Designer Focus - Diane vonFurstenberg by H. Stern

I find it interesting the Neiman Marcus has a Luxury section of their website (isn't that the whole site???) but they do have some amazing pieces in their. I don't usually look at the jewelry sections, but I wanted to see what was new in ring designs.

I really like this quartz ring from the "power ring" collection. It is a Diane vonFurstenberg by H. Stern ring and it has great modern lines but is very classic looking as well.





Swarovski also has some great crystal chunky rings like this that are around $200.

The epitome of Bubblegum Plastic

As girl-y as I get with some things, I actually don't wear a lot of pink. I do have few fun jewelry pieces, and of course, shoes, but far less than most would think.

However, I am kind of obsessed with this ring.

It's a Louis Vuitton Bubble Ring in the most delicious color - Framboise. How perfect!

In the resin bubble are the signature LV flower and diamond with a Swarovski crystal in the center. I just love the adorable color and the unique design, plus it's not too expensive at $125 on eLuxury.

Also comes in a lighter pink and clear.

Yummy!

London calling

Blue is one of my favorite colors. And my favorite gemstone used to be sapphires because of their velvet-y blue color, but in recent years I've grown to love London blue topaz.

A symbol of strength and intelligence, topaz derives its name from Topazios, an island in the Red Sea that is known today as Zabargad. The Greek word "topazios" means "to seek," since the island was covered with a thick fog and difficult to find. Gemstones found on the island were called topaz, although the stones were eventually found to actually be peridot. The real gem of topaz is found throughout the world, with different occurrences producing specific colors. Topaz has several variations, such as, "sky blue topaz," "Swiss blue topaz" and "London blue topaz" which all refer to the darkness of the gemstone. "Sky blue topaz" is the lightest in color while "London blue topaz" is the darkest in color.

However, none of these are naturally occurring colors. Blue topaz, London blue especially, as become controversial in recent years because the color was created by irradiation. Many gemstones, including diamonds, are treated to nuclear radiation to create new, more intense rare colors.

May jewelers were forced to pull blue topaz out of their stores and are still leery of working with the stone. The lighter blue colors have made a comeback recently, but it is still hard to find London Blue which is my favorite.

I recently got a London Blue ring and I just love it. It's a very striking blue because it has a real true blue depth to it, unlike a sapphire which can often be too dark.


If you've ever read the Dragonsinger books of Anne McCaffery, the harpers wear a color called "harper blue". I've always looked for what I felt that color was. London blue topaz is that color.