Diamond Diva Dish

Mandy Moore is successful, self-assured, and recently, self-engaged. Underscoring a trend which currently represents $3.75 billion in business in the US jewelry market, the term “self-purchaser” was coined.

Mandy, having purchased an engagement ring for herself, factors into the self-purchase market trend — specifically the purchase of rings, which accounts for 2 out of every 5 self-purchased jewelry items.

The self-purchased so-called self-engagement ring, along with the right hand ring , and it’s predecessor the “AH” ring (“Available and Happy”), signal that women are bucking the tradition of bling bestowed upon them by their intended, and opting instead, to finance their own indulgences – because, they can!

Self assured singles are self indulging in more non-traditional rings with popular selections including colored diamonds – pink, yellow , and blue diamonds.

I find this diamond ring particularly engaging!

There are myriad tasteful and tempting rings from which to choose to make this statement of unwedded bliss and self assurance. Any trend that highlights independence and doesn’t disenfranchise women of their single, but happy status, is a move in the right direction!

Formerly an under represented niche, beast bling is now available in a mind boggling range of possibilities in price points that are sure to raise eyebrows and get tails wagging!

Now your Diva Dogs can delight in designer duds created by industry greats such as Vivienne Westwood, Ben de Lisi, and jeweler to the stars, Stephen Webster.

Among the finery your four-legged friend can step out in, is a million dollar collar encrusted with diamonds and gems made by Stephen Webster, a five thousand dollar jacket created by Vivienne Westwood, crafted of diamonds and sapphires, and Ben de Lisi’s creation – a body warmer emblazoned with diamonds.

The diamond and star-studded Pet a Porter autumn fashion show will be held at Harrods in London, an event to raise funds for the Retired Greyhound Trust, and proving once again that conspicuous consumerism knows no bounds!

Via The Daily Mail

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Be pretty in pink with a purpose. Purchase a Breast Cancer Awareness Pin to wear not only during this month, but as a symbol of the continued need for education, early diagnosis, research and treatment advances.

Looking as fresh as the velvety petals of a rose in full bloom, Jennifer Garner rocks this Zac Posen mermaid-style dress which is vibrant in color and captivating in interest. The design – with horizontal shirring, and linear detailing - and color, create an impact perfectly suited to a Paris fête — the premiere of her new movie, “The Kingdom”.

Appropriate to enhance her choice of dress are the statement earrings she is wearing. Statement earrings, whether exclusively crafted of precious metals, dazzling with diamonds, embellished with fanciful filigree, gemstones or pave, are the number one accessory choice for this season and beyond. It’s time to plan your festive wardrobe and add a pair or two of these to your jewelry options!

The Diamond Pave Dangle Earrings in the above image are so very striking – they incorporate several of the hot trends – flirty and pendulous with pave these are a perfect stand alone piece, giving the overall effect of jewelry items which cost far in excess of the actual price.

The same can be said of these Diamond and White Gold Tear Drop Earrings They are elegantly crafted in a style and tradition which could best be described as “Glamour Goddess”. Minus the outrageous price tag, they arrive nestled in the green signature Diamond Harmony box — a new acquisition with a nice touch!

This month Diamond Harmony has a sweepstakes draw for a pair of 14K gold chandelier earrings – three tiers of delicate droplets to sparkle and sway with your every move. Good luck!

They say that “talk is cheap”, but such is not the case with Amosu’s N95 diamond-encrusted Nokia. Constructed of 18K white gold and dotted with 3.3 carats of dazzling diamonds, it is fully customizable, comes with a year’s worth of concierge service, and will be produced in a limited edition of 10. With a price tag of $24,475, you’ll literally be “putting your money where your mouth is”! If this particular model doesn’t grab you, check out the Motokrzr – at $36,780.00, and 5.34 carats of diamond, it’s sure to render you a sparkling conversationalist!

Via endgadgetmobile.com

To mark the 10th anniversary of the IXUS camera, Canon has produced 10 diamond embellished cameras – of the 10, one is The Super Diamond IXUS . Encrusted with 380 diamonds, it has a price tag of $50,000.00. This, along with the nine others, called the ‘his and hers’ diamond IXUS at $7,000.00, will be auctioned off on eBay the proceeds of which will be donated to the Red Cross.

The IXUS range has some impressive specs, and although I’m not the Diva of Digital Photography, I think performance, streamlined design, and a little diamond bling on the lens bezel would suit my needs nicely!

And for those who are proponents of Image Is Everything, you may want to grab one of these bling cams!

