Filed under: Jewelry

Duke Fulco di Verdura (1898-1978) a Sicilian Duke, began his career with the one and only Coco Chanel. She hired him as a textile designer and he went on to become the head designer for her private and boutique jewelry collection. This collaboration led to the establishment of Verdura as one of the most glamorous and exciting jewelry brands of the early 20th century, dazzling European royals and Hollywood stars alike.

Today, his legacy continues into the new era as the Verdura brand launches a new website that looks both toward the future and back toward the past. The website tells the story of the brand’s origin in magazine-style pieces rich with images from Fulco’s past that make a vintage-loving heart ache for the glamour that was the 1920s in Paris.

Continue reading Verdura Brings Legendary Jewelry Online

Verdura Brings Legendary Jewelry Online originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

A 78-carat rough diamond from the Ekati mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories sold in Antwerp this week at BHP Billiton’s diamond center. The diamond sold for $2.8 million which is a record for Canadian stones. The previous record was for a 10.22 carat gem, also from Ekati, which sold for $1.2 million. The stone was named the Ekati Spirit by an employee after a company contest.

The stone is internally flawless and is considered to be the mine’s most significant gem-quality find in the last 13 years. It’s not the biggest stone to come out of the mine, that would be a 182-carat stone found two years ago, but that stone was of poorer quality.

No word yet on who the buyer is, although it’s hard not to see a big stone and wonder if Laurence Graff or maybe Lev Leviev is behind the transaction. It’s also not clear if the stone will be cut and set. Stones lose a significant amount of weight when cut so it will be interesting to see what this stone looks like after the master cutters get their hands on it. With stones of this size and value, the diamond plotters often strategize for months, using computer modeling and other methods, before making that first fatal cut.

Continue reading Ekati Spirit Diamond Sets New Record

Ekati Spirit Diamond Sets New Record originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Sports

Just in time for this weekend’s NBA All-Star game, basketball gets a major bling-up. JCK reports that Gameplan Concepts, a division of Lamont Jewelry brands, has created a diamond-studded line of basketball-themed jewelry.

Geary’s in Beverly Hills is selling the line which features team logos in white gold set with black and white diamonds. The prices vary depending on the elaborateness of the team logo. The Lakers piece shown at right runs a cool $16,800 but fans of the Pistons will only pay $7,800 to represent for their team with a diamond logo.

Gameplan Launches Diamond NBA Jewelry originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Wine

Perhaps the world’s most famous living diamantaire, Laurence Graff,is also in the resort and wine business. The Delaire Graff Estate is luxury South African resort in the Stellenbosch area, home to some of South Africa’s best vineyards. Graff opened the estate last year but has owned the land for years. The estate has just 10 overnight lodges but also includes a state-of-the-art spa, Indochine–an Asian fusion restaurant and a fully operational vineyard producing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and other wines.

Continue reading Delaire Graff Estate, A Diamantaire’s South African Paradise

Delaire Graff Estate, A Diamantaire’s South African Paradise originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Dining, Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

I have written about City Center, Las Vegas in Luxist before, the last column was on the many the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Because of those, I thought New Year’s was surely the city’s most attractive holiday. Silly me! I now realize that Valentine’s Day contains as much or more of the sybaritic Las Vegas DNA than New Year’s. New Year’s defines new beginnings, but Valentine’s Day? It’s about risk-taking — in romance, infatuation, and sensuality — essentially carpe diem-ing (seizing the day) in excelsius (in the highest manner) for at least 24 hours.

So here, in honor of St. Valentinus, Patron Saint of love, young people, and joyous marriage, is an image of a Tabu Lounge Chocolate Martini (above) to toast lovers and other strangers who find themslves at CityCenter, celebrating the sweet, varied enjoyment of Valentine’s Day.

