Pantone Speaks: Iron Is the New Black

Now that jilted Bachelor star, Melissa Rycroft, is making her much-deserved comeback on Dancing With The Stars, we can all go back to our normal routine of OctoMom judging and fashion hunting. To that end, jewelry hounds, I give you the eagerly awaited Pantone 2009 Fall Color Report.

Who cares if it’s only March 10th?

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to collect feedback on prominent collection colors, color inspiration and color philosophy. The information is then used to create the Pantone Fashion Color Report that serves as a reference tool throughout the year for fashion enthusiasts, reporters and retailers alike.

"The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers' eyes and entice them to buy."

Fall 2009 brings us a “true red” in American Beauty, which is said to go with all skin tones. Purple Heart continues the hue’s trend as a must-have in your wardrobe, and the more subdued Honey Yellow provides an interesting contrast. Iron as the new Black will make traditional basics more interesting, and the season’s signature color, Burnt Sienna, brings back earthy oranges into our color lexicon.

So what jewelry should we wear to make the Pantone people proud? Yellow gold continues to be a hue that compliments the earth tones hitting the runways, and gemstones like amethysts and orangey citrine can add the right color combo to a basic look. And it goes without saying, but diamonds, of course, defy any Pantone prediction.

While you might not care that Crème Brulee is the new White or Majolica Blue is the new Navy, it’s always fun to see what the fashionistas are crowing on about this time of year. And here is a look at the Spring 2009 Pantone colors in case your concern for Melissa’s happiness has overshadowed your interest in what’s really important.

Nicole Richie Launches Jewelry Line

A while back I shared with you that Nicole Richie was yet another star getting into the celebrity jewelry business by creating her own boho chic line, House of Harlow 1960. The good news is - the line is actually quite good.

This weekend, House of Harlow 1960 officially launched at the exclusive West Hollywood boutique, Kitson Melrose, and the famous mom-to-be was there to drum up the jewelry buzz.

“I am so excited to be launching House of Harlow 1960,” Nicole told JustJared.com at the event.

“This is a chance for me to personally thank the people who have supported the line and supported my dreams. I am so blessed and am so thankful everyday that all of my dreams are coming true.”

Currently expecting her second child with rocker, Joel Madden, the former “Simple Life” star greeted fans and posed for pictures while wearing her signature styles.

House of Harlow 1960 is named after Richie’s daughter and celebrates the period fashions of both the 60s and 70s. Think art deco meets bohemian chic.

Price points are reasonable, from $30 - $250 and the line is only available at Kitson storefronts and on their website.

I applaud you, Nicole, for going from an annoying Paris Hilton BFF to a brick house in the fashion world. Her jewels are 'mighty mighty' in my book.

What do you guys think of her line? Over the top or just the right celebrity statement?

Kendra’s Engagement Ring Bling

This Girl Next Door may have left the Playboy mansion, but she’s certainly sporting a nice parting gift. Namely, a 2.25 diamond engagement ring from fiancé, Hank Baskett.

The Philadelphia Eagles star, spent weeks shopping for the perfect ring for his bride-to-be.

"I wanted something unique just like Kendra," he told Celebuzz. "I wanted to get something she hadn't seen anywhere."

That could have been a tall order considering Kendra’s Playboy past, but Baskett worked with local jeweler, Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers, to hone in on the princess cut sparkler - that is also surrounded by 60 smaller diamonds to give it shimmer from all angles.

You have to like a guy who thinks these things through.

Baskett admits he was nervous before popping the question last November,

"I honestly felt this was the one. But there was still a lot of nerves," he says. "Like my god, I hope she likes this."

Wilkinson, 23, says she never gave Baskett any advice about what kind of bling she'd like.

"I had nothing to do with [the ring selection]," Wilkinson says. "I didn't even know he was proposing."

But you can tell by the way she flashes that ring finger that Baskett hit the ball out of the park on this one. (Or some other sports-related metaphor).

The two plan to wed at – where else? – the Playboy Mansion on June 27th.

Jennifer Lopez Keeps Loaner Diamonds

It's gotta be rough being famous. You're given thousands of dollars worth of loaner jewels for public appearances, premieres and parties - and all you have to do is look fabulous. Oh. And return them when you're done.

But some celebs apparently mistake the word 'loan' for 'give', which is exactly what the New York Post reports Jennifer Lopez did to jewelry magnate Robert Mouawad.

Apparently the mega mom borrowed $50,000 worth of diamonds from Mouawad to wear to the launch of Andrea Lieberman’s fashion line, ALC, at Barneys in Beverly Hills but later decided to keep the loaner diamonds to add to her private collection.

“We received a call from [her manager] Benny Medina, informing us that Jennifer was going to keep the jewelry,” an insider blabbed to the NY Post’s Page Six. “As far as Mr. Mouawad is concerned, Jennifer can have whatever she wants, but a premature demand seemed presumptuous.”

Medina later countered their claim by insisting the jewels were a part of the deal to appear at the function.

