DWTS' Maksim Chmerkovskiy To Launch Jewelry Line

Dancing With The Stars jewelry usually comes in the guise of the big, bold and blingy ballroom baubles found on the show's leading ladies. But hunky dance pro, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, isn't one to be left out of the mix.

The hottie hoofer and Kirstie Alley-partner tweeted that he's,

"VERY EXCITED to announce that my jewelry line "MAKSIM" is being launched at the end of May! Amazon.com and Endless.com Retailers all over the country shortly after!"

No word yet on price points or design elements, but he promised to post some teaser pics soon. Stay tuned. He also tweeted that while MAKSIM is a men's jewelry line, women will be able to sport his styles too.

"My jewelry line is predominantly for men, but women can certainly wear it. Pictures coming soon so you can tell me what you think."
 
Somehow, I don't think he'll have a problem attracting the female audience.

Click here for more "Dancing With the Stars" jewelry buzz!

Lindsay Lohan's Jewelry Line Lunch

What would my life be without a Lindsay Lohan jewelry post, right? After 90 days at Betty Ford, Li-lo is on the loose again, and the jewelry buzz is following her like a neglected puppy dog.

But let's all share a moment of silence, shall we, and send out our most positive thoughts that instead of 'misplacing' loaner jewels or 'borrowing' samples from her friends' launch parties, Lindsay's jewelry news will take a more legitimate turn for 2011. 

So far, so good.

Apparently, jeweler Pacal Mouawad (famed for partnering with Nicole Richie on her House of Harlow line, among other stars) lunched with Lohan where they reportedly 'discussed' a jewelry line of their own.

And what did she get for her trouble? How about a 10-carat diamond heart Rosette necklace worth $25,000 smackers? I'd stay off the sauce if I were you, sister.

"Lindsay is looking great, she has a positive attitude, and we are looking forward to an amazing 2011 spending a lot of time together," Mouawad told people.com.

To be continued...

Snooki's Sparkling Party Ball

Hold on to your hair extensions! Snooki is starting a jewelry line.

As if fist-pumping, hippo-charging and spray-tanning weren't enough to populate her glittering resume, Jersey Shore's Princess of Poughkeepsie is adding "bauble designer" to her list of many talents.

DiamondShark.com has partnered with Snooki (nee, Nicole Polizzi) to create the "Snooki Party Ball 2011 Limited Edition Pendant".

The necklace is identical to the one she wore on New Year's Eve when she rode inside a giant ball in Seaside Heights, New Jersey - with a plastic red 'keg cup' as her other glittering accessory. Nice work.

The pendant features a carat's worth of created pink sapphires set in a ball silhouette made from polished and rhodium-plated sterling silver on an 18" chain - and goes for the guidette-friendly price of only $49.

In the sage words of Snooki, herself, she feels we all need one for our own jewelry box because it's: 'frickin' awesome".

But Snookolytes need to act fast - the Party Ball is only available for a limited time here - although rumor has it this is just the first of a larger collection of smushy Snooki sparkle.

Welcome to 2011, jewelry hounds.

Angelina Jolie Shines at "The Tourist" Premiere

Angelina Jolie's red carpet fashion choices lately have left me, well, underwhelmed. There are only so many incarnations of the black gown/diamond stud combo we jewelry hounds are expected to endure on the most beautiful A-lister in the world, right?

But she SO redeemed herself at last night's New York premiere for her latest flick, The Tourist, in a sultry winter white Versace number and unique emerald-cut beryl earrings that sent me scrambling to find out more.

So here's the skinny:

Of course someone as gorg. as A-Jo has to have her own personal jeweler, right? Enter, Robert Procop - Asprey's former CEO who's bejeweled Brad Pitt's better half for the past ten years or so.

Turns out, the earrings she wore on the carpet last night are part of a collection she and Procop collaborated on together - with all proceeds benefiting Jolie's personal charity, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

And the emerald ring Brad Pitt wore on the carpet last night also served as inspiration for one of the pieces, WWD reports.

Unfortunately, we mere mortals won't be able to snag some for our own collection since the items are only available to Procop's personal clients - and are priced accordingly. Whatevs. As long as it's for the children...

