Jewelry PR Division

(New York, New York) - This year marks the 50th anniversary for nationally recognized jewelry manufacturer, Fantasy Diamond Corporation. Founded in 1922 by the Wein family, originally as a watch company, Fantasy Diamond grew to be a specialty jewelry manufacturer in 1956. The company is well known in the jewelry industry for producing unique designs, including the most popular Endless Diamond® setting.

Current Fantasy Diamond President, Louis Price says he is “incredibly proud of the success Fantasy Diamond Corporation has achieved. For a family owned company, we have surpassed all expectations and are looking forward to the next 50 years of success.” Price began with the company in 1989 and encouraged an aggressive growth in sales and relationship with national and regional retailers with support from the Wein family. This expansion resulted in a national reputation as a leading source of quality diamond products and trend setting designs.

With the commitment to customers to produce quality pieces, Fantasy Diamond prides itself in having an American made product. With manufacturing facilities in home base Chicago, Illinois and U.S. Virgin Islands they are able to reach key national retailers. The intense focus for product development and creative designs is what makes Fantasy Diamond products the finest quality and most distinctive in the industry.

In addition to Fantasy Diamond’s extensive line of fashion diamond jewelry the company has developed a winning marketing partnership with its retail customers – with a complete co-op advertising program and professionally-produced TV, radio, print ads, direct mail, and in-store advertising for retailer customization.

About Fantasy Diamond Corporation:
Fantasy Diamond Corporation is a nationally recognized leader in diamond jewelry manufacturing and design. The company is respected and known for three collections including Endless Diamonds®, Masterpiece® and Everafter® brands.

September 19, 2006, New York, NY – Today Angara announced the launch of its online jewelry retail site Angara.com, boasting a wealth of fine jewelry, diamonds and accessories ranging from simple to opulent and all reasonably priced. With the philosophy and mission of affordable luxury, Angara provides customers with an easy and convenient shopping experience for superior quality jewelry at sensible prices.

“We are very particular in the pieces we choose to sell on the site,” says Chief Executive Officer, Ankur Daga, “Whether the items are bridal, engagement or in our exclusive Strong Box Collection, each piece is selected with the utmost care.”

A favorite line of accessories editors the world around is "and then take one piece" off referring to the rule of removing one piece of jewelry after you are fully dressed and prepared for the day.

Of course another editor tip through the ages has been stretching a wardrobe of basics through clever jewelry usage. But if you are instructed to constantly downsize your accessorising options for day is it possible that you need a wardrobe of jewelry basics too?

Given the classic popularity of a string of pearls, diamond stud earrings, and the tennis bracelet it seems that jewelry lovers the world over agree. This makes discovering the right pieces of jewelry for your even more critical. Even the classics make different statements. Pearls make any outfit more conservative whereas a diamond stud is a classic touch that ups the elegance factor on any outfit. The same principles of choosing basics in clothing applies to jewelry.

But remember even when the editors appear to know better than we mere mortals do it can be good to break the law sometimes and throw it all on. You can always take a few pieces off at the end of the night. That is still technically following the laws of accessorising right?

STORM Watches is a proud sponsor of this year's EMA's, MTV's European Music Awards has especially commissioned 4 Unique Limited Edition watches that will be your access all areas pass to the legendary MTV Europe Music Awards 2006, being held in the Scandinavian party town of Copenhagen on November 2nd.

You will get the full VIP treatment at the pre-party and then get to see the main event itself, where some of the biggest names in music are performing. Finish the night off in style dancing until the early hours at the VIP after show party.

To enter the competition you must be 18 or over. Competition closing date 14th October 2006.

Please read The Terms & Conditions and enter to win!

Collectors and jewelers snapped up more than 380 rare jewels at Christie's this week, making it the auction house's largest jewelry sales week in America in 15 years.

The top lot of the week was a 51.08-carat rectangular-cut D-color VVS1-clarity diamond set in an 18-karat white gold ring, which was sold at the Magnificent Jewels auction on Oct. 10 to a private European buyer for $3.15 million, or $61,700 per carat.

The next top lot of the week was a 22.63-carat marquise-cut D-color internally flawless diamond set in a platinum ring, which was sold at the Magnificent Jewels auction to a private American buyer for $1.75 million, or $77,420 per carat.

