DAD

Last night, my father passed away after battling cancer for almost four years.
He's had three close calls, but this time it happened + I am heartbroken.

With the exception of a post I had already prepared for tomorrow, I am going to be taking a short break from blogging to be with my family. I mentioned to someone earlier that blogging has always served as a great distraction, so I will definitely be back at it soon.

In honor of my dad, I urge you to take a moment to consider donating your stem-cells to help cure or even just help prolong the lives of others suffering from cancer + other diseases. While my father's stem cell transplant from a donor did not cure his cancer, it gave him another precious year to be with us + we couldn't be more thankful.

Find out more about donating here.

♥

I miss you dad. I'll love you forever. You will always be our Jamdula bonehead.

Shanghai Fair Provides Buying Opportunities for Upcoming Holidays

Jewelry retailers in Asia will have a final opportunity to stock their shelves for the upcoming Christmas holidays and Chinese New Year festivities during the China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shanghai (Shanghai Fair), from November 9 – 12 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

More than 300 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions will showcase the latest contemporary jewelry, classic bestsellers and trends during the eighth edition of the annual trade fair, organized by UBM Asia.

In 2011, retail sales of consumer goods in Shanghai exceeded RMB677 billions, up 12.3 percent from 2010. Retail sales of gold and jewelry alone grew roughly 25 percent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China.

Given its November schedule, the Shanghai Fair provides the last-minute opportunity for buyers wanting to add to their inventory for the busy Christmas and Chinese New Year festivities.

Pavilions dedicated to luxury jewelry manufacturers, jadeite manufacturers from Taiwan and gems from Sri Lanka are among the features of the fair.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twiitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Web site.

‘Pigeon’s Blood’ Ruby Necklace Leads Diverse Christie’s Hong Kong Jewelry Sale

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

It’s a rare jewelry auction these days where diamonds are not the most prestigious items for sale. This auction will break the trend as leading the sale of Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Autumn sale is a Burmese no heat “pigeon’s blood” ruby and diamond necklace (pictured above) with matching earrings (below) by James W. Currens. The necklace has an auction estimate of $3.5 to $5.5 million; and the earrings have estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

Designed as twenty-six graduated oval-shaped rubies weighing between 5.38 and 1.27 carats, each ruby comprising the necklace named, “Red Scarlet” is accented by a cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18k yellow gold. The matching pair of earrings are titled the “Red Butterflies” for their shape, and each feature a pair of Burmese rubies over 7 carats. The rubies all come from the Mogok Stone Tract in Upper Burma, which is considered to be the source for the finest quality “pigeon’s blood” rubies, the term used to describe the brightest and most valuable red color for rubies.

More than 300 items will be on sale for the November 27 auction at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The pre-sale estimate is valued at approximately $70 million. An assortment of diamonds, emeralds and sapphires from the world’s legendary mines, natural seawater pearls, and, being Hong Kong, jadeite jewelry will be among the items featured. Highlights include: 

Emerald, pearl and diamond earrings in platinum, featuring Colombian pear-shaped emeralds weighing 23.34 carats and 23.18 carats. Its estimate is $3.5 million to $4.8 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

Diamond and pearl earrings, featuring a pair of 6-carat pear-shaped diamonds from the legendary Golconda mine in India. Its estimate is $1.2 million to $1.9 million.  CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A natural pearl and diamond necklace with an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A lavender jadeite bead necklace, consisting of 63 slightly graduated jadeite beads measuring from 8.8 to 11.3 mm, and a jadeite cabochon and diamond clasp mounted in 18k white gold. Its estimate is $1 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A 36.58-carat fancy brown diamond ring with an estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

An 8.59-carat fancy pink cut-cornered rectangular-cut diamond and sapphire ring, by Paris-based American jeweler, JAR. Its estimate is $3 million to $4.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Web site.

GOLD

ph: Vogue UK

Great gold jewelry at the Isabel Marant + Balenciaga S/S 2013 shows.
I used to hate yellow gold growing up, but can't get enough of it now. Obsessed!
Until these goodies are available, get the look with this necklace + this ring.

ERIN + ELIN | WHITE JACKETS

ph: ELLE

Erin Wasson + Elin Kling looking chic in their white jackets. Loving the simplicity of both looks.
To get the look, try this one from Bop Basics or this tuxedo style jacket from Madewell.

FALL THOUGHTS

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Body Mapped Mélange Sweater
2. Céline Tailor Sunglasses
3. Stella McCartney Cloche Hat
4. J Brand Denim 811 Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
5. Jerome Dreyfuss Jojo bag
6. Lulu Frost Code Diamond and Yellow Gold #2 Ring
7. Isabel Marant Snake Chain Cuff
8. Chrissie Morris Obi Stingray Ankle Boots

ps- Matches has free US shipping until October 31st!

KEEP WARM

ph: ELLE España

Beautiful girl + great fall inspiration. This has me wanting a white leather moto jacket!
Click below for more + to find out how to get the look...








