Top diamond makeovers Part II
At 77 Diamonds, it’s fair to say that we’re a big fan of our namesake and there’s no denying that diamonds are perennially fabulous. However, in the past some have taken embellishment just that one step further.
Following on from Part I of our list of the best, we give you a rundown of our favourite diamond-encrusted delicacies, from mobile phones and headphones to fabulously festive diamond-encrusted Crimbo trees...
1. Damien Hirst’s diamond skulls
Before the diamond Mona Lisa was debuted earlier this year, Brit artist Damien Hirst first saw the potential of diamond-encrusted artwork in 2007 when he exhibited ‘For the love of God’. Well four years later and Hirst treated us to another diamond skull creation ‘For Heaven’s Sake’... Couldn’t have put it better myself Damien...
2. Diamond dummy
The tradition of giving a child a silver spoon has long been practised, but earlier this year an online company unveiled a new spin on the old. Set with nearly 300 pave-set diamonds, the bling pacifier will set Mum and Dad back a cool $17,000.
3. Kim Kardashian and diamonds Part II
This recent brush with diamond-encrusted food came courtesy of PopSugar who presented their spokesmodel Kardashian with the lolly in Las Vegas.
4. The glam makeover for a golf club
The popular sport was given a diamond and ruby makeover just a couple of weeks ago, when company Golf Odyssey launched their gem-encrusted two-ball putter. This can, of course, be found at Harrods.
5. Katy Perry's Nan and the diamond-encrusted cane
Popstar Katy Perry celebrated her Nan’s 90th in style last year. After a slap-up meal in Las Vegas, Mrs. Brand treated her Gran to a diamond-encrusted cane. Lady Gaga took note...
6. Bed of diamonds? Or diamond bed?
British designer Stuart Hughes had long nurtured a reputation for encrusting the banal with diamonds. However, where his previous creations included mobile phones and flat-screen TVs, this time Hughes turned his hand to furniture and lo and behold the diamond bed frame was born.
7. Surely you’re meant to wrap the presents first?
Hot on the heels of the diamond-encrusted advent calendar was the 34-foot Christmas tree decorated entirely with diamond jewellery. Unsurprisingly the decadent pine stood tall in a hotel in Abu Dhabi and was estimated at an eye-watering $7million.
Missed Part I of our diamond-encrusted rundown? Click here.
Red Carpet Rocks: ELLE Style Awards 2011
It’s a huge date in the fash pack’s calendar and an annual precursor to February’s London Fashion Week. So it was unsurprising to see the great and the good from the fashion world at London’s Connaught Rooms for the ELLE Style Awards last night.
However, it wasn’t just rings and cuffs that stood out, diamond earrings did too. Vivienne Westwood rocked a pair of huge chandelier ones, while actress Jaime Winston teamed her quirky lace detail black mini with stunning bespoke wing detail diamond earrings; the perfect foil to her fur chubby. Indeed, the Brits did us proud last night as M&S model Lisa Snowdon proved she’s worth her fashion salt with a revealing LBD off-set with classic diamond hoops.
Red Carpet Rocks: BAFTAs 2011
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
London was positively inundated with movie stars last night as Hollywood descended on the capital’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the BAFTA ceremony. As expected the The King’s Speech cleaned up, collecting amongst other awards, the coveted Best Supporting Actor, Actress, Best Actor, Director and Film awards, eclipsing its closest rival Black Swan.
However, as always it’s as much about the awards and recognition of acting talent as it is the red carpet fashions. This year the glitterati's choice of diamonds were slightly more subdued compared to last month’s Golden Globes with only a few subtle flashes of bling; an education in ladylike glamour.
Diamond stud earrings were the big news of the night. Literal new kid on the block and True Grit star Haille Steinfeld teamed her elegant bejewelled Miu Miu two-piece with simple diamond studs, offering a flash of glamour but nothing to overpower the detail of the dress. Harry Potter star and one-time Burberry model Emma Watson also let her dress do the talking. Wearing an asymmetric nude chiffon Valentino gown with frill detailing, the actress chose a pair of ornate diamond earring cluster studs. Diamond studs were only rivalled by diamond tennis bracelets and diamond drop earrings, as seen on The Kids Are Alright actress Julianne Moore. The flame-haired thesp teamed stacked Bulgari diamond bracelets with a stunning strapless navy Tom Ford gown. The look was topped off with post-box-red lips and unusual double-drop diamond earrings.
