I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas

 

Since it's Christmas Eve, I thought I'd take a moment to send out one more subtle 'hint' to Santa, since I've been nothing but nice this year.

I. WANT. A. BLACK. DIAMOND!!!!!!!!!

See? Coal is cool this year, Mr. Kringle.

Merchandisers and marketers used to have to work hard to make black diamond jewelry appealing to folks outside of tattoo parlors and vampire support groups. But this year? The stone finally crossed over, and it's never going back.

Celebrity designer, Stephen Webster, now litters his lines with the look. It was the best part of Sex And The City II. And many celebs - from Katy Perry to Christina Aguilera - are sporting them on the red carpet.

And the best part? Black diamonds are surprisingly affordable compared to white ice.

Here are a few of my favorite black diamond looks right now - all of them ready for their Christmas close up. Or how about a great New Year's surprise?

So here's hoping we all find big things in little boxes under the tree this year. And fellas? The New York Times reports that jewelry is the 'go to' purchase for all you last-minute shopper types (aka: all men). 

TICK...TOCK...

Merry Christmas, Jewelry Hounds!

Bret Michaels 'Regifts' Engagement Ring

The huge diamond 'rock of love' seen on Bret Michaels' girlfriend since July was once a promise ring but as of this week has officially been promoted to engagement ring.

After 16 years, two kids and more than one breakup, Kristi Gibson said "yes" to Michaels' marriage proposal on Monday night's finale of Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It.

 

But every rose has its thorn, as they say...

Instead of presenting her with a new diamond ring to seal the deal, he 'regifted' the ring he gave her from Christmas 2009 that he said was used as "a promise of an engagement but without a date."

Whatever, Bret.

It is some serious ring finger candy, though. Sources tell Us that the couple designed the 4-carat platinum cushion-cut ring with micro pave diamonds at a cost of over $200,000.

"She's been very patient and strong," Michaels of Gibson, who stood by his side this year throughout his sudden brain hemorrhage and subsequent stroke. (And three skank-filled seasons of Rock of Love.)

"It just made our bond for each other that much stronger. It gave us a bond that's unbreakable."

 

Or at least until Bret's next reality dating show...

What do you think of his promise ring/engagement ring proposal? Should he have bought Kristi a new ring to symbolize this important next step? Or is 4-carats enough to stand for a 'promise' and an 'I do'?

Tony Romo Proposes With Huge Diamond

Celebrity engagement ring buzz these days has a strange six degrees of Jessica Simspon thing going on.

First, her famous ex, Nick Lachey, proposes to longtime girlfriend, Vanessa Minnillo. A week later, Jessica gets her now famous ruby and diamond engagement ring from Eric Johsnon.

And now? Jess's famous ex, Cowboy QB Tony Romo, popped the question to his 24-year-old lady love, Candice Crawford (sister of Chace) on December 16th.

And this rock is the biggest of them all! (Not that we're counting, Jess).

Romo proposed with an 8-carat, radiant-cut, fancy yellow diamond with one carat of round diamonds around the center stone,” Aslam Bakshi, owner of Diamond Images USA, Inc. in Miami, Fla. tells HollywoodLife.com.  

“The center stone is very difficult to find and rare, but it is one of the most popular shapes today.”

The ring is reportedtly worth about $475,000 - $225,000 more than the $250,000 Neil Lane ring Jess got back in November. (Not that we're counting, Jess).

No word yet about wedding plans, but since word hit the street that Jessica's clothing empire is worth $1 billion (!) - I'm thinking Jess will have the last laugh after all.

But who's counting?

Reset It and Forget It

Resetting diamond jewelry is one of the most cost effective ways to get more use out of those jewelry box lingerers that never get to see the light of day.

Old rings that have been relegated to those dark corners like a diamond you've inherited or a generous gift that well, just isn't your taste - now's the time to hunt them out.

While some folks want to sell their jewelry these days, remember the resale price of a diamond ring is way below the price paid for it. Most people after finding out how much they'll receive decide it's not worth selling, but then have no idea what to do with the ring.

Why not reset it and forget it? One of the most popular ways to reset a diamond ring is either to take out the diamond and set it as a pendant, or reset the diamond with smaller gemstones surrounding it, to give it an entirely different look and feel.

If you have an heirloom the question of to reset or not can be fraught with emotional issues. After all, this ring may have been passed down from generation to generation and to take it out of its originally setting is almost like breaking the chain. If you do decide to reset, then when you talk to your jeweler, find out about having an antique setting that is more to your taste, but still keeping within the era of the original setting. If you do decide to take the resetting plunge, make sure you go to a reputable jeweler that specializes in resetting. Spend time with the jeweler and make sure you're confident that they understand what you're looking for.

A good idea is to have the diamond graded by a professional gemological laboratory such as IGI or GIA. They'll examine the stone and you'll receive a diamond certificate detailing the diamond's properties. That way if any queries arise when you receive the diamond back in it's new setting you can re-check that it is the same stone. Make sure the jeweler insures the stone during the period they have it. If they don't make sure your insurance covers the diamond during this time.

Find out how long it will take to reset the stone - you don't want any nasty surprises. If you're having additional stones in the new setting, make sure they're the quality you want, ask to see a sample of the types of gems of diamonds that will be surrounding the diamond, together with your diamond. Some colors or diamonds reflect in the main stone, making the stone appear duller than it is (and vice-versa, they may bring added brilliance to your gem).

The same applies if you've having it set in gold. Some diamonds appear to have a more pronounced yellow tint when set in yellow gold. White gold or platinum may make the stone appear more colorless.

No matter what you decide, giving your diamonds a facelift is a great way to get more bang for your buck in these trying times. And you have recycling bragging rights you can cart out in front of all your eco-friendly pals. Seems like a win-win to me. Good luck!

Oprah Gives Pink Diamonds to Aussie Audience

And YOU get a pink diamond! And YOU get a pink diamond! And YOU get a pink diamond!..

And I'm getting a headache from hearing about all the crazy schwag these 'Oprah's Ultimate Favorite Things' audience members are making out with.

From a $2,500 Philip Stein watch, studded with 58 diamonds; $1,900, 1.17-carat Dana Rebecca earrings, featuring 100 diamonds; $525 Judith Ripka earrings made with canary crystal stones and white sapphire accents and...

A. TRIP. TO. AUSTRALIAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

...these folks are getting more free stuff than Debra Messing at a pre-Oscar gift bag party.

But this latest little freebie for 6,000 folks in Oprah's Australian audience has me really drooling with envy: a necklace featuring a real pink diamond designed in the shape of an 'O' (of course).

It makes sense that Australia's famous diamond exporter, Rio Tinto is in on the action - and because they are the largest supplier of pink diamonds, it makes even more sense that they'd create a style for the Divine Miss O with that coveted stone as the centerpiece.

The AP reports the one-off design uses "Australian colors" and features seven diamonds including a rare pink Argyle diamond mined from its operations in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

And now 6000(!) audience members are going away with one for friggin' free.

What's next? Free cars? Oh, right....

No pics have surfaced of the O-inspired style since the show won't air until later this season, but I'm sure the piece will look something like this:

Or this:

Which reminds me. Circle pendants (a style that Oprah sent off into the jewelry stratosphere back in 2006) are a great, classic way to gift the women on your list this holiday - for romance, friendship, good parenting, rockin' "round" the Christmas tree (sorry) - the look is universally wearable.

And affordable. Circle back to JewelClub for their stash of circle styles - many under $100 (like this one for just over $50!).

And Oprah? If you're listening? I've been a very good girl this year....

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.