Chris Brown’s Daring Diamonds

There’s statement jewelry and then there’s statement jewelry.

Hip hop stars have been blinging their way into bauble history with extravagant jewels since Flav gave the world the clock necklace. And while the Wall Street Journal reports the ice factor is on the wane due to the troubled economy, rappers like T-Pain and his jaw-dropping 'Big Ass Chain' didn’t seem to get the memo.

One might think the troubled star, Chris Brown, would certainly not do anything to draw attention to himself after his recent legal woes, but the jerk - I mean, singer – showed up to the after-party for Diddy’s White Party in Los Angeles earlier this month in a $300,000 diamond necklace that spelled out the word ‘Oops’.

Huh?


Is this an ‘Oops’ - I didn’t mean to beat Rihanna within an inch of her life. Or ‘Oops’ - I didn’t mean to get caught after I beat Rihanna within an inch of her life. Or ‘Oops’ - I can’t help but wear this ridiculously extravagant necklace while I party with people who don’t seem to care that I was three hairs shy of an OJ trial.

Crikey.

The pricey piece was created by jeweler, Jason of Beverly Hills, and was said to be Brown's idea to sport something unapologetically bold according to the New York Daily News.



"Chris has been a client of mine for some time now," the jeweler said. "It's always a pleasure to work him because it gives me a chance to be creative. He came to me with a great idea and I am very pleased with the finished product."

A great idea? Brown may think the flashy, diamond-encrusted pendant, which reportedly took 218 hours to complete, is his way of issuing a public apology, but I think it’s an offensive display of nonchalance.


What do you guys think? Is Brown’s ‘Oops’ sentiment appropriate under the circumstances? Or is it a bold jewelry statement that tells the world we shouldn’t take nearly beating your girlfriend to death so seriously?

Maybe Bernie Madoff could give Jason of Beverly Hills a call to design an 'Aw, Shucks' chain to liven up his prison garb?

American Idol Judge Weds in Dozens of Diamonds

Wedding jewelry for most of us consists of a diamond ring and matching band and perhaps some pearls here and there. But if you’re a celeb, the high-end jewelers come out in droves to make sure you’re dripping in their diamonds – and American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi is no exception.

The superstar songwriter and Bikini Girl wanna-be walked down the aisle on July 5th in Prospect, Maine wearing a Vera Wang gown and almost 100 carats of diamonds from jeweler to the stars, Neil Lane.

She sparkled in a 30-carat diamond-and-platinum bracelet and chandelier earrings with 20 carats of diamonds. The total value? $250,000.

"She wanted something glamorous," jeweler Neil Lane told People about DioGuardi's wedding bling.

I guess 250 large qualifies.


Kara got engaged to Mike McCuddy, a general contractor, on December 8th after a year and a half of dating. The engagement took place while they were on vacation in Mexico and the alternative engagement ring was another Neil Lane creation featuring a smokey topaz center stone instead of the more traditional diamond fare.

In fact, many women today are going for colored stones instead of diamonds for their bridal bling – including the Today Show bride, who is sporting an emerald solitaire on her ring finger for her big day.

What do you guys think? Would you wear a colored stone engagement ring or are you afraid to buck with diamond tradition? Weigh in! And in the meantime, take a gander at Jewelry.com’s education section about the many ways to skin the engagement ring cat.

Ok. Bad metaphor. But you get the idea…

Jewelry Makes a Statement in Paris

It’s my favorite jewelry fashion time of year – the Paris Haute Couture Shows. And while this go-round has not delivered the Christian Lacroix craziness that lit up the runways last year, there are some serious statements worth coveting.


Dior did diamonds in flowers and bows, and pearls in both black and white and ‘bigger means better’ silhouettes.



Armani kept the statement necklace trend going strong with grey, metallic, chunky looks that must have weighed more than a newborn.



Valentino used headpieces as his accessory du jour, with stunning lace looks that oozed style and sophistication.


And gold kept glittering at the Givency and Christian Lacroix shows (a sad showing since this will be his last Couture collection due to financial issues).

And Fashion Week isn’t over yet! The stars are still arriving and the catwalks still cracking with fashion that you can’t even afford in your dreams. But what’s a jewelry fantasy without a dash of inaccessibility, right?

Stay tuned for more couture coverage, and check out a complete album of stunning jewelry looks fresh from Paris on Jewelry.com’s Facebook page.

Drool, dream and covet, jewelry hounds!