ARIA Resort And Casino has a Romance Package that includes a two-night stay in a tower suite, combining an in-suite couples’ massage and aromatherapy bath, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and two day passes to The Spa at ARIA. The package is priced at $830 (Sunday - Thursday) or $1,030 (Friday - Saturday) and is valid through May 2011.

Continue reading Sweet Temptations: Valentine’s Day At City Center, Las Vegas

Sweet Temptations: Valentine’s Day At City Center, Las Vegas originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

The world of fast sales has been involved with jewelry for a while but it moves into a luxurious new level with Ajaline.com. The new site which launched recently features only fine jewelry and watches. Ajaline’s launch week included Buccellati (an Ajaline exclusive), Paolo Costagli, and Lagos. New brands will debut on the site each week with designs in silver and 18K gold as well as diamond jewelry and rings set with precious gemstones. The sale prices range from $200 to $40,000+.

The site works similarly to other private fast sale sites. Members are given a preview window that shows what is coming up 24 hours before the sale starts. Each brand will be on sale for three days with an average of 35 styles per brand. Shipping is free and items can be returned for refund or store credit up to two business days after receipt. There is also a Referral Rewards Program in place. Invite friends and family to join Ajaline and receive 5% of their total purchases for the first year as credits towards your own future purchases on the site. We’ve also got a promo code for you. Enter code AJATAKE10 during checkout. It is good for 10% off any purchase on Ajaline.com through 2/28/11.

About that name, Ajaline is the Estonian word for “time” and was chosen not just for the exotic sound but for the idea of time being precious. Not a bad move for a company selling jewelry and watches.

New Fast Sale Jewelry Site Ajaline Launches originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Charity

The latest charity initiative from Kwiat is a partnership with charity:water, a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. The Kwiat Waterdrop bracelet features a silver water drop set with a tiny .02 carat diamond on a woven leather bracelet. It is available in two lengths and is unisex. It sells for $100. Order by today Wednesday, February 9 in order to get it in time for Valentine’s Day. All profits from this Kwiat diamond waterdrop bracelet will go to fund the charity: water organization and allow them to give one hundred percent of public donations to fund water projects.

This isn’t Kwiat’s first foray into charity jewelry. Last year they partnered with golfer Cristie Kerr to bring attention to her Birdies for Breast Cancer foundation selling a pink sapphire version of Kwiat’s Signature Platinum Star Collection.

Kwiat’s Silver Teardrop For Charity originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Design

Soap opera actress Tracey Bregman, who plays Lauren Fenmore on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” spent her Super Bowl Sunday in an interesting way, she launched a new jewelry line in Canada. Her line, the Tracey Bregman Collection debuted on The Shopping Channel, Canada’s only nationally televised shopping service yesterday. Items range in price from simple silver pieces for less than $100 to fancier items featuring sapphires and diamonds in 14K gold. The items are available online at The Shopping Channel. Check out Tracey’s interview on the Marilyn Denis show here. When it comes to celebrity jewelry lines, Bregman joins a packed field that includes everyone from Kim Kardashian to Serena Williams.

Soap Star Tracey Bregman Launches Jewelry Line In Canada originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Sports

Super Bowl teams don’t just fight for the Lombardi trophy, they also get the chance to wear some pretty fancy rings. The NFL pays for 150 rings to be given to the winning team (players, staff, owners) of the Super Bowl. The league pays up to $5,000 for each ring, although adjustments may be made for the prices of gold and diamonds. Rings are generally more expensive that that these days with the team owners often footing the bill for lavish and impressive art pieces. ESPN has a special section on Super Bowl rings that delivers some interesting trivia like the biggest ring size (William “The Refrigerator” Perry wore a size 25).

