Loving Heart Jewerly Collection

With less than a month until this year’s coming Valentine’s Day, Jean Schnaak, the designer and mastermind of Loving Heart announced the launch of this year’s Love Resolution Contest, go direct the spotlight on the oftentimes unnoticed acts of love that take place each an every day. The aim is to  encourage and celebrate these emotional acts, and to intentionally stop for a moment and pay attention to what really makes life memorable.

“My belief is that in this busy world we need to take the time to express our love
to the people closest to us. Words of love need to be spoken,” says Founder and chief designer of Loving Heart Jewelry, Jean Cotten Schnaak, adding “Small acts of love make a huge difference in someone’s day.”

While Charles Dickens has famously coined the bon-mot: “Tis love that makes the world go round…” Mrjs Schnaak re-used the quote with a little twist – and a meaningful difference in its message altogether. “It is the actions of people motivated by Love that make this world go round, and make it a kinder, gentler place for us to live”.

The simple rules of the competition (applicant basically have to enter their „love resolutions”) can be found at the Loving Heart Collection’s website, as well es in Mrs Schnaak’s online store. A highlight of the submissions will be featured on Loving Heart Jewelry’s Facebook page as well as Mrs Schnaak’s personal blog, Express Your Love. The deadline of the submissions is February 12 – two days before Valentine’s day.

The three winners will be awarded fine jewelry from The Loving Heart Collection. Winners will be picked based on their resolutions: the ones that will be the ones that will be considered the „most inspiring, most thoughtful and made me cry happy thears”.

The names of the winners will be announced on Valentine’s day, and all three winners will be contacted for a shipping address. The awardees will be given their choice of Loving Heart jewelry – choosing either a Loving Heart Pin, Pocket Heart, Classic Heart Necklace or Loving Heart Earrings, each in sterling silver.

“Mushy, but true: the winners will be selected entirely on the joy and inspiration I feel as I read each entry,” Mrs. Schnaak says. “I look forward to reading all the entries. It’s going to be my Valentine’s gift to me!” she concludes.

Lobortas's Tsarevna Swan Ring set the record to feature the most diamonds in a single ring

Ukrainian Classic Jewelry House Lobortas decided to create a swan sparkling enough to hold a world record. The Tsarevna Swan Ring features some 2525 diamonds, ranging between 0.001 carat to 0.05 carat in size per stone, with a combined weight of 10.48 carats. The gemstones are of color G with VVS2 – VS1 clarities. With the recognition of the Guinness Book of World Records, the ring officially became the world record holder for „most cut diamonds set into one ring,” the jewelry house announced a few days ago.

All of the stones were supplied by the India-based Shrenuj & Co. Ltd. The diamonds are set in 18k white gold.

Based on the materials used, the labor, artistic and market values the price of the jewelry was set at $1.3 million, that is in line with the value estimations of independent jewelers.

According to reports published by the manufacturer, it took some 530 hours to design the ring, while the actual making required some 3,625 hours of labor. Although the ring was presented and measured by the Guinness committee in last July, the world record was officially recognized only now. According to the jewelry house, the ring was designed three years ago, and took roughly a whole year to complete.

„It was intended as a showpiece,” the American distributor for Lobortas, Gene Davidov was quoted as saying. Davidov added that the ring was sold to a Ukrainian collector last year.

The ring is currently exhibited in Kiev, Ukraine, and is expected to gon on a world tour to be showcased at various other exhibitions all around the world.

Halle Berry Engagement Ring

Previously Halle Berry famously claimed that he was done with the institute of marriage after her two marriages ended in divorce. In 2009, she proudly announced: „I will never, never get married again. I’ve come to a place now where I think two people can share their lives without the ring, without the piece of paper.” (Back then, Halle Berry’s splitting with the father of her daughter, Nahla, was not exactly silent and peaceful. Gabriel Audry and the actress were fighting in the courts over the custody of their two-year old)

Berry and Martinez have been dating since the filming of their unreleased thriller movie Dark Tide back in 2010. It is suspected that Martinez proposed Halle Berry over the Christmas celebrations. The former Catwoman star apparently has changed her mind about the virtue of that „piece of paper” over the course of the past two years. Although Martinez (45) has also been close to marriage, when she dated Kylie Minogue for four years, the two never ended up tying the knot. Kylie and Oliver finally split in 2007, remaining „close friends”.