Get the look...
+ BLK DNM Motorcycle Leather Jacket
+ Burberry Prorsum Owl-print T-shirt
+ Rag & Bone/JEAN Terry Pleat Pants
+ ASOS Western Leather Skinny Waist Belt
+ Maison Scotch Boxy Fit Knitted Melange Sweater
+ April, May Winni Checked Wool Coat
+ ASOS Faux Fur Patchwork Snood
+ Juicy Couture Skinny Leather Wrap Bracelet
+ Tory Burch Fox Stud Wrap Bracelet
+ UGG Australia Cosima Boots
+ Minnetonka Moccasin Lace Up Fringe Boot
+ ASOS APOLLO Studded Ankle Boots

THAT COAT

ph: The Locals

Crushing on that plush coat!

Get the look...
+ Helmut Lang Weathered Shearling Jacket
+ BB Dakota Finley Jacket
+ Velvet Dolce Urban Sherpa Jacket
+ Current/Elliott The Shearling Biker Jacket
+ River Island Shearling Mix Cardigan
+ MINKPINK Great Heights Faux Shearling Jacket
+ Vince Hooded Shearling Coat
+ Preen Shearling-Collar Wool Coat

HAIR CRUSH: DARIA WERBOWY

ph: Vogue Paris

My jaw dropped when I saw Daria Werbowy's new hair cut on the cover of Vogue Paris' November 2012 issue. I was equally thrilled when I came across the black + white portrait from the issue. Love the effortless 90s feel. Just so incredibly good! Gahhh!

SHOPCUFFS FAVS

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Some of my latest favs from SHOPCUFFS! Obsessed with the orange coat ♥

ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY | EASY BREEZY

ph: Just Jared

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looking amazing in this easy breezy look. It has me wishing for Cali weather here on the east coast! Still regretting not getting those nude braided Chloé sandals.
Click below to find out how to get the look...

Get the look...
+ Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Metal Aviator Sunglasses
+ 3.1 Phillip Lim Muscle Tee
+ Cheap Monday Dip Back Tank
+ A.L.C. Mak Top
+ River Island Quilted Tassel Front Bag
+ Tory Burch Lizard Medium Resin Top Bag
+ Citizens of Humanity Dylan Boyfriend Jeans
+ Just Fab Blush Anika Sandals
+ Frye Leather Braided Braylin Sandals
+ Promiscuous Tan Vonnita Sandals

PLAID PLEASE!

1. Theyskens' Theory Fiola Tee
2. Elizabeth and James Crescent Sunglasses
3. Iosselliani Twisted Multiwires Necklace
4. Tibi Plaid Skinny Beatles Pants
5. Pour La Victoire Butler Large Haircalf Tote
6. NARS Nail Polish in Dovima
7. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Ariana Band Ring
8. Christian Louboutin Particule Leopard-Print Pumps

RANDOM GOODNESS

...Marija Strajnic | Hope Gangloff | Helmut Lang | Jak & Jil | Old Brand New | Billy Kidd ...............Brook&Lyn + StopItRightNow | Muse | Style Trove | Eddie Borgo

KATE LANPHEAR | TEXTURED LEATHER

ph: Harper's Bazaar

Get the look...
+ Marc by Marc Jacobs Side Stripe Sunglasses
+ Whistles Molly Bubble Leather Jacket
+ Vince Rib Trim Cardigan
+ Chaser Constellation Pink Floyd Tee
+ Kenneth Jay Lane Button Ring
+ ASOS Triangle Metal Plate Detail Waist Belt
+ MiH Ellsworth Skinny Jeans

BLUE LASHES

ph: Style Bistro

I know I am late to the party on this, but just came across these backstage beauty shots from Stella McCartney's F/W 2011 show + had to share- Love those bold blue lashes! I'm thinking of trying this out with this Dior mascara. Question is, will I have the guts to go out with it on...

ps- How great does a blue lash look on Sabrina of AfterDrk?! 

Harry Winston Is Not For Sale

The Harry Winston salon in Paris.

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. issued a statement Thursday saying it is not in talks to sell its luxury jewelry and watch business.

“While it is the company’s general policy not to comment on market rumors, it confirms that it has received various indications of interest regarding a potential purchase of its luxury brand segment. It is not in active negotiations regarding any such transaction,” it said in the statement. “The company does not intend to make any further public announcements regarding this matter unless it concludes that they are warranted by the circumstances or are required by law.”

The statement came as a result of stories from Reuters and other outlets stating that Harry Winston “has been approaching potential buyers such as luxury groups LVMH and PPR.”

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. is a business with assets in the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. Harry Winston supplies rough diamonds to the global market from its 40 percent ownership interest in the Diavik Diamond Mine. The company’s luxury brand segment is a diamond jeweler and luxury timepiece retailer with salons in key locations throughout the world.

