Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Pink Panther Bandit Strikes AGAIN & Apple Smart Watch

The world has waited with baited breath for new technology that might, just maybe change the way we wear and buy jewelry.  Apple has released images and design of their newest gadget for any tech savvy loving person. So far the watch is available in 3 different models. The Apple Watch Sport, the Apple Watch, and the Apple Watch Edition. All three offer both 38mm and 42mm rectangular case sizing options, but the materials and finishes vary by collection, as do the band options offered by default.  The wait list for the watch begins on April 24th and the price varies from $349 to $10,000. Leave it to Apple to always create a buzz and a desire or need for new technology. The Watch Edition uses the same sapphire crystal to protect its screen, but it comes in either rose or yellow 18-karat gold, which is partly the reason for the higher cost. The Watch Edition also offers exclusive strap options, including leather bands and sport bands with special 18-karat gold hardware in finishes matching the case of each watch model.


The watch features for this watch include various faces with customizable colors and detail views. You will have the ability to send a tweet, Instagram, call someone from your contacts, directly from the watch. Look at appointments, maps and many more.

Apple isnt the first to create and produce a smart watch, but it'll be interesting to see if these become mainstream and how they can affect drivers, no cellphone during driving in California and New York. But what about a Smart Watch?

The Apple iWatch comes n a variety of colors and materials         

Jewel heist in France leaves two cars burned and millions in euros of jewelry, gone


The large sized trucks were carrying millions of euros in jewelry 

An armed guard stands where the raid happened
In the world of gems and expensive jewelry security is always a major concern, especially when expensive pieces of jewelry are being transported.  An unfortunate incident occurred on the A6 highway at the M-way toll booth on the A6 near Auxerre, 125 miles south-east of Paris. A group of 15 assailants wielding machine guns attacked two vans carrying millions of euros worth of jewelry, forced the drivers after spraying them in the face with a kind of gas, then they took off with the two vans. The vans were later found in the woods by police, abandoned and had been set on fire. No one was injured in the attack and the jewels are still missing. The incident was captured on CCTV. This heist was performed with military precision, all of the gang members were holding guns and not one gun was fired. There is talk that is the famous Pink Panther bandits, striking again.

Members of this gang are said to speak several languages and travel on genuine passports that have been issued to other people, but with the photos changed.  Interpol believes that many of the members are ex soldiers from Serbia.

They have carried out more than 100 raids across the globe, including further thefts in London, as well as in Dubai, Geneva, Monaco and Tokyo, but France is main target with the heists has been France.

Eight people were jailed last month for a theft that happened at Harry Winston in 2008. They had dressed up as women wearing wigs~

This heist is reminiscent of the a burglary that had occurred in 2013 in Cannes where an armed gunman walked into a jewel show at the Carlton International Hotel and left with $136 Million dollars worth of jewels then disappeared down a side street. No one associated with either crime has been found.

Slowly but surly with a crime gang of this size one misstep by a person and like a house of cards, it can all come tumbling down~

                                                Keep sparkling, until next time~

Friday, March 6, 2015

Red Carpet Jewelry Wrap Up~

 Jewelry that is paraded down the red carpet and is viewed by millions and millions around the world, and goodness was it spectacular this year!  One of our favorites was Scarlett Johansen. Being a first time mom and showing of her incredible figure (and daring new hair cut) she absolutley shined in emeralds and diamonds. Scarletts Piaget Mediterranean Garden ear cuff was made from pink gold with five pear-shaped emeralds, 278 brilliant-cut diamonds, four pear-shaped aquamarines and two pear-shaped green tourmalines. Her statement making collar necklace was actually part of the dress and was created with swarovski crystals. Her Versace Aetelier green dress was superb and showcased her post baby body~
Scarlett in dress and collar necklace combo~
Margot Robbie ( she rose to fame being featured alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in "The  Wolf of Wall Street") was stunning in a black chiffon long dress by the late Yves Saint Laurent that was accented with jewelry on loan of royal descent. Margot was fortunate to wear a necklace that was created especially for the Duchess of Windsor by Van Cleef and Arpels. The Duchess had suggested to firm’s artistic director RenĂ©e Puissant (daughter of one of the principals Alfred Van Cleef) around 1938. Van Cleef had created the necklace that when zipped it is also functional as a bracelet.It took them 12 year to master the art of the zipper functioning. The necklace features 120 diamonds and 300 sapphires in 18k gold. It took 600 man hours to create this one piece and is valued at $1.5 Million dollars. What a sensational and historic piece of jewelry~


Unzipped as a necklace


Can also be worn as a bracelet
 Jennifer Hudson wowed the crowds in a canary yellow dress by Romona Keveza dress and 150 carats of Colombian Emeralds and canary diamonds by famed jeweler Lorraine Schwartz.