Halle Berry Engagement Ring: a golden engagement ring with a massive emerald gemstone

While there already have been rumours about the marriage of Halle Berry and Oliver Martinez, the rumors proved to be a false alarm when they were first published early last year.

Forgiveness Jewelry: a women's forgiveness ring featuring the olive branch

“Forgiveness is something we all need. We all make mistakes in the course of life and some of those mistakes harm others. It’s part of being human,” explains the mission statement of Forgiveness Jewelry. “The art of forgiveness is admitting that you’ve made a mistake and then taking responsibility for your actions and asking for forgiveness. More than simply saying “I’m sorry”, a declarative statement, it is important to acknowledge your mistake and ask the other person to forgive you.” It sounds something like: “I’m sorry… will you fogive me?”.

The ultimate cause that triggered Rob Tarr’s journey was an epic tragedy in Tarr’s neighborhood. The Nickel Mines tragedy (a gunman killing five children and injuring five others in a rural, Amish community’s school before turning against himself), shocked the entire nation as well as Tarr, who is living only a few miles away from Nickel Mines.

“The world watched as this private, peaceful community dealt with the horror of one of the most gruesome crimes in our nation’s history,” he recalls. “I watched with amazement how the Amish responded from their position of faith. I observed with awe, the speed at which the healing began. How could anyone begin to recover from such a tragedy so quickly? The secret, I discovered, was forgiveness,” he adds.

Tarr was astonished to see how quickly the community has forgiven the murderer, and shared their grieves with his surviving family. “I was moved and forever changed,” Rob Tarr concludes.

Forgiveness jewelry pendant

The thoughts Tarr given to forgiveness ended up in an idea: if we have promise rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, how come we don’t have forgiveness ring, when this emotion is just as essential to being a human as all the aboves.

The idea of the forgiveness ring was soon extended into a whole jewelry line . One very key symbol of the design is the olive branch – a globally acknowledged symbol of restoration.

Gifts from Forgiveness Jewelry are also accompanied by a message of The Art of Forgiveness with the option for the buyer to add a personal note. When the recipient wears the jewelry, it symbolizes and reminds both parties that forgiveness was given and received (accepted as well), to make it possible for the healing to begin.

Tipical items in the Forgiveness Jewelry online store, including rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets or necklaces range from $20 to $60 in price, and come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. All items are manufactured in the USA.

The line that is yet to have a proper brand name will be the part of „Glamhouse Collection”, a Mouwad line aimed at girls between 12 and 19. The Glamhouse Collection also includes the House of Harlow 1960 brand that is promoted by Nicole Richie.

“Millions of teenagers look to Kendall and Kylie for style advice,” the designer says. “They were truly a perfect fit for the company and I’m thrilled to partner with them,” said Pascal Mouwad on the newly announced partnership. He, of course, is not the only one who is anxious about the project. “We love accessories, and it’s amazing that we’re going to have our own line to be able to wear everyday — and for our friends to wear too,” the Jenner girls, Kendall (16) and Kylie (14) said in a statement.

According to People, the items of the new collection, unlike most things that come out under the Kardashian brand name, will actually be affordable to average Americans: the price of the accessories will be in the $20 – $60 price range.

The teenage Jenner girls’ big sister, Kim Kardashian also teamed up with Mouwad to launch her own jewelry line last year. The collection titled Bebe Noel debuted a few months ago with a notable success. We’ll see if the new jewelry line will be capable of paving the youngest family members’ way to the fashion industry as well.

Actress Rooney Mara wearing Stephen Webster jewelry in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The style of the main heroine is cool, rebellious, edgy, unique and dark. Feminine curves with lots of silver, masculine elements, such as piercings, and really spectacular, bold items.

The collection consists of iconic Stephen Webster designs, like the Double Skull Ring, the Rapture Thorn Ring or the Ram’s Head Spine Bracelet. On top of the „classic” Stephen Webster items, custom-made pieces are also featured in the movie.

