The Top Drawer

Firenze Jewels’ Jeffrey Levin, together with the New York City 47th Street Business Improvement District announced a relief effort aiding the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11th. The 47th St BID works with businesses in the New York City Diamond District area. They are trying to organize with as many of the 2,600 businesses to donate $1 per sale to the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund. The relief effort is expected to last until the end of April.

As a major supplier of pearls to the American market and the fourth largest market in the world for American jewelry exports, Japan has played an integral role within the jewelry industry as well as the New York City Diamond District for decades. Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating tragedy in Japan and we hope our joint contributions play a small roll in rebuilding their lives and pulling through the many struggles ahead.

A Chinese jewelry collector has created a replica of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famed Mona Lisa – made entirely of diamonds. It took the owner 30 years to collect all of the gemstones required and 5 years him and a group of top European craft masters to create this one of a kind piece. Thousands of precious stones totaling to approximately 100,000 carats were used to bring this dazzling work of art to life.

The replica currently sits on display within a shopping mall in Shenyang City, China.

London’s Natural History Museum is currently hosting the largest vivid-yellow pear shaped diamond in the world. Weighing in at a whopping 110.03 carats, The Cora Sun-Drop diamond is said to be so valuable, that it’s priceless – literally. Experts consider the diamond so rare that it’s price cannot be calculated, and as of yet, no one has made an attempt to do so.

This precious pear-shaped yellow diamond is approximately the size of a woman’s thumb and has a color grade of fancy vivid yellow, which is already extremely rare.  Unusual diamonds of this color stem from very small amounts of nitrogen within the carbon structure of the stone.

“When you look at a diamond like this you are not only looking at a unique piece of art, you are looking at the fascinating science that bought this stone to us,” said Alan Hart, head of mineralogy collection at The Natural History Museum.

The stone is set to be on display for the next six months.

A new beauty is set to step into the global spotlight on April 12th. Christie’s recently announced it will auction a 10.09 carat cushion cut Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink diamond as the highlight of its Magnificent Jewels sale in New York. This rare and exceptional diamond is estimated at $12,000,000-15,000,000.

The past 15 months, has seen a growing investor demand for large and rare fancy color diamonds, a number of which have sold for more than $1 million per carat. In November 2010, a 24.78 carat emerald cut pink diamond sold at auction at Sotheby’s for $46 million, shattering the world record for the highest price ever bid for a jewel at auction.

“Collector demand for large colored diamonds has never been stronger, especially where pink diamonds of this size and quality are concerned. Fewer than 10 percent of all pink diamonds mined weigh more than 0.20 carats, and even fewer exhibit the exceptional color saturation and brilliance of this exceptional gem. In all my years at Christie’s, I have never seen such vivid color in a stone of this size,” said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry at Christie’s New York.

“At Christie’s New York this past December, jewelry collectors competed for a 6.89 carat Fancy Vivid purplish-pink diamond, which ultimately sold for $6.9 million or $1 million per carat. This larger stone, with its richer, deeper hue of pink and electrifying purple tone is positioned to become one of this season’s top-selling diamonds,” he added.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting what every young, engaged couple needs in today’s high-tech world -  a wedding website. www.officialroyalwedding2011.org is set to be the official destination for any information on the forthcoming Royal Wedding. Wedding sites today give guests a useful way to get directions, browse photos, buy gifts, and in some cases even choose the music. Expect to find exclusive content, features, videos, links and perhaps even a live stream of the event itself on the Royal Couple’s site.

Buckingham Palace officials have said the website will be the first place to view information such as the details of Miss Middleton’s dress. Perhaps even get a first glimpse of her bridal jewelry too.

The site is being hosted by the Google App Engine which is especially designed to handle large bursts of traffic.

Are you getting married this year?  If so, do you have a website planned for the event?

Bold reds, delicious plums and glittering green gems lit up the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Colorful diamond earrings paired together with scintillating right hand diamond rings was a popular jewelry combination. Fabulous Art Deco style vintage jewelry along with stacked diamond platinum bangle bracelets was also a consistent theme we saw throughout the evening. Here’s our list of jewelry winners for the 2011 Oscars:

Anne Hathaway, who hosted the event, accented her vintage Valentino Haute Couture taffeta gown with a pair of 10 carat diamond earrings, a 5 carat antique style cushion cut diamond ring, and a 94 carat diamond necklace worth $10 million.

