Jewel of the day: Kiki McDonough Blue Topaz and Diamond Drop Earrings

British jeweller Kiki McDonough is a favourite of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. She has several pieces and I think she also favours blue topaz as a stone.

These earrings were recently worn on a solo visit she made to Luxembourg. They are cushion cut topazes with diamond halos set in 18k white gold. And unlike many of the pieces worn by royals, these can be yours if you have a spare £3,500. On the one hand, while I think it’s fine that Kate has her own style, it’s also a shame she hasn’t had more access to the royal jewel box. I know I’d want to be making best use of those pieces if allowed!

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Jewel of the day: Shelley MacDonald Ulu Earrings

It’s probably a dream for a lot of small craftspeople to have an item worn by a celebrity. Shelley MacDonald’s life and business changed when the Duchess of Cambridge wore a pair of her earrings, called the Ulu, on her recent trip to Canada. You can read more about how that happened here.

MacDonald has been working overtime since then to stock her Etsy store, Shelley Silversmith. The good news: you can still purchase the earrings. This pair is the large size in sterling silver and sells for $93 (I am assuming it is US currency.)

 

Jewel of the day: Allurez Oval Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring

So you can’t get Diana/Kate’s sapphire engagement ring out of your head… but you don’t want to spend Windsor-sized bucks (pounds?) to get one.

This ring by Allurez offers a ring that can be customized from 1.5 to 6.4 carats total weight (they don’t specify carat weight for the diamonds and the sapphire separately), from USD$990 to $5,150. Gold is either 14k white or yellow.

Look on the bright side – all of the ring without any of the regal responsibilities and criticism. Win!

Jewel of the day: Clogau Gold Windsor Collection Wedding Ring

So if you went over to Kate Middleton Jewelry earlier in the week, you would have seen a post about Kate’s Welsh gold wedding band. It’s thin and simple, and in keeping with the Welsh gold rings worn by royal brides. If you’re a fan, you can have a similar one, from Clogau Gold of Royalty.

These bands come from the not surprisingly named Windsor Collection. They explain, “From The Queen Mother in 1923, to the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, generations of the Royal Family have chosen precious Welsh gold to create their wedding rings. This is a tradition that Clogau shares, for over 17 years Clogau has been creating the most beautiful wedding jewellery, containing rare Welsh gold – the gold of Royalty.

Elegantly handcrafted and featuring a most classic unisex design, the 3mm Windsor collection wedding ring has been crafted in 9ct yellow gold. Inscribed on the inside of the band is the Welsh word ‘Cariad’, meaning beloved, sweetheart or darling in a beautiful italic script.

Contained within the solid yellow gold is rare Welsh gold from Snowdonia, making this a truly unique piece of jewellery than can be treasured and admired forever.”

The rings are available in 9 carat white, yellow or rose gold, and sell for £330.

Jewel of the day: Reblog – Shopping with Kate: Claudia Bradby Haul I

I’m a big fan of the blog Kate Middleton Jewelry, because it talks not only the royal and extravagant/precious jewelry items the Duchess of Cambridge wears, but her personal items from both before and after her marriage to Prince William. Kate mixes high street with low budget and it comes across as jewelry befitting her age (if not necessarily her elevated status!)

Here, a recent post about some very affordable pieces worn by Kate – click on the link below and enjoy.

I’ve long been curious about this charming jewelry company. Ever since I heard about Kate’s collaboration with them, I’ve been taken in by their simple, clean and delicate designs…

Source: Shopping with Kate: Claudia Bradby Haul I

Jewel of the day: Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara

Not for Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, some tatty Happy New Year’s 2016 tiara. Not when she has (rather limited) access to some of the royal jewels. She caused a stir at the beginning of December when, for the first time, she wore the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, closely associated with the late Diana, Princess of Wales as one of her favourite pieces of jewelry for formal occasions.

The occasion was the Queen’s annual Diplomat’s Reception. I think she should have gone with earrings closer to the lobe instead of the dangling pair she had on (they compete with the tiara in my view) but I get the impression she only has so much real bling from which to choose.

May your own new year be glittering, happy, healthy and prosperous, regardless of what headgear you choose to ring it in.

Jewel of the day: Tiara Town Replica Cartier Halo Tiara

Tiara Town offers replicas and “inspired by” headpieces, including those worn by Princess Diana and now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

This piece is intended to be a replica of Kate’s wedding tiara, known as the Cartier scroll tiara. I think it’s arguable how close they came, but if you’re a Kate-a-holic and want some sparkly headgear for your own quasi-royal occasions, this is a budget friendly USD$52 made with crystals set in silver plated metal. If this isn’t your cup of royal-ty, there are other interesting “inspired by” celeb items.

Jewel of the day: Kate Middleton at State Dinner for China

Strictly speaking this is a jewels of the day post. Kate got to trot out not only a tiara, but bracelets loaned by the Queen from her personal (very personal) collection.

Kate wore the Lotus Flower tiara, previously beloved by the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, and fitting theme to welcome the Chinese. But perhaps more attention was on her two diamond bracelets. Her left wrist was adorned by Prince Philip’s wedding gift to Elizabeth (also designed by him from jewels owned by his mother), The piece on her right wrist was a 1932 piece made by Garrard and refashioned from a choker worn by Queen Mary to a bracelet redesigned to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s specifications. No word on where the earrings came from, but they added to the overall blinginess of the occasion.

Jewel of the Day: Tiara Town Princess Diana Inspired Tiara

Happy New Year! This is pretty much the only occasion a grown woman has to sport a tiara and not look ridiculous (unless you are royalty – and even then sometimes); a pageant queen (ditto), or a drag queen wannabe (do I really have to say it), so have at it.

Tiara Town allows you to indulge your tiara love at commoner friendly prices. This piece is inspired by the Cambridge tiara made famous by Princess Diana (I wonder if the new Duchess of Cambridge will be gifted this at some point). It’s made with Austrian and Swarovski crystals and faux pearls, set in base metal. It sells for USD $88; Tiara Town also has special wedding, prom, pageant and other sections, and various tiara-related accessories. There are also celeb inspired pieces relating to Audrey Hepburn, Kate Middleton, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Temple, and Grace Kelly.

 

Jewel of the day: Patrick Mavros Ndoro Silver Drop Earrings

What I love about these earrings by Zimbabwe-born Patrick Mavros is that they take their inspiration from nature, with a South African interpretation. He notes, “Ndoros are Southern Africa’s most striking totems of prestige and beauty. They are originally a sea shell which has been ground flat into their distinctive whirl shape.

I have used the Ndoro shape in many of my jewellery designs including chains, pendants and earrings. Silver Ndoros age beautifully and always have that African look and feel to them.”

These were a favourite pair of Kate Middleton’s before she married Prince William (and presumably moved on to more expensive pieces.)

They sell for £150 and are part of a wider collection of ndoro designs.