Monthly Archives: February 2012
The CIRCA Gold Standard
These are the estimated prices CIRCA is paying per pennyweight (dwt) and gram for the standard gold purities listed below; based on:
The afternoon London gold fixing price: $1,770.00 per troy ounce, which is the current price being traded for pure gold.
| per dwt 10K – $23.97 14K – $34.14 18K – $44.25 22K – $54.63 24K – $59.49 Platinum – $47.96 |
per gram 10K – $15.46 14K – $22.02 18K – $28.54 22K – $35.24 24K – $38.38 Platinum – $30.94 |
Pennyweight and grams are the two terms most commonly used to measure the weight of gold. To convert either measurement to ounces:
1 troy ounce = 20 dwt
1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams
* These prices represent an approximate dollar value that CIRCA will pay based on the afternoon London gold fixing price on the day of settlement. It is subject to change during the course of the day as the gold price fluctuates. These numbers are relevant only to plain gold jewelry that doesn’t contain any stones or other elements that add weight. These prices do not apply to items that are gold filled or gold plated.
Stars Love the Red Carpet Attitude of Neil Lane Jewelry
-Platinum and diamond jewelry by Neil Lane
-Platinum and cushion-cut diamond drop earrings (20 carats) by Neil Lane
Octavia Spencer
Remembering her red-carpet loyalties, Octavia went with her favorite designer, Tadashi Shoji, who was the only Designer that sent her gowns when she was started her acting career. Well maybe it is his experience with dressing her figure, but this silvery white beaded gown, with radiating ruched details was a knock out!!!
-Platinum and diamond briolette chandelier earrings (20 carats) by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond cocktail ring by Neil Lane
At some point in time, someone (had to have been someone important), told Kristen that she looked great in a monotone head-to-toe look…and once again Taupe? Blush? Nude? Well they did her a dis-service, just once I would love to see Kristen in Jewel Tones. Thank God for the Jewels! The Comedian walked the carpet in J. Mendel finished with Prada shoes, Neil Lane jewelry, and a Judith Leiber bag.
-Two wide platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane
-Platinum ring with diamonds, emerald and ruby by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond eternity bands by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings by Neil Lane
Statuesque in a plum Johanna Johnson with sparkling crystal detail across the shoulders, Maya completed her look with Neil Lane jewels, Salvatore Ferragamo bag, and Casadei shoes.
-Platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond cluster earrings by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond cocktail ring by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings by Neil Lane
(Elton John party)
-Platinum and diamond flower earrings by Neil Lane
-Platinum bangle with diamonds and onyx by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond ring by Neil Lane
Neil Lane Jewelry at 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party -Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Neil Lane
-Platinum and diamond ring by Neil Lane
Malin Akerman
Neil Lane Jewelry at Vanity Fair Oscar Viewing Party
-Platinum and diamond long drop earrings by Neil Lane
-Platinum with diamonds Ruffle cuff bracelet by Neil Lane
About the Neil Lane collection
The Neil Lane collection features world-renowned, beautiful works of art that are a direct reflection of Neil Lane, both as a celebrated designer, and respected curator of important, period jewels. From trend-setting rough-cut diamond sautoirs that sparkle on the red carpet to the most elegant engagement and bridal rings, every piece of jewelry designed by Neil Lane is a stunning fashion statement. The Neil Lane collection also includes some of the finest period jewels and designs from all over the world. Unique historical pieces have been hand-selected from the magnificent houses of Cartier, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and other manufacturers and exclusive sources worldwide. All of the glamorous one-of-a-kind Neil Lane designs, as well as the antique and estate jewels, are rare and rich with heritage.
What Wendy Wore: Zang Toi at Vanity Fair Oscar Party
You already got a look at the Zang Toi dress I wore to Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in Los Angeles on Sunday. Now you can look some more!
What Wendy Wore
Dress: Zang Toi (2012)
Shoes: Tom Ford (2012)
Hair and makeup: Stephanie Daniel
Nails: Tracylee Percival
Necklace: My own Gloriana design
Earrings: My own Empress Wu design
Rings: My own Marie Antoinette and onyx skull designs
This Zang Toi gown was in my first post on high/low hemlines, aka “mullet” dresses. I had been coveting it ever since Zang showed it on his runway in February 2010.
Photo from Elle.com. Click for source.