"There was no demand whatsoever. There was an offer. It was very clear," he said.

"She was the only celebrity whose name was on the invite. She would have done it for nothing. But this was how it was presented. It was quite a generous offer," he added.

What's the lesson here? J-Lo's love might not cost 'a thing', but her personal appearances certainly do.

Jewel Club Loves the Jewelry Insider

Hello jewelry hounds!

Last week you read about the cool friends and family jewelry site I found, Jewel Club, that offers Jewelry Insider readers the whole gamut of fine jewelry categories at wholesale prices AND BELOW. Giggity!

Well, Jewel Club loves us so much that they offered us our very own access code instead of the one I posted last week.

Our special access code is : INSIDER

Easy enough? So feel free to use it the next time you log in to www.jewelclub.com, and you'll be treated to a feast of glittering gems - just in time for spring.

AND - I was also given two other insider tips for even further discounts. Use this code at checkout to get an extra 20% off your purchase for the rest of the month:

JEWELRY

And if you are in the market for March's birthstone, Aquamarine, they are giving us an extra 20% off for a limited time.

So, OK, brace yourselves. This stunner of an aquamarine ring with sapphire and diamond accents once retailed for $1149.00 The regular Jewel Club price is $305.38 but you can get it now for $244.31. Put in the JEWELRY 20% off code at checkout, and you get 20% off THAT - -which puts the price below $200!

I'm getting a jewelry high just crunching the numbers here.

And you don't have to be a March birthday girl to glitter in the gem either. Drew rocked the light blue aquamarine look at the Golden Globes this year, and there's no rule against you doing the same. Their price points range from under $100 on up...so there is an aquamarine available for almost every budget.

Honestly. I have never seen jewelry savings like this on such a cool site. I hope you all agree.

So our special Jewelry Insider access code is INSIDER and the place is Jewel Club. Get on after it!

The Bachelor, The Diamond, The Drama

Single dad and The Bachelor star, Jason Mesnick, may have broken some hearts on the show's finale yesterday, but he darn well gave America a night to remember.

So. To recap. Jason told wide-eyed scrapbook maker, Molly Malaney, to get lost, got on bended knee, and presented the hand-crafted Neil Lane marquise-cut whopper to the perky, kid-friendly, not-as-career-minded Melissa Rycroft. Tears were shed, unrealistic fairy-tale dreams came true, and the show ended with a celebratory jump in the New Zealand resort pool with Jason’s cloying plot device, I mean, adorable son in tow.

Cut to: the After The Rose recap show. It's six weeks later. Jason has CHANGED HIS MIND! He disses poor perky Melissa in front of millions, she gives back the ring - and then the bloke sheepishly asks a stunned Molly for another shot.

For anyone who has been dumped, and dumped royally, watching this car crash was about as fun as a double root canal. But you can’t fault the guy for following his putrid little heart, I suppose. Crikey.

So on to more important matters. What do you guys think about a jilted Melissa giving the engagement ring back? And more importantly, do you think it is OK for Jason to give it to Molly, should they beat the odds and actually last more than a few weeks?

If we are to ignore what are probably reams of legal documents from the show’s producers detailing exactly who does own the ring - legally, the ring does not actually belong to Melissa. It was given to her under the auspices of a ‘contract of marriage’, and it is hers to keep only if said marriage takes place. And well, we all know that ain't gonna happen.

At a $58,000 price tag, she would have forgotten about the debacle a LOT quicker if she could at least just cash in her diamond chips and buy, say, a new condo. But, alas.

But, she did the right thing in my book and gave the diamond back without any more drama. To whom exactly remains to be seen. To Jason? The show’s producers? But should Jason get on bended knee again, would Melissa want to be presented with the very same diamond he decided NOT to give her the first time around? What do you guys think?

So much diamond drama to discuss...

Part two of the After The Rose Ceremony airs tonight at 10pm. And, yeah, I'll be watching. Root canals are the new Oscars.

Coolio’s Jewelry Robbed After Stage Dive

What ever happened to the days of the benevolent stage dive? Kurt Cobain never had to worry about getting his Vans ripped off when he plunged into a crowd of waiting Gen X-ers. And Pearl Jam’s Eddie Veder always got a ride around the mosh pit when he lept into the arms of his waiting fans.

Well, Coolio, didn’t get such a warm reception last week at a performance across the pond at Staffordshire University, where he reportedly decided to take a dive and instead of jumping into the warm embrace of adoring fans - -he proceeded to land right in the middle of the bar-room floor.

And to add insult to injury, the crowd turned on him and robbed him of his jewelry and other valuables.

"(He) nearly flattened one poor girl then all the students decided to launch on him," said James Fielden, a bartender who witnessed the incident.

"They grabbed whatever they could, including his trainers, watch, chains and glasses. He was pulled back on stage by the bouncers. They got his shoes back for him."

This is certainly no ‘Gangsta’s Paradise'.

I guess the hip hop star should stick with annoying people in the Big Brother house instead of a gaggle of unruly young Brits.