal jeweler, right? Enter, Robert Procop - Asprey's former CEO who's bejeweled Brad Pitt's better half for the past ten years or so.

Turns out, the earrings she wore on the carpet last night are part of a collection she and Procop collaborated on together - with all proceeds benefiting Jolie's personal charity, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

And the emerald ring Brad Pitt wore on the carpet last night also served as inspiration for one of the pieces, WWD reports.

Unfortunately, we mere mortals won't be able to snag some for our own collection since the items are only available to Procop's personal clients - and are priced accordingly. Whatevs. As long as it's for the children...

While these beryl beauties aren't as stunning as the emerald earrings Jolie made famous at the 2009 Oscars, they are a WELCOME reprieve from the snoresville stud earring Jolie had in heavy rotation while promoting her last film, Salt. (see my earlier rant here for more)

Although it's hard to complain when she's got the best accessory of all on her arm... Just bring Brad and I'll keep the snark to myself.

Lady Gaga Inspires Meat Jewelry

 

Move over diamond divas. Here comes something meatier....

One would think things couldn't get any more bizarre than the 'insect jewelry' craze or gems made out of the remains of your beloved pet, Muffy (or Uncle Herbert). But the jewelry world is a vast and varied landscape, my friends.

So it should really come as no surprise that the dress that shocked America - Lady Gaga's VMA frock made from real red meat - has inspired a jewelry line sure to add sparkle to your sirloin.

Keep your panties on, PETA. The carne creation is made from FAUX meat product - it's 100% animal friendly. And might just cause some folks to go green on sight.

LA-based company, Onch Movement, is responsible for this lovely addition to the jewelry lexicon - and they promise the $55 'Meat-lace' will "look just as fresh and delicious as the day it was first cut."

Where's the beef, Mary? Oh, right. It's hanging around my neck like a Rocky Balboa punching bag.


I think I'll pass on this one. Thoughts?

Celebrity Jewelry Line Round-Up

What would our lives be without the constant stream of celebrities selling jewelry? It seems like yesterday that Nicole Richie was one of the first to make a successful go of it, but now every reality show star and D-lister is throwing their hat in the ring.

Here are the latest names list to jump into the jewelry biz:

1. Nicky Hilton

Paris Hilton's more productive younger sister is launching a high quality/low price jewelry line inspired by her own collection.

“I’m a crazy jewelry collector,” Hilton tells WWD. “I’ve always known since I was a teenager that I wanted to do a line. Whenever I bought something, whether at a flea market in Paris or a bazaar in India, I’ve been collecting pieces.”

Her line will have styles inspired by her mother and grandmother's David Webb pieces in addition to some with an edgier feel a la spikes and snakes. The collection will range from $35-$480 and will be sold exclusively at Endless.com before branching off to other locations.


2. Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley's line for QVC is the aptly named Priscilla Presley Collection, a line of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings that's part rock-and-roll, part red carpet glam.

The former Mrs. Elvis launched her line yesterday with prices that range from $35 to $170.

3. Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe already have a jewelry line with the brand Virgins, Saints & Angels, but Kim's solo stint with Loren Jewels brings her name to a higher-priced couture line of gems.

Loren Ridinger has often put her Loren Jewels on red carpet divas like Eva Longoria Parker, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys, according to Luxist. The blue and white diamond earrings shown above have 38.62 carats of diamonds and sell for a cool $19,000.

4. Shoshanna Gruss (Lonstein)


This former Jerry Seinfeld flame and successful fashion designer is partnering with QVC darling, Judith Ripka, on a costume jewelry line that includes crystal heavy pieces and statement necklaces that sell for $20 to $80.

"I wanted my costume jewelry line to have the same versatility as my clothing line–a collection of pieces that can make a seamless transition from day into evening. I love being able to wear a dress to a daytime luncheon and then out to a concert later that night, with just a change of jewelry and accessories," Gruss told Fashionista.com

Her line launched yesterday on QVC with styles still available on www.qvc.com.

5. Christie Brinkley


Christie Brinkley's line on (you guessed it...) QVC was inspired by her Hamptons lifestyle. The Christie Brinkley Jewelry Collection is done in sterling silver and includes bracelets, cocktail rings and dangle earrings with quartz, sapphires, topaz, agate and other gems. Prices range from $45 for a woven leather bracelet to the higher priced gemstone bracelet pictured here for $393.

"This line is a celebration of all the things I love." said Brinkley in a press release.

Who is your favorite celebrity designer? Tori Spelling? Kelly Bensimon? Ramona Singer? I'm partial to Nicole Richie's House of Harlow line. Weigh in!