The Baroda Pearls, are a set of natural pearls with a long history. The two-strand necklace is part of an original seven-strand necklace that was once part of the Treasury of the Maharaja of Baroda and was last seen around the neck of Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda in 1948. The necklace takes 68 of the most perfect pearls from the original necklace and set them with a Cartier clasp. They will be sold by Christie’s in New York on April 25 and are expected to bring in between $7-9 million.

Rapper Lil Jon has quite a handful with the necklace shown here. The Guinness Book of World Records has officially certified it as the largest diamond pendant ever. The “Crunk Aint Dead” pendant is 7.5 inches tall, six inches wide and weighs almost 12 pounds. This is some bitty bling, 73 carats of diamonds on the necklace but 3,756 round-cut white diamonds total set in 18K yellow and white gold. It is valued at around $500,000. I’d say something about how tacky it is but he seems so proud of it.

Last week Susana of The Bling Blog did an interesting post on “statement rings” the latest phrase used to describe knuckleduster cocktail rings. On the list was David Yurman’s big amethyst ring for women. Yurman however, doesn’t want the gents to be left out of the statement ring phenomenon so he has created some pretty chunky rings for men. His Exotic Stone collection features more “manly” stones. No glittery amethyst or blue topaz here, the only flash …

A few days ago I brought you news of the Baroda Pearls, the very pricey strand of pearls that is part of the property of the royal Gaekwad family of Baroda. The Times of India has a fascinating story about another royal jewel that was part of the same treasure, the Star of the South. The Star of the South is a 128.8 carat diamond which was discovered by a slave woman in a Brazil mine in 1853. Back then it was sold for just $3,000 and passed through …

More beautiful pieces have come out of the House of Taylor Jewelry collection. Three couture jewelry pieces from the Elizabeth Collection inspired by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, will be featured in Christie’s Magnificent Jewels
auction on April 25 in New York. The three Elizabeth Collection pieces include a four strand, diamond and golden pearl necklace estimated at $25,000-$35,000, a pair of diamond encrusted ear pendants with four large cultured golden pearls, set in 18 karat white gold and estimated to sell for $6,000-$8,000, …