Designers and Diamonds | Page 2 of 276 | Where jewelry, watches and fashion really shine, from sunny and sparkly Boca Raton, Florida

15 Blush Bridesmaid Dresses Under $250

May 22, 2013 11:50 am , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

What best compliments a blushing bride? Gorgeous blush bridesmaid dresses on beautiful maids, of course! Whether you’re so obsessed with pink you’ve got a rose gold engagement ring, or if you just want to add a dash of the rosy hue to your summer wedding, we can’t get enough of this shade. This pale pink is as lovely at a barefoot beach wedding as it is for a black tie soiree. It’s complimentary on nearly any skin tone (especially if you give your girls a paint swatch with various shades of blush so they can best choose a dress that works for their complexion. Best of all, the popularity of blush dresses opens up a whole realm of shopping possibilities. While we adore a trip to a bridal salon to choose bridesmaids dresses, it’s often less expensive to shop at your favorite go-to stores. And shopping the seasonal offerings means that you and your girls can select dresses that are more on-trend (not that there’s anything wrong with the classic simplicity of a chiffon sweetheart gown!) We’ve chosen a few of our favorite blush bridesmaid dress options, both long, short (and even hi-low for a very 2013 wedding trend feel!) Oh, and because we know our brides love the luxury look for less, all of these gorgeous bridesmaids dresses are under $250.

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Oasis Animal One Shoulder Dress $75 at ASOS

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Tempest Max Lace Dress (with cape!) – $218 at ASOS

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Elise Ryan Lace Back Belted Wrap Skater Dress – $88 at ASOS

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Lipsy Body-Conscious Dress with Embellished Collar – $102 at ASOS

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Little Mistress Embellished One Shoulder Maxi Dress – $110 at ASOS

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Oasis Lace Bodice Bandeau Dress – $127 at ASOS

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Lipsy VIP Sequin Embellished Maxi Dress with Thigh Split – $220 at ASOS

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Elise Ryan Bandeau Skater Dress in Sequin Cornelli – $85 at ASOS

Calvin Klein Strapless Rosette Bodice Chiffon Dress (Online Only)

Calvin Klein Strapless Rosette Bodice Chiffon Dress – $ 77 at Nordstrom

Hailey by Adrianna Papell Glitter Tulle Ball Gown (Online Only)

Hailey by Adrianna Papell Glitter Tulle Ball Gown – $178 at Nordstrom

Donna Morgan ‘Whitley’ Strapless Tulle & Lace Peplum Dress – $178 at Nordstrom

Hailey by Adrianna Papell Strapless Sequin Chiffon Overlay Gown (Online Only)

Hailey by Adrianna Papell Strapless Sequin Chiffon Overlay Gown – $148 at Nordstrom

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Lace & Chiffon Dress – $100 at Nordstrom

Maggy London Metallic Dot Fit & Flare Dress – $88 at Nordstrom

Donna Morgan ‘Lindsey’ Pleated Sweetheart Neckline Chiffon Dress – $178 at Nordstrom

Posted in: wedding rings, Wedding Wednesday, Weddings , Tagged: blush bridesmaid dresses, Bridesmaid, bridesmaid dresses under $250, bridesmaid dresses under 200, Dress, Nordstrom, summer bridesmaid dresses, trendy bridesmaid dresses

Want A 24 Karat Gold iPad With That?

May 21, 2013 6:19 pm , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

Dubai’s Burj Al Arab wants to give you a gold plated iPad. Of course, you’ll have to book a stay at the famous luxury hotel. That will be a lavish, over the top experience worthy of a gold iPad! Here’s how it works: guests staying at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai get the loan of a gold-plated iPad as sort of a virtual butler who can instantly connect them to guest services, spa menus, restaurant or private dining, housekeeping (how mundane), and anything else you might decide you need or want. Think of it…24-karat gold plating on your personal virtual assistant to remind yourself that you are in the lap of luxury.

via CNet

This isn’t the first time the Burj Al Arab has had the Midas touch with technology, last October they supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a 24-carat PINK GOLD plated iPad. One. It was the highlight of the Pinking Burj Al Arab Campaign and sold in a Facebook auction with all proceeds going to research.

Now, once your stay is over at the hotel you have to give your golden butler back. It comes with the room and stays with the room. You do have an alternative, though. The iPads were created for the Burj Al Arab by The Gold & Co. London and are available to purchase in the boutique shop for 37,490 AED. In US dollars, that’s $10,206.91. If you don’t want the iPad, look for the gold-plated iPad mini, iPhone 5, or Blackberry Q10. It would make a perfect souvenir of your stay in luxury’s lap.

Posted in: Gold, Raymond Lee Jewelers, Travel Tuesday , Tagged: Burj AlArab, Dubai, gold iPad, Hotel, IPad

All the Records Set at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels

May 20, 2013 6:17 pm , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses in Geneva experienced record sales for their Magnificent Jewels sales events held recently. Among the many Magnificent Jewels sold at Sotheby’s was the amazing collection of former Hollywood film star Gina Lollobrigida. Her collection alone went for a total of $5 million The house brought in a total of $78.2 million.