Last fall, I finally decided that I had to have it. Zang was happy to do it for me, though it was a full year after the dress’s official season. That’s a nice thing about designers like Zang — and me and Stacy Lomman — who do a lot of custom work. It’s never too late. This isn’t even the first time I got a dress from Zang after thinking about it for a year. Also, as you can see, Zang changed his design for me. Instead of covering the mini skirt with beaded flowers, as he did on the runway sample, Zang scattered a few flowers around the waist. I would have loved the original look but all that hand-beading was going to break my budget so Zang came up with an alternative. What service! Anyway, I felt fabulous in my mullet, and I liked that my hair was half up and half down to match.
Look, Angelina Jolie! I have legs too!
I got dressed while watching the Oscar ceremony and, like many people, I was fascinated by Angelina Jolie’s leg display.
The leg on the red carpet. Click for source.
It’s fine to work the slit in a dress on the red carpet for a few photos, but when she struck the same pose while presenting an award …
On stage. Click for source.
… my reaction was …
Click to pre-order my silver WTF rings.
Props to Best Adapted Screenplay winner Jim Rash for imitating Angie when he got on stage. More props to the person who started the Twitter account for Angie’s leg, which has over 25,000 followers as I’m writing this. (But I’m more entertained by the tweets written by Angelina’s big head.)
I wasn’t blown away by any of the fashion at the ceremony. Best Actress nominee Viola Davis looked beautiful in green Vera Wang, and — as you can tell from the model I picked for my lookbook shoot — I’m a fan of short natural hair. (Makeup artist Stephanie Daniel and I gasped in unison when Davis lost to Meryl Streep.) Emma Stone’s dress was stunning, but it was strange how much it looked like Nicole Kidman’s dress from 2007. Presenter Gwyneth Paltrow is my choice for best dressed thanks to her chic Tom Ford caped dress, but somehow her look didn’t give me that, “OMG, I wish I were wearing that” feeling. I WOULD like to wear Rose Byrne’s Vivienne Westwood gown if it weren’t in boring black. I do enjoy a dress with an interesting back.
Rose Byrne. Click for source.
I also didn’t yearn for any of the dresses I saw at the Vanity Fair party, though I would like Sandra Bullock’s perfect skin, or at least the name of her dermatologist. I would also take the name of P. Diddy’s dermatologist; the artist formerly known as Puffy had nice skin too. Other people who stood out to me included Michael Douglas, because I saw him accidentally stand on a lady’s train, pinning her to her spot at the bar. He looked very surprised when her friend interrupted his conversation to ask him to free her. Busy Philipps led her BFF, Best Actress nominee Michelle Williams, everywhere by the hand. (It was nice to see Williams representing the peplum trend.) I was happy to see Willem Dafoe because I got to quote the Family Guy episode in which Dafoe is under Stewie’s bed to MrB. To my amazement, Alexander Skarsgard of True Blood is even more gorgeous in person than he is on screen. And so tall! People were just staring at him in awe. MrB and I puzzled over a young blonde who perched on a top of a banquette. She was very pretty and we knew she was somebody but couldn’t figure out who. When I saw the news coverage the next day I recognized her by her dress — it was Miley Cyrus.
When we returned to our hotel, we met one of the winners in the sound categories in the elevator. I couldn’t take pictures at the party, so I figured I should jump on the opportunity to take a picture of an actual Oscar statuette. The gentleman kindly accommodated my request.
Despite all the Vanity Fair fun, the HIGH point of Oscar weekend didn’t become clear to me until I was packing to go home. MrB and I went for one last drink after the party — I won’t say where. Fueled by Champagne, I was speaking animatedly and gesturing with my purse. To my horror, a small, white object flew out. I knew instantly that it was an OB tampon. I scurried after it and put it back in my purse. But a few minutes later, I saw ANOTHER one on the floor. I pounced on that too. The following morning, I emptied my evening purse before putting it in my suitcase. I found two small, white objects: one OB tampon … and one tiny baggie filled with white powder. “What do you think this is?” I asked MrB. “FLUSH THAT DOWN THE TOILET!” he answered. I flushed it, baggie and all. So, while my Oscar night was great, someone else’s was probably missing a little something.
We just say no to drugs.
Oscars – Is The Show Going To The Dogs? Muppets?
We all love that endearing dog from “The Artist”…d
…did you know he was a rescue?
Uggie is a star! he even got his own seat at the Oscar ceremonies and he was loaned not one but two gorgeous custom made, bone-shaped pendants in 18k gold (one complete with black tie and second more casual leather version) by the exclusive 150 yr old Swiss Jewelry House of Chopard!
