The Wittelsbach Blue Diamond Sells Big!

As you jewelry hounds know, I’ve been tracking the Christie’s auction of the stunning 35.56-carat Wittelsbach blue diamond. The rare blue gem was expected to fetch around $15 million, but global economic woes and recent jewelry auction disappointments put the estimated figure in jeopardy, to say the least.

The 17th-century stone was originally given to Infanta Margarita Teresa by her father King Philip IV of Spain on the occasion of her engagement to her uncle, Leopold I of Austria. The diamond remained in royal custody for over 300 years until it found its way into a private collection, where it has remained since 1964.

So what did the historic diamond go for? How about a record-setting $24.3 million! Recession? What recession?

"In the midst of these challenging times, we were thrilled to achieve an historic price for an historic diamond," said Francois Curiel, chairman of Christie's Europe and auctioneer for Wednesday's sale.

The previous sales record was a mere $16.5 million for a 100-carat diamond in 1995.

International jeweler Laurence Graff was the wealthy winner on Wednesday, Christies said in a release. Graff was bidding against Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading, a professional of Russian origin based in New York.

What on earth will Graff do with the dazzling diamond? According to Bloomberg news, Graff’s son, Francois, said they care less about the historical provenance of the stone and more about its unique diamond properties.

“We’re looking at the stone for what the stone is.” Graff Diamonds will re-cut the diamond with the intention of making the slightly chipped stone flawless and a deeper color, he said: “We’ll lose a few carats, but nothing too substantial.”

What's a few carats between friends, really...

Earrings Shine at Benjamin Button Premiere

As promised yesterday, here is a glittering recap of the red carpet jewelry fashions at the premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I just watched the Golden Globe nominations, and the film got nods in several big categories - including a Best Actor nomination for Brad Pitt!

The stylists-to-the-stars seemed to agree that a classic earring statement was the jewelry choice for the red carpet walk - from Angelina to J-Lo, Eva Longoria to Julia Ormond. Veteran actress, Mimi Rogers, brought the brooch bling out to shine, and Sharon Stone's oversized diamond dragonfly pin was cause for some serious jewelry buzz. Sorry. Pun intended.

While there were some that overdid it (Alfre Woodard - you are such a great actress but the gold chains aren't working), most of the looks - from today's A-listers to the ladies of yesteryear - were just like the movie. Top notch.

Cate Blanchett's Golden Gown

The divine Cate Blanchette didn’t wear any jewelry for the premiere of her latest film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I was so disappointed. How can you share a screen with Brad Pitt and then a red carpet with the likes of Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez and not bring out at least a little bling?

Then I took a closer look at her dress, and it all made sense. The bell-shaped Steve McQueen couture frock is literally made out of metallics and gold beads! Adding anything else would have been complete overkill.

I’m not sure if I actually like the frock, but you have to give Blanchett credit for pushing the fashion envelope. The sculpted gown is made only by special order, and McQueen seamstresses require several fittings to get things just ‘sew’.

If you have $120,000 to spend, you too can light up the night with a bell-shaped McQueen gown of your own. Apparently, some red carpet-watching fashion hound already put in an order after spotting Cate at the premier, according to McQueen’s New York Store.

Stay tuned for my recap of other notable jewelry looks that made an appearance that night. Aside from A-listers like Angelina, J-Lo and Eva Longoria – there are surprising showings from style veterans, Sharon Stone, Julia Ormand (Brad’s costar in this film and, of course, Legends of the Fall. No one did unrequited love quite like those two), and Mimi Rogers. Yes, the very same “I used to be married to Tom Cruise when he was 25” Mimi Rogers!

Random red carpets are often the best red carpets.

In the meantime, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

Jewelry Hits and Misses at the Kennedy Center Honors

Diamond, gold and gemstone jewelry lit up our nation’s capital, as the Kennedy Center handed out their coveted medals to six deserving performing artists last week.

This year’s honorees included The Who’s Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend, dancer/choreographer Twyla Tharp, actor Morgan Freeman, country’ music’s, George Jones, and singing sensation, Barbara Streisand (who exchanged a much-publicized awkward smooch with her favorite political punching bag, George W.)

The prestigious Kennedy Center Honors are known as the most ‘formal’ event on the award show circuit, so it’s no surprise the celebs brought their A game in the bling department.

Beyonce was the belle of the ball in a form-fitting Zuhair Murad gown and tasteful black diamond clips (It’s clear she’s no longer getting dressed by her mother. It’s about time).

Queen Latifah put the ‘ice’ in ‘ice queen’ with her stunning diamond and black pearl Y-necklace and matching diamond cuff. And look at that Linda Carter – all svelt and shimmery in a beaded navy dress with eye-popping diamond chandelier earrings. She can fight for my rights in her satin tights any day!

Unfortunately, while Babs can belt one out like no other, she has some work to do in the fashion department. The chunky gold chain doesn’t do much to help the flowy caftan look she’s been wearing since 1992. And Michelle Lee’s black gemstone choker and Nancy Pelosi's gold ensemble don’t fare much better. Sorry, Madam Speaker.

But the special night was about the art – not what the artists wore, I should be reminded.

"With their extraordinary genius and tenacity, the 2008 Honorees have redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts. We will forever be thankful for the great gifts (the honorees) have shared with us," said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman.