 Gwyneth Paltrow looked sensational in a pink column dress by Ralph & Russo. It was reminiscent of the pink Ralph Lauren dress she had worn in 1999 when she received an Oscar for her role "Shakespeare in Love".  She wore substantial sized Fire Phoenix earrings by Anna Hu Hauk Joaillerie (she's a former GIA alum!) . Featuring two pear shaped cabochon rubellites weighing 101 carats and two pear shaped cabochon rubellites weighing 22.88cts set with yellow and white diamonds, blue pink and purple sapphires, spinels, pariba tourmalines set in white gold. These have to be my favorite pair of earrings at the Oscars. Her ring also featured a oval shaped rubellite surrounded by pink and diamonds, also by Anna Hu and is called, "Petales d' Amour".

Beautiful combo with the pale pink and fierce color of the rubellites
The jewels completed her dress amazingly~
 Naomi watts had also worn jewels by Anna Hu Hauk. Her sapphire earrings featured oval sapphires weighing over 50cts, purple sapphires and round brilliant cut diamonds
set in white gold worth $3,000,000.  The bracelet which was inspired by the Duchess of Windsor, features 5-baguette cut white diamonds weighing over 10cts with 380 brilliant cut white diamonds all set in white gold.A stunning suite of jewelry!
he Art Deco inspired earrings feature oval sapphires weighing over 50-carats, purple sapphires and round brilliant cut diamonds set in white gold worth $3,000,000.  The bracelet which was inspired by the Duchess of Windsor,  features 5-baguette cut white diamonds weighing over 10-carats and 380 brilliant cut white diamonds set in white gold. - See more at: http://alsonjewelers.com/blog/the-best-in-oscar-jewelry-2015/#sthash.TeLdATwn.dpuf


The intense color of her sapphire earrings were incredible~
 Cate Blanchett is always on the cutting edge of fashion and this time she went with a classic black dress by John Galliano for Maison Margiel. She paired this dress with a stunning blue turquoise and diamond collar necklace by Tiffany & Co. With up swept hair, good skin and subtle makeup, it was an exceptional red carpet look. 

Superb combination with the black velvet dress

Anna Wintour in not one, but two stunning necklaces~
 Anna Wintour forever stylish with her Parisian Bob, looked impeccable in a pale pink dress accented not with one but two stellar necklaces. She usually chooses Georgian necklaces (necklaces created with large gemstones in gold settings) for many front row fashion shows. Her large aquamarine and diamond necklace  was paired with a vintage rose cut diamond necklace. No word on the dress designer or jeweler.And yes, she wore her glasses inside at the Oscars~

 Vanity Fairs party after the Oscars is never to be missed by any winner or un winner from the Oscars. Beyonce wore a Stella McCartney Crepe backless dress, paired with the largest round dia0nd choker and massive emerald and diamond rings,  all by Lorraine Schwartz. Bigger is always better, especially with gems!

Her emerald and diamond rings were fascinatingly huge!

The diamond necklace is stellar~
 The Oscars wasnt the only place where statement pieces were found, the Grammys had a few recording artist that were wearing alot of sparkle! Lady Gaga was wearing a heavily beaded Brandon maxwell silver sequin dress. She added more opulence by wearing an incredible diamond and emerald drop necklace by Lorraine Schwartz necklace and earrings. No word on the worth but it has to be seven figures~

 
Incredible emerald and diamond jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, love her eye makeup!

 Beyonce always decked out in Lorraine Schwartz didnt fail to impress wearing over $10 Million worth of Colombian emerald earrings and rings. Wearing 3 large rings on each hand has become her red carpet look~

Lorraine Schwartz emerald & diamond chandelier earrings~
Beyonce has mastered the look of wearing 3 large rings on each hand~
Always shining~
                                                  
                                                Until next time, keep sparkling!
Joaillerie
ire Phoenix earrings by Anna Hu Hauk Joaillerie
ire Phoenix earrings by Anna Hu Hauk Joaillerie