Diamond Diva Dish

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s fashion sense stacks up to the height of what’s hot, what’s trendy. Whether she’s dressed in elegant evening attire, or casual chic, Sarah’s got a multi-layered fashion personality.

She accessorizes her cardigan (in this year’s new neutral – grey) with a knit hat, Chanel sunglasses, some long chain and one of and my favorites, stackable bangle bracelets.

I’ve always loved bangles in multiples. There is something fun and perky about the jingle jangle of bangles, and with so many from which to choose, you can vary your look each time and make an impact by layering with one shade of gold, or mixing them up by pairing white gold with yellow gold. Or, smooth bangles with textured.

Top row: L-R

This Two Tone Gold Bangle is yet another stylish candidate for layering and conducive to combining both white and yellow gold bangles together.

A classic, thin Yellow Gold Bangle alone, or in multiples always stacks up to the right look in any season.

Bottom Row: L-R

How elegant is this sparkling Diamond Cut Two Tone Gold Bangle? Another great choice to anchor bangles of both gold hues.

Here’s an unusual bangle which is perfect for stacking – the exterior is white gold with textural interest and the interior is yellow gold. I love this one!

Have fun, mixing and matching!

A reader of the blog asked me a while back how I store my jewelry. At that time, I mentioned I enjoy displaying some pieces on an antique dress form. The others are stored in dividers in a drawer. I’m always looking for ways to minimize clutter, maximize organization and of course, keep everything as dust free as possible! I’ve found a wonderful source for jewelry boxes which meet the above criterion. I just had to share!

The Milano line of jewelry armoires and chests via The Jewelry Box Connection are the perfect blend of aesthetics, fine craftsmanship, and well thought out storage solution. Constructed of solid Burmese maple and veneer, they are available in two sizes and 4 different stains to coordinate with your décor. These pieces are a study in form and function which you’ll want to display front and center, not sequester to a shelf in the closet like the staid old jewelry boxes of yore! Beyond the exterior with its sleek lines, distinctive maple wood grain, and modern hardware are fabric lined drawers, compartments for rings, and things, and hooks on which to hang your necklaces . It’s no wonder these were voted best large jewelry box by Real Simple Magazine. They are simply amazing!

Instead of, of in addition to, the Milano Jewelry Armoire, the Milano Jewelry Chest boasts the same fine craftsmanship in a more compact configuration for those whose baubles may not be burgeoning to quite the degree that mine are!

Beautiful boxes to protect your investments!

Ashley Judd is a vision of purple perfection dressed in an exotic sari, at a gala event to benefit YouthAIDS. Since 2002 Ashley has been the YouthAIDS Global Ambassador. She channels her energy into raising both awareness and funds for YouthAIDS education and preventative programs.

She has traveled widely for the cause, including such locales as Cambodia and Thailand, Guatemala, and South Africa. She considers her role as Ambassador to be her most meaningful role of all.

I’ve never witnessed Ashley commit a fashion faux pas – she is always the epitome of glamour goddess. Here she makes a bold statement with gargantuan gold earrings – aren’t they gorgeous?

Here is a trio of bold gold with which to embellish your ears and add some drama to the dull winter days ahead:

Via Diamond Harmony 14K yellow gold Drop Earrings with that “wow!” factor.

14k yellow gold Carved Drop Earrings have an interesting and textural hammered effect.

I love these 14K Tri Tone Gold Oval Drop Earrings both for their layered effect and the various gold hues which render them a diverse addition to your jewelry wardrobe.

Who knew that under the guise of her Ugly Betty character is a naturally beautiful and innately perceptive young woman? Featured in Marie Claire UK, her photoshoot and accompanying interview underscore the fact that America is an atypical actress, and therein lies her allure.

The youngest of six siblings, America Ferrera is the daughter of Honduran immigrants. Raised by her mother after the departure of her father at an early age, she developed a strong work ethic and a keen sense of values.

Her love of acting began with small roles in school plays and community theatre which ultimately led to professional work in commercials and a variety of television projects. Among the most compelling was her role in “Real Women Have Curves”. Have you seen it? If, not, you must! The movie explores one young woman’s plight to transcend familial obligation and cultural tradition, in favor of pursuing her ambitions. It has universal appeal, in that it deals with body image and social dynamics that are cross-cultural and relevant to women of all ages.