Harry Winston shares ownership of the diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada with mining giant Rio Tinto, which owns a 60 percent stake. The miner has announced its intention to sell all of its diamond mines to concentrate in larger mining segments. Harry Winston was reportedly in talks to buy the mine outright.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter  @JewelryNewsNet.

Tiffany Promotes Senior Executives

Frederic Cumenal

Beth Canavan

Tiffany & Co. said Wednesday that it is shifting and expanding responsibilities for two executive vice presidents, Beth Canavan and Frederic Cumenal.

Cumenal, 53, joined the international luxury jewelry retailer in March 2011 from the LVMH Group. He has been responsible for Tiffany's businesses in Asia, Japan, Europe and Emerging Markets. Effective immediately, Cumenal will expand his role to assume responsibility for all of Tiffany's worldwide sales activities.

Canavan, 58, joined Tiffany in 1987 and through progressively greater responsibilities has headed the Americas region in recent years. She will now report to Cumenal who reports to Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany's chairman and chief executive officer.

CAROLINE DE MAIGRET | ISABEL MARANT 'DAVID' MILITARY COAT

ph: Grazia | Vogue

Swooning over Caroline de Maigret's Isabel Marant 'David' military coat! It's a 'no-brainer' statement piece- perfect for when I'm just not in the mood to get ready. Just throw it on with jeans + the look is complete. Find it here + here or for something similar, I'd give this one a try.

50-Carat Flawless Diamond Sells for $9.5 Million

50.52-Carat Pear-Shaped Diamond that sold for $9.5 million.
CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

NEW YORK — Big diamonds sparkled during Christie’s sale of Magnificent Jewels in New York on Tuesday. Leading the way was a pear-shaped D color flawless diamond of 50.52 cts., which sold for $9.5 million, or $188,000 per carat, to a private collector. The stone is mounted in platinum and may be worn suspended from a necklace with a 2.28 carat, circular-cut D-color diamond surmount.

It was one of several major diamond lots sold during the auction of 369 lots held during two sessions Tuesday. The other top sellers were:

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A pair of pear-shaped fancy yellow and colorless diamond ear pendants of 52.78 and 50.31 cts.(pictured above)  that achieved $4.5 million. The diamonds are surmounted by circular-cut fancy yellow and white diamonds Mounted in yellow and white gold. The pendants may be easily swapped or detached completely, giving the owner three options for how to wear them. Its estimate was $4.5 - $6.5 million. The buyer was listed by Christie’s as Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A 68.35-carat oval-cut fancy intense yellow, internally flawless diamond sold for $3.16 million. The gem with excellent polish and symmetry had an estimate of $2.2 - $3.2 million.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A pear-shape fancy light pink SI1 diamond ring sold for of 10.52 cts sold for $2.21 million, or $210,000 per carat; well above its estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million.

* A 28.20-carat square-cut fancy intense yellow VVS1 diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels that sold for $902,000.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A 10.05-carat pear-shaped diamond on a ring, flanked on either side by a pear-shaped diamond, mounted in platinum took in more than $1.2 million.

* A 12.05-carat pear-shape F color flawless diamond that sold for $842,500.

* An 11.68-carat marquise-cut F color VS1 diamond ring by Harry Winston that sold for $746,500.

All totaled, the auction achieved $50 million and had a sell-through rate of 87 percent by lot and 93 percent by value.

“Private collectors and dealers reacted more than positively to a 369-lot auction that was finely-tuned in terms of prices and selection of gems to current market conditions,” said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry, Christie’s Americas and Switzerland. “Natural pearls, colorless flawless diamonds, and colored diamonds of high quality once again dominated the day, making for a vibrant atmosphere in the saleroom.”

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

Natural pearls again proved to be a dynamic force in the auction market. This was underscored by the sale of a double strand natural pearl necklace for $3.66 million (pictured above). It has 120 large-sized individual pearls, ranging in size from 6.50 mm to 12.25 mm in diameter, and ranging in coloration from white to light cream, with subtle rosé and green overtones and superb luster. It is accented with a 3-carat, D color diamond clasp signed by Cartier. Its estimate was $2.8 – $3.5 million.

During the morning session, a single strand of 83 natural pearls, measuring from approximately 3.15 to 9.75 mm, sold for $158,500, nearly double its high estimate; and an antique diamond and sapphire brooch set with a natural baroque pearl, measuring approximately 15.90 – 16.70 x 20.40 mm, brought in $170,500, nearly tripling its high estimate.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

In addition, a 32.31-carat cushion cut Burmese sapphire ring (pictured above) sold for $986,500, nearly double the high estimate of $500,000.

Bidding was robust throughout the day, gaining strength in the afternoon session, with dealers in the back of Christie's saleroom loudly clamoring for attention, competing with those in the front of the room and many phone and online bidders.

Sharing the auctioneer duties was Kadakia, along with Christie's Asia president, François Curiel, the Christie’s jewelry veteran who moved to Hong Kong recently to head the auction house’s jewelry operation in the booming Asia market.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page and on Twitter  @JewelryNewsNet.