Wondering why I’ve chosen this topic? Well, because I would love your opinion.

Yes, there are real gemstones in the vodka bottle. Diva Vodka is a wheat-based vodka that is triple distilled. The process of obtaining such an interesting type of alcohol is not as simple as it may seem.

To deserve having real gemstones included in the bottle, the vodka is filtered through Nordic birch charcoal and through crushed diamonds and gems like emeralds and rubies.

Being one of the most expensive drinks in the world (no wonder!), this vodka will run you anywhere from $70.00 up to $1,060,000!

The crystals are in a glass tube and can be used as a garnish. The 48 crystals in each bottle include cubic zircona, smoky topaz, pink tourmaline, amethyst, citrine and peridot. They are all handpicked and uniquely arranged.

So, I’m dazzled. I don’t know whether the gemstones come with the vodka or vodka comes with the gemstones. What do you think?

Echo of the Dreamer

You may find this strange but spring may be less colored than the creations of Margaret Thurman and her team from the Echo of the Dreamer.

The designs are a burst of minerals and colored stones. The jewelry is inspired by the cultures of the world and the collection seems to hold all the treasures of the earth.

The variety of the stones and materials is amazing: sterling silver, amber, amethyst, rutilated quartz, carved bone, laguna agate, sugalite, citrine, carved agate, iolite, boulder opal, kyanite, obsidian, river rock, petrified sea shell, stalactite slice, spotted drusy, green moonstone, vintage buttons, glass, rhodocrosite, keshi pearls, pink tourmaline, mexican jelly opal, citrine, sunstone, mother-of-pearl, topaz, pearls, coral, geode, asian tile, onyx and many more that even haven’t crossed our mind.

John Galliano has decided last year to sexy up his f/w jewelry ad campaign with French Supermodel Morgane Dubled.  The contrast of her pale skin allows for the jewelry, consisting of flower and daggers, to really pop out in the ads. Do you remember the collection? Here are some of the jewelery:

Even if it’s already September, on Jewelry Blog Uncovered, the flowers are blooming in lively colors. Gemstone flowers, of course. Because I am delighted to wear these “warm” little studs, I’ve posted  some of my favorite “colors”… topaz, ruby, amethyst and sapphire.

It is so beautiful — purple, blue, red, pink — you name it! Flower jewelry are every season’s favorite pics and it almost seems that they are ment to brighten yor every day.

I also like a lot gemstones mounted with diamonds in different flowery settings:

Kathleen Dughi’s work brings complexity and craftsmanship to the high-end jewelry design world. Her work is highly appreciated in the US, but her background and experience comes also from Italy and Switzerland. She refined her style and skills so as to win several important prizes like the Spectrum Award and two Honorable Mentions from De Beers Diamonds International Competition.

About her work Kathleen confessed: “I design for the woman with a strong sense of individual style – the woman who has refined taste and seeks out jewelry that reflects that.” Even if she is regrettably lost, her team of designers continues to design and create wonderful pieces under her name, vision and formation.

Photos courtesy of: www.kathleendughi.com

Just in case you didn’t know here are the top 10 gemstones in order of Hardness

1. Diamond

2. Sapphire

3. Ruby

4. Emerald

5. Alexandrite

6. Topaz

7. Spinel

8. Zircon (CZ)

9. Garnet

10.Aquamarine

Diamond is the hardest natural element know to man. Even if we know harder materials, they are man made. The diamond is the hardest and the most durable gemstone of all. Yet the list I mentioned above reveals some of the most beautiful gems known to men throught out history, and keeping in mind their long-lasting characteristic and their rarity I think we should stick to wearing gemstones.

Needless to say that splendid jewelry comes from all over the world. Brazil is quite a precious resource of splendid gemstones, everyone has heard of the famous Brazilian emeralds. But there is much more to Brazil than beautiful stones, sensuous shapes and vitality. Brazil brings forward a couple of great jewelry designers, some already in the top, some striving to get there. Let’s have a look!