In addition to the Magnificent Jewels auction, Christie's hosted three other jewelry auctions this week: Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Ellen Barkin on Oct.10, An Exceptional Collection of Art Nouveau Jewels on Oct. 11 and Van Cleef and Arpels: A Centennial Tribute Part I on Oct. 11.

I would have thought she would have done a shoe line but no Imelda Marcos — wife of the late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos — launched a jewelry line on Saturday which she described as "both worthless and priceless," but would entitle the buyer to a piece of the glamorous former first lady.

Called "The Imelda Collection," it includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pins, combs and even cuff links made from a combination of glass beads, gemstones and gold-plated chains.

Many of them feature images of butterflies and shoes, trademarks of the 77-year-old widow. During her heyday at the height of power of her late husband, Imelda was called the "iron butterfly" for her ability to get her own way.

Are you ready for January's jewelry season in Manhattan. We kick off 2007 with numerous jewelry shows. As always suggested wear comfortable shoes and bring a power bar!

From all of us at Pierce Mattie PR (Jewelry Division) good luck this week!

7 - 9 AccessoriesTheShow
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York, NY; 203-853-6015
www.accessoriestheshow.com

7 - 9 Fashion Avenue Market Expo/FAME
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York, NY; 877-904-FAME
www.fameshows.com

7 - 9 Moda Manhattan
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York, NY; 203-853-6015
www.modamanhattan.com

7 - 9 Accessorie Circuit Show
Piers on the Hudson
12th Avenue and 55th Street
New York, NY; 212-759-8055
www.enkshows.com

8 - 12 New York Accessories Market Week
Individual Showrooms
New York, NY; 212-947-3424
www.accessoryweb.com

Blood Diamond, the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio with several Academy Award nominations today, is based on the violent civil war in the 1990’s in Sierra Leone in which the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels attempted to overthrow the government, and an illicit diamond trade was used to fund the war effort. The movie has brought attention to the diamond trade and many times what is involved in mining diamonds that are the most sought-after gem in the world.

So it’s no surprise that there are laboratories out there, such as Apollo Diamonds and Gemesis, that are perfecting on creating real diamonds in a lab setting. Not your typical chemically produced Cubic Zirconia, but diamonds created through a process involving real diamond seeds that come together under pressure to create a diamond that matches or exceeds a mined diamond in quality and brilliance. Same natural diamond, only it takes 2 weeks to produce one in a lab setting versus billions of years in the earth. Obviously it is also much safer to create than the risks involved in mining and what it does to our environment.

Creating and mimicking what is real is nothing new. It’s in how man-made products are taking its toll on the industries that produce the real deal. Cultured Pearls are almost indistinguishable to the naked eye compared to its natural counterpart. Fake fur, really well produced pieces, can often be mistaken for the real thing. While the industry that brings you the real products is beginning to feel its effects, it tries to counteract the new demand for man made quality copies by stressing the importance and value on their non-synthetic product.

House of Taylor Jewelry Introduces Elizabeth 'Red Carpet Collection' at the Oscars

House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOTJ), an international jewelry company whose principal shareholders include entities owned by Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland, today announced the company will showcase jewelry designed by Dame Elizabeth Taylor at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in anticipation of the 79th Annual Academy Awards.

The Elizabeth Red Carpet Collection features seven distinct jewelry suites including Masquerade, a diamond, ruby and blue sapphire encrusted necklace with matching chandelier earrings; Daisy, a necklace and earrings set with yellow sapphires, emeralds and diamonds; and the Moon and Stars Suite, a necklace with matching bracelet awash in diamonds and pearls.

For Fashion Runway Show Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM, ET

Swarovski, the world leader in cut crystal, debuts catwalk jewelry with its signature event at ACE Gallery in Los Angeles on February 20th, Runway Rocks, a collection of one-of-a-kind jewels created especially for the runway by the world's leading names in fashion and design. The designers participating in this year's show have crafted their ultimate vision of jewelry for the catwalk: a couture piece that perfectly fuses fashion, jewelry and the mood of the moment. Runway Rocks -- launched in London in 2003 -- has traveled to Paris, New York, Barcelona and Tokyo, and comes to Los Angeles for the first time this year. WHO: The Runway Rocks show, styled by Patricia Field, will include designs from Cate Adair, Christopher Kane, Tae Ashida, Shaun Leane and Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen, Tarina Tarantino and more. Celebrities expected to attend include: Zac Posen, Alexandra Holden, Nia Long, Alex von Furstenberg, Ellen Pompeo, Minnie Driver, Tea Leoni, Marcia Gay Harden, Courtney Love, Kristin Cavaleri, Fran Drescher, Tara Reid, Ron Livingston, Cheryl Tiegs, Deborah Anderson and more. B ROLL: Red carpet arrivals, celebrity and designer soundbites, fashion runway and jewelry footage and soundbites with Nadia Swarovski, V.P. of International Communication. WEBCAST: To watch live streaming coverage of the show, visit http://www.swarovskisparkles.tv/ February 20, 2007 / 10:30 PM Eastern (7:30 PM Pacific) MORE: Celebrities who chose Daniel Swarovski accessories for various awards-related activities last year include: Madonna, Teri Hatcher, Kristin Davis and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Sharon Stone and Penelope Cruz were also seen sparkling on the red carpet in Swarovski. For further information, visit http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/.

