Sharon Stone, Damiani Designed Jewelry to Benefit Water Projects

Actress Sharon Stone recently unveiled a new jewelry collection co-designed with Damiani in which part of the proceeds will be used to construct clean water wells in Africa.

Called “Maji,” which means water in Swahili, the collection for women is crafted in brushed yellow gold with rough diamonds arranged in irregular patterns, creating an “unfinished” effect, Damiani said in a statement. The materials are designed to evoke Africa. The collection includes rings, pendants, earrings and tennis bracelets. There's also a men’s Maji collection.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward Drop in the Bucket, an organization that provides ways to bring water to sub-Saharia Africa.

At the unveiling in Beverly Hills, Calif., Stone and Silvia Damiani, vice president of the Italian jewelry house, presented a $200,000 check to John Travis of Drop in the Bucket, which, along with a private donation from the Damiani family, will underwrite the construction of 50 new water wells in Africa, providing clean water to more than 10,000 people.

Timepiece Tuesday: Time Machine Wins Award, Bottega Veneta's Luxury Watch, Aggasi and Longines Make Education Pitch

Time Machine Wins Concept and Design Award

The Horological Machine No. 4 Thunderbolt has received the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve award for best Concept and Design Watch. It’s maker, MB&F created the aviation-inspired watch case and engine as a single unit. The Thunderbolt's engine is the result of three years of development. Each of the 300-plus components–including the regulator and even the screws–was developed specifically for this particular watch. Every component and form has a technical purpose, the watchmaker said. 

Bottega Veneta Introduces Luxury Watch

Italian luxury goods house Bottega Veneta has teamed up with Swiss luxury watchmaker Girard-Perregaux for its first ever watch, the Bottega Veneta BVX, a unisex watch that features the fashion house’s signature woven leather pattern on its strap. The dial has a black, brushed titanium cover case while the face is brown. The strap is crocodile leather and is cigar colored. It has an 18k rose gold automatic movement made by Girard Perregaux. The case measures 41 mm across and is made of brushed titanium. Titanium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal and is also corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic. The back of the watch is faced with crystal, leaving the workings completely exposed. The case is finished with a PVd coating in Bottega Veneta’s signature brunito color. Read more about at Lorre White, the Guru of Luxury Web site.

Agassi, Longines, and Fink’s Jewelry Host Education Event

Swiss luxury watch company, Longines hosted “A Day With A Legend Event” at Fink’s Jewelers on November 16 at its Tysons Corner location. Longines brand ambassador and tennis legend Andre Agassi spoke to children from the USTA Mid/Atlantic and fans about his views on education in America, the Longines Elegance Scholarship Fund, his school, The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, and the work of his foundation, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. The foundation has raised $150 million for education initiatives since it’s founding in 1994. Agassi was accompanied by a graduating senior, Micah Jones, from his Nevada-based preparatory academy. Longines set up a smash court in-store where the tennis legend hit a few balls with the children from the USTA Mid/Atlantic. For a $5 donation to Agassi’s foundation, attendees at were able to test the speed of their serve. The fastest men’s and women’s serve received a Longines timepiece. Fink’s Jewelers said it would donate 10 percent of the sales of Longines timepieces for the month of November and December to Agassi’s Foundation. Later that evening, Longines hosted a dinner at Fink’s Jewelers where education was the topic of discussion.

‘Stars of Africa’ on the Runway for Charity

Royal Asscher lit up the runway Thursday night in New York with its “Stars of Africa” collection, by Toronto jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia.

Model with Stars of 
Photo: Barry J. Holmes

For each piece sold at the “Lingerie New York” event and over the next six months, 50 percent of the profits will go to the Seven Bar Foundation, an organization, through an online collaboration on Royal Asscher’s Web site. The foundation provides small loans (via micro-financing) to underprivileged women to start their own small business as an exit out of poverty.

Actress Sofia Vergara hosted the runway event at Cipriani’s 42nd Street, which attracted a number of celebrities and jewelry industry official, most notably Russell Simmons, the hip-hop entrepreneur and founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, and actress Minnie Driver.

From left: Actress Sofia Vergara, Renata M. Black, Seven Bar Foundation director, and Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher of America

The MTV produced show included eight aerialist performers; two top couture and luxury lingerie designers—Atsuko Kudo and Carine Gilson—DJ Michelle Rodriguez; and models Veronica Webb, Elsa Benitez and Crystal Renn walking the runway.

The Stars of Africa by Royal Asscher collection consists of rings, pendants, earrings and necklaces. Diamonds are encased in fluid filled sapphire dome, allowing them to fall freely, like snowflakes in a snow globe. For each piece of Stars of Africa jewelry sold, at least three women will get microfinance loans.