1.H. Stern

Howard Stern is already present on our blog, but more than here, at Hollywood and all over the world, with an ascending trend in popularity as we speak.

www.hstern.net

2. Manoel Bernardes

Manoel Bernardes is a top jewelry designer in Brazil but expanding it’s business also to other parts of the world, like Russia. Their desire is to develop new forms, new gem-cutting methods, new textures, combining current technology with skillful handwork. I’ll present some exceptional and innovative pieces, presented in international competitions.

www.manoelbernardes.com.br

3. Yael Sonia

Yael Sonia is a Brazilian jewelry designer oh-so-present in Paris, but due to her traveling, with complex views. Having won multiple prizes in international design awards. What sets her modern designs from other is the unique kinetic jewelry approach with rolling spheres and swinging pendulums. Have a look:

www.yaelsonia.com.br

4. FR Hueb

FR Hueb has a more romantic approach to jewelry. The company started out as a small scale local business, but recently gaining a great reputation nationally and internationally. Their efforts have been rewarded in several competitions.

www.frhueb.com.br

5. Vancox

Vancox designs are present in numerous international jewelry exhibitions and markets like Brazil, USA, Russia and countries in the Middle East like Bahrain and UAE.

www.vancox.com

Ever since the invention of jewelry, gemstones played a segnificant role in necklaces. As the tastes evolved durring time, style, symbol, shape, design and color played a more and more significat role in the conception of necklaces.

Multi Color Tourmaline Necklace

Beautiful and interesting jewelry pieces have been createt because there has always been those who crave to own the most fancy necklaces. From ancient societies untill now, those who have money and/or high status most likely wish to show it by wearing fancy necklaces and other sparkling treats to the eye.

Multi-Color Gemstone Necklace

Multi-color necklaces are eye-catchers due to the sparkling of diamond and the beauty of colored gemstones. It can complement and revive any suit, gown or even it can complement a wedding dress and also adding a great amount of elegance and gracefulness to the wearer.

Peridot and Blue Topaz Necklace

Diamond and Sapphire Briollette Necklace

Diamond and Sapphire Briollette Necklace

Sapphire and Diamond Necklace

Which element do you consider most important to establish a fancy necklace? Taste may change as time goes by; however our love of gold and gems never diminishes.

Beautiful designer jewelry Katy Mims from Toledo, Ohio presents a beautiful selection of handcrafted jewelry items: the finest Swarovski Austrian crystals, glass pearls, semi-precious and precious gemstones, fresh water pearls, Balinesian beads, Venetian glass, sterling silver and vermeil.

You will find more remarkable and fashionable jewelry photos here:  South Paw Studios Jewelry.

Engagement rings bear witness for the moment when a man and women decide to become man and wife. The engagement ring is an embodiment of their devotion and their promise to lead their lives together henceforth.

Engagement rings are the symbol of passion and commitment that couples feel for each other. The patterns and designs used in the engagement rings have changed through ages.

At first, diamond solitaires were the way of proposing to the bride to be. A single stone diamond ring was the proof of marital intention. Yet nowadays, colored gemstones have taken soliatire diamond’s  place: citrine, emerald, ruby or tanzanite.

Antique rings have made a strong come back. Due to the classical look they’ve become the trendiest accessories of all with floral motifs and extensive engravings.

Platinum jewelry has become widely popular because this  precious metal has the property to  enhance the effect of the diamonds. The modern couples flaunt their love with expensive engagement rings and declare their love in style.

According to the western tradition, engagement rings are worn on the left hand ring finger of a woman. In the modern era, after the bride-to-be accepts the marriage proposal, the prospective groom gifts the engagement ring her in a romantic moment . It stands for the formal bond of marriage that will surley happen in the future.

As the tastes of the people has evolved down the ages, the designs, patterns and metals used in the engagement rings have changed according to the popular tastes through the ages.

From bridela.com

Engagement rings are now made of various materials. Rare metals such as gold, platinum, sterling silver, titanium, palladium are commonly used to make engagement rings.

Diamond engagement ring

Diamonds are always a woman’s best friend and the tradition of proposing to a lady with a diamond solitaire has been in existence for years now.