An actress, model, mother of 4 children, partner to Brad Pitt, Spokeswoman for humanitarian causes, Angelina Jolie does it all, and still manages to maintain a glamour goddess exterior. She is pulled together whether out toy shopping with her children, appearing at a gala, or taking the platform at a speaking engagement.

As you can see from these images, her most oft worn pieces of diamond jewelry, those which are appropriate in any setting, are her diamond stud earrings and diamond solitaire pendant. These are the basic “building blocks” of your jewelry wardrobe – those you will reach for as stand alone pieces, or to layer with others. Sometimes it’s nice to escape the fashion frenzy, though you don’t have to be conservative as the ultimate look is contingent upon which clothing you choose to pair your jewelry items with.

I feel like the proverbial kid in the candy store when I look at these little rock stars of the jewelry box — either in white or yellow gold, diamond solitaire pendants are available in myriad carat weights, cuts and settings.

My favorites are the classic 14K white gold 4 prong round cut diamond stud earrings with matching 1.5 Ct Four Prong 14K White Gold Diamond Solitaire Pendant. As with any diamond purchase from which you intend to get a lifetime of use, choose those of the best quality (and a size visible to the naked eye!) which you can afford.

You may not have Angelinas flawless skin, her full lips, or her man, but you can take a page from her fashion tome and emulate her look in the context of adding some modicum of sparkle to your life!

Summer may be but a distant memory, but this cone is always in season. A collaboration between Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and Lazare Kaplan International Inc., this cone is an exact replica of the Bruster’s signature Cherry Vanilla Waffle Cone.

While the recipe for Bruster’s ice cream remains top secret, the ingredients for this nice ice are a mix of just under 20 ounces of 18K white and yellow gold, 548 round Lazare diamonds, 87 square cut emerald diamonds and one 5.63 carat Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond in radiant cut. It yields 152.16 carat total weight. Now that’s rich, but it won’t affect your calorie count or your cholesterol — only your bank account, with a price tag of $1 million!

Proceeds from the sale of this non-edible though nonetheless delicious in its decadence cone, will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. A do-good indulgence!

Katherine Heigl looked stunning at the recent Emmys. She was both a presenter and a winner, receiving an emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series in the role of Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy.

Wearing a gorgeous Zac Posen white fishtail gown with glamour reminiscent of old style Hollywood sirens, her accessories are playful and consistent with the fabric of which the gown is constructed. Would you believe it is made of denim? I absolutely love the use of this otherwise casual, heavy duty fabric for evening wear. Layered bangles, chunky bead bracelets, a jeweled bag and over sized hoop earrings with dangling charms complete her look.

I’m partial to hoops and love the option of adding earring charms to create an entirely different look. Casual by day, your hoops can be instantly transformed for either a more polished or an elegant look with the simple addition of earring charms.

Take a peek at those which I found via Diamond Harmony!

These 14K White Gold Diamond Bezel Earring Charms have an estate jewelry look and would be perfect to add a touch of tasteful elegance to a simple pair of white gold hoop earrings.

If you like mixing your precious metals, Two Tone Gold Rope Tear Drop Diamond Earring Charms can take either your plain white or yellow gold hoops to new heights.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to lead a “charmed life”, too!

A recent recipient of a Teen Choice Award, in her acceptance speech, Jessica Alba spoke of being “pidgeon-toed, sway- backed, slightly cross-eyed, buck toothed, and a thumb sucker (which could explain the latter in her long line of self deprecatory comments!)” in her youth. She dedicated the award to Ross, whom she said, even after succumbing to his request for a kiss, still picked her last when playing baseball. She finished her speech with “Look at me now Ross! Look at me now!” She certainly has come “full circle”, being one of the most highly sought after young women in Hollywood at the moment.

Perhaps the circumference of her life is symbolic in the diamond circlet she’s wearing. The circle motif is hot, hot, hot – prominent at the moment in all manner of textiles including fashion and interiors, as well as accessories and jewelry.

As a stand alone piece, or layered with a delicate length or two of chains, as Jessica has done, the ever popular symbol of continuity is appropriate in settings both casual and elegant.

Emulate Jessica’s look with these pieces:

A 14K white gold Diamond Journey Pendant. This brilliant piece has 26 diamonds with a .50 CTW, and is among my favorites.

Layer with a 14K White Gold Diamond By The Yard necklace. I know I’ve mentioned the Diamond By The Yard Necklaces before, but they’re worth revisiting because I think they are so very pretty and infinitely conducive for the layering trend.