The scene at Cipriani's

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity through our collections and success to provide women living in poverty with an opportunity to sustain themselves for life and create their own legacy,” said Lita Asscher, president of Amsterdam-based Royal Asscher diamond company.

A Sampling of ‘Oscar Week’ Jewelry Trends

Actress Rumer Willis wearing Le Vian diamond earrings at the 7th Annual Hollywood Domino and Bovet 1822 Gala.

The Oscars isn’t a one-day event anymore. There are parties, dinners and other glamorous events held throughout the week in Los Angeles attended by celebrities. Whenever stars gather red carpets seem to magically appear followed by the promotion of fashion. The focus of this blog is fine jewelry and watches and there’s was plenty of it being worn. As a prelude to tonight’s main show, below is a sampling of the many events held during “Oscar Week” and the jewelry that worn by actors and performers.

At the Independent Spirit Awards Saturday in Beverly Hills, actress Elisabeth Rohm was on the red carpet wearing Antonini rhodocrosite, quartz, and diamond earrings. 

Model Anne V was busy during the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style awards ceremony at Greystone Mansion held Friday in Beverly Hills. She was wearing Ivy mandarin garnet and diamond earrings, a Jorge Adeler citrine and diamond ring and Jacob & Co. tangerine and diamond stackable rings.

The Giorgio Armani Flagship Boutique in Beverly Hills was the scene Friday of a special event by the luxury brand honoring Martin Scorsese and Paolo Sorrentino. Actress Jaimie Alexander was there wearing Ivy spinel and diamond earrings and Doves by Doron Paloma amethyst and diamond ring.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills was the scene of the QVC 5th Annual Red Carpet Style event Friday. Actress Jennifer Morrison (above) was photographed wearing Jorge Adeler druzy and black onyx earrings. Actress Bella Thorne (below) was wearing Sutra white agate and diamond earrings.

Vanity Fair is known for having the best the best parties at these kind of gatherings. Friday the magazine held its Campaign Hollywood Kick Off at Sadie Kitchen and Lounge in Los Angeles. Actress and singer Anna Kendrick was there wearing a Jack Vartanian Gala black diamond tennis bracelet and Universe black diamond ear climbers.

photo credit: Getty Images

Thursday night, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Charlie Chaplin silent film, “The Tramp,” at a private event in West Hollywood. Those photographed wearing Jaeger-LeCoultre watches were Isis Samassa, Bianca Brandolini d'Adda, Laurent Vinay (Jaeger-LeCoultre director of communications), Dolores Chaplin, Carmen Chaplin, and Linh Dan Pham.

Elisabeth Rohm made another stop earlier in the week. This time at the 'Vanity Fair and Chrysler Toast American Hustle' at Ago Thursday in Los Angeles where she wore Doves by Doron Paloma ring and a Carla Amorim bracelet. 

Recording artist, actress and philanthropist Demi Lovato was at theunite4:humanity event Thursday at the Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles wearing Demarco diamond earrings.

Anne V wearing Carla Amorim diamond earrings and a Le Vian diamond ring;

There were a number of jewelry-wearing celebrities strolling on the red carpet at the 7th Annual Hollywood Domino and Bovet 1822 Gala benefiting artists for peace and justice at Sunset Tower Thursday in West Hollywood. Among them were Anne V (above) wearing Carla Amorim diamond earrings and a Le Vian diamond ring; Actress Odette Annable wearing a Jack Vartanian Serpent diamond cuff and Sethi Couture diamond rings; actress Rumer Willis (top picture) wearing Le Vian diamond earrings; and actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens wearing Jack Vartanian ruby and black diamond earrings and a Brumani black quartz and diamond ring.

Odette Annable wearing a Jack Vartanian Serpent diamond cuff and Sethi Couture diamond rings.

Vanessa Hudgens wearing Jack Vartanian ruby and black diamond earrings and a Brumani black quartz and diamond ring.

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Hollywood Stars Come Out for Montblanc’s Pre-Oscar Charity Brunch

Hilary Swank signs a brick, which is the symbol for Montblanc's 2013 pre-Oscars charity brunch. She is wearing Montblanc's Pétales Entrelacés motif bracelet.

Montblanc held its annual “Charity Brunch” Saturday at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles. Every year the luxury brand hosts this event the day before the Academy Awards presentation and selects a charity initiative. This year the charity is UNICEF’s “Signature for Good” program. 

UNICEF Ambassador Alyssa Milano.

