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Since the beginning of the financial crises, there has been a decisive move for investors toward the more tangible asset. Certainly we have seen that the price of gold has never been so high and it is on the up. This would also seem true for other such commodities.

Perhaps, slightly less obvious, but certainly a serious investment potential is the gemstone; tangible and desirable asset.  This does not just mean diamonds, but Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires.  When I saw the engagement ring that Prince William gave to Catherine Middleton, apart from the sentimental value of being his mother, Lady Diana’s ring, it is astoundingly beautiful.  A wonderful blue sapphire.  Much more unusual, in my opinion, then a diamond.  See Vogue’s list of favourite engagement rings, moving away from the more traditional diamond. 

They say that no two gemstones are cut the same and it is this that makes them so incredibly unique and special.  The focus is back on purity and the ultra-precious.  This is portrayed by the fact that “the Benchmark of $1m a carat, has risen to $2m a carat for a gemstone of the highest quality,” according to the Financial Times’ article in ‘How To Spend It.’

Diamonds have seen a strong recovery since the downturn. They hold and grow in intrinsic value. Diamonds are more then just the 4 c’s (clarity, cut, carat, colour), they are a piece of art and a thing of beauty.  As Andrew Coxon, executive VP of De Beers Diamond Institute so rightly said, “The eye, brain and heart measure the qualities of a stone in a flash, producing an emotional reaction that the client should trust.”

I was pleased to recently read that the ultimate fashion accessories this autumn are inspired by the quintessentially feminine figure.  The jewellery of the season represents a womanliness through statement brooches, earrings and necklaces.  Truly beautiful pieces which are dazzling to the eye.

There has been a resurgenece of classics from the 1950s and 1960s.  Picture Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball and Sandra Dee, the ultimate in feminine figures and dress.

Some of the top designs have been seen at the Paris Bennale des Antiquaires in September.  Big precious stones from the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels’, Dior and Tiffany and Co.  The styles are sophisticated and exuding romance and beauty.  Classic beauty is back.

Our sympathy’s go out to the relatives and friends of Alexander McQueen who died this week.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

This year the movie makers have gone to town with the film ‘Valentine’s Day’ starring an all star cast of top Hollywood Actors.  They were photographed on the red carpet wearing a host of designer gear including Oscar de la Renta and Valentino.  Anne Hathaway was wearing beautiful earrings by Georgina Chapman for Garrard Collection.

It is amazing to see how big Valentine’s Day is but perhaps for all the wrong reasons?  I imagine Valentine’s Day to be the one day of the year where you can tell someone you really like them and it being a complete surprise to that person.  It does not make sense to me that we only buy gifts for our partner because that is what we are expected to do.  I think it is all about surprising someone instead.

London fashion week is upon us starting next Friday February 19th, check out the line-up here.

The most beautiful, flaweless and biggest blue diamond is currently being dispayed in Washington. Weighing 31.06 carats and worth £16.4 million, it is a rareity, especially because of the beautiful blue colour.  This diamond will be displayed in London later on this year.

Alice’s Charms

What a marvellous new idea from Stella McCartney, a charm bracelet with charms to represent Alice in Wonderland.  With the opening of Tim Burton’s latest film, the 3-D version of Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp, no wonder these charms are so popular.  They are a great idea as they portray the ‘charm’ of Lewis Carroll’s bestseller.

Grace Kelly

The latest exhibition at the V&A in London is that of the actress Grace Kelly, exploring the style and Glamour of the beautiful actress. Van Cleef and Arpels are sponsoring the event which begins later on this year (April 17th – 26th September.)

I am amazed to hear that former Labour prime minister Tony Blair is soon to be an advisor to Louis Vuitton.  Apparently he is friends with Bernard Arnault who is the LV owner.  What’s next, Gordon Brown representing Topshop? Unlikely! He has however been voted as GQ’s worst dressed man, awwwwww, poor man, he deserves a bit of a break.

Tony Blair will have an advisory role, being paid $1.2million.

The beautiful work by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer’s which has even been referred to as ‘The Mona Lisa of the North,’ is a master work which uses the pearl earring as the focal point of the painting.

When one thinks of a pearl, it is viewed as an object of great desire, rarity, and value.  It is produced in the shell of a mollusk. A natural pearl is one  which is produced in the wild without any human intervention and this is very rare.  A cultured pearl is one that has been formed by humans on a pearl farm and these are the type of pearl that is more common today. The colours of pearls vary, the most popular are white white or black pearls, but there are also pink, blue, green, champagne and purple.

There are some great offers to buy pearl earrings at the moment and it is a classic piece of jewellery to add to ones collection.  Check out Astley Clarkes Park Avenue Pearl studs which are for sale at £85 (£40 off the original value).  This offer ends on January 24th 2010. I would highly recommend that you take a look.

They have been all the craze in 2009 and continue to be in 2010. According to ‘The Express’ women of the recession are rushing to sell their jewellery at gold parties.  It seems to be a good excuse for a group of woman to get together, sell their unwanted jewellery and trinkets, whilst sharing a bottle of wine, some nibbles and having a good old gossip.

The fad has been all the rage, starting in the US and slowly working its way over to the UK.  One argument is that it is a good idea to get rid of unwanted jewellery and receive cash to help in these more taxing financial times?  Or, is it just a good excuse to get together for a natter whilst pawning off your husbands favourite gold watch?  According to the company Ounce2Pounds, the industry is very lucrative, with over £75,000 worth of sales a week.  The hostess also benefits from the parties taking a cut of the profits. 

I think that this is a good way to earn some extra cash, especially if the jewellery has been at the bottom of the jewellery box for years.  Why not make a quick buck on rising gold prices?  Who needs to buy/sell stocks….why not have your own gold party.