Maltese dogs are known for their long hair, which has to be swept up and away from their faces so they can see. What better foil for a luxurious tiara? This may have been the inspiration for the creation of a $4.2 million princely pooch tiara, created by jewelry designer Riwin Jirapolsek. Continue reading »

Trying to make the marriage proposal memorable and romantic can sometimes lead to awkward situations that leave a lasting impression. Public proposals tend to lend themselves to potential embarrassments, as in the case of the woman who ran away from her boyfriend’s proposal on the basketball court, in front of a crowded stadium at half time. Proposals in public spots can be hard to pull off with so many different variables, from engagement rings in martinis to dessert at restaurants, to sports proposals. Luckily for Don Walling, his proposal, while initially side-tracked, ended a bit more happily. Continue reading »

A display of gold coins and jewels uncovered in Europe, said to be hidden during the Black Plague, comes to light at London’s Wallace Collection in recent days. The collection comes with a rich cultural history, dazzling jewels, and intricately designed gold jewelry. The fact that the stash was found in Erfurt, Germany, near the an 11th century synagogue leads some historians to suspect the treasure was buried there by Jews who were concealing them as they became the targets of anti-semitism during the black plague. In 1349, many Jewish families were either forced to flee that area, while 1000 were killed in a pogrom. And, for some reason, which one can only speculate, the owners never returned to collect the booty. This leads some to suspect that they either met their death at the hands of the plague, were killed, or permanently uprooted from the area. Continue reading »

All of us love to hear of celebrities’ efforts to support multiple charities. We also love diamonds, so an upcoming auction may be your chance to own a sparkly bauble touched by the rich and famous. “Hip-Hop Crown Jewels” is the name of the auction to take place in New York, and has already been moved back to take place in March of 2009 versus October of 2008 due to widespread interest. Many notable pieces with interesting stories to tell will help support charity and fill some music historians’ hearts with joy. Hip-hop artists are known for notoriously big jewelry to show off their “bling”, and with good reason. Continue reading »

When it comes to holiday decorations, holiday movies are quick to show how competitive rivals can get to create the biggest, brightest, and most outlandish decorations. For the past two years people have been taking Christmas trees to new heights. While in 2006 a 21karat gold tree was made by Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka that sold for $850,000, the tree that takes the cake is bigger and better. Continue reading »

When You Just Got To Have It!

We’re officially in a recession and people are holding on to their money. Christie’s, London’s auction house, may have had trouble selling a “Study of Self-Portrait” by Francis Bacon, but the same didn’t hold true for the Wittelsbach diamond. This cool, blue, gem was snapped up for $24.3 million dollars, about twice the pre-sales estimate, proving once again that  are a solid investment even in recessionary times. However, the Wittelsbach itself isn’t just any ordinary diamond, it has a unique history and color that sets it apart from the rest, which made it a “got to have” item for billionaire Laurence Graff, a noted diamond dealer. It’s reputed to be the highest price ever paid for a diamond at auction. Continue reading »

Many of us know that diamonds adorn more than just jewelry today. However, you may not be aware that the rare jewels are considered valuable in modern scientific experiments, medical treatments, and research methods.Most people have no idea or knowledge of quantum mechanics and research, what its purpose is, and how we use it. Very few experts exist in this field, but it may lend opportunities for larger use and applications. These scientists have been studying diamonds at a molecular level for years, determining what future advancements the gem might provide to everyday activities. Continue reading »

Everyone’s heard the phrase made famous by Marilyn Monroe, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” With new medical studies being performed, diamonds could become a true best friend to people in need. It turns out that diamonds are capable of more than just sparkle and shine; they have characteristics which can aid in healing cancer patients. One typically does not think of diamonds when they think of cancer treatment, but new research shows that diamonds can help create a more targeted treatment with fewer side effects. Continue reading »

People are not the only ones getting diamonds for their birthday. For men everywhere, the idea of adding diamonds to your car may seem too much or it may quickly be the perfect way to give a gift that enhances the look of any vehicle. However, getting the diamonds and getting them set into your vehicles interior is something that is still being tested by the professionals.

This year, the Europa, which is built by British carmaker Lotus, received a number of diamond-studded accents that will value the car more than $400,000. However, it is unlikely that this special anniversary edition will ever be sold. The other changes, though, will be incorporated in all productions of the latest model. Continue reading »

If you have watched any part of the latest coverage on the campaign for the next president of the United States, you will likely notice that the attire of the potential First Ladies is getting coverage as well. Included in the wardrobe coverage are an impressive number of diamond brooches and pins that have made their way onto the wives of the presidential candidates during the Democratic and Republican Conventions, as well as on stops along the way.One of the most notable was the brooch that Michelle Obama wore on the first night of the Democratic Convention. This brooch, which blended perfectly with her turquoise dress, is the perfect example of how to wear a gemstone or diamond brooch. Without being too gaudy, the brooch created the perfect accent to a simple and elegant outfit. It also made a fashion statement that let people talk about her for days after she appeared at the convention. Continue reading »