Jewelry Libations for New Year's Eve

Cocktails and jewelry - what a winning combination. As I was recently pondering what jewelry to break out for my favorite champagne-drenched holiday this Friday (wait for the Carrie Bradshaw moment...), I couldn't help but wonder (there it is...): Why is it that jewelry and luxury libations have such a glittering partnership?

First, there's the cocktail ring. The jewelry category emerged in the roaring 20s during Prohibition at illegal, booze-filled ‘cocktail’ parties. Women went big with fashion statements at these underground soirees, flashing their oversized, colorful baubles along with their newly exposed knee caps.

Cocktail rings generally have an oversized center stone of 3 carats or more and are typically worn on the right hand (any finger will do). But as we jewelry hounds know, there are plenty of costume options out there that won't break the bank.

But there's another drinkable jewelry look emerging from the shadows lately - champagne diamonds. From light champagnes, to burnished browns and rich cognacs, these natural diamonds offer a selection of tones and hues to compliment every style, taste and tolerance level.



An informative piece in the New York Times reports that the stone made its debut in the late 1990s when it was discovered in Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Australia, but is only now gaining a strong following - including from yours truly and a bevy of Hollywood's leading ladies.

If you really want to tie one on, how about a double shot with a champagne diamond cocktail ring like this one for almost $400 off retail? 'Tis the season!

And be sure to check out the champagne diamond treasure chest on Jewelry.com for more bubbly bling - it's jewelry that's perfect for teetotalers and the tipsy alike!

Crazy About Cocktail Rings

Cocktails and jewelry make such a handsome couple, and there's a sparkling new interpretation: Piaget's Limelight Cocktail Ring Collection.

While I'm not usually a fan of the 'literal' jewelry interpretation ("#1 Mom" pendants, anyone?), these little libation-inspired lovelies are designed to look like ACTUAL cocktails - from the 18kt white gold Mojito ring with (count 'em) 182 diamonds and a 24-carat green tourmaline, to the classic Cosmopolitan.

Shut. It. Down.

There are 6 rings to choose from.  Or if you're like me after an introductory 'nip' - you can sample them all! The bad news is: the price points are more likely in the 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' range - and, well, if you can afford four rotating nannies, I say: "Go for it!"

For the rest of us mere mortals, there are still plenty of cocktail rings to choose from that won't break the bank - like this fun blue topaz and peridot style for only $83.64 on JewelClub. That'll leave in room in the wallet for another round (or two), right?

So raise your glass to cocktail classics - from top shelf treasures to affordable concoctions that (unlike that 3rd 'well drink' at Happy Hour) won't leave a nasty hangover.

Chin chin!

Jewelry Trend Alert!: Statement Rings

Fall jewelry trends for 2010 are starting to reveal themselves, and while layered chain necklaces and bangle stacks continue to shine bright, there's a fun new look that's sure to stir things up - statement rings.

More than just a pretty cocktail piece, statement finger candy makes an entrance. Think Gaga, not girl-next-door. This fun style on Katerina Graham at the Teen Choice Awards is one shining example.


This 80s throw-back I spotted on Trend Hunter is a two-trend-in-one solution since the decade of Duran Duran continues to influence the taste-makers (Those are little onyx dots! Love!).


The H. Stern Alice in Wonderland rings would be the perfect solution (for those of you with cash to burn).


It's not so easy being green? Think again, Kermie. Check out these verdant statements from Hafsteinn Juliusson's "Growing Jewelry" collection.


And flower rings are still blooming bright, like this Juicy Couture 'Flower Punk' ring from Nordies on Jewelry.com.

I love a lower-jaw-drop moment that doesn't necessarily come from carat count.

What do you guys think of the trend? Do you have something in your jewelry box that qualifies? Or is this the perfect excuse to start shopping?

H. Stern's Alice In Wonderland Rings

More news about Alice In Wonderland jewelry may be a bit 'tired' at this juncture - I've been tracking it since last year when Tom Binns announced he was bejeweling an Alice line. But I just caught a glimpse of these H. Stern couture cocktail ring creations and had to share them with you.

Of course they are all limited edition and by special order only (i.e. only celebrities and 'friends of' will be able to get their hands on them) but I find H. Stern's interpretation to be the best of the lot (Yup. Even better than Binns, Stella McCartney and Swarovski).

The collection consists of five signature rings - each inspired by the natural world of Wonderland vs. the more literal icons that have shown up in other collections (hearts, tea cups, etc.)

Which one is your favorite? I'll tell you mine at the end of the post...

(Descriptions from the H. Stern website)

Cheshire Cat: The Chesire Cat ring was reproduced in detail in a small sculpture of gold dipped in blue enamel, and is seen stretched out on a smattering of gold and diamond branches. The golden cat’s smile received a special treatment and, as in the film, glows in the dark.

Topiary Garden: The film shows plants artistically cut out in topiary technique forming a magnificent garden. This scenario led the H.Stern designers to create a bird made of hundreds of golden leaves, soldered one by one and covered by green enamel.

Living Flowers: The roses in Alice’s garden are now sculptured in Noble Gold, and thanks to the finish in enamel, gain a tone of dark purple, which contrasts with delicate buttons sprinkled with diamonds.

Mushroom Forest: The Forest of mushrooms where Alice wanders in the film inspired the creation of this enameled gold ring in colors and textures carefully chosen to represent the natural forms. In order to reproduce the tones used in the film, dozens of colors were tested until the ideal tone for each piece was achieved. The texture of the real toadstools is seen not only on the outside of the ring but also on the inside. Some are covered with diamonds.


Jabberwocky: The intriguing dragon that terrifies Wonderland gave origin to an impressive ring with a gothic look in the style of Tim Burton. The body of the dragon is represented with black gold and diamonds on a double-band ring.

So ok. These aren't the kind of rings you can wear to the office - but if I had to choose just one, I don't think I could resist the charms of a glow-in-the-dark Chesire Cat grin amongst those gorgeously intricate tree limbs in that first entry.

How about you? Which one would you like to bring home if you had to choose?

Rihanna's Ring Bling

Jewelry trends - from mood rings and circle pendants to tennis bracelets and statement necklaces - aren't always easy to spot right away. Usually, they start with a celebrity (Like Oprah Winfrey and the diamond circle pendant). So as jewelry hounds are wont to do, I've been digging around for a celebrity jewelry trend that's ready to break to the masses - and break big.

Enter Rihanna.

National Jeweler wisely pointed out earlier this year that the superstar has been wearing rings on every finger wherever she goes (the AMAs, The Woman of the Year Awards, what have you).


Not long after, I spotted the same trend on the Fall Ready-to-Wear runways - Karl Lagerfeld's latest Chanel offering for one. And at the Kids' Choice Awards last weekend (often the perfect place to spot the next big thing), stars were ringing up like there was no tomorrow.


So I'm calling it. The latest big celebrity trend for the masses is: rings on every finger. You might not be able to wear the look at your next important Board Meeting or to defend your dissertation - but go for it with any casual or dressy ensemble, I'm thinking.

Time to dust off those long lost rings that haven't seen the light of day in a while (mood rings included!). Troll the vintage shops, grandma's jewelry box - and of course places like Jewelry.com and JewelClub (code: INSIDER) - for affordable, fun ring styles you can pile on like the tastemakers.

So what do you guys think of my proclamation? Am I on the right track? Would you wear this look -and if so - where? Weigh in!

Cocktail Ring Craziness

Despite my natural diamond disposition, I have to say that colorful cocktail rings are my favorite jewelry category. (Yes, it's partly because of the word 'cocktail').

But it's also because it's such a great way to make a statement without breaking the bank. Fine jewelry doesn't have to be out of reach these days - and there's nothing like bringing an outfit to the next level with a gumball sized bauble on your finger in your favorite color.

So enough of my pitch - here's the real kicker. JewelClub just posted their latest sale and it's all cocktail rings all the time (well, actually until the end of the month). We're talking 20% of JewelClub price - not a suggested retail price.

What is the JewelClub price you ask? I've got one word for you: wholesale. Actually, it's often below wholesale. So 20% off that is a virtual windfall, jewelry hounds.

Click on this link to see the twelve cocktail rings they're discounting this month. One of them is only $30 and many are under $100. Enter the code :INSIDER at the prompt and start the shoppin!

Trust me. It'll make you feel like spring has officially sprung...

JewelClub Cocktail Rings – Shaken not Stirred

With big, bold color emerging as the trend to watch from the mammoth jewelry show in Las Vegas last month, I did a little recession-friendly digging on my favorite Friends and Family site, JewelClub, to see what they had in the coffers. What I found was a treasure trove of ring bling that would make any cocktail queen swoon.


Here are a few pics of my favorite styles – all for less than a $100, no less. But you should do a search of only the ring category and scroll through the options to find the color combo that works best for your wardrobe.


For those who are new to JewelClub, follow these easy steps to get access to this Friends and Family site of a prominent jewelry manufacturer. The less-than-wholesale prices you get on sites like Overstock.com are ripe for the picking here too, folks.

1. Log on to www.jewelclub.com
2. Enter the code: INSIDER
3. Enter your email address

And you’re off and running. Did I mention they offer free shipping on their entire stash of fine jewelry styles – from engagement rings to diamond studs to gold hoops and more.

I’ll drink to that!

Cocktail Rings - Bling in the New Year!

Remember when cocktail rings were only worn by the likes of a caftan-wafting Mrs. Roper on Three’s Company or your wacky Aunt Florence from Miami Beach? Thankfully, those days are long gone, and the jewelry statement has made a major comeback.

Celebs from Angelina Jolie to fashion icon Cate Blanchett wear them with pride on the red carpet, and we've seen them all over the runway this year from Versace's bold gold looks to Marc Jacobs's bohemian-chic stylings.

Cocktail rings emerged in the roaring 20s during Prohibition at illegal, booze-filled ‘cocktail’ parties. Women went big with fashion statements at these underground soirees, flashing their oversized, colorful baubles for all to see. Cocktail rings continued to be popular in the 1940’s and 1950’s but soon became a fixture in Aunt Ida’s cobwebbed jewelry box until recently.

The fashionable baubles generally have an oversized center stone of 3 carats or more and are typically worn on the right hand (any finger will do). They come in two gemstone categories: higher-priced precious stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires) or the more affordable semi-precious options like citrine, aquamarine, peridot, etc. They also come in a variety of costume options, like this fabulous oversized, recession-friendly star ring from Nicole Ritchie’s House of Harlow jewelry line for only $38 bucks.

Because of their affordable price points and wide style range, cocktail rings are the perfect alternative to a more expensive diamond piece. The bigger and bolder the better. And since the economy will most likely have us wearing that little black dress more often this year, a cocktail ring is the perfect way to take things up a notch.

Jewelry.com features a great selection of cocktail rings in all shades of the rainbow:

This amethyst flower ring covers both the purple and flower-shape trend for 2009.










Blue and white topaz bring in the New Year for only $99









And this psychedelic mystic topaz ring from JCPenney is almost $300 off the original price.










Champagne in one hand and a big old rock on the other - -seems the perfect way to ‘ring’ in the New Year, don’t you think?