What We'll Miss About Schwarzenegger: Fancy Jewelry

With his approval rating "hover[ing] in the low 20s" and an election day referendum to reverse his greatest legislative victory, California's steroidal governor is set to leave on a low note. His fancy fingers, however, will continue to shine.
These Breasts Are Worth Slightly Less Than GDP of Tuvalu
[Adriana Lima models Victoria's Secret's "$2 Million Bombshell Fantasy Bra," an undergarment containing 60 carats of white diamonds and 82 carats of topaz and sapphire. This is Victoria's Secret being recession-friendly; 2008's "Fantasy Bra" was worth $5 million. More inside.]
Anne Hathaway's Fabulous Old Jewelry Can Be Yours!
U.S. Marshals are currently auctioning off jewelry seized from Raffaello Follieri, Anne Hathaway's now-imprisoned swindler ex-boyfriend. Anne's old jewelry is fetching only paltry prices. Bid, for the good of the U.S. taxpayer! Photos and prices below.
Liza Minnelli Is Still as Crazy as Ever
Liza Minnelli was on HSN last night to hawk her jewelry line, which she started after being immobilized—and, ergo, bored—by a bum knee. Predictably, it was crazy, and luckily, fourfour's Rich Juzwiak made a highlight reel. Video inside.
The Trump Trip to the Bargain Basement
Here's a funny/sad profile of Melania Trump, the Donald's third wife who is launching a QVC costume jewelry line. While her step-daughter Ivanka has a high-end luxury jewelry line, Melania's designs are decidedly downmarket. They're for the people, y'know. [NYT]
Ivanka to the Rescue
Ivanka Trump recently had a fairy tale wedding. Now she'll help you have one, too! Ivanka's jewelry company has teamed up with her dad's chain of hotels to offer "The Quintessential New York Proposal." And it's quite a package. Purchase a ring from Ivanka's "Bridal Bar" ("prices starting at $800"!) and you'll…
Put a (Man-gagement) Ring on It
Have you heard that some whiny men are now asking/demanding that their wives-to-be give them a "man-gagement" ring before getting married? According to a poll conducted by Brides.com (which may or may not have been funded by the jewelry industry), 45 percent of women said they'd consider buying their fiancé an…
PR Lady Thief Was Really Big Thief
Oh shoot, fashion PR person Mallory Montilla was some sort of career criminal or possibly a kleptomaniac, if you believe the cops, at least. Or is she a sad victim of mean girls?
PR Lady Is Jewel Thief!
It's getting so you can't even trust PR people any more: Cops say that Mallory Montilla, a 24 year-old flack at Whisper PR in NYC, stole almost $100,000 worth of jewelry. From clients! The swag corrupted her mind!
Padma Lakshmi Glistens Like Gold
Padma Lakshmi announced in January that she was branching out with a "food-inspired" jewelry line. The items went on sale at stores like Bergdorf this past spring, and they've been selling briskly, according to WWD. So now it's time to expand, apparently. An ad campaign for the collection kicks off this fall, one…
Jared Kushner Is a Quick Study
Jared Kushner learns quick. And he's going to blend into the Trump family just fine. WWD reports today that the engagement ring he gave Ivanka was from Ivanka's own collection, a 5.22 cushion cut diamond that's "proprietary" to Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry™. Ivanka will now serve as a living, breathing ad for her…
The Post-Bling Era?
How poor are people, these days? So poor that rappers can't afford to wear half-million-dollar chains any more! That's the thesis of a story which is surely false (nobody could ever really afford to wear a half-million-dollar chain), but it raises the question: what is the post-bling thing?
No Coin For Bling?
Fewer rappers are wearing bling, according to your source for all things hip-hop related, the Wall Street Journal. But it's not because they've suddenly realized that diamond-encrusted necklaces are no longer appropriate given the economic climate. It's because they can no longer afford them and they're now asking…
Happy Sparkle Week!
• Mayor Bloomberg has pronounced it "Sparkle Week" in NYC as part of an effort to give a boost to the jewelry industry. They sure could use the help: Retailers in the Diamond District report that sales have dropped by more than 50 percent over the past year. [NYM, Crain's]
• Jil Sander's new Madison Avenue store has…
Diamond Grillz Are Always the First to Go
And you thought you'd be stuck with your diamond and gold grills (grillz?) forever! Fortunately, there's a new website that will take them off your hands (or out of your mouth) if you're currently facing financial problems, since "selling your gold teeth and crowns is an excellent way to bring in a little extra money…
Diamonds Surprisingly Unpopular Now
De Beers thought that buying diamond jewelry would be a popular activity during this recession, but you know what? It isn't.
Cartier Gets the Steamroller Ready
Cartier would really, really appreciate it if you didn't take their jewelry, copy it, and then post cheap imitations on your website with the words "inspired by Cartier" positioned next to each item. Yesterday, the company filed suit against Lisa Hsieh and her website LisaStyles.com for "willingly committing…
Padma Branches Out
Don't be surprised if you see Padma Lakshmi sporting some mouth-watering jewelry on upcoming episodes of Top Chef. The TV hostess and cookbook author is planning to launch a line of necklaces and rings based on various cooking ingredients: "It's inspired by things like seeds and pods, like cardamom, lentils and…