The movie Blood Diamond really brought the issues revolving around the diamond industry into focus. With this controversy brought to light and brands going green, now not only are diamonds becoming a hot topic, but gold is as well. In a new effort that includes brands like Tiffany & Co., Zales and 19 other jewelers in a campaign called “No Dirty Gold,” the big question for the jewelry consumer is becoming: “Is your jewelry politically correct?”

The mission behind the No Dirty Gold campaign is stop the jewelry industry from further enabling gold mining companies destructive ways by standing behind and signing a commitment to “The Golden Rules.” By establishing a set of rules that participating jewelers adhere to, the hope is that it will not only bring to the forefront the issues revolving around mining gold, but force the hand of gold mining companies into a better practice of mining, thus preserving the reputation of gold.

Some of the effects of mining gold involve massive pollution, developing large open pits in the earth and solid waste, endangering natural areas (both officially and unofficially protected), community health effects, worker dangers and human rights abuses. Prior to wearing any of my gold jewelry, I never considered where it came from and how it was mined, and honestly, who does?

Diamonds have always been a status symbol of the wealthy and there are more wealthy people throughout the world now, then there were ten years ago. Fancy Diamonds have made their way onto the bodies of the elite, showing that their rarity outweighs the brilliance that many colorless diamonds can bring. Diamonds have always been in demand, but quite curiously despite conflict diamonds and the issues that the movie Blood Diamond brought to light, more people are demanding them while supply is not increasing.

In fact, supply is almost impossible to increase when it comes to diamonds simply because of the process involved in mining and the fact that only one new diamond mine has been found in last 10 years. So when I read about prices going up because the demand is there, I had to wonder how this would affect the cultured diamond market. Not yet a huge market, it is certainly one that can be looked to as natural diamond prices begin to rise. As I mentioned in a previous post, cultured diamonds are indeed real diamonds, only grown in a lab environment. Obviously this cuts out the “million years” to create it part that can be an obstacle when diamonds are in demand, but as we all begin to look at the toll mining takes on our environment, cultured diamonds may be the perfect alternative and a price increase the perfect time to look into them.

Judith Ripka is a Award winning designer Judith Ripka creates jewelry of understated elegance that is meant to be worn everyday, from day into evening, from black tie to blue jeans and everything in between. Taught by her mother, a European couturier, to see the beauty in all the little things around us, each piece of jewelry Judith designs is an expression of that beauty as shared through the eyes of her mother.

Taking cue from her busy life as wife, mother, grandmother and business woman, Judith designs versatile jewelry with a special twist, ancient inspired, classically informed, timeless, yet modernized to complement today's wardrobe.

Amongst her many achievements and awards, Judith won the prestigious DeBeers' Award for Diamond Design and was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Please read the full interview on National Jeweler Network

Being persistent and surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging friends and associates can catapult your business into the big time, jewelry-design powerhouse Judith Ripka told attendees of the Women's Jewelry Association's Women in the Know Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology on Friday.

Passion for creating jewelry can also take your business a long way, she added.

"Even if it had not become my business, I would still design jewelry," Ripka said. "Persistence is one of the keys to my success. I've sketched two days a week religiously for 34 years."

Ripka told the story of her business, the Judith Ripka Companies Inc., a multimillion-dollar wholesale and retail jewelry company that now employs 150 people (90 percent of whom are women) and is opening its 13th retail store in Las Vegas this year. [...]

But when Ripka started out, she was a struggling mother of three running her business out of the living room of her house in Long Island, where she was one of the few working mothers in her neighborhood at the time.

She balanced caring for the children with sketching during all of her free moments, initially selling jewelry out of her own living room from a $12 case she bought in the Bowery section of Manhattan.

Her business got off the ground with a $1,000 loan from a dear friend who was among those who encouraged her as she began making jewelry at a manufacturing facility in 1973, Ripka said. Other friends lent her cars to get around since she didn't own a vehicle.

"Don't have anyone around you who doesn't wish you well," Ripka said. "There were countless people along the way who told me to give up, that the chances were slim. But I am telling you, the chances are not slim."

Not only are designer handbags prime targets of knock offs and fakes, but many more times fine jewelry is often sold with a designer price tag, when the unsuspecting consumer has bought a fake. Of course many people don’t mind wearing an imitation jewelry piece, just as long as they aren’t paying top dollar for it.

Since diamonds are the most sought after stone with the largest price tag, it is most often diamonds that are faked, and sometimes even the best jewelry appraiser cannot distinguish a real diamond from a fake one. So how do distinguish a real diamond from its imitator?

Cubic Zirconia is the easiest diamond fake to spot. Cubic Zirconia is much heavier in weight than a typical diamond and a jewelry appraiser can easily measure this with the right equipment. It is also softer and easier to scratch than a diamond. A Cubic Zirconia can be spotted using ultraviolet light as well. Where diamonds will glow blue under UV light, Cubic Zirconia will glow mustard yellow.

 Moissanite is the most difficult of stones to distinguish from a genuine diamond. It is a naturally occurring crystal that has been able to be replicated by man and so closely resembles a diamond that many times even skilled appraisers mistake it for the real thing. This is the one synthetic gem that requires its own specific equipment to make the distinction between a diamond. If you suspect that the jewelry you have purchased is Moissanite, make sure to see a jeweler who is well versed about Moissanite and has the equipment to test your gem.

We all have a wish list of jewelry brands that we are all dying to wear and many times it is the price tag that prevents from doing little more than window shopping. I know I would love to dawn something by Vera Wang, Gucci, Kara Ross or even Stephen Dweck; maybe a gorgeous bracelet, an intricate ring or eye catching earrings. Now we no longer have to window shop, when we can simply borrow these gorgeous baubles at a fraction of the cost of buying them.

Bag Borrow or Steal and Borrowed Bling both offer jewelry that you can rent out whether it be for a big evening out or to impress a few friends. Bag Borrow or Steal offers genuine name brand jewelry while Borrowed Bling offers imitation gems that are said to look as close to the real thing as possible. Both operate on membership with various levels that determine which brands and how many pieces you can borrow at a time. Each site is different in the way you can borrow and which site you chose to borrow from depends on your budget and desire for the luxurious.

The comparison:

Bag Borrow or Steal:

4 membership levels:

+ Couture—Runway worthy handbags and jewelry from top designers such as Gucci and Rosiblu starting at $175 a month.

+ Diva—Luxurious, dream bags and jewelry from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Charriol starting at $90 a month.

+ Princess—Confidently versatile accessories from designers such as Betsey Johnson and Pianegonda starting at $40 a month.

+ Trendsetter—Fresh, trend-forward accessories from designers such as Dooney & Bourke and Lori Bonn starting at only $20 a month.

There are additional fees (per week or per month) for each item borrowed. The first 3 months of membership only allot you up to 3 borrowed items, and after that timeframe you can borrow up to 5 items at once. There is no time limit on how long you can borrow an item for. Borrowing frequency is based on your account being in good standing.

These celebrities looked stunning on the red carpet, but you don't have to pay a fortune buying the same jewelry they wore to replicate their look. See these and more jewelry and fashion styles at ShopStyle.com

The Stylists behind ShopStyle.com are Danica Lo and Kevin Sanders. Danica is a New York City Fashion writer, a prior fashion model and author of the book, "How Not To Look Fat." Kevin has styled for the Oscars, Tony's, Grammy's, Golden Globes, SAG and People's Choice Awards. He is known as the Stylist with the Golden Touch and that is because every celebrity he has been a Stylist to for an awards show has come home with the gold. If anyone can help you achieve the celebrity look whether it is fashion or jewelry, Danica and Kevin can.

Cate Blanchett

Kate Landry Large CZ East-West "Right Hand" Ring A large cubic zirconia flanked by engraved leaves with CZ accents makes this sterling silver band the perfect "right hand" ring. Buy it at Dillard's for $22

J & L Designs Large CZ Ring This rhodium-plated, nickel-free ring offers the look and quality of silver, only it's stronger. The etched band features a large faceted jet cubic zirconia. Buy it at Dillard's for $38

Hand-painted ivory enamel cuff One-inch-wide hinged cuff, hand-painted with glossy enamel and plated with antiqued silver. Magnetic closure with safety lock and chain. Import. Inner circumference: 6 1/2". Buy it at J. Crew for $88

Jennifer Lopez

Stephen Dweck Rock Crystal Necklace Sterling silver with faceted and linked rock crystals. Toggle clasp. Buy it at Bergdorf Goodman for $945

Single Row Sculpted Link Necklace Long single strand necklace with sculpted links in varying sizes. 36" long. Buy it at Ann Taylor for $29.99

Crislu Cubic Zirconia Round Stone Tennis Necklace Platinum plating over sterling silver Clear, 19.0 ct. total weight, Clasp closure, 16"L Buy it at Bloomingdale's for $215

Rachel Weisz

R. Dayan Cubic Zirconia Drop Necklace Cubic zirconia necklace and oval drop. Sterling silver clasp and findings. Buy it at Bergdorf Goodman for $970

FANTASIA CZ Antique Set Necklace 22K white gold-plated sterling silver chain link cubic zirconia accents and antique set pendant. Spring ring clasp, 16" long Buy it at Bloomingdale's for $350

Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Double Circle Pendant This pendant features round-cut cubic zirconia (2-1/10 ct. t.w.) set in sterling silver. Chain measures 18 inches. Buy it at Macy's for $50

Via Business Wire: The Silver Institute has released a comprehensive report on trends in the global silver jewelry market. The report was prepared, on behalf of the Silver Institute, by GFMS, Ltd., the London-based precious metals consultancy. GFMS Ltd also produces the annual World Silver Survey for the Silver Institute, a role they have undertaken since 1994, and it is the report of record for the silver industry.

Two of the key areas of silver fabrication demand are jewelry and silverware. Since its inception, the World Silver Survey has featured jewelry and silverware as a combined total in the main country-by-country tables. In the report issued today, entitled, Silver Jewelry Report, global statistical series have been produced that separate jewelry and silverware for the first time as well as a detailed review of the country-by-country data.

The report features a 10-year global series for jewelry and silverware, as well as a detailed qualitative analysis of the silver jewelry market. In addition, the report also examines the following key areas:

* A review of trends in silver jewelry fabrication, both at the regional level as well as focusing on countries with manufacturing volumes exceeding one million ounces, including China, India, Italy and the United States. The analysis brings out the main trends, specific to each market that have impacted silver fabrication over the past decade;

* Separate data on the leading silver jewelry consuming nations is provided in this report, including country-by-country data for the 10 largest consuming countries for the 2000 to 2005 period;

* Jewelry consumption, and in particular, competition for silver jewelry. The review is not limited to competition from white or yellow gold but extends to other materials, both precious and non-precious;

* The global trade in silver jewelry, focusing on the top five importing and exporting nations; and

* The impact of trends in the silver price, economic developments and the effect of changing fashion on consumption.

This Silver Jewelry Report makes an important contribution to the transparency and understanding of this fascinating area of the silver market. A copy of this report, may be downloaded from the Silver Institute’s home page: www.silverinstitute.org

De Beers is one of, it not the biggest diamond jewelry brand out there. They dominate the diamond industry and own most of the diamond mines. However, for being one of the biggest jewelry names, they have been a little behind in the times with their information only website. This summer that will all change.

The National Jeweler Network published an exclusive report confirming that De Beers will begin to offer their jewelry for sale on the website by this summer. The amount of jewelry will be limited however, and visitors will continue to be encouraged, as they are now, to make an appointment with a Senior Collection Advisor.

While I think that many loyal De Beers customers may love the convenience of shopping online, out of habit they may still bypass the website and head directly to the store. The online store looks to be a way to capture the many jewelry consumers that wish to eliminate the need to go to the store and have the convenience of shopping from home or want to avoid the experience of potentially being haggled by a salesperson. Either way, the new direction for De Beers website looks to be a potentially profitable one.

What do you think?

With statement rings being one of the jewelry trends this Spring, David Lundahl has designed a collection that will leave you humming the tune, “I want candy.” These oversized crystals come in a variety of colors set in gold or silver toned metals.

For more information about David Lundahl:

Jewelry PR Division Christina at piercemattie dot com

It’s a wedding day tradition to wear your mother’s pearls, female politician’s wear them to look serious yet refined, business women wear them with their pantsuits to give off a casual elegance suitable for the workplace and when heading out the door for a family portrait, most women reach for the pearls as their jewelry of choice.

While the diamond exudes luxury, pearls exude that old time level of sophistication that is best defined through old photographs of Jackie Kennedy. In fact, the cultured pearls worn by Jackie in the famous photo of John Kennedy Jr. as a youngster trying to grab them from her neck sold for $211,500 at a Sotheby’s auction in 1995 when their true value was only $500. Jackie helped defined sophistication, not only through her fashion sense, but through her choice of style in jewelry as well, which many times included pearls.

No matter if you can afford the real thing or have to opt for cultured pearls, this is jewelry that can define your style and image. Most young girls yearn for the day when they can wear their mother’s pearls and this is true for generations both past and present. Through years of jewelry trends and the hottest gems, pearls have somehow been able to remain a staple to most women’s attire. It’s still a “fall back” piece of jewelry that acts as a chameleon and can go with almost any outfit.

No matter the woman, no matter the year, I can guarantee that she has at least one piece of pearl jewelry in her jewelry box.

What do you think? Is pearl jewelry a thing of the past or does it still define sophistication and elegance among today’s jewelry trends?

According to a story on The National Jewelry Network, Joan Parker former director of the Diamond Information Center and most recently head of public relations for DeBeers Diamond Jewelry, has been announced as Brand Ambassador for Gemesis Corporation. Gemesis Corporation has mastered the creation of natural diamonds grown in a lab setting.

The announcement of Parker as Brand Ambassador for a lab grown diamond corporation is very interesting for two reasons. First, DeBeers is the world leader for naturally grown diamonds and second, there is tension in the diamond industry that lab grown diamonds may become the next Cultured Pearl creating competitive pricing between naturally mined diamonds and cultured lab grown diamonds. With all of the knowledge Parker brings to the table, not only about naturally mined diamonds, but also about the inner workings of DeBeers, it may very well give Gemesis Corp. a lengthy head start to becoming an industry leader in the lab grown diamond market and quite possibly a true competitor to a naturally mined brand such as DeBeers.

Lab grown diamonds are produced from real diamond seeds that come together under pressure in a lab setting to create a diamond that matches or exceeds a mined diamond in quality and brilliance. You can read more about lab grown diamonds in a previous post I wrote here.

So what will this mean for the lab grown diamond industry? Surely raising a level of awareness about Gemesis and lab grown diamonds can only bring a positive overflow effect onto other lab grown diamond companies. As the public becomes more educated on lab grown diamonds, not to mention the fact that they are a real diamond at a much lower price, the natural diamond industry may just have an issue on their hands that will force them to become more creative in marketing naturally mined diamonds.

What do you think?

Spring is here (despite the recent Nor’easter) and the jewelry trends for the season are beginning to be seen on fashionistas everywhere. While the most talked about jewelry trend has been statement rings such as David Lundhal’s Candy Couture collection, statement rings are not the only jewelry trend that is in style right now.

Hefty gold chains: Whether shown in necklaces or bracelets, classic chunky chains abounded at Spring 2007 Fashion Week. Seen on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg and Heatherette.

Layered necklaces: Carried over from previous seasons, the layered look now features thinner, even delicate necklaces. Seen on the runways of Charles Nolan, Ralph Lauren and Carmen Marc Valvo.

Simple pendants: Continuing the minimalist trend, designers opted for sweet charms on dainty chains. Seen on the runways of Chado Ralph Rucci, Mark Bouwer and Akiko Ogawa.

Cuff bracelets: Cuffs appeared on diverse runways, with designers pushing them above model's elbows for a fresher look. Seen on the runways of Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, Carlos Miele and Nicole Miller.

Via National Jewelry Network: New York—Two iconic Japanese design forces, Mikimoto and clothing designer Yohji Yamamoto, will collaborate on a fine jewelry collection set to launch this fall. Three groups of designs will comprise the Yamamoto-designed collection of about 20 pieces, which will make its official debut in Paris during Couture Week this July.

Mikimoto and Yohji Yamamoto stores worldwide will begin selling the designs in November. "The pearl is a symbol of feminine perfection, and, in the quintessential universe of fine jewelry, it stands alone," reads a Mikimoto statement. "Its perfect form, the subtlety of its irridescence, its refinement singularly unique ...the pearl radiates magnetic attractions. For these reasons, Yohji Yamamoto has decided to design a jewelry collection focused on the pearl.