However, there were a few individual touches that we loved last night. Despite the relative minimalism with the jewellery on the red carpet, cocktail rings made another huge splash at the BAFTAs. Particular stand out pieces were Sarah Harding’s huge ruby ring (no sign of the Kate Middleton-style sapphire engagement ring she has been sporting of late), which accompanied her bright red Georges Chakra dress beautifully. While Brit actress Thandie Newton, mixed up her bold fuchsia pink Monique Lhullier dress with a huge emerald cocktail ring that was beautifully accompanied by crimson red nails. A trend in the making, for sure.
It was also the night for yellow gold jewellery too with Brit talent Rosamund Pike teaming her mustard Alexander McQueen gown with matching gold cuffs by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Lastly Natasha McElhone recalled the glamour of old Hollywood with an asymmetric embellished nude Escada gown which she ironically paired with peach velvet gloves over which sat a delicate diamond bracelet. A look that defied sense but in fact, totally worked. By Hannah Powell
LIKE Julianne Moore’s diamond drop earrings? Get them here.
REMEMBER the blingtastic Golden Globes last month? See here.
MAKE like Emma Watson and get some red carpet worthy diamonds...
By Hannah Powell
Valentine’s Day Diamonds – 20% off!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner now...
...so make sure you've checked out our LOVER-ly offers for the big day
It may be deepest darkest February but put a little Spring in your lover's step with the diamond daisy set in white gold.
Or put a little heart in your diamonds this coming Valentine's. Love is in the ear, after all!
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Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction Highlights 2011
Christie’s annual Magnificent Jewels auctions always attract the crème de la crème of the jewellery, design and art world, not to mention a fair few celebs with a deep pocket or two. It seems that 2011’s sales will be no different after the St. James branch of the world renowned auction house, exhibited a selection of the jewels that will go under the hammer before June.
The preview only included 9 pieces but what pieces they were. The lot was a fabulous array of rare diamonds and intricately designed jewellery that was nothing short of other-worldly.
The most distinctive item on display was the perfect heart-shaped diamond. Un-mounted and weighing in at a staggering 56.15ct, the heart diamond’s impressive credentials – D IF (D refers to the best colour grade possible, while IF references one of the top clarity grading’s meaning that the diamond is Internally Flawless) – proved exactly how perfect it really was. It’s estimated to go for a sum between $9m-$12m and judging from the cooing it garnered in the gallery last Wednesday, it’s sure to reach at least that.
It wasn’t just the large heart that impressed. There was also a selection of four coloured and colourless loose stones which were simply sublime. The biggest was the 42.38ct cushion-cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond that sat proudly on its mount, dwarfing the much smaller stones. However, not to be outdone, the 12.92ct cushion-cut Fancy Vivid Yellow, 5.37ct pear-shaped Fancy Pink and 5.03ct cushion-cut diamonds proved how incredibly breathtaking precious gems can be.
Wear your heart on your diamond…
1. What’s the most important thing to look for on a heart-shaped diamond certificate?
Cut in the heart shape is essential, as are symmetry and polish. The reason that cut is particularly important is because Heart-shaped diamonds tend to suffer from something called the “bowtie effect”. This occurs when light passing through the stone creates a shadow over the central facets and for this reason it is essential to look out for the cut grade, as an excellent cut will make it less apparent than poorly cut heart-shaped stones.
2. How do you measure the length-to-width ratio on a heart-shape?
The length of a heart shape is measured from the highest points of the lobes to the bottom tip, and the width is measured at the widest point of the shape from one edge of the lobe to the other.
3.What effect does altering the Length: Width ratio and setting have on a heart shape?
A smaller ratio will make for a more rounded, or “plump” heart, while larger ratios will yield a more elongated heart-shape. The recommended ratio for heart shapes lies between 0.90 and 1.10, however it is entirely down to personal preference.
However, with heart-shaped diamonds it is worth choosing the setting carefully as this can impact on the appearance of the diamond. When a diamond of this shape is particularly small some opt for a bezel setting as this may enhance the shape. However, when the stone is bigger, we usually find a three-claw setting is more appealing, although setting is ultimately a matter of personal preference.