Academy Award winning actress, Hilary Swank, led the event. She recently joined Montblanc and UNICEF on a field trip to Ethiopia and she shared her experience with those in attendance.

Christopher Lambert wearing Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph.

Montblanc pledged to raise at least $1.5 million for the initiative, primarily through its recently unveiled “Signature For Good” collection, which includes special edition writing instruments, jewelry pieces and leather accessories. The feature design element is a brick that symbolizes the joint effort of building a better future for all children and their communities, through the creation of proper education programs and the construction of schools—brick by brick. Parts of the proceeds raised from the sale of the collection will be donated to UNICEF to build and maintain schools for underprivileged children for its schools in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Actress Emmy Rossum wearing Montblanc Star Classique Lady Automatic watch and Montblanc Seven Stars Collection.

In addition to Swank, celebratory guests included Emmy Rossum, Rosario Dawson, UNICEF Ambassador Alyssa Milano, Louise Roe, Alan Arkin, Billy Zane, Jesse Metcalfe, Peter Fonda, Jesse Williams, Madalina Ghenea, Alexander Ludwig, Danny Huston, Stacey Keach, Martin Landau, Alfrie Woodard, Mimi Rogers, Maria Bravo, Jane Seymour, Clemens Schick, Navid Negahban, Michael Nouri, Lana Parilla, Samantha Barks, Rachel Griffiths, Bailey Chase, Pal Sverre Hagen, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Natasha Henstridge and Michael York joined Lutz Bethge, Montblanc CEO, and Caryl M. Stern, U.S. Fund for UNICEF CEO and president. 

Montblanc CEO Lutz Bethge and U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl M. Stern wearing Montblanc Star 4810 necklace.

Guests supported the program by signing bricks of a school specially recreated inside the hotel. 

Montblanc brand ambassador, opera star, Shenyang, performed.

 
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D.E.F. Presents Its GOOD Awards

Members of the DEF board pose with five students who graduated from two of three DEF-beneficiary schools (the Botwsana Top Achievers Program or African Leadership Academy) and who now are enrolled in various universities in the United States.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund, a non-profit organization that raises money to fund education initiatives in African diamond-producing nations, presented its GOOD Awards to Tiffany & Co. and Leo Schachter Diamonds, and international model and humanitarian, Noella Coursaris Musunka, during a recent event at LAVO nightclub.

 Five students who directly benefited from scholarships funded by DEF at two of its three beneficiary schools in Africa were presented with checks at the event.

Russell Simmons, entertainer/entrepreneur and DEF co-founder, emphasized the importance of the diamond industry to give back and empower the communities where their precious resources are found. “A strong Africa is an educated Africa. For the diamond industry to be sustainable in the future, empowerment of youth through education is essential.”  

Celebrities at the event included Estelle, Jeffrey Wright, and Selita Ebanks. Jewelry global industry leaders in attendance included Varda Shine and Stephen Lussier of De Beers, Mike Kowalski of Tiffany & Co., Mark Light and Mike Barnes of Signet Jewelers, and African ambassadors from the diamond producing countries of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. 

The event began with an African ceremonial dance by native Batswana dancers. After the Awards presentation, Grammy Award-winning artist, Estelle, performed. 

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Signet Jewelers Becomes Sponsor’s D.E.F. ‘Diamonds in the Sky’ Gala

Signet Jewelers Ltd., the largest specialty jewelry retailer in the US and UK, has become the first “Premier Presenting Sponsor” of the “Diamonds in the Sky” Gala Event, hosted by the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F).

The event will be held on May 29th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. D.E.F. is a global non-profit organization that raises money to fund education initiatives in diamond-producing nations. It was co-founded by business magnate Russell Simmons and leaders in the diamond industry in 2007. Signet Jewelers is best-known in the US as the owners of Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry retail jewelry chains.

The event will bring a mix of the international diamond jewelry industry representatives, government officials from diamond producing nations, dignitaries and celebrities from fashion and entertainment. The proceeds will benefit D.E.F’s ‘Diamonds Do Good’ mission of providing higher education scholarships for youth from diamond producing countries. 

Presentation of the Diamond Empowerment Fund 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award will be made to Botswana President Ian Khama in recognition of their global leadership and contributions to democracy, sustainable economic development and the growth and expansion of the international diamond industry. 

“We are thrilled to congratulate Signet as the first Premier Presenting Sponsor for D.E.F on this occasion,” said Phyllis Bergman, president of D.E.F’s board of directors. “We encourage other industry leaders to consider sponsorship opportunities of this important event which celebrates the good diamonds do.” 

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