Jewelry Number One

	Nathalie Colin Roblique, Swarovski’s creative director.

Forget diamonds. Crystals are a girl’s best friend.

At least according to Nathalie Colin Roblique, creative director of the swanky crystal brand Swarovski.

Crystals are so versatile, she says, they fit right in with any style.

As if to prove that point, the 44-year-old wore a dazzling ring made of clear and pink crystals during a recent interview with the JoongAng Ilbo after a promotional event in Seoul for the Austria-based brand.

	Nathalie Colin Roblique, Swarovski’s creative director, talks about the beauty of crystal jewelry like the Nirvana Ring. [JoongAng Ilbo]

Roblique spearheaded one of the company’s most recent motifs, called Swanflower. The line adopts Swarovski’s most representative emblem - the graceful swan - into an overall flower pattern.

Roblique, who joined the company in 2006, has been quoted as saying that Swanflower is “a common thread linking all of [the company’s] collections and the two keys values of Swarovski: poetry and precision.”

During the JoongAng interview, which took place at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Roblique touched on her work, design philosophies, tips on wearing crystal jewelry and other topics.

Given her job, it should come as no surprise that Roblique is an avid fan and advocate of crystal jewelry.

She is quick to point out that while there are certain limitations to other types of jewelry in terms of size and colors, crystals know no limit - at least in her opinion.

As long as there is a technique to make crystal out of sand and water, you can shape the jewelry into any size and incorporate any color you like, she said.

To highlight that attribute, Roblique pulled out a large crystal with violet-colored drops of water inside.

The smooth, impeccable cut on the outer surface offered up different reflections, depending on the angle of the light. At the same time, the water drops inside blazed in a unique manner.

Crystal jewelry is not only diverse in appearance, but also in price, according to Roblique. She said consumers today rarely go beyond their budgets to buy jewelry they cannot afford just because it’s a luxury brand, particularly if it isn’t exactly their style in the first place.

Instead, she says, people are much smarter in how they spend their money, opting for affordable jewelry that closely matches their tastes and stylistic preferences.

That’s where crystal comes in.

A well-cut crystal resembles a diamond but is much cheaper, Roblique said. You can get, say, a high-quality pair of crystal earrings for between 50,000 won ($40) and 100,000 won ($80).

But there is a downside to the relatively inexpensive price, as some consumers tend to think that crystal jewelry is for younger women, Roblique said.

The crystal connoisseur, however, contends that crystal jewelry has benefits for middle-aged or successful women as well as those who are younger.

She says Swarovski’s Nirvana Ring, for instance, conveys elegance and grace. The ring is a big, thick piece of jewelry that comes in a variety of colors such as black, purple, pink and green, among others.

Roblique admits that bulky jewelry can be overwhelming for some women, especially those who aren’t used to wearing much bling.

“A ring would be the best item to start for those newcomers,” as it’s not as obvious as earrings or necklaces, she said. “Rings are rather subtle yet timeless.”

Article Source: news.google.com

As the waiting game continues in the Rihanna assault case, the singer can now at least return the on-loan jewelry she was wearing the night she was allegedly beaten by Chris Brown.


At the request of Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg granted a delay in the case, with the next hearing set for May 28. Brown, 19, who has pleaded not guilty, did not attend the hearing. He was not required to show.

Geragos indicated at court Wednesday that he intends to file a motion to dismiss the case because of police leaks in the investigation, apparently a reference to Rihanna's injury photo that surfaced on the Internet, among other details.

"If Geragos makes an issue of leaked evidence, it's unlikely the judge will dismiss the case," says L.A. criminal defense attorney Jeffery Rubenstein, who's not involved in the case. "It's not police conduct at issue here, it's Chris Brown's."

Rihanna's attorney Donald Etra had sought the return of approximately $1 million in jewelry taken into evidence. All sides agreed that the items were to be photographed by police and returned to Rihanna, who had them on loan from jewelers.

The next step in the case is setting a preliminary hearing – in which Rihanna, 21, could be subpoenaed to testify – so the court can determine if there's enough evidence for a trial. If that hearing goes forward, it will happen within eight court days of May 28.

But the case may wrap up before then. Legal experts say Brown could strike a plea deal with prosecutors, that may include some jail time, at any time.

Although Rihanna and Brown have spent time apart, the pair recently reunited in L.A. before Rihanna headed to her native Barbados to be with friends and family.

The "Rehab" singer also enjoyed boating, sunning and rafting in the island nation with her pop-star pal Katy Perry last week. Like Brown, Rihanna has also started working on a new album.

Article source: www.people.com

Model Helen Swedin presented the new Chamilia jewelry line at the Palacio del Retiro Hotel on April 16, 2009 in Madrid, Spain.
Chamilia beaded jewelry is a graceful gold and silver bead, crystals by Swarovski bead and Murano glass bead, also Analisa glass bead design. Chamilia uses the finest quality of sterling silver and 14k gold.
Each bead is stamped with the industry standard 92.5 or 14k assuring each piece holds at least 92.5% silver or all 14k gold. The metal content is not pure.

Variety of materials allow you to change your personal unequalled Chamilia bead bracelet or anklet, necklace.

You can make different styles to move beads in any position.

They are much like the Italian charm bracelets.You can use the Chamilia spacers and clips to attach more amazing possibilities to your Chamilia bead jewelry.

Chamilia offers top quality products with adorable designs.

The 'Ghost Whisperer' co-stars - who began dating earlier this year - were spotted purchasing the items at luxury jewellers Cartier in New York.

Gossip website E! reports: "They even used the tiny screwdriver that comes with each bracelet to fasten them onto their wrists."

The accessories are said to symbolise a couple's commitment to each other.

Meanwhile, Jennifer, 30, stunned the audience at one of 38-year-old Jamie's comedy shows by helping him sell merchandise.

A source explained: "She has been at his shows and helping him sell stuff, things like mugs and T-shirts."

Jennifer starting dating Jamie after splitting from her fiance Ross McCall in January and recently revealed she is the happiest she has ever been.

She said: "We just make each other laugh and we're best friends. Even though we haven't been together for very long we are very much alike. "

The fact he is so hilarious is what makes this relationship work. When you're really funny, there's nothing really bad that can happen. He is a realist and I am a dreamer."

The final touch to your bridal gown is usually jewelry. Should you go with bold baubles or delicate diamonds? While there are dozens of places to look for the right accent for your dress, having your jewelry custom-made ensures you get a perfect match, no matter what your personal style is.

Look for a bead or other jewelry store that has worked with brides before. Jewelry designers suggest bringing a swatch of your gown to your consultation. At that time, the designer can help you select the right beads and stones to match. Necklaces are most common, and with brides becoming more adventurous with their wedding-day look, they now come in all colors. Jet black Swarovski crystal is growing in popularity, while the “aurora borealis” Swarovski beads (clear with a shiny, rainbow-like coating) are a favorite of brides-to-be.

An entire bridal party — including bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls — can be outfitted in custom-made jewelry, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings. Maroon and gray are popular bridesmaids’ gown colors, so designers are seeing a rise in custom jewelry matching those colors. For the fun, flirtatious bride and her party, the part of the necklace that rests on the back of the neck can be designed with flowers, butterflies or anything else the bride requests. That way, when she walks down the aisle, people can “oooh” and “ahhh” from both directions.

Besides custom-made jewelry, many jewelry and bead shops specialize in personalized bridal party gifts. This year, monogramming is extremely popular. Name bracelets and a charm with one’s initials make great gifts without breaking the bank.

Designers say 16 inches is a good length for bridal necklaces — anything longer will droop into the top of the dress. Chokers are also always in style.