While these beryl beauties aren't as stunning as the emerald earrings Jolie made famous at the 2009 Oscars, they are a WELCOME reprieve from the snoresville stud earring Jolie had in heavy rotation while promoting her last film, Salt. (see my earlier rant here for more)

Although it's hard to complain when she's got the best accessory of all on her arm... Just bring Brad and I'll keep the snark to myself.

Lindsay Lohan: Jewelry Lover to Jailbird

Lindsay Lohan was spotted last night at Ana De Costa's jewelry show in Los Angeles looking fresh-faced and ready to consume - far from the frightened soon-to-be sentenced drama queen we might have expected.

The jewelry show featured D-listers Brittny and Lisa Gastineau's new jewelry line, 'Tres Glam' which features their signature 'eye' theme - a power symbol known to 'ward off danger' according to the mother-daughter duo.

Too bad Lindsay didn't pick one up, cuz...well, it's slammer time again for our favorite tabloid fixation.

People Magazine reports the stunned actress was cuffed and led away by authorities after the judge sentenced her to prison until her next hearing on October 22nd - almost a month away!

At least she spent her last night of freedom doing something worthwhile. What do you guys think of Li-Lo's latest chapter?

Celebrity Jewelry Line Round-Up

What would our lives be without the constant stream of celebrities selling jewelry? It seems like yesterday that Nicole Richie was one of the first to make a successful go of it, but now every reality show star and D-lister is throwing their hat in the ring.

Here are the latest names list to jump into the jewelry biz:

1. Nicky Hilton

Paris Hilton's more productive younger sister is launching a high quality/low price jewelry line inspired by her own collection.

“I’m a crazy jewelry collector,” Hilton tells WWD. “I’ve always known since I was a teenager that I wanted to do a line. Whenever I bought something, whether at a flea market in Paris or a bazaar in India, I’ve been collecting pieces.”

Her line will have styles inspired by her mother and grandmother's David Webb pieces in addition to some with an edgier feel a la spikes and snakes. The collection will range from $35-$480 and will be sold exclusively at Endless.com before branching off to other locations.


2. Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley's line for QVC is the aptly named Priscilla Presley Collection, a line of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings that's part rock-and-roll, part red carpet glam.

The former Mrs. Elvis launched her line yesterday with prices that range from $35 to $170.

3. Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe already have a jewelry line with the brand Virgins, Saints & Angels, but Kim's solo stint with Loren Jewels brings her name to a higher-priced couture line of gems.

Loren Ridinger has often put her Loren Jewels on red carpet divas like Eva Longoria Parker, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys, according to Luxist. The blue and white diamond earrings shown above have 38.62 carats of diamonds and sell for a cool $19,000.

4. Shoshanna Gruss (Lonstein)


This former Jerry Seinfeld flame and successful fashion designer is partnering with QVC darling, Judith Ripka, on a costume jewelry line that includes crystal heavy pieces and statement necklaces that sell for $20 to $80.

"I wanted my costume jewelry line to have the same versatility as my clothing line–a collection of pieces that can make a seamless transition from day into evening. I love being able to wear a dress to a daytime luncheon and then out to a concert later that night, with just a change of jewelry and accessories," Gruss told Fashionista.com

Her line launched yesterday on QVC with styles still available on www.qvc.com.

5. Christie Brinkley


Christie Brinkley's line on (you guessed it...) QVC was inspired by her Hamptons lifestyle. The Christie Brinkley Jewelry Collection is done in sterling silver and includes bracelets, cocktail rings and dangle earrings with quartz, sapphires, topaz, agate and other gems. Prices range from $45 for a woven leather bracelet to the higher priced gemstone bracelet pictured here for $393.

"This line is a celebration of all the things I love." said Brinkley in a press release.

Who is your favorite celebrity designer? Tori Spelling? Kelly Bensimon? Ramona Singer? I'm partial to Nicole Richie's House of Harlow line. Weigh in!

Project Runway Jewelry Thief?

Remember Gordana Gehlhausen from last season’s Project Runway? You know - the surly structural designer with a hunkering for her Yugoslav homeland? Well the rumor mill is buzzing that she stole jewelry designs from celebrity jewelry designer Michaela Kuechenhoff (Micha), according to Radaronline.

Yup. Yet another copycat claim hurled at the Project Runway folk – and this one seems like a doozy.

Apparently, Micha befriended the reality star a year ago, helping her with her runway show during LA Fashion Week. When Gordana was late returning the styles, Micha paid her a visit, noticing her new jewelry line littered with pieces that looked strikingly similar to Micha's – if not a total rip off.