Stephen Webster Thorn Ring

The styling of the movie is well in harmony with the style of the lead actress Rooney Mara, as she was photographed in a collection of Stephen Webster jewelries on the cover of the W magazine’s February issue already.

“We wanted her to be really authentic . . .,” main cosutme designer Trish Summerville commented. “There is this moral code that Salander has that I think that women all over identify with, or wish they had a little part of that within themselves.”

Stephen Webster Ram's Head Link Bracelet

Stephen Webster is not unfamiliar with the Hollywood style. One of the most renowned British jewelry designers, he is founder of his own company (Stephen Webster Ltd.) while creative directing one of the oldest jewelry houses, Garret. Among the members of his solid fan base are celebrities like Madonna, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Rihanna or Elton John to name only a few.

The collection worn by Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is already available at the Stephen Webster Flagship store in Beverly Hills.

Sterling jewelry made with repoussé technique

The word repoussé, means „pushed from the back” in literal translation, and the use of the technique involves extensive engraving, the creation of special molds. Utilizing the repoussé technique requires special expertise and professional brilliance.

Galmer Silversmiths has made its name with a wide range of highly detailed and fancy silverwork, like Galmer tea sets, goblets, candlestick or pitchers. These items were collected by connoisseurs and collectors of fine and rare artistry.

Galmer now announced the launch of its 50-piece jewelry collection for American Estate Agency, made specially with the very rare repoussé technique. The collection was introduced in Baltimore, a city once known for being the center of this technique, that was particularly represented by the late Kirk Stieff Company. The collection introduced by Galmer brings the elegance of the American repoussé tradition and technique to the women of the 21st century.

“Americans are spending again, but more consumers are taking a collector’s approach,” says American Estate founder Carolyn O’Keefe. “The artist’s lineage, the quality of metals and workmanship and true, enduring beauty …not trendiness…are what counts in fine jewelry these days,” she adds.

The American repoussé line of American Estate originally debuted to the trade back in July 2011 at a Luxury Prive Show in New York’s Pierre Hotel, where the company was the only silver luxury line among elite gold and gem manufacturers. The line was chosen for the show the artistry required to create these items ensures that high-end stores can offer sterling jewelry without harming their reputations.

Items included in the the jewelry line range from $325 to $1,750 in price, and the items are often finished with 24K gold linings and exterior touches.

American Estate Jewelry is available through Tiny Jewel Box, Washington DC, Works Gallery, New York City, and Descenza Diamonds in Boston as well as nationwide and internationally through its web store.

Bella's engagement ring co-designed by Twilight author Stephanie Meyer

No disappointments, whatsoever. And it is reported already, that an increasing number of actual couples are looking into ways to create their own, Twilight-inspired wedding.

Among the most admired details of the wedding is Bella Swan’s engagement ring, that we already saw in the Saga’s previous episode, Eclipse. The ring, that originally belonged to Edward Cullen’s mother, and was, therefore, designed and created in the late 1800’s (remember, Edward was born in 1902). To make sure that the styling of the ring is a hundred percent in line with how the author originally envisioned this engagement ring, Twilight author Stephanie Meyer actually took the task of co-designing this item.

It is pretty obvious, that Bella Swan’s custom vintage engagement ring is sure to spark a resurgence in classic oval cuts, and will inspire many copy cat versions.

Bella's genuine engagement ring from Twilight - Breaking Dawn

While the original piece, that is worn by Kristen Steward in the movie, and that is co-designed by Stephanie Meyer and Infinite Jewelry Co. can be found at Infinite Jewelry Co.’s website, its price ranging from $39 (the fashion version) to that of the genuine Bella Engagement Ring version that goes for $1979. The domed-oval, gold ring comes in a true Victorian-era design, the ring is created by master artisans with an open-work gallery and a finely polished edge that surrounds the brilliant faceted stones. The Genuine version contains 13 brilliant-cut diamonds, altogether approximately 1.06 carats in value. The gold ring is made of 14K gold, and while it comes in two colours (white and yellow gold), it is worth noting, that the engagement ring Bella Swan got from Edward Cullen was made of yellow gold, so if you want to stay true to the Twilight Saga’s world and athmosphere, you are suggested to go for the yellow gold option.