Shown above is the ring that last year’s winners received. The Super Bowl XLIV championship rings for the New Orleans Saints were designed by Tiffany & Co. and feature a bunch of touches that resonate with fans of the Saints and their city. The rings are yellow gold and feature the New Orleans Saints fleur-de-lis logo set with round diamonds. The words “world champions” are set into the bezel of the ring with eight diamonds on each side (a total of 16 symbolizing the games the Saints won during the season). The rings also bear the score of the game, the NFL shield, images of the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square and the Louisiana Superdome, a scene from the championship parade and the first few notes of the song “When The Saints Come Marching In.” The underside of the ring bears inscriptions of team mottoes from last season: Be Special; Finish Strong; and Smell Greatness. They are believed to have a value of around $30,000 each.

Continue reading A Short History Of Super Bowl Rings

A Short History Of Super Bowl Rings originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

Marina B, the luxury jewelry line created by Marina Bulgari decades ago, is being given new life under the aegis of Windsor Jewels. The brand picks up where the prior designs from the 1980s and 1990s left off with bold, vibrant pieces. Marina Bulgari, who lives in Monte Carlo, created jewelry for Bulgari until the mid-1970s. After the death of her father, she started her own eponymous brand, Marina B, in Geneva. It was an instant hit especially among the rich and famous of Europe.

Windsor Jewelers’ CEO Paul Lubetsky is a passionate fan of Marina B designs and plans to base the new collection on the best archive pieces and designs of Marina B. Lubetsky, a passionate fan of Marina B’s designs, acquired hundreds of original sketches from Marina B herself. All of the new Marina B jewelry will be made using 18K gold, and many pieces will feature precious gemstones and pavé diamonds. Pieces will be fashioned by the same artisans in Italy that Marina B trained and worked with. Retail prices will begin at $5,000, but unique, one-of-a-kind pieces will be more expensive. There is a new Marina B showroom at 589 Fifth Avenue. The designs will be showcased at the Couture Show in Las Vegas in June when jewelry buyers from around the world will convene for the annual shows.

Lubetsky has enviable taste in jewelry. In 2009 Windsor Jewelers picked up the collection of another fine designer, Henry Dunay and he also acquired Fred Leighton pieces.

Designer Jewelry Line Marina B Makes A Glittering Comeback originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

De Beers has a variety jewelry options for Valentine’s Day that feature diamonds in a variety of ways. Building on the idea of coin jewelry, De Beers launched the Lucky Coins Collection, which includes different coins each with different symbols including hearts, stars, clovers and more. The Heart Coin shown above with five carats for a total of .3 carats in diamonds is $850 at De Beers online.

In time for Valentine’s Day and Spring, De Beers has added special editions in pink and yellow gold for various lines including the delicate Adonis Rose collection and the popular Clea and Reverie Collections. Have a look in the gallery below.

De Beers Valentine’s Day Offerings In Hearts, Pink Gold And More originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Auctions

The icy sparkler shown above was the top lot at Sotheby’s Important Jewels auction in New York earlier this week. The auction brought in $8,897,278 tipping it toward the high range of the pre-sale estimate of $6.8 million to $9.4 million. The ring above, a 15.98-carat platinum and emerald-cut diamond (I color, VS1 clarity) ring from Harry Winston, sold for $662,500, beating its pre-sale estimate of $300,000-400,000. Other highlights included a 3.52-carat platinum and round diamond ring, which sold for $290,500 and a Harry Winston 5.7-carat platinum and emerald-cut diamond ring, which sold for $242,500.

“We are delighted with the success of today’s sale, which demonstrated the continued strength of the market for jewelry,” said Gary Schuler, Senior Vice President and Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry department in New York. “We saw bidding from a truly international audience, with many clients embracing participation through our online BidNow program, adding an exciting new element to our salesroom.”

[via Diamonds.net]

Harry Winston Diamond Ring Tops Sotheby’s Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Design

Nothing says love like handcuffs? Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are the latest celebrity couple to create a jewelry collection. Moore and Kutcher worked with jeweler Jack Vartanian to create a collection of necklaces in the shape of handcuffs. But the cuffs aren’t just meant to be provocative, they are also meant to draw attention to a key issue, child sex slavery. Half of the sales will go to the Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness about this issue. Prices range from $710 to $2,140 and come in variations of white, yellow and rose gold. some with black or white diamonds. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also have a line of jewelry that benefits a children’s charity.

