Wear Jewelry Designed by Kate Middleton

Official engagement photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton are the latest buzz coming from the royal wedding front, but I found this little tidbit to be much more interesting:

Kate Middleton used to be an assistant jewelry buyer for British retailer, Jigsaw, back in 2007. Who knew?

Sure it's not as juicy as the pics of the happy couple taken by renowned fashion photog, Mario Testino, but it's a sure sign the future Queen of England not only has good taste in men - she knows her way around the accessories landscape.

While most of us won't be able to wear anything close to the jewelry in Kate's stash, we can own a piece of jewelry designed by her.  PEOPLE reports this simple bean charm necklace was created by Kate when she targeted a gap in the teen marketplace for a sophisticated style both mother and daughter could wear together.

 

Designer, Claudia Bradby, helped Middleton realize her vision back in 2007.

“Kate was very clear in what she wanted,” Bradby told PEOPLE of Middleton’s involvement (they met three times during the design process). “It was completely her initiative because she thought there was a gap in the market for something real and sophisticated, that had longevity for that age group.”

The final result is this silver bean pendant, rose quartz and freshwater pearl charm on a long silver chain, priced at 46 pounds ($73). Visit Bradby's website to stock your stuffing with one of your own. 

I also found these whimsical charm necklaces on sample sale sensation, JewelClub, that are great for new moms:

Or just for fun (loving that both Sex And The City silhouttes are represented here - the clover and the horseshoe).

What do you guys think of Kate's jewelry idea? Is there still a gap in the market for sophisticated mother/daughter jewelry? I think she was on to something....

Neil Lane Designs Nicole Richie's Wedding Band

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden finally got married after YEARS of speculation this weekend in a sparkling winter-themed ceremony at Lionel Richie's Beverly Hills home. Did her 150 guests 'dance on the ceiling' in celebration? Details of the black-tie bash are few and far between, but here's what I know so far.

The Dress: Nicole reportedly spent a lot of time choosing the right gown, laboring between vintage Chanel and Marchesa (designer of the dress Richie wears above). Ultimately, Marchesa won the day not once, not twice but three times on the lady throughout the ceremony and reception, according to InStyle.com.

The Jewelry: Neil Lane designed Richie's 4-carat vintage-inspired engagement ring, so it's no surprise his handiwork was all over the wedding band design. No pictures or details have emerged yet - but stay tuned.

The Guest List: Paris Hilton wasn't invited, according to Styleist.com. But BFFs Khloe Kardashian and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz were on hand along with Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani, and Samantha Ronson. Daughter Harlow was the flower girl, and Rev. Run from Run DMC officiated. So it's like that...

The Atmosphere: Winter is Richie's favorite season, so the formal affair was bedazzled accordingly. Which doesn't explain why an elephant was photographed entering the festivities. But what celebrity wedding would be complete without one these days? (click here for more).

All this Nicole Richie news reminds me that her House of Harlow 1960 jewelry line is still going strong, with price points that are stocking-stuffer-friendly. Shop her collection on Pink Mascara here. 

Jewelry Sparkles at Dior and Bulgari Bashes

When two of the most celebrity-friendly fashion houses celebrate themselves, they usually have plenty of A-list wattage on-hand to turn up the star power.

Case in point? The Dior Store re-opening in New York City last night, that featured the likes of Amy Adams and Natalie Portman in black and white with minimal sparkle and Liv Tyler in a feathery frock with a funky statement necklace.

The 57th Street flagship store was closed for the past five months for a complete makeover, WWD reports. Architect Peter Marino aimed to bring the spirit of the Parisian flagship on Avenue Montaigne to New York with a look inspired by the residential feel of a Paris hotel.

The jewelry jaw-drop award, though, had to be the chunky emerald earrings worn by Wendi Murdoch (yup, wife of Rupert). With a household income like theirs, you can bet your assets those puppies are real. Wow.

Alas, my favorite Dior girl, Charlize Theron, was nowhere to be found. Maybe because Natalie Portman is the new face for their new perfume, Miss Dior Cherie? Hmmm...

Across the pond in Paris, the venerable Italian jewelry house, Bulgari, continued to celebrate their 125th year with the opening of '125 Years of Italian Magnificence Bulgari au Grand Palais.'

 

On display until mid January will be some 600 shiny baubles, including famous jewelry worn by the biggest movie stars of the century, including the stunning diamond and emerald brooch Elizabeth Taylor wore at her first wedding to Richard Burton, alongside sparklers worn by style icons Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly.

Bulgari's A-list spokesmodel, Julianne Moore, was there to celebrate in what appear to be peacock-inspired gemstone earrings, along with celebs Juliette Binoche, Lenny Kravitz and Clive Owen.