Following the award show the Oscar version will be auctioned off to benefit the Amanda Foundation, a Los Angeles–based animal rescue group.
According to JCK, the leading source of information in the Jewelry Industry…
“I was completely charmed by Uggie’s role in The Artist,” said Chopard co-president/artistic director Caroline Scheufele in a statement. “Knowing that Uggie is a rescue dog, it inspired me to create a unique piece to benefit an important cause.” Scheufele, who, incidentally, owns seven dogs, designed both collars herself.
Get the whole story here.
In a moment of real fun on the Red Carpet – Miss Piggy & Kermit stopped and talked to Perennial Show Host, Ryan Seacrest…and may I say she is one pampered piggy!!!
Miss Piggy is wearing a dress by Zac Posen, jewelry from Fred Leighton, shoes by Christian Louboutin, handbag from and hair styled by Kim Kimble. Kermit is wearing a tux from Brooks Brothers.
The DEETS on Miss Piggy’s jewels:
- 1940s gold and diamond, Amethyst ring (70 ctw) –lavender is, after all, her signature color
- 1950s platinum and diamond swirl necklace (55 ctw) matching swirl bracelet (40 ctw)
Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble (Beyonce, Shakira, Kerry Washington) put the finishing touches on Miss Piggy by adding a diamond and platinum headband (approx. 10 carats) and 1040s clip in the back.
…as reported by Big Shiny Robot, your independent source for Nerd News & Reviews.
Early in on the “Live Tweet” event at #oscarjewelry Fred Leighton proclaimed…
Fred Leighton Jewels
When I retweeted this info, Brooks Brothers responded with:
The CIRCA Gold Standard
These are the estimated prices CIRCA is paying per pennyweight (dwt) and gram for the standard gold purities listed below; based on:
The afternoon London gold fixing price: $1,781.00 per troy ounce, which is the current price being traded for pure gold.
| per dwt 10K – $24.12 14K – $34.35 18K – $44.52 22K – $54.97 24K – $59.86 Platinum – $47.56 |
per gram 10K – $15.56 14K – $22.16 18K – $28.72 22K – $35.46 24K – $38.61 Platinum – $30.68 |
Pennyweight and grams are the two terms most commonly used to measure the weight of gold. To convert either measurement to ounces:
1 troy ounce = 20 dwt
1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams
* These prices represent an approximate dollar value that CIRCA will pay based on the afternoon London gold fixing price on the day of settlement. It is subject to change during the course of the day as the gold price fluctuates. These numbers are relevant only to plain gold jewelry that doesn’t contain any stones or other elements that add weight. These prices do not apply to items that are gold filled or gold plated.
Platinum and Colored Gems ROCKED the Red Carpet!
Los Angeles, CA (February 26, 2012) – Hollywood’s most important night of the year is forever captured in memory and this year’s Oscar hopefuls and VIPs reflected the timelessness of the event with their choice of jewelry. Platinum, the precious metal that never changes color nor fades, ruled the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Awards. From Natalie Portman and Cameron Diaz’s diamond necklaces, to Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez’s drop earrings, Hollywood’s leading actresses chose to showcase their jewels in naturally white platinum settings that truly enhance the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones. Last night at the ”84th Annual Academy Awards” in Los Angeles, Platinum was the ideal choice for life’s most unforgettable moments.
Penelope Cruz
-Platinum and pear-shape diamond necklace (56 carats) by Chopard
Natalie Portman
at Award Show
-Platinum and diamond v-shaped cluster necklace by Harry Winston
at After Parties
-Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Harry Winston
Shailene Woodley
Olivia Munn (Vanity Fair party)Tina Fey
Platinum is the ideal choice for red carpet jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone’s genuine color to sparkle brightly. more at: http://www.preciousplatinum.com
Mind-Blowing Street Style From Essence.com
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Gorgeous blogger and jewelry muse Marian Kihogo let me know that a picture taken of her wearing my jewelry during New York Fashion Week was featured on Essence.com. She looks regal, like always!
Photo by Hannan Saleh. Click for source.
While searching for Marian’s picture, this photo of blogger Sai Sankoh jumped out at me. This has got to be one of my favorite street-style outfits ever.
Photo by Hannan Saleh. Click for source.
Now I want a rainbow cape and may-jah boots!
For more photos by Hannan Saleh, click here.
Lights, Camera, Oscars!
All eyes were on the red carpet last night for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Starlets were dressed to the nines with fabulous and perfectly-polished ensembles.