[via InStyle]

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher Create Handcuff Jewelry for Valentine’s Day originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

Since1910.com is celebrating their 100th anniversary in a big way: by giving away 100 beautiful pieces of sparkling Tacori jewelry — one every day for 100 days. If you missed out on our earrings giveaway last fall this is another great chance to win a little Tacori bling. Prizes include 95 Tacori jellybean earrings worth $125, four Tacori 18k925 fashion necklaces worth $1,500, and one Grand Prize of a Tacori diamond engagement ring worth $7,500.

Since1910.com is a fifth generation family owned couture jewelry business that was originally founded in Brooklyn, NY way back in (you guessed it) 1910. The entry period for the giveaway is open now and runs through April 15th, with the 100 days of winners beginning in May and running all summer until the Grand Prize winner is announced on August 1st, 2011. Get your name in the hat by clicking here.

Since1910.com’s 100th Anniversary and 100 Days of Giveaways originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

Putting her own edgy spin on the heart-emblazoned Valentine’s Day holiday with her a two-piece jewelry set. Her Valentine’s Day set is a two-piece jewelry collection made from gunmetal with an enamel eye which symbolizes knowledge and inner vision. It also reminds me a bit of Victorian lover’s jewelry which often featured the eye of the beloved worn as a brooch or ring.

The eye is framed within an abstract heart pierced by an arrow with elaborate feathers. The pendant is also encrusted with tiny cabochon pearls, rich purple enamel and Swarovski crystals. The pendant sells for £135 and the earrings are £95. The collection will be available to buy online and in store at: Vivienne Westwood, 44 Conduit Street, London W1S 2YL; www.viviennewestwood.com.

Vivienne Westwood’s Valentine’s Day Jewelry originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

The world is full of beautiful jewelry but one thing that can be hard to come by is beautiful personalized jewelry that was customized just for you. GemKitty.com is an online jewelry boutique that specializes in exactly that with an online jewelry studio that lets you design your ideal necklace and/or earrings by choosing from numerous designs, sterling silver and 14k gold hardware options, and a colorful array of hundreds of hand selected gemstones like garnets and amethyst. Of course custom jewelry is great anytime of year but GemKitty is a particularly great option for Valentine’s Day as they’ve just launched their new Bling-o-matic feature that takes the guesswork out of buying gifts by helping men make the perfect choice after asking them just 4 simple questions about the woman in their life.

Sound awesome? We think so, and we’re happy to announce that one lucky Luxist reader will get to spend $75 at GemKitty designing their very own piece of dream jewelry (or using the Bling-o-matic, whatever the case may be). Go take a peek at what they have to offer and then enter the giveaway here by letting us know in the comments what you’ll create if you win (I’m loving the ‘Emma’ earrings above, except I’d do them up in sterling silver and Amazonite) or who you need a gift for this February 14th. And regardless of who wins everyone can take advantage of free V-day delivery on orders placed by Feb.4th or the option of buying a snail mail or e-gift certificate right up to the last minute.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before February 7, 2011 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by email.
* One winner will receive a $75 GemKitty.com e-gift certificate to be delivered by email.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See full giveaway rules here.

Luxist Giveaway: $75 Gift Certificate to GemKitty.com originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

“Glee” actress Lea Michele piled on the jewels for the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards on Sunday night. Michele, who was nominated for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series,” wore a shimmering Oscar De La Renta gown. She also selected pieces from Tiffany & Co., choosing nearly $1 million in diamond jewelry. Her choices included Tiffany & Co. oval diamond lever back earrings set in platinum ($180,000) and a Tiffany & Co. pear shape diamond ring with contour split shank set in platinum ($269,000). She layered her wrist with extra sparkle, selecting a diamond bracelet with micro melee border set in platinum ($400,000), diamond deco bracelet set in platinum ($50,000) and a diamond cell bracelet set in platinum ($82,000).

Continue reading Lea Michele and Natalie Portman Wear Tiffany & Co. Jewels at the SAG Awards

Lea Michele and Natalie Portman Wear Tiffany & Co. Jewels at the SAG Awards originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

There’s no question that pink diamonds are hotter than hot lately. Last month a modified rectangular-cut fancy vivid purple-pink diamond of 6.89 carats sold for $6.91 million at Christie’s New York Jewels auction on December 7. You won’t have to pay quite that much to make the Cassel Pink Diamond yours. The Cassel Pink Diamond was once owned by the famous English banker and royal financial advisor, Sir Ernest Cassel and is a 4.71 carat purplish-pink diamond. It is GIA certified Fancy Purple-Pink with SI2 clarity. The center stone is set in 18K rose gold with .79 carats of pink diamonds. It is for sale at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans for $1.4 million.

A lighter stone, a 10.02 carat, cushion-cut, “Natural Fancy Light Pink” diamond ring is also for sale. This one is also set in 18K rose gold and surrounded by 1.00 total carat of round brilliant pink diamonds. It sells for $1.3 million.

Blockbuster Pink Diamonds For Sale At M.S. Rau Antiques originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Books

Margot van Voorhies–The Art of Mexican Enamelwork the latest title from Schiffer Publishing, is a lavish art book that showcases the work of one amazing and prolific jewelry designer. Van Voorhies created a jewelry company, Margot de Taxco, in Taxco Mexico in 1947 producing a stunning amount of intricate and now highly collectible pieces in silver with semiprecious stones and brilliantly colored enamel.

Her story isn’t just one of a designer but as a woman of the early 20th century, finding her way as both an entrepreneur and an artist. She was, in many ways ahead of her time, living as an independent woman and making choices that were outside societal norms. In 1937, after the murder of her mother and a divorce, she moved from San Francisco to Mexico. She had previously worked as a cosmetologist but found new work in a photography shop and in 1938 she married Antonio Castillio (who was 20 years her junior) and moved to Taxco. Castillo was a silversmith working for William Spratling and after the marriage, Castillo and his new bride established their own workshop. Influenced by the Mayan aesthetic as well as other regional imagery, van Voorhies created silver jewelry sets that quickly drew attention and business. In 1947, Margot created her own business, Margot de Taxco, where she continued to innovate in silver and champlevé. It was under this new label that she envisioned some of her most elaborate and memorable designs.

Continue reading Luxist Giveaway: Margot van Voorhies–The Art of Mexican Enamelwork

Luxist Giveaway: Margot van Voorhies–The Art of Mexican Enamelwork originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry, Art, Holiday Guides, Luxury Shopping

Before you go overspending on Valentine’s Day gifts that will surely be returned, peruse this gift guide from Luxist and AHAlife, “where discerning taste meets an inspired life.” We teamed up with AHAlife’s careful and creative curators to bring you the best Valentine’s Day Gift Guide you’ll find, whether you’re looking to spend $100 or $5,000. Below, you’ll find images and prices for each item on this special list, as well as our reasoning for recommending the items. It’s easy (and free!) to join AHAlife, so don’t hesitate at the signup page. Close your other tabs and dig in; your Valentine’s Day shopping is finished. Here are the Top 10 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for 2011 from AHAlife and Luxist:

1. Camel Bone Jewelry (above) - from $230.00

This exotic collection is so stunning, few women could open it without an audible gasp. There is a certain powerfulness in the femininity and boldness of these rare camel bone pieces. Giving one of these to your loved one is more than an observation of custom; it implies a respect for her primal strength.

Continue reading The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide from Luxist and AHAlife

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide from Luxist and AHAlife originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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