Yikes.

This isn’t the first time a reality star with a jewelry line has been accused of stealing styles (remember NY Housewife, Kelly Bensimon’s snafu with her former employee last year?). But Gordana is a bona fide designer – she's not just lending her name to something like most other folks do these days. Ugh.

One day you’re in, and the next? You're lawyered up.

What do you guys think?

Lindsay Lohan To Show More Leg

Well, jewelry hounds, welcome to 2010. While it’s taking everything in my power not to write about Jennifer Lopez’s diamond-studded nightmare, I mean, catsuit on the Dick Clark New Year’s Eve special (I’ll let these hilarious bloggers do the work for me), there’s just no stopping 'The Lohan' from making my first post of 2010.

What this means for the New Year is anyone’s guess.

So news hit over the holidays that Lindsay’s 6126 legging line is going to expand into a full clothing offering with – you guessed it – a jewelry line due out in the spring of next year.

This means Lindsay, known for losing a purse full of diamonds worth 6 figures and ‘misplacing’ thousands of jewels from various photo shoots worldwide, is going to try her hand at jewelry designer for the masses??

But just when you think whoever is backing this venture must be as misguided as a Michael Lohan parenting attempt, think again.

Kristi Kaylor, chief executive officer of Los Angeles’ DNAM Apparel, which will manufacture the line under license, spoke exclusively to WWD about the expansion.

“We’ve had amazing success with the leggings line,” said Kaylor. “We’re launching the full clothing collection next year, and a cosmetics line, handbags, shoes, jewelry in spring 2011.”

That's over $3 million worth of overpriced legging succes, according to reports. Who knew?

The fall 2010 apparel line will include100 pieces (spring 2011 will be 150) with average retail price points running between $100 and $150. The 6126 leggings currently retail from $68 to $120.

While we'll have to wait to see details of the jewelry line, here are a few early drawings of the apparel offerings. What do you guys think so far?

Lindsay Lohan Jewelry Designer?

Diamond jewelry hasn't been old Lindsay Lohan's best friend lately - what with the high profile jewelry robbery going down at her pad and the many rumors that she, well, stole a bunch of it from various photo shoots.

Lately, buzz has been circling famous jeweler, Pascal Mouawad, that he and Lindsay were in talks to do a jewelry line for an 'un-named' (and misguided?) retailer. Could it be?

Mouawad and Lohan were at Kitson Boutique this week for his watch line launch with star, Jermaine Dupri, and the scraggly starlet wore out her welcome by snatching over $15,000 in merch according to Fox News explaining that,

"Pascal would take care of it because I’m the only celebrity here.”

BUT - “Pascal said no, so she went and started talking smack about him to Jermaine Dupri who doesn’t even know her,” said an insider. “He was totally bewildered and couldn’t believe it. Eventually Pascal said she could have $2000 to spend but that was the absolutely limit.”

And there's global warming still to worry about.

Anywho, a glutton for punishment apparently, Mouawad told Fox that,

“Lindsay is a close friend of mine, who has a keen eye for jewelry. We have thrown around the idea to collaborate together to create an exclusive line for a retailer who has shown interest in a fashion line designed by her.”

My money is on this taking a back seat to another trip to rehab for Miss 'grabs-a-lot', but what do I know? What do you think the odds are, folks? Weigh in!

Courteney Cox's Jewelry for a Cause

Celebrity jewelry lines are a dime a dozen these days - from Nicole Richie and Paula Abdul to Tori Spelling and one or five of Bravo's New York Housewives. So it's nice to see celebrities putting their name behind jewelry that actually means something to them aside from dollar signs.

Cougar queen, Courteney Cox and hubby David Arquette are launching a jewelry line to benefit those suffering from a realtively unkown skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa or EB.

"There is a beautiful child named Brendon, the son of one of our dear friends, Andrea Pett Joseph, who was born with...EB," Arquette told VOGUE.COM. "We were not aware of the condition until it affected us personally but, of course, once we got to know this incredible child we wanted to do whatever we could to help."

EB is a rare and life-threatening genetic condition which results in the skin developing burn-like wounds, making even simple tasks incredibly difficult. David and Courteney designed the collection with US Jewelry outfit, Satya and used the butterfly motif to symbolize the fragility of the EB childrens' skin.

