Pet-Inspired Jewelry: Whimsical or Weird?

Animal jewelry is trending big these days with Chopard's couture creature line lighting up the high end and buggy costume baubles giving the 'low-end' some serious buzz. But there is a glittering subset of this jewelry category that, well, never goes out of style.

Pet jewelry.

I'm not talking about the ridiculous diamond collars and gemstone studded food bowls that one might find on the Beverly Hills barker. I'm talking about the cute little diamond cat pendant or dog bone bangle pet owners wear to show their love for their furry little friends (you know who you are!).

OK, I confess. It doesn't take much for me to channel my inner 'crazy cat lady' - I just love those furry little divas. And that's just what Fred Meyer Jewelers is banking on, I'm guessing, with the launch of their new pet-inspired jewelry line, The PAWSitively Yours Diamond Jewelry Collection.

The line features both whimsical fashion and high-end rings, pendant necklaces and charm bracelets starting at $99.99, with three dollars from every item purchased going to the Humane Society of the United States. 

Cool.

I also found this cute little kitty who needs a good home on JewelClub: 

But I wonder if we animal lovers might be taking our obsession a bit too far when it comes to lighting up our wardrobes with a pet-inspired piece? I need a reality check. 

Is it pet jewelry too much or a touching sentiment? What do you guys think?

Vanessa Minnillo Flashes Engagement Ring

Vanessa Minillo finally got a diamond engagement ring from Nick Lachey last week and like any woman who has to wait six years - she's flashing it all over the place.

The happy couple is celebrating their birthdays (yeah, they were both born on the same day, Nov. 9th!) on the beaches of Mexico, and the paps have captured many a pic of a bikini-clad Vanessa sporting an Asscher-cut diamond and platinum ring from jewelers Bader & Garrin worth an estimated $125,000.

 

But any news of Nick Lachey has to include a Jessica Simpson snippet, right? Despite their failed marriage, their groundbreaking MTV reality show detailing the early days of their young love won the hearts of millions (including yours truly). And apparently news of Nick's engagement hit poor Jess hard.

 

"Even though Jessica wants to be happy for Nick, this is a very difficult time for her," a friend of Simpson's tells popeater.com. "Nick was the love of her life then, man, and he was her first, so she will always have a very special place in her heart for him. She's deeply saddened."

 

Sigh. 

 

But life goes on. And so does our celebrity-diamond watch. Who will be next to get the ring rock? Jessica Biel? Jessica Simpson? Weigh in!

Julianne Moore: Bvlgari's Blingy Beauty

When Julianne Moore bared all for the Bvlgari Serpenti campaign last year, I was - shall we say - skeptical about her choice to add 'jewelry spokesmodel' to her resume. Why does a serious, successful actress need to get naked to peddle high-end jewelry?

The answer, of course, was - she gets to peddle (aka wear and probably OWN) some of the most beautiful baubles on the block. And since they've always got her in her birthday suit (what better way to wear 50+ carat emerald earrings?), she's certainly reminding Hollywood that she's still viable leading lady material.

So I'm over my concern. Ms. Moore knows EXACTLY what she's doing. Even though the city of Venice banned her lion-laden campaign ads for being to 'lewd'. (Italians? Not appreciating nudity? What gives?)

Just look at the jewelry she gets to wear - like this latest entry from Bvlgari's recent 'Save The Children' event in Rome earlier this week.

 

The emerald earring choice just keep on giving...

What do you think of Ms. Moore's new career as the jewelry world's lucky leading lady? Sell-out or smart cookie?