Gemstones Jolt the Paris Runways


It's been a lackluster year for runway jewelry so far - with the less-is-more trend influencing practically all of the Spring/Summer Ready-To-Wear collections.

So I was holding out hope that the Spring/Summer Paris Couture Shows for 2011 - known for their Alice In Wonderland-esque bauble displays - would deliver some jewelry looks worth squaking about. Chanel was characteristically bauble barren. As was Dior (a surprise). But...


Enter Giorgio Armani, who didn't just litter his looks with gorgeous gems - he used colored gemstones as the inspiration for his entire line, according to Style.com.

Huzzah!


"Inspired, he said, by the gleam of gemstones, Armani produced clothes that came from another planet, the same one that Pierre Cardin and Thierry Mugler might have touched down on once. (It's already been suggested its name could be Gaga.)"

From ruby reds to gorgeous greens, the luminous fabrics looked like they came straight from the Tron wardrobe department.



Chandelier earring silhouettes, chunky bangles (they're baaaack - or did they ever leave?) and a bib necklace made out of gemstone shapes lit up the line like a Christmas tree on crack.




And while the wearability of the collection left some scratching their heads (Gaga excluded, of course), there was no denying the fun Mr. Armani must have had in his futuristic fantasy land.

The dude has no one left to impress, right? Whatever floats your gemstone-encrusted boat, sir, as far as I'm concerned. And even though I am a reluctant fan of toning things down when it comes to jewelry fashion this year - it's kinda nice to see the bigger bolder look from season's past on display again.

Right? Wrong? Thoughts, jewelry hounds?

Deal Alert! Valentine's Day Jewelry For Less


Valentine's Day is to jewelry what the Oscars are to Awards Shows. There's Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, anniversaries and the like, but we women hold out our highest hopes for the "gift in a little box" on this day most of all, right?

C'mon! Admit it!


But our friend the 'male' tends to, well, procrastinate when it comes to getting into the Valentine's Day spirit, if memory serves. So here's a little hint, fellas, to keep you out of the last minute "flowers and candy" gift-giving rut.

It's called JEWELRY. And it doesn't get any easier than this:

1. JewelClub is having a pink and red gemstone sale to honor the holiday of LOVE - and there quite a few pieces under $100. We're talking FINE JEWELRY here, folks. Diamonds, gold, sapphires, etc.

Here are a few of my favs (click on the image for more info) or click here to see their entire stash:


2. I also saw these awesome 'personalize your own'' candy heart necklaces today on Luxist that are selling for under $50 from Zedena Designs. They're made out of enamel over copper and hang from a sterling silver chain.


3. And if you want to go the 'bended knee' route, there are SO many affordable engagement ring options out there today. Click here for my Guide to Affordable Engagement Rings for more creative ideas in that department.

So let's make Valentine's Day 2011 the year we forgo flowers for fine gems! Chuck the chocolates for carats! And procastinators? Stay tuned for more affordable jewelry tips in the days to come. 

Kat Von D's Engagement Ring Details


So Kat von D and Jesse James are engaged, and despite how you might feel about the couple (James notoriously cheated on former wife, Sandra Bullock, just a year ago for those of you living in a cave), you have to admit her vintage-style engagement ring is totally cool.

And wouldn't you know? Neil Lane is the designer responsible for the celebrity ring bling. (If I had a diamond for every time I wrote that sentence...)


Lane tells People the ring is a four-carat-plus platinum and diamond ring from his archival collection, adding,

“It’s a beautiful ring set with a central round diamond in the middle with smaller surrounding diamonds for an overall dome shape. It has a delicate filigree pattern with very pretty scroll-work.”


Not so delicate? The way this couple is gushing all over town about how perfect their lives are now that they've finally found true love. Ick!

Kindof reminds me of when Brad and Angelina couldn't keep their mouths closed long enough to realize it might not be in the best taste considering Jennifer Aniston has a pair of eyes and ears that work just like everyone else and....

OK. Big inhale...

Here are some really cool vintage-inspired diamond ring designs I found on sample sale sensation, JewelClub (click on the caption to see more). Check out the price break they give you for the carat count! Now that's worth blabbing all over town about...

1/2 Carat TDW in 14kt White Gold, $418.78 (down from $1279.00)
1 Carat TDW in 14kt White Gold, $668.05 (down from $2059)