New York Housewive Spotted with Diamond Ring

Bethenny Frankel finally has that diamond on her ring finger, according to US Magazine. The only Real Housewife of New York who isn’t really a ‘wife’ may get that moniker changed if the story holds true.

The Bravo reality show star was spotted wearing a diamond ring in Miami on Saturday, and her rep confirmed to US that an engagement is ‘definitely in the works’.

Good for her!

The ring itself is apparently only a starter engagement ring with the real deal still in development according to a source.

"He's hunting for the ring, but in the meantime this is a place holder or promise ring," the source told Us.

The couple first met at NYC nightclub Tenjune. Since then, the Frankel and Hoppy - who works in real estate - have attended several events together and went on a romantic vacation in Turks & Caicos in May. She has even reportedly gotten approval from her Housewives friends, who say Hoppy is a catch.

Although Frankel has struggled to find love on the hit Bravo show, the 38-year-old admits to falling for the hunk.

"I'm in love," Frankel said at an event in the Hamptons. "I'm pretty much certain I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him... I'm really happy."

Take THAT Kelly Bensimon!

Jason Biggs and the Proposal that Defied Tradition

I’ve heard of non-traditional engagement rings, but this is a first. Comedy star, Jason Biggs, threw convention out the window when he proposed to his girlfriend last year by presenting her not with a diamond for her ring finger, but with – an earring for her, um, lobe?

"I proposed twice," he told People.com. "We were in St Martin. I just bought her these earrings and I took one out of her ear and proposed to her with it."

You have to give the guy credit for spontaneity.

Biggs followed the impromptu proposal with a more formal one a few months later along with the traditional jewelry garb for such a weighty occasion. But a part of me thinks they should have left it at that.

Who says we have to wear an engagement ring to signify our pending nuptials? If you want to go wtih a ring, many folks are going with colored stones instead of icy diamond looks to mix things up. And there are some lovebirds who pledge their love for one another without jewelry altogether (god forbid).

Have any of you been proposed to with anything but a diamond ring? I'd like to hear your stories. Weigh in - and have a great holiday weekend!

Rock it in Rubies for the 4th

Can it be possible that it’s already time to July 4th our way through the weekend? Aside from strategic blanket placement at the fireworks display and avoiding drunk Uncle Joe at the family BBQ, the only thing you really have to worry about is adding a little red, white and blue to your wardrobe.

Luckily, the JI has your back.


Nothing says July more than the month’s birthstone – the rockin’ red ruby. And I say rockin’ because these days the stone is finding it’s way on more hip jewelry styles than your traditional cross necklace and simple pair of studs (the blood-thirsty Twilight vampires would surely agree).



Now, rubies are generally not thought of as an ‘affordable’ stone. They fall into the precious gemstone category along with sapphires and emeralds so are often found in higher price points than the frugalista budget allows.

But with your super secret code to the Friends and Family site, JewelClub, you have access to a whole host of ruby styles at 60% - 70% off the suggested retail price.



I just did a search through their stash, and there are plenty of cool styles that would go perfectly with your Americana garb this weekend – from bold cocktail rings to fun fashion pieces like this ruby purse pendant that is only $60 with their special July discount on selected ruby merchandise. And the original price? $279!!



So whether you’re in the market for the 4th or want to get a meaningful gift for the July birthday girl in your life, take a gander at the JewelClub treasure chest (www.jewelclub.com), enter the special code: INSIDER and walk away with savings you won’t get anywhere else.

Happy birthday to America, happy birthday to you.

Swarovski Opens Concept Store

Looking lovely in white, Gossip Girls star Blake Lively hosted the opening of the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Concept Store in New York on Thursday, June 25th.

Lively was joined by Chloe Sevigny, Lucy Liu, and Evan Rachel Wood as she unveiled the special editions necklaces for the launch of the store. All the proceeds go to benefit charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.



"The availability of clean water is such an important issue and it is wonderful to be involved in a project that is striving to make this basic resource available to all people throughout the world," Lively said.

The Swarovski Concept Store will offer customizable jewelry for its customers, as well as collections from cutting edge designers.



So if you’re in New York City and want a cool, new item for your girls’ night ‘to do’ list or a groovy gift idea for your bridesmaids, head to the Swarovski store where you can sip iced lattes while they put the finishing touches on your customized jewelry piece.

A much better idea for bridesmaids' gifts than a (snore) picture frame or a scented candle, right?