Get the look: Diamond Antique Style 18k White Gold Ring

Scarlett Johanson accessorized her lacy Dolce & Gabbana gown with a dragon-motif ring adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and cabochon rubies. Her choppy tousled waves revealed a stunning set of ruby stud earrings.

Get the look: Diamond and Ruby 18k White Gold Cluster Earrings

Best Supporting Actress nominee Amy Adams glittered in a L’Wren Scott cap-sleeved gown paired with $1,350,000 of diamond jewelry. The intriguing pieces included a platinum and diamond “secret watch” bracelet with a 30.75-carat carved emerald, worth $1.025 million, a vintage style platinum and diamond necklace with a 33.24-carat carved emerald, worth $290,000 and a pair of 2 carat diamond and platinum earrings, worth $35,000.

Get the look: Diamond and Emerald 18k White Gold Necklace

Now an Oscar winning actress, Natalie Portman complimented her off-the-shoulder violet Rodarte with a set of bold raspberry rubellite tassel earrings containing rose-cut diamonds. She finished the look with a pair of Jimmy Choo heels, a Roger Vivier clutch, and a bold diamond ring.

Get the look: Diamond and Amethyst 18k White Gold Ring

Portman’s Black Swan co-star Mila Kunis accessorized her plunging lavender lace Elie Saab Haute Couture gown with a brilliant set of diamond and platinum ribbon earrings, diamond and platinum diamond right hand ring and 2 stacked diamond and platinum bracelets.

Get the look: Simon G Antique Style 18k White Gold Bracelet

America’s sweetheart and last year’s Best Actress Oscar winner Sandra Bullock looked remarkable. She paired a scarlet red Vera Wang gown with a set of fine understated diamond studs and two diamond bangles.

Get the look: 4.23 Carat Diamond 18k White Gold Stud Earrings

Halle Berry added extra sparkle to her nude crystal-encrusted Marchesa gown with a pair of 20 carat diamond and platinum dangle earrings worth $720,000 and fancy color 12 carat diamond and platinum right hand ring, worth $450,000.

Get the look: Diamond and 18k White Gold Dangle Earrings

Oscar presenter Reese Witherspoon looked marvelous in a black and white Giorgio Armani Privé ensamble. She accessorized with a bold set of emerald and diamond earrings similar to Angelina Jolie circa Oscars 2009. The Legally Blonde actress completed her chic 60′s look with a diamond and emerald ring and 2 stacked diamond and platinum bracelets.

Get the look: Diamond and Emerald 18k White Gold Dangle Earrings

Gwyneth Paltrow’s interesting jewelry accessories included a floral inspired set of diamond earrings and diamond matching brooch containing a dazzling array of colored stones against yellow gold. These pieces paired well with her metallic gown from the Calvin Klein collection.

Get the look: Diamond and 18k White Gold Floral Brooch Pin

“I said I want to sleep with it! I never wanted to take it off!” said Jennifer Hudson of her striking Atelier Versace halter gown. Hudson dazzled yesterday evening in over 165 carats and $1 million worth of jewels. The pieces included two wide diamond and platinum bracelets, a diamond and platinum leaf bracelet, a fancy color diamond right hand ring and a stunning pair of diamond long basket earrings.

Get the look: Diamond and 18k White Gold Dangle Drop Earrings

Simon G Jewelry was featured in an Elle Shops on Demand video on a segment of the hottest spring pieces for 2011. Elle Style Correspondent Jennifer Duran gives an exclusive look at some of the renowned designer’s latest pieces. Chic, artistic, clean and unexpected are just a few of the words used to describe Simon G’s newest jewelry designs. The collection kicks off with a unique multifunctional diamond piece that can be worn as both a brooch and a necklace! The various shapes in this minimalist design perfectly compliments any complexion, hair color or other jewelry you might wear.

Other highlights include ‘The Key to Her Heart’(product #3361) white and pink diamond antique style ring. This classic Simon G look features a pink against white color combination that never goes out of style. The ‘Express Your Love Ring’(product #4186) features a fluid array of princess cut white diamonds and round cut yellow diamonds that is sure to add the right touch of flair to any ensemble. Share your thoughts on these pieces with us!

To order a piece in this collection or to schedule a private viewing, please contact a Firenze Jewels jewelry specialist. We are an authorized Simon G Jewelry retailer.