America eschews the typical waif-like figure associated with young Hollywood actresses, preferring instead, to focus on the craft of acting – the under represented niche, the context of authenticity, is where America finds her forte’. She sums it up thusly:

“It takes away the pressure on me as an actress. I’m not a model. I never wanted to be a model. I never wanted to do ads for Neutrogena. That’s not what I set out in my life to do. I set out to tell stories. I set out to represent real people. And to me, Betty is the most beautiful opportunity that’s ever come across my path.”

Thrilled with her role as Ugly Betty, she sees it as an opportunity to highlight serious issues in a humorous way.

Beautiful expressive almond shaped eyes, sultry lips sans collagen, and skin not subjected to shots of botox, America is the “real deal”, inside, and out.

If you would like a delicate Diamond and Garnet Heart Necklace in 14K white woven gold, such as the one America is pictured wearing, I’ve found it!

Gorgeous! Don’t limit yourself to your birthstone only. Purchase a rainbow of colors by incorporating the various gemstone hues into your jewelry wardrobe. I had wondered if America’s birthstone was garnet. It’s not — born in April, hers is Diamond!

The allure of diamond stud earrings is underscored by their enduring popularity. Elegant and refined, they have long been a classic accessory.

Favored for their versatility, diamond stud earrings are an accessory wardrobe staple (Angelina Jolie never leaves home without hers!) – casual and feminine by day, they will beautifully transition to evening wear as their timeless elegance heightens the sophistication of clothes on the cutting edge.

These little rock stars of the jewelry box are available in myriad carat weights, cuts and settings – which is right for you?

Choose those which are best suited to your facial structure – princess cut is conducive to a round shaped face, while round cut diamonds enhance a thin face. Yellow gold enhances warm skin tone, while white gold or platinum enhances those whose skin tone is of a cooler hue.

Note the setting when selecting your diamond studs – three or four prong tend to perfectly balance the diamond, ensuring a snug fit as opposed to the protrusion and dreaded droop of a poor setting.

The cost of your diamond stud earrings is contingent upon a variety of factors, primarily the quality and size of the stones. The quality of the cut, as well as clarity, color and carat weight of the stone are the characteristics by which they are categorized and ultimately valued.

As with any diamond purchase from which you intend to get a lifetime of use, choose those of the best quality which you can afford. If your budget for the purchase of a pair of diamond studs is under $5000.00, you may wish to secure smaller sized stones in favor of the optimum cut, clarity and color, as these are the most important criterion to meet for the maximum in sparkle.

A perennial favorite, diamond stud earrings are a universally appreciated and ever appropriate gift item!

This month, the winner of the Diamond Harmony Sweepstakes will receive none other than a pair of diamond stud earrings! How exciting is that? Create some buzz – spread the word to your associates, family and friends. The sweepstakes is free to enter. Good luck!

Megan Fox has risen from relative obscurity, to Hollywood “It” Girl Status. Her meteoric rise from bit parts starring alongside Lindsay Lohan and Ashley Olsen, her role as Sydney Shanowski on the TV series Hope and Faith, and most recently, her major coup, and some would say career catalyst, the role as Sam Witwicky in Transformers proved that Megan is a fiery presence that can heat up the big screen.

An actress and model, in addition to being known for her stunning good looks, Megan is known for her association to her fiancé Brian Austin Green of Beverley Hills 90210 fame, and for the numerous tattoos she sports – six, in all, including a portrait of Marilyn Munroe and a quote from Shakespeare’s King Lear “We will all laugh a gilded Butterflies” (I find the latter particularly interesting, since it implies the laughter associated with those who actively practice façade, which is of course rife in the social dynamic of Hollywood!).

Shown above, Megan accepts an award for Sci Fi Siren for her role in Transformers at Spike TV’s “Scream 2007”Awards. With her raven hair, piercing blue eyes, and tangerine dress, Megan needs no further embellishment but chooses a pair of chandelier earrings that certainly have the “wow factor”!

Chandeliers continue to be huge on the celebrity circuit, and I never tire of them myself. These 14K white gold Chandelier Earrings are one of my current favorites. They are delicate, deco-inspired and dramatic.

Check out more choices in Chandelier Earrings, and enter to win a pair of 14K yellow gold three-tier Chandelier Earrings in the Diamond Harmony Sweepstakes!

They say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Sage advice, indeed, but think of the benefits to one’s emotional well-being to be able to compute using this gold-plated MacBook Pro with a diamond encrusted (2 carat total weight in diamonds — H/I in color and SI1-2 in clarity) Apple logo!