This year stars wore light hues and what better color to pair diamonds and gems with than heavenly white! Milla Jovovich wowed in a one-shoulder white Elie Saab – truly channeling old Hollywood glamour with set waves and red lips. Her diamond drops were the perfect accessory. Gwyneth Paltrow walked the red carpet in a minimalist, stark-white Tom Ford dress with matching cape. She accessorized with bold jewelry – a diamond encrusted statement cuff and large diamond ring. Even Rooney Mara, known for only wearing black, went white for the Oscars in an Art Deco-inspired Givenchy gown.
A refreshing mix of green made its way onto the red carpet – in both couture and jewelry. Berenice Bejo’s mint, long-sleeved embroidered Elie Saab and Chopard emerald and diamond drop earrings accentuated her beautiful, red locks. Maria Menounos channeled a Greek goddess with a sea-foam Maria Lucia Hohan dress complete with diamond earrings and bracelet. Viola Davis showed off her curves in an emerald Vera Wang paired with matching emerald drop earrings.
Another trend we loved were jewels used to accentuate the waistline. Michelle Williams elegantly walked in a red Louis Vuitton with a 19th Century diamond bow pin at the waist to go with her diamond rivière necklace. Missi Pyle, who co-starred in The Artist, wore Valentina Delfino’s sustainable design that won the Red Carpet Green Dress competition, and cinched it with a starburst brooch. Funny-gals Melissa McCarthy and Maya Rudolph took it one step further, wearing dresses embellished with belt-like jewels.
The real stunners of the evening were the statement earrings, from Octavia Spencer’s refined chandelier diamonds earrings to Rose Byrne’s exquisite diamond shoulder dusters. Tina Fey complemented her custom midnight blue Carolina Herrera with danglers totaling 50 carats of sapphires and emeralds. Jessica Chastain wore a black and gold embellished Alexander McQueen gown but her jewelry was the most eye-catching. Dripping in yellow diamonds, she wore drop earrings, a radiant solitaire ring, and two 18k bracelets.
Images: Milla Jovovich, courtesy: FashionBlogs.com; Gwyneth Paltrow, courtesy: PopSugar.com; Rooney Mara, courtesy: TheSimplyLuxuriousLife.com; Berenice Bejo, courtesy: PopSugar.com; Maria Menounos, courtesy: Vogue; Viola Davis, courtesy: New Yorker; Michelle Williams, courtesy: Telegraph.co.uk; Missi Pyle, courtesy: InStyle; Melissa McCarthy, courtesy: PopSugar.com; Maya Rudolph, courtesy: PopSugar.com; Octavia Spencer, courtesy: MyStyleBell.com, Rose Byrne, courtesy: Vogue; Tina Fey, courtesy: Celebuzz.com; Jessica Chastain, courtesy: Allure.
In the Loupe is authored by CIRCA’s resident trendspotter and style maven. She’s traveled the world, dabbling in high finance, haute cuisine, and fine art at one of the world’s leading auction houses, before finding her true calling in the world of priceless gems. The result is a genuine global luxury connoisseur, with a knowledge and appreciation of beauty, quality and true style. She is one of the industry’s foremost experts on the valuation of fine gems and jewelry, and is now happy to share her discerning eye and impeccable taste to help you look and feel fabulous!
The CIRCA Gold Standard
These are the estimated prices CIRCA is paying per pennyweight (dwt) and gram for the standard gold purities listed below; based on:
The afternoon London gold fixing price: $1,772.00 per troy ounce, which is the current price being traded for pure gold.
| per dwt 10K – $24.00 14K – $34.18 18K – $44.30 22K – $54.98 24K – $59.56 Platinum – $47.39 |
per gram 10K – $15.48 14K – $22.05 18K – $28.58 22K – $35.28 24K – $38.42 Platinum – $30.57 |
Pennyweight and grams are the two terms most commonly used to measure the weight of gold. To convert either measurement to ounces:
1 troy ounce = 20 dwt
1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams
* These prices represent an approximate dollar value that CIRCA will pay based on the afternoon London gold fixing price on the day of settlement. It is subject to change during the course of the day as the gold price fluctuates. These numbers are relevant only to plain gold jewelry that doesn’t contain any stones or other elements that add weight. These prices do not apply to items that are gold filled or gold plated.
Increase Handcrafted Jewelry Sales With Blogging
When marketing your handcrafted jewelry it is important to keep in contact with your previous customers to remind them that you have beautiful handcrafted jewelry that is available any time of year. They do not have to wait until the next craft show to see your latest handmade earrings and handmade bracelets.
