Most of the companies that offer charms shaped like pets offer just the most popular breeds but Meche goes the extra mile. Their dog charms cover all current AKC breeds and they have begun working on the cats, starting with the most popular. The pieces are three dimensional and free standing. They can be ordered in 14K white or yellow gold and customized with diamond collars and eyes and finished with custom colors.
Thistle & Bee sells a variety of luxury objects including jewelry, picture frames, home goods and baby gifts. The company has a full range of sterling silver products including a large range of enameled pieces such as cufflinks and keychains. The American flag keychain shown above has handpainted enamel detail and sells for $250.
Thistle & Bee has now expanded into gemstones and fine jewelry with new collections of gold pieces featuring diamonds and colored stones. Examples and prices are in the gallery below.
The designs from EV Jewelry's Masterpiece collection are meant to have a look that harkens back to ancient cultures and a time when jewelry had both aesthetic and spiritual meanings. EV Jewelry was founded in 2006 by master craftsmen Elias Vayas and Dimitri Mitsukos and each museum quality piece is designed, cast and set by hand. The Masterpiece collection features a variety of distinctive pieces, shown here on model Yamila Riaz. The ring is the Fteros which is an 18K yellow gold ring with webbed brown enameling and a large 35 carat citrine. This piece sells for $12,000.
On her wrist is the Cleopatra bracelet. The bracelet was inspired by scrolls dating back to the era of queen Cleopatra's reign. The gold surface is hand chiseled and the piece features a diamond-covered connecting lock which is set on either end with rubies.It sells for $65,000.
Certainly with more and more billionaires in Russia, the luxury market there is growing by leaps and bounds. Mostly I have written about retailers like Lamborghini, Gucci and Cartier getting their foothold in Moscow and beyond but now there are a few Russian companies seeking to sell their brands in the U.S. and Europe. In April I heard Russian billionaire Roustam Tariko, speak about his quest to sell vodka in the U.S.; last month, I met with the lovely women from the Russian company Rifesta who were kind enough to show me their diamond jewelry.
Rifesta has been agrowing name in the Russian market for a while now. Rifesta Holding opened its first jewelry shop in Ekaterinburg in 1998. In 2005, the first Rifesta boutique opened in Moscow and in June 2006 the company made their first forays into the U.S. market. At Rifesta the pieces are all made in Russia, from Russian designers and using Russian diamonds.
The pieces are rather distinctive. What struck me about the designs is that they make great use out of small diamonds. The rings are large showy pieces meant to be noticed and appreciated. Each collection has its own theme and style, some of which are more intriguing than others, their Diamond Figures collection and Legends of Elves collections were ones I found particularly striking.
Dame Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry company has been in bad shape for a while now but now that she and Kathy Ireland have terminated their licensing agreements with House of Taylor it looks like the company is officially over. The company is reportedly insolvent and the loan company is threatening to take possession of all inventory. Both Ireland and Taylor were major shareholders in the company along with Jack Abramov, the former chairman, president, and chief executive officer, and Monty Abramov, former secretary and vice president, both of whom resigned from their positions in April.
In May the company was delisted from Nasdaq and it will be forced to lose the Taylor name. Also, Lyle M. Rose, House of Taylor president and chief executive officer, left the company when they did not pay his salary, but is still hoping for a severance payment of around $150,00. Five other employees were terminated at the same time. The business will likely be liquidated. The company was in business for over three years and did create some lovely pieces such as the "Daisy" necklace shown above.
Bad news for Jacob Arabov. The man, better known as "Jacob the Jeweler" and namechecked in stars by hip-hop stars like Missy Elliot for his expensive and gaudy creations has just been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Arabov has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, and will have to pay a fine of $2 million in a sentence handed down today by U.S. district court judge Avern Cohn in Detroit. Arabov was arrested on June 15, 2006 on money laundering charges involving more than $270 million in narcotics earnings for a Detroit-based drug ring.
