I have had my issues with jewelry designs that combine shells and gemstones but it is hard to resist the charms of John Hardy, especially as showcased in his limited edition Cinta collection. Cinta means love and this limited edition collection is full of pieces to love that reflect John Hardy’s unique island style. This piece, titled Dress Me In Blue Fire, is a white abalone brooch with accents of Rhodium-plated 18K white gold ringed with blue topaz, iolite and cognac diamonds. Simply gorgeous.

Ok, we all saw the movie The Blood Diamond a while back and can no longer avoid contemplating the probability that the sparkly rocks on the market today were perhaps obtained by violence, human-rights abuses, child-labor, or environmental destruction. I practically swore-off buying diamonds all-together after seeing the movie — for about a week. As conscientious consumers, we therefore must seek out alternative and ethical sources for our need to shine. Poom …

Recently, Rigel mentioned Bulgari’s phone accessories, today check out the latest phone add-on from Louis Vuitton. The Monogram Inclusion phone accessory features two dangling resin cubes with Swarovski crystals and brass LV and monogram logos floating in the clear resin finish. The overall effect is a bit like having fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror on your car. It sells for $240.

The famed Baroda pearls, a two-strand set of natural pearls have been sold by Christie’s for a record price. The necklace, which contained 68 of the largest and finest pearls from the original seven-strand necklace, sold for $7.096 million to a private Asian buyer. The pearls were part of the “Magnificent Jewels” auction on April 25 which brought in more than $39 million $3.064 million for a cushion-cut, 22.66-carat Kashmir sapphire.

I came across the unique jewelry designs of Jennifer Herwitt in May’s Vogue. I am always a sucker for a designer who turns the unusual into something beautiful and her J. Herwitt designs turn bugs the creepy crawly into diamond-studded beauties. Herwitt, who is also a set decorator and an interior designer, is inspired by the insect world and while she creates adorable diamond and gold pieces shaped like butterflies and dragonflies, she also gives scorpions, …