Meanwhile, over at Christie’s Geneva, a new D color flawless pear-shaped diamond sold the next day for over $26.7 million, giving a healthy boost to their total sales. The winning bid came from Harry Winston jewels, known for “buying only the best,” like the founder Harry Winston. The very huge, very perfect 101.73 carat pear-shaped diamond now carries the name “Winston Legacy.” Along with sales totals at other lots, the record setting total for Christie’s was $102.1 million, beating Sotheby’s sales by almost $24 million.

via People

Sales at both auctions revealed that natural pearls are in high demand, with sales as much as 10 times over the highest estimates. Christie’s sold a pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings for a little over $2.4 million, slightly edging out Sotheby’s sales for a similar item. Both houses beat the record of Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond and pearl earrings sold at auction in 2011.

via Jewels du Jour

Sales at Christie’s 300-lot sold 86 percent by lot, 93 percent by value, setting new record prices for pearls, diamonds and sapphires. The auction house had a total of 20 lots that sold over a $1 million dollars of magnificent jewels.

Another big boost for Christie’s, further proving the demand for natural pearls, was a single-strand natural pearl necklace that brought in $8.5 million.

Other record breaking items for Christie’s include the sale of the Star of Kashmir, an exquisite diamond and sapphire ring which sold for almost $3.5 million. The 19.88-carat sapphire set a new world sales record for per carat sale of a sapphire at $175,202 per carat.

Christie’s also broke the world record at the auction for the sale of a 1.92 fancy red diamond. The rare-colored diamond ring sold for more than $3.2 million.

Posted in: Auctions, buy diamonds, Diamonds, Gemstones, Jewelry Industry, pre-owned jewelry, Raymond Lee Jewelers, Sapphires , Tagged: auctions, Christies, Estate Jewelry, Gina Lollobrigida, Harry Winston, Harry WInston Legacy, red diamonds, royal jewelry, sothebys, Star of Kashmir

Introducing the Breitling Transocean Chronograph GMT

May 20, 2013 10:25 am , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

If you travel frequently, and especially travel through multiple countries and time zones, you recognize the value of an international watch. Such a watch can help you stay on track of what time it is where you are located and what time it is “back at the office”.

Breitling has a Tansocean Collection just for you. They recently have added a new Transocean Chronograph GMT to this collection and it offers some nice new details for a Breitling watch.

breitling transocean chronograph GMT, used Breitling Boca Raton

via Breitling

This new Transocean Chronograph GMT is completely developed and made in the Breitling facilities and its heart is an impressive self-winding chronograph calibre B04. When you enter a new country or time zone, you simply pull out the crown and turn it forward or backward according to your direction of travel. You can also see the 24 hour home-time indicator.

TRANSOCEAN CHRONOGRAPH GMT, sell brietling Boca Raton

via Breitling

Breitling is apparently so happy with the caliber B04 chronograph that it has created it with a transparent sapphire crystal back. This clear back allows the owner to admire the inner workings of the caliber B04.

This will be a limited run for Breitling, with only 2000 of these watches created in a steel edition. A red gold version is even more rare, and vastly more expensive. Only 200 of the red gold models have been produced.

The Transocean Chronograph GMT. If you are a traveler it may not be too early to place this on your holiday gift list.

Posted in: buy watches, luxury timepiece, Raymond Lee Jewelers, Watches , Tagged: breitling, Breitling Boca, Breitling Transocean chronograph GMT, Chronograph, sell Breitling, Transocean, used breitling

Spotlight On: Cartier’s Paris Nouvelle Vague Collection

May 19, 2013 5:27 pm , Leave a Comment , Raymond Lee Jewelers

There is no better place to become inspired to create than the beauty of your own backyard. That is just what the designers at Cartier did for expanding its Paris Nouvelle Vague Collection. The architecture and surroundings of the world’s most artistic and romantic city provided inspiration for the new additions to the collection.

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via Jewels du Jour

The pieces were designed to be more in keeping with lifestyles of today’s highly fashion conscious women. The city of Paris provided much inspiration to create pieces that are classical and elegant, yet at the same time daring and whimsical. The late thirties style of architecture of the Palais de Chaillot across from the Eiffel tower is the inspiration for some of the jewelry.

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via Jewels du Jour

An interpretation of the Ferris wheel in the Tuileries is presented in a pair of circular earrings featuring blue lapis and green chrysoprase. A wave design studded with brilliant diamonds mimics the calm flow of the meandering Seine River. The sparkle and excitement of the fireworks on Bastille Day is seen in explosions of gold beads.

via Jewels du Jour

A delicate yellow-gold bracelet is a mass of intertwining circular swirls that are distinctly reminiscent of Paris architecture. The swirls are embedded with diamonds while shimmering pearls are strategically placed all around the bracelet’s surface.

A bracelet from Cartier's Paris Nouvelle Vague collection.

Black enamel, yellow gold and rows of diamonds line up to create the bold and daring look of Paris’s dazzling nightlife. Some of the pieces have a charming filigree-look that resembles a delicate fleur-de-lis.

Pierre Rinero, Cartier’s director of image, style and heritage wanted to bring new features to Cartier jewelry and decided that the City of Light was just the fodder needed. He explains, “It’s in our very nature to be strongly rooted in Paris. This is the capital of fine jewelry. It’s the only place in the world where you will find, historically, this unique savoir faire.