The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.
Mandela will be 90 this year, and to celebrate, as well as to raise funds for 46664, there will be a global launch of limited-edition 46664 wrist bangles during the birthday celebrations in London on June 27. The goal is to create jobs as well as bring at least R1-billion (R=South African Rand, equal to $0.12587 on June 23) to the fight against HIV/Aids. Offered will be 90 platinum bangles (at the cost of R135 660 each), 90 24-carat gold bangles (R67 260), 466 18-carat gold bangles (R54 948) and 46,664 silver bangles (R1 995). The initiative will be a South African effort using metals from local suppliers, the skills of local craftsman and domestic suppliers from the tooling, machining and packaging industries. At least 60 percent of revenues from the sale of bangles will go to the 46664 HIV/Aids prevention campaign.
Simply good sounds more like a slogan for a food company but it's the motto of Hellmuth jewelry. Founded by Gert Hellmuth in 1983 and based in Pforzheim, Germany, the company makes a wide variety of pieces including bridal jewelry and large statement pieces. Celebrities who've worn Hellmuth include Aisha Tyler, Ali Larter and Britney Spear who wore a Hellmuth ring during her performance at the VMAs last year. Many of the Hellmuth designs incorporate crocodile or snake patterns but in a very abstract way that gives the pieces a luxe feel.
Sharon Stone may have gotten in trouble with Dior over her remarks on China recently, but she can still bring in the gigs. Jeweler Damiani has announced that Stone will be their new face. The new ad campaign for the diamond seller celebrates women throughout history starting with Eve up through Ameilia Earhart and today's modern women. Silvia Damiani, who is a longtime friend of Sharon Stone, introduced the new campaign, which was shot on March 20th by photographer Solve Sundsbo, at a press event in Beverly Hills this week.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were once tween moguls but just because they are all grown up that doesn't mean their dealmaking days are done. The pair will be collaborating with jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris on a licensed jewelry line. The collection will be named Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James. Elizabeth and James, named for the Olsens's siblings, is their contemporary fashion line. The jewelry line will be more than 80 pieces with an urban flair including metal cuffs, turquoise beading and designs with daggers and crosses. The pieces will arrive in Intermix stores this fall and will retail from $65 to $700.
I am not sure that support from Paula Abdul makes One God Jewelry worth investigating but certainly its statement about peace and unity is worth seeing. The diamond pendant surrounded by sterling silver is currently available for $150 but other pieces made of handmade silver, gold, and platinum paired with diamonds in pendants, bracelets and dog tags are also within the line that combines Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious symbols. Apparently Paula will be buying twelve necklaces for this year's top-twelve American Idols and is working on a new line with One God Jewelry as well. Her involvement doesn't get my attention really but certainly the jewelry's effort to raise awareness about global hunger, poverty and disease does.
Want a stylish way to help solve one of todays most urgent humanitarian crisis? Relief Beads is a campaign that sells handmade African bracelets to raise awareness and money for the people of Darfur. Funds from bracelet sales go directly to refugee camps and medical clinics in the most urgently needed locations. The funds from every eight bracelets sold, provides medical care for 100 refugees! Since conflict begin in 2003 over 2.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Support this worthwhile cause, pick up your bracelets today!
Los Angeles jewelry store Kaviar & Kind has long been known for its unique selection and excellent service. Now one of the former owners of the store, Katherine Azami-Rose and her husband Rick Rose have opened Roseark a new expanded jewelry store and website. The West Hollywood store now includes a 1,000 square foot gallery filled with fine art, tranquil outdoor garden space and selected clothing lines for both men and women. The big draw is still the jewelry though with pieces by designers including Jennifer Meyer, Anita Ko, Carole Wallace, Wendy Brandes, and store co-owner Katherine Azarmi Rose.
Roseark also has a Jewelry of the Month club for those more money than time to shop. Selected pieces from designers carried at Roseark can arrive at your door either four times a year ($4,000) or once a month ($12,000).