Pieces range in price from $24 for a silver pendant to $348 for the gold version shown above. Support the cause and get a little bling in return by visiting Satya Jewelry online.

Celebrity Jewelry Line Overload

From health care reform to rising unemployment and stimulus dough, there are a lot of issues out there for us all to ponder these days. But I’ve got one pressing question that’s been keeping me up nights.

How many friggin’ celebrity jewelry lines do we need, people?

I mean really. There are the success stories like Nicole Richie’s boho chic House of Harlow line and Paula Abdul’s HSN juggernaut. But do we really need D-listers like Christie Brinkley, Gladys Knight, New York Housewife, Kelly Bensimon and Heidi Montag’s sister joining the ranks?

Seriously.


Now news of singer, Lily Allen’s, new line is hitting the newswires and frankly? I could care less. You had me at Padma Lakshmi and jumped the shark at Tori Spelling, folks.

Do we really need the same old gold charm necklace you can get at any department store marked up an additional 40% because a singer with one big hit and a history of public drunkenness has her name on it?


I think I can live a full life never knowing or caring that Holly Montag gets to put her name on some gold chains simply because she ‘has always loved jewelry’, according to MTV. As if loving jewelry and having the same genetic makeup of a pathetic reality TV star are the only qualifications for for launching a bauble line.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe I’m being too harsh? I suppose there is room for everyone to peddle their wares out there. But I’m wondering if I’m the only one who has had my fill? What do you guys think?

Have you ever bought a piece from a celebrity jewelry line? Share your stories!

Amy Winehouse Gets Crackin' on New Jewelry Line

She may have said ‘no’ to rehab, but troubled chanteuse, Amy Winehouse, is saying ‘yes’ to a new jewelry and fashion line. Apparently Ms. Winehouse put down the crack pipe long enough to finalize talks with the London-based fashion label, PPQ, for a new line of high-end statement pieces that are inspired by the Amy Winehouse ‘look’.

Black lung chic, anyone?

Winehouse does admittedly have a signature look to draw on – from her beehive 'do’ to her retro mini-dress style. PPQ designer, Amy Molyneaux, told Grazia that they are in the first stages of the project and look forward to designing a range of Amy-inspired pieces – from cut-off denim shorts, check shirts and bodycon minidresses to bold jewelry styles.

And while Winehouse may seem like an odd pick for a fashion muse, PPQ has been known to woo the ‘bad girl’ starlet - the company paired with Peaches Geldof as their first celebrity pick.

PPQ also confirmed that Winehouse won’t actually be designing the line, but will only be involved in the creative process - something the singer should really get back to in the recording studio, if you ask me. Apparently, she is trying to record her third album in St. Lucia in between three (and counting) visits to the hospital for "chest pains" and "dehydration."

Maybe PPQ can get her to participate in the 'creative process' after her morning drinking binge and before her next cutting episode? Just a thought.

So what do you guys think of an Amy-Winehouse inspired fashion line? Does she deserve to rake in the dough for being nothing more than a train wreck with a voice these past years? Or is this perhaps a way for her to get back on her feet again?

Cartier Celebrates The Cougar

Diamonds, gold, sapphires, rubies – bless their hearts, they never discriminate. No matter how many crow’s feet, eye-lifts and hot flashes we women might get, they love us all with equal abandon. But these days it’s more than jewelry that’s taken a liking to women of a ‘certain age’.

It’s guys. Young, hot, guys.


46-year-old Demi Moore flaunts her 20-something Kutcher catch around like a proud feline and Sharon Stone’s 51 years haven’t prevented her from showing more glorious ‘gam’ at Cannes than a Vegas show girl convention. And let’s not forget about Madonna, Katie Couric, Ellen Barkin, Susan Sarandon – all cradle robbers, all fabulous.

So what better way for the Cougar to flaunt their prowess than with a big blingy cat worth beaucoup bucks.

Enter: Cartier.


They may call their coveted cats “The Panther Collection” but there’s no better way for the Cougar to shine in my book. Extravagantly priced (it’s Cartier after all), the line is made out of only the finest metals and purest diamonds and gems.

But you don’t have to have an Ivana Trump budget to nab a cougar-inspired gem of your own. Check out Jewelry.com’s collection of cat jewels and add a little shimmer the next time you flirt with the pizza guy.

Meow!