The ceremony will be broadcast in its entirety December 30th on CBS.

Diamond Jewelry Gifts - More Is the New Less

I have to admit, I’ve been feeling a tad guilty lately. As you all know, my world, well, revolves around my favorite obsession: diamonds. I’m sure all you glitter hounds can relate.

But this darn recession has made me feel a tad cheeky about obsessing over a little rock when there are things like shrinking 401ks, a sinking DOW and the entire city of Detroit to worry about. But last Sunday, as I settled in with my New York Times, I saw three words in bold type that completely changed my tune.

“Here’s To Less!”

Less, you say? How can this sentiment put the damper on our jewelry jones in these troubled times?

It goes like this: Diamond miner and marketer, De Beers, launched their new “Here’s To Less” ad campaign to tell the world that buying less is a good idea - less frivolous items like ipods and Birkin Bags, that is. A Diamond – as their famous tag line informs us – Is Forever.

So, in other words, if there’s only one thing you can buy your loved one this holiday season, you better make it count. You better make it a diamond!

Eureka!

"Our lives are filled with things," runs the ad text. "We're overwhelmed by possessions we own but do not treasure. Stuff we buy but never love. To be thrown away in weeks rather than passed down for generations. Perhaps it will be different now. Perhaps now is an opportunity to reassess what really matters. After all, if everything you ever bought her disappeared overnight, what would she truly miss?"

Our diamonds! We would truly miss our diamonds!

Now, of course, this might seem like twisted logic to those nay-sayers out there. And yes, I am sure that buying a month’s supply of toilet paper and a carton of Ramen noodles is a more frugal choice to make this holiday season.

But c’mon! If you had only one box under the Christmas tree or only one gift to open throughout the eight days of Chanukah, wouldn’t you like it to make your face light up and your heart sing? That’s what I’m saying.

So go back to those gift lists and mark off the sensible sock sets and Hanes-for-her three packs and put those diamonds dreams back at the top where they belong!

And don’t worry. I will still obsess over the $15 million blue diamond that is being auctioned at Christie’s this week and will still spend my waking hours combing the red carpets for jewels we mere mortals can only dream about.

I'm just going to sleep a little better at night.

Jessica Alba – Campari’s Coruscating Calendar Girl

A luminous Jessica Alba dazzled in Milan last week for the red carpet launch of her 2009 Campari calendar. The lady in red paired a stunning scarlet Dolce and Gabana dress with Bulgari vintage ruby and diamond jewels that made this jewelry hound drool on first sight.
Rubies haven’t looked this good since the red slipper renaissance!

Hunky husband, Cash Warren, attended the event with his lovely leading lady, and Donatella Versace, Alegra Beck and other glittering Milan residents kept them company.

The 10th anniversary edition of the Campari Catalog was directed by Jean Paul-Goude and photographed by world renown, Mario Testino, in Malibu – the perfect place to capture the “Club Campari” theme. Pics feature a curvy, post-baby-bod Alba in black and white swimsuits and elegant evening wear.

"I'm usually walking around in comfy clothes with a baby on my arm, and it's nice to dress things up and feel sophisticated, sexy and surrounded by so much beauty," Alba said of her sexy shoot. "Also being surrounded by Brazilian models made it even easier!"

Glamazons, Eva Mendez and Salma Hayek, have graced the pages of the calendar in year’s past, and I think we all can agree that Ms. Jessica has successfully carried the torch.

Campari will distribute the calendar internationally, but will only print 10,000 copies - -so get your guys a glittering eye-full before Santa runs out this season! You can, of course, always get a glimpse on their website: www.campari.com.

Millions Seized in Harry Winston Robbery

Diamond jewelry valued at $108 million was seized yesterday in a shocking robbery of the Parisian branch of high-end jeweler, Harry Winston. The well-organized bandits were said to know the names of several employees and the location of the branch's secret jewelry storage units. And the best part? They robbed in drag!

According to Yahoo! news, armed men dressed in wigs and women's dresses entered the store on Avenue Montaigne near the Champs-Elysees shortly before their closing time. They took nearly everything on display and forced staff to hand off diamonds stashed away in the back. No one was injured and no shots were fired. (The fashion police were unfortunately off duty).

This heist comes on the heels of a similar raid on the very same branch over a year ago, where thieves escaped with more than $25 million in glittering gems. Coincidence? Or is this the same outfit back for another grab?

“We are clearly dealing with well-organized, ruthless criminals,” Winston spokeswoman, Isabelle Montagne, said yesterday.

Parisian TV crews and curious passersby littered the road outside the store and marveled at the millions lost.

“How on earth are they going to fence all that,” asked Richard Conacher, a 39-year-old pub worker from Melbourne.

The largest-ever jewelry heist took place in February 2003, when thieves took diamonds valued at 100 million euros from vaults at Antwerp’s diamond exchange, according to Agence France- Presse.

Jewelry heists are dramatized in Hollywood as rather 'romantic' crimes, (Exhibit A: To Catch A Thief, Exhibit B: The James Bond ouevre). Click here for a closer look at historic real-life jewelry thefts (and put those Cary Grant cat burglar fantasies in a box where they belong.)