The MacBook Pro comes with a one-year warranty on the hardware, plating, and custom painted keyboard/track pad. The exterior finish is polished 24kt and the interior is satin 24kt gold. Among it’s attributes, this pomme with polish is thin (one inch) and light in weight (the 17” version weighs in at only 6.8 pounds).

If you’d like to take a byte out of this one, it’s available for purchase online via Power Max for $8,999.00

Previously not a fan of perfume herself, having found those on the market too cloying, Mariah was eager to create her signature blend when approached by Elizabeth Arden. Given carte blanche in the creative process, Mariah describes the fragrance as “Light, sensuous and memorable” – a blend composed of a few of her favorite things, including notes of Moroccan incense, the Living Tahitian Tiare Flower, and a surprising note, toasted marshmallows!

In her form-fitting little black dress, accessorized with diamond drop earrings, and a spritz of “M”, Mariah is looking fabulous. With the debut of “M”, and excitement mounting over her upcoming disc (which follows on the heels of her previous multiplatinum comeback disc), you might say this is the sweet scent of success for Carey!

The fragrance, contained within a purple glass bottle featuring her signature butterfly, sold out at Macy’s within 35 minutes! You can purchase M by Mariah Carey Eau de Parfum and Body Lotion via Mariah’s site.

If I were to create a signature scent, “S” by Samantha, it would be comprised of citrusy, musky, woodsy notes – an earthy though exotic blend. The stopper would be a frosted glass tree shape, and dangling from it, a small charm with the initial “S”, studded with mini diamonds! A girl can dream!

Diamond Initials A through Z via Diamond Harmony

Against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Wall of China, Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi orchestrated a show of opulence and grand scale on a catwalk 300 meters in length. A fusion of Lagerfeld’s womenswear collection with accessories by Fendi, the show was a couturier coup.

Among the fashionistas in attendance was actress Zhang Ziyi of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. Pictured wearing a Lagerfeld couture creation, it is fabricated of fur. At a time when consumer social consciousness has reached new heights, Lagerfeld boldly substantiates his use of animal fur by pointing out that other companies have, and still do, use leather, and that to use one and espouse military opposition to the other animal product, is nothing short of hypocritical.

Consumer social consciousness has also given rise to concern about the use of conflict free diamonds in the manufacture of jewelry items. Conflict free, or cruelty free diamonds, are those which are not mined by warlords with the intent to control a country’s mineral wealth.

Regulations within the diamond industry are helping to certify the origin of product, which serves to satisfy jewelry merchants as they can then assuage the concern of the consumer.

If this is important to you, and so it should be – look for industry integrity when choosing to make a conflict free diamond purchase.

Notice Zhang’s earrings – the popular linear drop style is an absolute favorite among the fashion elite at the moment.

Here is an array of delightful dramatic dangles:

From left to right:

Two Tone Oval Diamond Drop Earrings are slimming in effect with the versatility of two precious metals.

White Gold Diamond Drop Earrings go to great lengths of luxe!

Peridot Drop Earrings feature the perennially popular peridot with the sparkle of dew drops.

Linear dangle earrings add a touch of drama to both day and evening wear!

If a glimpse at exotic and rare treasures takes your fancy, and you plan on being in the Santa Ana California area, why not visit the Bowers Museum and view Gems! Colors of Light and Stone – The Michael Scott Collection.

Through June 16th 2008, this exquisite private gem collection, which boasts the most lavish gems second only to those owned by royalty, is sure to be a treat to the eyes!

Comprised of major gem varieties and color spectrums, the collection also includes unique and lesser known stones, among which are green tanzanites and electric blue Paraiba tourmalines.

Antique jewels, rare cut collector stones, and gem carvings are other highlights of the collection. Curator of the exhibit Dr. Peter Keller, a geologist and gemologist himself, cites this as “the most important exhibit of Gemstones, diamonds and gems as art ever shown in a US museum.”

View some of the exhibit pieces here in the online gemstone gallery.

If you’d like to have your own kalaeidoscope of colored gemstones a little closer to home, check out these luxe, vibrant, multi gemstone and diamond drop earrings in 14K yellow gold.

For those whose preference is white gold, these multi gemstone and diamond drop earrings will effect a rainbow of color to brighten your day and banish those winter wardrobe Blahs — your own little show of gemstone color and light!