Other, less genuine, but still “Twilight-inspired” versions include the City By City ring sold by Macy’s for $20. This one obviously comes with zirconias, and is made of silver tone mixed metal.

According to various sources, the two main focus accessories of the Twilight wedding scene are the wedding gown (that already created a huge buzz), and the engagement ring. To make sure that nothing else distracts the attention from these accessories, Bella is not wearing any other jewelry, only her engagement ring. The makeup she’s wearing is also modest, so that the sparkling of her ring is even more in the spotlight.

AK47 Jewelry from Fonderie 47

Although the launch of theFonderie 47  jewelry line was just announced publicly a few days ago, the donations of the two co-founders, Peter Thum and John Zapolski, in partnership with various African NGOs have helped destroy over 6,000 assault rifles.

„We learned first-hand the devastating effects of assault rifles in Africa. Cheap, abundant AK47s not only threaten lives, but also undermine the potential in all facets of development. We decided to create something compelling and substantial in response – to change what people belieeved was possible. Our belief has become Fonderie 47, a company dedicated to providing powerful means toward a stable and prosperous Africa, free from the fear of assault rifles,” the founders state on the jewelry line’s website.

To create the actual jewelries, the two businessmen seeked the partnership of New York City based jeweler Philip Crangi, and Geneva-based Roland Iten. Fonderie 47’s exceptional handcrafted and limited edition jewelries and accessories sell from the few thousands’ range to a few hundred thousands dollars. While the steel used in the jewelries come from actual AK 47 assault rifles seized in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the designs aim that the origins of the pieces remain recognizable. The items currently are sold at private events around the world.  Sales of each item are tied to a specific number of AK47s destroyed in Africa: while a $25,600 ring will enable the destruction of 75 assault rifles; a set of $35,000 cufflinks will lead to the destruction of 100 assault rifles.

„A transformation is needed to break this cycle of violence in Africa.  To this end, we are turning the power of the AK47 against itself,” said Peter Thum, cofounder of Fonderie 47, adding that they not only destroy these weapons, but also “turn them against themselves,” by transforming the items of destruction into wearable jewelry pieces.

According to NGO estimations, today there are some twenty million AK47s in use in Africa, many of them posessed by children. According to a 2007 report by Oxfam, these weapons alone cost the continent approximately $18 billion a year.

Fonderie CEO and co-founder, Peter Thum is not new in the field of social entrepreneurship. His previous venture, Ethos Water, a bottled water company that has funded over $6m in safe water projects around the world, helping some 420,000 people to hain access to clean water and sanitation services. Ethos Water was acquired by Starbucks in 2005. John Zapolski, Thum’s partner in business held management positions at Yahoo! and Wells Fargo, before founding Management Innovation Group, a growth strategy consultancy, helping leading corporations to develop new business ideas.

via: Fox Business, PR Newswire, Fonderie 47

Katie Holmes for H Stern

It’s enough to have just one look at the photos to say, that Katie looks perfect, as well as the many jewelry items the campaign focusses on. This is Katie’s second campaing for the luxurious jewelry brand (she was named the face of H Stern back in April for the first time), which is a huge accomplishment, especially considering her predecessors int he role, including Kate Moss, or Catherine Deneuve.

Katie Holmes is the face of the new H Stern campaign

Although Mrs. Cruise spent her last few years mostly with her husband and with raising their daughter Suri Cruise, she has now decided to revive her carreer.

“I feel ready… for the next chapter of my life,” she told the Marie Claire magazine it its November issue, adding “I’m excited to begin a new phase; roles I might have been afraid to play before, places I want to travel with my daughter. I’d like to build the design business. But not too fast.”

While working on the photoshoot for H. Stern in Brazil, Katie is also kept busy by shooting two new movies, and promoting her new film Jack and Jill, co-starring Adam Sandler. Just recently she also played the part of Jackie Kennedy in a mini-series about US president John F. Kennedy, and his family, a movie that’s success was not unequivocal, to say the least.

Katie Holmes looks stunning on the photos of Tom Munroe

I think that it is safe to assume that the success of the current campaign will be much less dubious than that of the JFK series.