Save the Children ring by Bulgari

With wealthy nations tightening their belts and busy saving their own economies, now more than ever, do the poorest people in the world need our help. So a big applause to Bulgari that has just announced an ambitious project to help the charity Save the Children as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations. Bulgari has chosen to support the Rewrite the Future campaign of Save the Children, the largest independent international organisation for the defence and championing of childrens rights.Through Rewrite the Future campaign Save the Children is committed to providing within 2010 quality education to 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas. Bulgari has decided to make its own contribution to Save the Children with the objective of raising 10 million by the end of 2009, of which 1 million will be donated by Bulgari to the organisation in advance, while the remaining figure will be raised during the next year.

A silver ring specially created for the campaign and featuring the Save the Children logo engraved inside will be on sale from 1 February to 31 December 2009 at the price of 290/$290 (including VAT) of which 50/$60 will be donated to the campaign. Bulgari will also develop a collection of 15 pieces of high jewellery and 8 high-end timepieces, of an estimated total value of 3 million and auctioned on 7 December 2009 in New York. Proceeds will be totally donated to Save the Children and all the initiatives connected with the operation will be totally non-profit for the Bulgari Group. We will keep you informed of the project and look out for the Bulgari silver ring and wear it with pride. - Maria Doulton

Miracca David pendant

Josef Koppann ring

Sarah Parker Eton pendant necklace

Sarah Stafford pendant

Goldsmiths’ Fair is the place to buy jewellery from the most creative and talented individual jewellers and silversmiths in the UK. Fizzing with creativity, 160 of the UK’s top jewellery designers will be showing over a two-week stretch in London’s grand Goldsmiths’ Hall.
Take your time and don’t be overwhelmed by the amount and variety of jewels on display. Even if you only see a few stands at a time, it is worth the effort as this is where you will find the most original jewels as well as having the chance to talk to the very person who made them. It might not be as luxurious as gliding into a big name boutique on Bond Street but it is so much more rewarding to walk away with a jewel that is bursting with individuality and personality.
And even better, prices reflect the fact that at Goldsmiths’ you are paying for the jewellery, not a large advertising campaign, swanky boutiques or red carpet sponsorship so you will be surprised how far your money will go. If you love jewellery, do not miss this event. I challenge you to leave empty handed, something I have never managed. — Maria Doulton

Jewellery by Kathy Vones, courtesy of The Goldsmiths' Fair

Goldsmiths' Fair, London

“At the Van Cleef & Arpels launch party for their stunning Les Jardins high jewellery collection, Christian Louboutin was spotted amongst the great and the mighty of the world of jewellery collectors. Does this mean that we are going to see diamonds on the soles of his shoes or is he also a lover of the art of the jeweller?

Isabelle Huppert and Christian Louboutin

Another observation from a few days in Paris visiting the top jewellers at the Biennale des Antiquaires is the rise of stealth wealth. Top of the list of anti-bling style is the old-fashioned rose cut diamond. This traditional diamond cut has less facets and bigger planes, giving a softer glow than the clever modern, multi-faceted cuts that throw about more light. Often lower value diamonds were employed for this cut but today top grade rocks are being used to great effect as we appreciate their age-worn allure over the brighter bling of the perfect brilliant cut. Very Keira Knightley in The Duchess and one way to make your jewels look like Granny left them to you, rather than fresh out of the workshop.

Keira Knightley, The Duchess poster