The newly installed Senior Editor of the Evening Standard glossy – Rebecca Newman – has chosen some goodies stocked at our client, Coco de Mer for the day of romance. After personally sampling Lelo’s massage oil infused with 18carat gold flakes the bejewelled lotion made the slot… along with the sterling silver Butterfly nipples by London’s favourite jeweller (normally less naughty) Alex Monroe, Bethany Vernon’s Puff Ring jewellery and Paul Seville’s lace gauntlets.

Naughty but nicely risque – making the day for lovers just a little bit sassier in 2012…

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How refreshing – to give your favourite girl a piece of jewellery with bling, but in the most subtle, tasteful way. Lestie’s signature ‘diamond-cut’ in the key metal of the moment, pink gold, complete with a sparkler….

LestieLee

Here is a link to the full article: http://bit.ly/A8fswT

Taking a peak at the rainbow coloured merchandise at Vicenza Oro 2012, one is refreshingly transported away from the not so dazzling realities – namely the current tightrope-walking Euro and the phenomenal price of gold – and into a stained-glass odyssey where pink gold is prevalent.

The vibrancy of the gemstones are glorious and creativity is back in design, with a fresh healthy mix of different cuts. Crisis? Not on your Crivelli.

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Pink gold appears to be high on the list, from the big players through to the smaller houses and independents.

On my walkabouts, I was delighted to spot that many of the big brands and designers have given themselves a creative challenge in these increasingly difficult times, in light too of the steadfast competition from China and India. The result? A sturdy backdrop that boasts some first-class settings. An abundance in fact of creativity with rose-cuts with diamonds and semi-precious gems, rather than an offering of the more regular cuts.

There may be less weight of gold per piece, a sensible choice and one of caution; however there seems to be a refreshing new wave of creativity in the industry. The palette of colours on view is a cheerful one, flying in the face of any gloom that might be lurking in the world outside the walls of the fair. Playing with coloured stones – and three coloured gold – still seems to be de rigueur, not just diamonds, but precious and semi-precious stones, super bright and vibrant.

There was a healthy mix of precious and not-so-precious metals, for example gold with lacquer or gold with mother-of-pearl and a healthy dose – not too much – of gold with wood and diamond mix as seen at Oromali.

There were lots of animal designs, such as those on show at Marroni Design, and huge links in chains such as the ones seen at Tirisi.

Art Deco seems to be a strong trend, particularly with the play of black and white.  And it was good to see some intricate, old-school workmanship and an execution of ultra-feminine designs coming back at Marco Bicego. Mattioli Gioielli, Verdi Gioielli, Roberto Bravo and Roberto Coin.

Crivelli marked its territory as ever in Hall C, magnificent as a peacock, with an offering of coloured stones and diamonds in sizes that defy any inkling of cut-backs and drama.

Magnetic and snake bracelets are still going strong and larger than life. They are not as prevalent as last year, but the trio of colours used are still blending beautifully.

Mediterraneo has dramatically grown in stature and has signed itself a stunning model ambassador and the presenter of the countr’s popular talen TV show Italy’s Got Talent.

With less imitation and more creations, the brands from China appear to be enjoying more and more success every year and the representation of Chinese jewellers was stronger this year, with impressive technical know-how rather than the effect of same same cheap copies.

Pink seems to be the key colour in the gem game for the moment. If anyone can dress up a drama, Italy can. Less packed than previous years and with plenty of restraint and reality checks in the air, the show still goes on. The beginning of 2012 appears to be saying that the industry can and will make it through this current dilemma. Let’s sweeten the shock and coat our jewels with a little bit of pink icing for the time being, and a just little precious metal, until we get back on track.

Juliet Rowe is an independent fashion PR and writer based in London and has a website at julietrowe.com. If you would like the chance to write for Professional Jeweller please email the editor Rachael Taylor at rachael.taylor@itp.com and pitch an idea.

The January issue of VOGUE has given our client – LALIQUE JOAILLERIE – some remarkable PR. Featuring the sizzling new fine jewellery collection….

Vogue January

Girls everywhere, this collection is good enough to eat!

The fabulous charm rings featuring the signature diamond-cut design by young fine jeweller, LestieLee, are featured in the Fashion Charts in this week’s Grazia magazine, on the shelves today!

Ms Lee has now made her mark in the competitive world of gems, with pride of place in the opening column of the greatest fashion weekly in the UK publishing world right now.

Truly a wonderful accolade for her first piece of editorial too! And in the same week as securing her first stockist, at Elizabeth Galton Studio

The Fashion Editor chose the Chignon ring by our client Damiani to feature in the delicious cocktail ring festive shoot

Do you agree with the following?

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That we – the consumer – have a natural born in-built desire to seek out the next best thing in the luxury / retail industry.

This is a constantly changing barometer of crazes, phases and short-lived fads, fantasies and urges.

So how perfect is the climate for ZAERNA, the new label on the luxury scene, specialising in luxury accessories for the discerning shopper – selective, sophisticated and brand-savvy, hunting down the finest quality products around the world, purchasing items that are of superior quality, rather than mass-produced or gimmick-led.

ZAERNA does not produce en mass; either the rare exotic skins are indeed just that, incredibly rare, or the hand-made item has genuinely been hand-made by some of the best artisans in the industry. Each leather item is (authentically) 100% made in Italy, not just words on the label which so often happens with some ‘luxury brands’.

ZAERNA cufflinks designed and manufactured in-house, fitted with a user-friendly bespoke double-swivel fitting, practical. The collection of silk pochettes is truly a gentleman’s must-have best friend, remaining perfectly in place and impeccably folded all day. Some of the world’s finest quality rare skins – including python, ostrich, crocodile and stingray – have been sourced, being made hand-cut and crafted into lavish clutches and purses for women, wallets for men and unisex Blackberry and iphone holders. The fur goods, including mink, fox or raccoon fur hats and collars, is fab with the most mouth-watering of pallets. Ostrich or crocodile gloves are launching soon for men and the womens’ gloves feature sheepskin with mink edging.

The packaging is of the same level as the product, meticulously designed, beautifully signed, sealed and delivered, only able to impress.

Prices from: £25 for silk products, £125 for exotic leather goods, £250 for fur items