Fashion Week Mayhem - A Jewelry Trend Recap

Huge necklaces, bawdy brooches, layered chains and big cuffs are the trends spilling out of Fashion Week’s runways this week. The hottest designers are wowing critics with their spring ready-to-wear collections, and we’re happy to bring you a round up of the week’s best so far.

Marc Jacobs hit it out of the ballpark with his zany, suffragist, early Americana collection. His show was the talk of the town, yet editors and critics were clearly at a loss for words when trying to describe it. Style.com wins our vote with “Mary Poppins goes to Dubai” or “The King and I meets The Postman Always Rings Twice”. You just have to see it to believe it. Necklaces the size of small handbags were just one of many layers to each outfit, yet his little straw hats just might be the accessory to steal the show this year.

Donna Karan continued to take inspiration from the streets, as her DKNY collection featured the layered chain trend with her must-have basics. Justin Timberlake’s new company, William Rast, followed suit as his country girl meets rock and roll line used chains and big leather cuffs with their varied interpretations of T-shirts, cut-offs and boots.

Betsy Johnson’s flouncy, bouncy dresses were accented with a bow choker (another shape that is trending this season), statement necklaces or big bangles, and the Tory Burch show took the necklace-as-art look to a new level.

The hottest after party had to be for Marc Jacobs, as the likes of Kirsten Dunst, Anne Hathaway, Winona Ryder, Sofia Coppola and Jessica Simpson all jostled for his attention – and a seat at his exclusive 60-person sit-down steak dinner at Robert De Niro’s new Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca.

To grovel or not to grovel…it’s always the question at Fashion Week. And 'grovel' is always the answer.









Donna Karan























William Rast

















Betsy Johsnon








Tory Birch

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?

Chain Chain Chains - The Must-Have Fall Jewelry Trend

Great news! The New York Times Style Magazine reported this weekend that “Jewelry is back in a big way.” And by big they’re saying that women should no longer be afraid to wear a true ensemble (earrings, a necklace, and (gasp!) a bracelet). Or to combine costume with vintage. Or to layer their looks. That’s where the chains come in.

A close sister to this summer's pendant necklace craze, statement chains should go big. Varying lengths and link sizes are key. Confused? Enter Madonna. Madonna not only turned 50 this weekend, but she - yet again - showed us all how to rock the jewelry trend of the season. Her birthday bash outfit was your basic black, but was complemented by a Mr. T-like showing of bling. Scarlett Johannson also wore the look well at the recent premier of Vicky Christina Barcelona.

The good news for us mere mortals is : We don’t have to break the bank to recreate the same style. There is nothing wrong with pairing real and fake this season. Go for it. And there is also nothing wrong with wearing multiple metal colors – gold, white gold, silver – you name it, you can don it.

So break from the chains that bind you, jewelry lovers. Layer those links for fall!

The Pendant Necklace - A Summer Jewelry Trend for Everyone!

Diamonds, gold, tassles, shells, beads – the fashion forward are using anything and everything to adorn the long chains flowing around their necks this season. Yes, it’s true. The pendant necklace is making a comeback. But The Jewelry Insider is happy to report it’s a far cry from Flavor Flav’s signature clock and the blinged out styles of Hip Hop’s fashion past. Whew!

And there’s more good news. This look isn’t just for the LC and Miley set. We spotted a fab gold snake pendant on Michelle Yeoh at this week’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emporer premiere and absolutely love how actress, Mamie Gummer (daughter of Meryl), layers her look at mum's Mama Mia debut.

Hey. If you want to go big like Flav, I support you. But there are so many ways to skin this cat. Dig into your grandmother’s jewelry box for a vintage locket. Replace the standard gold chain with a ribbon or a long, leather cord. Splurge on an unforgettable diamond piece or scout for a unique gold medallion. Wear not one but two - or even three - pendants in a mix and matched look. Any way you slice it, this trend will have your signature style written all over it. And that, my dear friend, is the best part about it.

Summer won’t last forever, so get out there and show off your unique interpretation!

Carpe Diem!

Sporty Jewelry and Man Candy

Tiger Woods may have been the man of the night winning three trophies at the ESPY Awards - but come on who, reading this blog, cares? What we care about is what did the stars sparkle in as this sporty event. The Becks were there with Victoria showing off a chisled gem on one hand and a ring on the other....

Hayden Panattierre was following this blog's jewelry fashion advice with a black cocktail gem by Erica Courtney - she's obviously not the only one with her ear (or ears) to the jewelry grapevine. Both Ashanti and Sophia Bush knew that this season it's all about over-sized earrings and bare necks. For Ashanti, big means really big - you go girl.

Gold Earrings, Black Gems - The Longchamp Look

Exclusive French accessories brand, Longchamp, is celebrating its 60th year of styling the jetset and that means it's time to partyyyyyy. They've partied in Europe, and now they're crossing the Ocean and partying in the US of A - well at least New York.

Yesterday La Maison Unique in the Big Apple celebrated the luxury brand's B-day with some stylish sparkle and stylish guests.

