Michelle Obama to Ring in the New Administration

President-Elect, Barack Obama, hasn’t let a little thing like appointing a new cabinet, a sinking stock market, the failing auto industry, two wars and global warming get in the way of a little romance. And what better way to show her you love her than with a little jewelry?

Smart man.

The Daily Mail reports that Obama has commissioned famous Italian jewelry designer, Giovanni Bosco, to create a special ring for his wife to thank her for her support during the campaign. He plans to give her the gorgeous gem in time for the inauguration ceremonies on January 20th.

The Harmony ring is made of rhodium - the world's most expensive metal --and is encrusted with diamonds. One of the world's rarest and most precious metals, only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, setting the price at over $7,660 per ounce -- or about ten times the cost of gold.

The ring is expected to cost around $30,000 – or close to a year’s salary for Joe the Plummer – so we’re not sure how much the jewelry conservative Mrs. O will want to flaunt the gift from the nation’s First Husband.

But will the public let the J-Crew wearing Michelle Obama get away with wearing a big time bauble without calling foul?

I think this well-deserved ‘thank you’ can be considered ‘bling we can believe in’. When she breaks out a rhodium and diamond tiara, then we’ll talk.

Michelle Obama Jewelry Update

Michelle Obama's Election Night Narciso Rodriguez dress got so much attention, many forgot to inquire about her jewelry. But Jewelry Insider readers were curious - as every good jewelry hound should be - so I tracked down the source of the icey earrings that glittered around the world last week.

The diamond danglers were desinged by chic jewelry label, Loree Rodkin, and Vogue UK reports they are 18K white gold triple dangle earrings in pear, oval and marquee shapes covered with small diamonds, costing an estimated $10,000.

Does this mean that the jewels were a one-time splurge for the frugal First Lady? Or is this a sign of blings to come?

To be continued...

Where's The Brooch? Michelle Obama's Election Night Jewelry Fashion

Well, he did it. In case you’ve been living in a cave, Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. The fabulous Michelle Obama is not only as smart and capable as our 44th President, we love her new take on significant other fashion. Her down-to-earth style and mixed use of designer and ‘off the rack’ is a far cry from Jackie-O’s fashion plate model and nowhere near Cindy McCain’s $70,000 outfit gold standard.

We’ve tracked Mrs. O’s jewelry fashion choices throughout the campaign, and last night she wowed us again with a diamond look worthy of the paradigm shift heard round the world. Her black and red Narciso Rodriguez dress was a fashion risk, but one that paid off in our book. Although the country is likely divided on the subject. Just a hunch.














And while the dazzling diamond drop earrings and blinged out bangles were a surprise choice for the jewelry-conservative Obama, we noticed one thing was missing. Where’s the brooch?

From her speech at the Democratic National Convention to her lauded appearance on the Tonight Show, brooch bling has been the jewelry of choice for the First Lady Elect. It’s, of course, good to keep the jewelry hounds guessing, but we hope she hasn’t put the brooch out to pasture along with Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and the neocons.

In the meantime, if Oprah has already picked out her Inauguration party frock, we can only imagine what the Divine Mrs. O will wow us with. One thing is for sure.

J Crew ain’t gonna cut it.

Michelle Obama 'Brooches' the Fashion Subject

Vintage diamonds, yellow gold, glittering gemstones – we’re seeing a bevy of beautiful variations on the brooch theme these days. The sensibly stylish, Michelle Obama, is now synonymous with the jewelry trend, and she launched yet another brooch blitz last night on the Tonight Show.

“I want to ask you about your wardrobe. I’m guessing about $60,000, $70,000 for that outfit,” Leno joked.

“Actually this is a J. Crew ensemble. We ladies, we know with J. Crew. You can get some good stuff online,” a gracious Mrs. O replied.

“Do you order it all online? Doesn’t that take the fun out of it?”

”When you don’t have time, you’ve got to click.”

Indeed.

We are still on the lookout for the brooch details (which, like her convention brooch, most likely came from her own jewelry box), but the J Crew ensemble included their Italian Deco tank, Crystal-button colorblock cardigan in Silver Honey and Metallic cloque pencil skirt in Metallic Sour Lemon.

Even Mrs. O knows it’s all about metallics this season, ladies.

Until recently, the brooch was a forgotten jewelry accessory relegated to Victorian era museum exhibits and grandma’s jewelry box. But with Michelle Obama’s help (and TV’s hit Mad Men), it’s clear women of all ages can “spread the wealth” with this glittering jewelry trend.

The Brooch Heard 'Round the World

Brace yourselves jewelry junkies. The brooch is back! No longer the domain of grandma and your flashy Aunt Ida, the brooch is beaming everywhere from the runway to TV's hit series Mad Men. But perhaps the most important brooch sighting was on would-be first lady, Michelle Obama (a.k.a. the new Jackie Kennedy), during her highly anticipated speech at the Democratic National Convention. If there was brooch buzz before, Obama sent the look into the stratosphere.

No matter your political persuasion, the starburst brooch Obama wore with her turquoise Maria Pinto dress had tongues wagging throughout jewelry land. Who designed it? What is it made out of? Where can I get one? Our sources reveal that it came straight from Mrs. O’s jewelry box and was symbolic of Barack’s rising sun campaign logo. It is said that she wore it close to her heart to symbolize that her speech was coming straight from the heart. I see your eyes rolling. Hey – whatever works, people!

But you don’t have to be married to a presidential candidate to hop on the brooch bandwagon. Much like the pearl strand, the brooch is one of the more versatile and accessible jewelry looks. Dig through your grandma’s jewelry box for a vintage piece or shop around for a new, modern interpretation. Pin it on to add flash to your little black dress or throw some sparkle on your office attire. The opportunities are endless (much like the race for the White House).

So do your country proud and 'brooch' the subject in your own fabulous way. Cindy McCain, are you taking notes?