With the world's focus on improving, or more appropriately, saving the environment, designers and artists are reusing everyday products to create something new. There's no reason to waste something that you can put to good use in another way. At times, it can be a successful venture and quite useful. Others times, it becomes more eye candy than functional. Either way, the journey of making something new is always exhilarating for the designer and exciting for its audience to view. Belgium Designer, Martin Margiela, appears to have put the idea of reusing common items to the test when designing his accessory line. Who knew a can tab could be turned into something so beautiful? Margiela's Can Tab Cascade Necklace ($695) features hints of gold accents throughout for slightly sparkling effect. If his necklace is a bit too bold and you fancy a piece more subdued, check out the Can Tab Ring ($135) which features an oversize can tab at the center. See below for more fashionable innovations by Martin Margiela.
Jewelry designer Mark Schneider's designs are a step away from the traditional. Schneider creates both diamond bridal jewelry and unique dramatic pieces that incorporate colorful gemstones. Schneider believes in letting the stones "talk to him" before he creates a design.
The engagement rings from Mark Schneider Designs have a unique feature. Each design in the collection features a Secret Heart, small yellow or white gold heart at the base of the ring set with a tiny diamond inscribed with a message that says "Love you Forever." The styles range from traditional to more contemporary and each features smaller diamonds set along the sides of the ring. All of the rings can be made in either platinum or gold and set with center stones in a variety of sizes. The gallery below features a few of Schneider's bridal designs as well as some of his award-winning gemstone creations.
Bad news for Jacob Arabov. The man, better known as "Jacob the Jeweler" and namechecked in stars by hip-hop stars like Missy Elliot for his expensive and gaudy creations has just been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Arabov has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, and will have to pay a fine of $2 million in a sentence handed down today by U.S. district court judge Avern Cohn in Detroit. Arabov was arrested on June 15, 2006 on money laundering charges involving more than $270 million in narcotics earnings for a Detroit-based drug ring.
The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were once tween moguls but just because they are all grown up that doesn't mean their dealmaking days are done. The pair will be collaborating with jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris on a licensed jewelry line. The collection will be named Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James. Elizabeth and James, named for the Olsens's siblings, is their contemporary fashion line. The jewelry line will be more than 80 pieces with an urban flair including metal cuffs, turquoise beading and designs with daggers and crosses. The pieces will arrive in Intermix stores this fall and will retail from $65 to $700.
I am not sure that support from Paula Abdul makes One God Jewelry worth investigating but certainly its statement about peace and unity is worth seeing. The diamond pendant surrounded by sterling silver is currently available for $150 but other pieces made of handmade silver, gold, and platinum paired with diamonds in pendants, bracelets and dog tags are also within the line that combines Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious symbols. Apparently Paula will be buying twelve necklaces for this year's top-twelve American Idols and is working on a new line with One God Jewelry as well. Her involvement doesn't get my attention really but certainly the jewelry's effort to raise awareness about global hunger, poverty and disease does.
With the world's focus on improving, or more appropriately, saving the environment, designers and artists are reusing everyday products to create something new. There's no reason to waste something that you can put to good use in another way. At times, it can be a successful venture and quite useful. Others times, it becomes more eye candy than functional. Either way, the journey of making something new is always exhilarating for the designer and exciting for its audience to view. Belgium Designer, Martin Margiela, appears to have put the idea of reusing common items to the test when designing his accessory line. Who knew a can tab could be turned into something so beautiful? Margiela's Can Tab Cascade Necklace ($695) features hints of gold accents throughout for slightly sparkling effect. If his necklace is a bit too bold and you fancy a piece more subdued, check out the Can Tab Ring ($135) which features an oversize can tab at the center. See below for more fashionable innovations by Martin Margiela. 
---98300_thumbnail.jpg "Cosmos Pendant")