Accessorizing in style were stars such as Brooke Shields, Susan Sarandon and Leighton Meester, all following our advice to keep the jewelry to ONE statement making piece. Necks were bare and the ears, once again, had it. Dangly earrings and outsized circles were the jewels du jour. Both gold hoops and black stones were popular - it appears the stylists are following this blogger's advice to the tee.......

And so they should.

Diamonds, Gems And Jewels For Under $100 - Summer Styles At A Steal

Rubies and diamonds, sapphires and gold all for under $100. The Jewelry Insider's been scouring the stores to find this month’s ‘too good to be believed’. See the five summer steals you've simply ‘gotta have’.

Dazzling Diamonds
This tri-color gold and diamond pendant by www.jewelry.com for Zales is shapely steal at under $100. Are you ready to square-off for this golden summer steal?

On The Beach
If you’re looking for the perfect beach bauble – look no further. This colorful gemstone swirl by Gordons is holiday have-to have.

Belle Of The Ball
This is our all time summer fave at a ridiculously wonderful price. Zales’ diamond moon pendant studded with golden stars is going to make your summer nights sparkle with style.

Ruby Tuesday
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, in fact any day this month is ruby day. Rubies maybe the birthstone for those born in July, but who says only July babes can wear them? At under $100, this pair of ruby and diamond earrings by www.jewelry.com celebrates any July occasion.

The Big Blue
There’s nothing that says ‘nautical’ more than splashes of blue and white. Even if you’re an affirmed land-lover, this nautical gem by Kay Jewelers will have you sailing away all year-long.

Diamond Rings For Nicole And DeAnna

This week, it's all coming together with diamonds, gold and some rocking rings. Nicole had her Sunday (that's the name of her new baby girl - not the outrageous idea that the Australian actress had eaten some ice-cream....... god-forbid) and hubby Keith Urban is rumored to have gifted his wife a $73,000 Cartier diamond 'trinity' ring. It's actually three rings intertwined - a yellow gold ring dusted with diamond that represents friendship - a rose gold diamond encrusted ring for love and a white gold ring with diamonds symolizing fidelity.

As we talked about yesterday, Lindsay's love give her a diamond ring for her B-day and then on Monday, the suspense was finally over thanks to a Tacori diamond ring. Yep, the world has been put to rights and we can all rest easy - the Bachelorette, DeAnna Pappas has chosen her man.

Cyncism aside (as well as issues such as gas prices and the threat of an Iranian super-missile) -

DeAnna Pappas chose pro-snowboarder Jesse Csincsak to be her man. Both Jesse and account executive Jason Mesnick proposed to the once-spurned 'Bachelor' contender, but DeAnna went for the snowboarder who presented her with a platinum and 2.3 carat diamond ring that featured a princess cut center stone and princess-cut channel set diamonds.

The nuptials have apparently been set May 9 in Bahamas.

Hancock's Gems

At the premiere of Will Smith's latest summer spectacular, it was all about the heroines of the night and not the hero - sorry Will. Jada Pinkett-Smith looked her ever-glamorous self in a green goddess-style dress with some stunning blue jewels by Leticia Linton including a pair of over-sized yellow gold earrings featuring a whopping 66 carats of lapis lazuli, with a matching ring.



Virginia Madsen kept it simple with a solitary pearl drop pendant like this one from http://www.jewelry.com/














Charlize Theron is the perfect example of accessorizing etiquette. She wore a large gold hoop necklace but no earrings and a simple upswept hairstyle. She knows, if you're going to make a statement - just make one.







Another celeb choosing gold hoops was the venerable Queen Latifah wearing a pair of large double hooped earrings. But Queen... what were you wearing? Apparently she had come straight from the gym.

Elton John's Fancy Fete

Recently some star-studded events have been a case of 'spot the jewel' as opposed to 'sunglasses out'. The mega-bling look this year is definately on the outs as stylists and celebs generally prefer the more demure look. But, as they say, there has to be an exception to prove the rule. The exception was on Saturday night in a rather overcast UK country estate. The estate belonged to none other than Elton John and David Furnish, the event was their 10th annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, which was supported this year by Chopard and naturally the bling was outstanding.

Some 630 party-goers paid about $6,000 to glitter and gawk at some major jewelry pieces on some major Hollywood celebs.

There was the whopping 180-carat sapphire - one of the largest in the world - worn by Chopard co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele's, pictured here in the red satin Dolce & Gabbana corset-gown.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia decided more was better when she chose this pendant that featured a 23.59ct spinel cabochon, a 41.06 emerald cabochon and a 180.65ct sapphire cabochon.

Actress Zhang Ziyi, literally dripped in diamonds - her necklace featured an astounding 98.18 carats worth - then of course there were her pear diamond drop earrings (6.59ct) and a large white gold bangle bracelet set with diamonds almost 8 carats worth.

Elizabeth Hurley made sure she stayed in the spotlight - after all there was heavy competition that evening - by wearing a fancy shaped diamond tiara weighed down with a total 192.2carats, diamond drop line earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet and of course, let us not forget Ms Anger Management herself, Naomi Campbell, wearing diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds.