Mikimoto Tahitian Pearl Diamond Sapphire Starfish Ring

This Mikimoto Tahitian Pearl Diamond Sapphire Starfish Ring is splendiferous! Divine is only the beginning of how I can describe its lustrous sparkle of diamonds and sapphires that wrap around the side of the perfect pearl in a whimsical starfish shape. I’m not even a pearl girl, but Mikomoto has made me make a full 360 about how I feel about pearl jewelry. This Mikimoto Tahitian Pearl Diamond Sapphire Ring is from Italian designer Giovanna Broggian and Mikimoto’s collaboration collection that features alluring pieces made with black Tahitian pearls, white Akoya pearls, diamonds, sapphires and gold. Two words: I WANT!

Cate Blanchett for Queen [Elizabeth] of the Oscars

Cate Blanchett has played many memorable characters in her successful movie career: debutante Meredith in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Elf Queen Galadriel in the Lord of The Rings trilogy, Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator (for which she won Oscar, BAFTA and SAG Awards), and Queen Elizabeth in both Elizabeth (with Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics Choice Awards wins) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Blanchett’s hard work has been rewarded with two nominations this year: one for Best Actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and one for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as Bob Dylan in I’m Not There; Blanchett will make history if she wins both nominations, as no actress has ever won both at the same awards.

There is no doubt that whether she walks away with both awards or not, that Blanchett will look stunning on the red carpet, not unlike how we see her here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. Clearly, Blanchett has original style, as she was on Mr. Blackwell’s Best Dressed List last year, and she’ll surely shine with designers waiting at hand to dress her in their digs. In the past, Blanchett has rocked Lorraine Schwartz’s black and green jade bracelet and black and white diamond earrings, Fred Leighton baubles, and has favored gown designs by Armani, Alexander McQueen and Valentino for her winning looks. I can’t wait to see what she wears on the red carpet this Sunday… and I’m waiting to see her next performance as the bad girl in the newest Indiana Jones!

Tahitian Pearl Necklace Wins First Place

This incredible Tahitian pearl necklace won first place at the 2007-2008 “The Song of the Stars” Tahitian Pearl Trophy – North American division put on by The Cultured Pearl Association of America, which represents Perles de Tahiti in the U.S.

Designed by Reena Ahluwahlia, she named this necklace “Ethereal Rhapsody” which went on to win for the necklace category.

This same designer also took second place in the both the bracelet and brooch category.

First places for the pendant, earrings, ring, bracelet, parure, brooch, male jewelry and accessory categories went to Erica Courtney, Celine Boure, Avi Raz, Lisa Krikawa, Nina Basharova, Larry C.Y. Ho, and Yutao Liu, respectively.

It’s unclear whether the designers are US based or from other countries and whether the entries are students, semi-professionals or professionals.

The winning designers will go on to compete in the Tahitian Pearl Trophy International Awards, with an international judging panel, scheduled for May.

The judging panel included the following notables:   Laurie Schechter of Stylists and Co; Elena Mauer of Bridal Guide; Jean Francois Bibet of Van Cleef and Arpels; Amanda Gizzi of the Jewelry Information Center, Kathleen Fritzpatrick, freelance editor, Hedda T Schupak of JCK and Fran Mastoloni of Frank Mastoloni and Sons.

Christie’s To Auction Big 101-carat Diamond in May

Have you ever wanted to own a diamond? A really big diamond? Have you ever wanted to name your own diamond?

Make your way to Hong Kong this spring. On May 28, Christie’s will auction a 101.27 carat diamond during its spring jewelry sale.

The winner bidder will be given the pleasure of naming this phenomenal natural occurrence.

Cut from a 460-carat rough diamond, the diamond was certified by the Gemological Institute of America as having F color (read that as colorless – the best!), VVSI clarity and an “excellent” grade in both polish and symmetry.

This is the largest colorless diamond to be offered at auction in 18 years. “Only three colorless diamonds of lver 100 carats have ever apeared at auction, all sold in Geneva,” Christie Chairman of Jewelry Francois Curel said in a statement. “With Asia becoming such a vibrant market, it is fitting that this rareest gem should be offered on May 28 to the growing number of collectors in this region.”

The diamond will enjoy a pre-showing during Christie’s Spring Masterpieces Exhibition scheduled for February 23 – 27 in London.

Christie’s also auctioned off the 53.71-carat “Dubai Magnificence,” a pear-shaped, D-color, flawless-clarity stone sold in New York in December of 2007.

This Christie’s 101-carat diamond easily impresses.

Anyone have any guesses as to how much this Christie’s 101-carat colorless diamond will fetch at the auction in May ?