Mikimoto's incomparable reputation for designing, producing and selling the world's finest cultured pearl jewelry made it a perfect choice for Yohji Yamamoto." Yamamoto, who rose to prominence with his bold designs in the 1980s, is famous for clothing featuring glossy textures and dramatic silhouettes.

Frederique Dessemond is a talented painter turned jewelry designer hailing from France. After studying art history and working as an interior designer, Dessemond felt there was more out there for her and in 1999 she landed in New York. After getting her feet wet in the fashion industry, she began to design her own jewelry and now eight years later; ginette_ny has its first one of a kind jewelry boutique in New York’s West Village.

While her jewelry can be found in Henri Bendel’s and Barney’s, the ginette_ny jewelry bar offers customers a different jewelry buying experience. Dessemond wanted to provide her customers with a personalized sense of customer service with a unique way to shop for jewelry. One can sit and have something to drink while perusing the display stands on the bar and received personalized service from Dessemond herself. In a time when engaging with customers seems to be more product-focused than customer service-focused, ginette_ny offers something unique that is not merely “shopping,” but instead an experience.

The ginette_ny line of jewelry consists of signature gold disc necklaces, custom monogrammed necklaces, keys, coins, chains, rings and earrings. Besides the new jewelry bar, ginette_ny jewelry can be purchased at a variety of locations, all of which are listed on her website. Her jewelry collection is also available for purchase online at ShopBop.com

ginette_ny Jewelry Bar
172 West 4th Street, NY

Endless Diamonds offers patented touch setting, which will help to celebrate endless love. For a summer wedding every bride wants to be a reflection of happiness. There is no better way to sparkle in the summer sun then to wear jewels. Add enchantment to a summer fairytale wedding with diamonds.

Most Endless Diamonds styles come as a set which includes pendants, earrings, and rings. Almost every design is available in white, yellow or two toned gold. The patented touch setting gives an appearance that is three to five times larger than a single stone at a comparable weight.

Let your magical fantasies come to life on your wedding day with Endless Diamond’s collection of bridal jewelry that has a beautiful selection of diamonds. After all, Endless Love is worth it. The Endless Diamonds Collection by Fantasy Diamond is available at Macy's.

Media Contact:
Jewelry PR Division: Erin at piercemattie dot com

When you can’t get to the beach, bring the beach to you. Beach glass jewelry has become increasingly popular in recent years. Pieces of beach glass jewelry used to fetch for about $10, but can now be found online and in many boutiques from $30 to $100 and sometimes more, depending on the piece.

There’s something calming yet intriguing about jewelry made from glass that was shaped by the waves of our oceans and lakes. Each piece of glass has a history and an origin according to beach glass company, Relish Inc. of Erie Pennsylvania. Relish Inc. handcrafts their 14k gold and sterling silver jewelry from beach glass found on the shore of Lake Erie.

“Vick’s Vapor Rub, Philip’s Milk of Magnesia, canning jars, Blue Coral car wax, and Noxema are responsible for various shades of blue. Depression glass is responsible for the beautiful pastel colors that we find, old Clorox bottles, apothecary bottles and beer bottles give us the brown glass. Clear glass may come from bottles containing anything from milk to shampoo. Rare colors include red, (a coveted find from old boat lights) yellow, orange, purple and teal.”

There’s nothing more spectacular than the beauty of glass that Mother Nature has manipulated herself. While the jewelry design may be the same, the uniqueness of shape and size of each piece of glass means there are no two pieces alike. I don’t know about you, but I like to wear things that are unique and stand out among all of the sameness of jewelry trends.

*Photo credit: Relish Inc.

Ever wish you could go back in time to those days when afternoons were filled with tea parties and the only heels you ever wore were the ones you found rummaging in your mother’s closet?

Bring back that inner little girl in you with this season’s pale pastels. Jewelry designers are now combining light shades of pink and purple gemstones with rose gold to create an ultra feminine look, like this pendant by Marco Molinario.

A diamond bracelet by Fr Hueb will leave you feeling like a fairy princess and this ring by Korloff could definitely stir up a little magic. With Chantecler's necklace set with coral, you’re sure to be the belle of any ball.

Now if only you could figure out how to turn a certain to