 

Dear, Santa: All I want for Christmas is a jewelry spokesmodel contract. Love, Laura

Diamonds Are A Drunk's Best Friend

While pampered pooches can get their paws on $3 million diamond dog collars this Christmas and celebrity chefs might find diamond-encrusted pots and pans under the tree  -  I just found the perfect gift for mega-rich margarita mavens and the discerning frat boy:

The world's most expensive tequila bottle.

Mexican distiller Hacienda La Capilla unveiled a 1.3 liter tequila bottle they call “The Diamond Sterling”, which is made of  a 2.3-kilogram layer of platinum featuring over 4,000 diamonds totaling 328 carats.

And the price? A mere $3.5 million.

Bottoms up, senoritas! Now we can do shots in style!

The blingtastic bottle will go on a world tour of "tequila-appreciating hotspots" (like my living room)  -  including London, Paris, Switzerland, Spain, Monaco and Dubai, according to a press release.

The only thing missing is a pink diamond-encrusted bottle of Pepto for the morning after.

Celebrity Jewelry Gossip

Juicy celebrity jewelry tidbits are both naughty and nice this week. Here's a blingy roundup:

Pete Doherty: Jewelry Designer/Jailbird

From the 'Most Unlikely Celebrity to Launch a Jewelry Line' category comes news that badboy Brit rocker and ex Kate Moss love, Pete Doherty, came out this week with a bauble collection for men. Just in time for his court appearance for drug possession.

The fifteen-piece range was inspired by "trinkets ... ivory, cigarette tins, old cases, old glass,” Doherty told WWD between cigarette drags at the launch party. “It’s just a shame I can’t afford to buy them myself,” he sighed, referring to the $663 to $13,600 price range. “They cost a fortune."

Courtney Love: Grrrl Rocker/Jewelry Thief

Just when you think her annoying self-destructive phase is over, Courtney Love never fails to self-sabatoge. This time she's taken a page from the Lindsay Lohan play book by 'losing' borrowed jewelry from a celebrity jewelry house.

The Hole frontwoman was slapped with a lawsuit from Jacob & Co. for not returning jewelry worth nearly $114,000. According to USA Today, Love borrowed two white gold and diamond chains, a white gold, floral-design mesh bracelet and a pair of white gold and diamond pave hoop earrings on Sept. 21 from the New York jeweler - but only returned the bracelet. She now owes $113,700 for the oversight.

And all of us for the 30 seconds it took to read this post.


SouljaBoy: Rapper/Investment Specialist

What do Glenn Beck and SouljaBoy have in common? A penchant for dispersing investment advice, apparently. The rapper rivals Lil' Wayne in the bling department, wearing jewelry creations that weigh more than a toddler.

When asked about his $3 million jewelry stash's investment value, Mr. Boy told Sway from MTV,

"Gold is the best thing going, all the people that's watching, honestly ... all of my jewelry together ... gold is where it's at."

Sharon Stone: Celebrity Charity Case

Joining the likes of Angelina Jolie and Christina Applegate, Sharon Stone is putting her name on a jewelry line for charity, according to Luxist.

Sharon Stone has been the face of Damiani jewelry since 2008 and collaborated with them on  a new line of jewelry, The Maji, that benefits the charity initiative, The Clean Water Project.

The collection is the first in the series of "Sharon Stone for Damiani" lines and features rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings with rough diamonds set on burnished gold or silver - each signed by the Cougar Queen herself.

Overacting lessons and oversized ego, not included.

It's never dull in blingville, jewelry hounds. Send me your gem-filled gossip, and I'll try to include it for my next roundup!

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.

Diamonds and Divas in DC

The 2010 Kennedy Center Honors were handed out this weekend to the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sir Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones and Jerry Herman. And the red carpet was littered with a tony crowd of well-wishers that included a wide range of jewelry choices.

Let's start with THE DIVAS:

The woman who put the D in Diva was on hand to upstage anyone who deigned make an entrance grander.

Diana Ross.

Floor-length mink? Check. Diamond jewelry overload? Check. Silver sequins? Check. The only thing missing was a wind machine and a Central Park downpour to make this moment shine brighter.

But no one outshines.... The Oprah.

Wearing a cleavage-bearing white dress shirt/gown combo, the O beamed in diamond teardrop earrings as she was honored (and roasted) by the likes of Chris Rock and President Obama, among others.

THE DANGLERS:

Shoulder duster earrings are making a comeback, with Holly Robinson Peete and Gayle King sporting the trend to perfection.

THE DOMINO EFFECT:

Black and white diamonds are a seasonal favorite, and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles along with a surprisingly svelte Jennifer Hudson sparkled in subtle black/white earring choices like these beauties for only $166.

THE DO-OVER:

Who doesn't love Mary Louise Parker? I just don't love the bed-head hair, awkward red carpet pose and too-tired statement neck/long black gown combo. Check, please.

Thoughts, jewelry hounds?

Oh, and the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony (which ALWAYS makes me cry) airs on CBS on December 28th.