4. I would like to buy my girlfriend heart-shaped earrings for Valentine’s day...is that too corny?
First of all, diamonds are never corny but the majority of our heart-shaped diamond sales are pendants rather than earrings. Heart-shaped diamond necklaces have been popular since the shape was first cut in the early 15th Century and they’ve even been immortalised on film! (As if you could forget Kate & Leo...)
However, if you really want her to wear her heart on her ear, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a heart shaped diamond. You can always opt for the Amore earring and necklace collection which use heart-shaped settings set with small diamonds. See below. Or, you can just play it safe with the classic round brilliant studs...
5. How much does a heart-shaped diamond cost?
There are many factors that influence the price of a diamond...cut, colour, clarity, carat, fluorescence, etc. Stones up to 1 carat can cost anywhere between £700 and £7,000 if they are of optimal cut, colour and clarity grading, while stones of the same size with lower grades lie in the range between £250 and £3,000. It is important to remember that differences between two grades such as D colour and E colour are often barely visible and yet the price difference between them can be considerable. There are many ways to maximise your budget and with our collection of over 200,000 loose diamonds, you are sure to find something that works.
To browse our collection of heart-shaped diamonds...click here!
To read more about diamond education...click here...
To take advantage of our special offers, click here...
Red Carpet Rocks: SAG Awards 2011
Michael Buckner/WireImage/Getty Images
SAG Awards 2011
Sunday night’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in Downtown Los Angeles saw a glittering array of celebrities from the world of film and TV. As expected The King’s Speech and Black Swan led the honours, collecting the Best Actor and Actress gongs respectively, mirroring last month’s Golden Globes. However, here at 77 Diamonds, we were just a touch distracted by the red-carpet diamonds on display.
Of course, Best Actress nominee and winner Natalie Portman (see above) stole the show in a strapless white Azzaro gown which she teamed with a staggering $2million worth of Tiffany diamonds. The loot consisted of two diamond bracelets and diamond-drop earrings set in platinum, which the pregnant actress teamed with a black satin Roger Vivier clutch.
In fact, the Black Swan cast didn’t disappoint as co-star Mila Kunis also opted for a stunning strapless gown, this time in peach and red. Kunis’ sweeping Alexander McQueen frock was styled with a Cartier diamond bracelet and earrings set in yellow gold.
Valentine’s Day Diamonds
Love is in the ear...
Valentine's Day is a mere 17 days away, so make sure you're prepared by taking full advantage of our Valentine's offers.
Wear your heart on your...ear and around your neck with this limited edition diamond heart set, in white gold
5 ways to red dress your diamonds
With Valentine's Day around the corner, nothing combines fashion and sex appeal more than a red dress. However, once the conundrum of actually finding sartorial perfection has been solved, la robe rouge needs to be dressed with the perfect diamonds.
1. High Neckline
Brittany Snow
2. Dramatic Shoulders
Zuleyka Rivera
3. Strapless
Eva Mendes
4. Plunging Neckline
Joss Stone
5. Asymmetric Neckline
Robin Roberts
Please note, if you can't find something on our website, please call our Sales Team who can realize your own designs too.
By Hannah Powell
Pret-a-plier: Black Swan bling
From the early days of fashion houses dressing their movie star muses, to designers taking their lead from the costume cupboards immortalised on celluloid; fashion and film have long shared a ubiquitous connection and this season is no different.
Hot on the heels of the release of Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan last Friday, fashion is about to step up to the barre and throw a few balletic shapes our way, with Alexander McQueen and Alberta Ferretti taking centre-stage. Channel your inner-prima ballerina with tulle and chiffon in blush pinks and oyster greys with delicately structured tops and dramatic silk skirted dresses. Of course the summer staple, the ballet pump is back but this time with renewed authenticity as only those in nude or pink with satin ribbons will do.
Ballerina Eternity Ring in Rose Gold
Such delicate tailoring of course demands certain jewellery. The drama of diamonds perfectly marries the soft lines and understated elegance, effortlessly taking the outfit from barre to bar in a demi-plié. The Ballerina collection epitomises the finesse of ballet, with slim diamond bracelets, earrings and eternity rings that capture the essence of the trend, at once combining grace and style.
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