'Sister Wives' Creates Claddagh Ring Craze

Rings and romance. For centuries we lowly humans have been using metal bands around our fingers to say "Go ahead." or "Beat it!"  And while the mainstream tradition in this country is to don a diamond ring and a wedding band, the Claddagh ring is a favorite of the Irish.

And polygamists, apparently.

The latest reality phenom, Sister Wives, tells the tale of a Utah man, his 4 'brides' and their day-to-day shenanigans. Hollywood Life reports the Fab 5 shut down a Utah jewelry store recently to get a Claddagh ring for the newest member of their clan.

Curious about the Claddagh? Here's the lowdown, according to Wikipedia:

The Claddagh's design features two hands clasping a heart, usually topped with a crown. There are four ways to wear the Claddagh: on the right hand with the heart oriented away to show you're single; on the right hand with the heart turned in to show you're in a relationship; on the left hand turned out to show you're engaged; on the left hand turned in to show you're married.

Confused? Think of how Brigham Young must have felt.

I think the Claddagh is a lovely way to rings thing up if you're looking for something different. And there are both men's and women's styles available - like these affordable looks on Jewelry.com:

For the curious, Sister Wives airs on TLC on Sundays at 10pm. And Oprah is grilling the group on today's show!

Affordable Engagement Rings

Buying a diamond engagement ring can be the most important (and stressful) jewelry purchase you can make. While the standard protocol requires fellas to shell out two months' salary, for many folks that's about as realistic as finding true love on "The Bachelorette".

So what do you do when you want to tie the knot without breaking the bank? Some thoughts:

1. Vintage Value

Diamond divas never utter the word 'used'. It's vintage, dahling - and there are many deals to be had in this diamond engagement ring category. Plus you can satisfy the 'eco-friendly' urge since you're buying a rock that's already in the coffers. But be careful to have it appraised before you pull the trigger.

2. Color Your World

This is my favorite emerging engagement ring trend - wearing a gemstone instead of a diamond. Prince Charles gave a stunning sapphire to Diana back in the day and now millions of women are wearing their favorite colored stone instead of the traditional white ice.

I found this stunning sapphire ring on sample sale site, JewelClub - originally $859 now (gulp) only $231.48 with their crazy discount (use the code: INSIDER to become a free 'friends and family' member).

3. Shop Clearance

With a little time and a creative eye, anyone can find a deal so great they'll be telling that story to friends and fam instead of how Jimmy popped the question. While there are a host of credible outlets for discount diamonds, check out JewelClub first. This classic pear-shaped ring is $462.74 down from $2129. Yowza.

4. Palladium: "The Other White Metal"

No longer the forgotten step-child of the precious metal world, palladium is emerging from the shadows as a (MUCH) more affordable option than gold. It looks like platinum or white gold - but it costs much less per ounce. And it's just as durable.

This 1/2carat palladium solitaire on JewelClub is only $572 down from $2649.

So what have we learned? Clearly some engagement rings traditions are meant to be broken - especially in this economy. You really can find a ring you love that doesn't cost the equivalent of a small sedan.

Here's to true love, diamond deals...and more room in the budget for an island honeymoon with fruity cocktails! Happy Friday the 13th, jewelry hounds!

Jewelry Fit for Kings and Queens

Jewelry hounds, you may be the only folks who really understand this next sentiment. You know that moment when the jewelry stars align, and you see a piece of jewelry so perfectly designed - so beautifully crafted - so YOU - that you know it will be forever ingrained on the fashion-obsessed part of your cerebral cortex?

I just had that moment when reviewing the new Dior Joaillerie line - their royal ‘Kings & Queens’ collection by Victoire de Castellane. The jewels feature one of my favorite trends – skulls – in an adorable brooch and ring pair. Yes, you’re meant to buy them as a royal couple! Adorable!


Just look at these little beauties. Can you imagine the gasps as you wear the skull ring to your next big event? Or better yet? Imagine the skulls' shine as you reach for that orange chicken Lean Cuisine during your next trip down the frozen food aisle. Glamour, people. Glamour.




The collection is made out of diamonds, opal, jade, quartz and obsidian, which along with the skulls symbolizes “eternity”, according to Dior. I’ve not been able to track down price points - which I’m thinking is just as well.

The King and Queen pieces even have cute little names: Queen of Jadélénie and King Opal to name a few.

Sigh.


So have you ever had a jewelry epiphany that rivals my new Dior skull obsession? If so, share the wealth! And what do you think about the royals? You die? Or not your style?

American Idol Judge Weds in Dozens of Diamonds

Wedding jewelry for most of us consists of a diamond ring and matching band and perhaps some pearls here and there. But if you’re a celeb, the high-end jewelers come out in droves to make sure you’re dripping in their diamonds – and American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi is no exception.

The superstar songwriter and Bikini Girl wanna-be walked down the aisle on July 5th in Prospect, Maine wearing a Vera Wang gown and almost 100 carats of diamonds from jeweler to the stars, Neil Lane.

She sparkled in a 30-carat diamond-and-platinum bracelet and chandelier earrings with 20 carats of diamonds. The total value? $250,000.

"She wanted something glamorous," jeweler Neil Lane told People about DioGuardi's wedding bling.

I guess 250 large qualifies.


Kara got engaged to Mike McCuddy, a general contractor, on December 8th after a year and a half of dating. The engagement took place while they were on vacation in Mexico and the alternative engagement ring was another Neil Lane creation featuring a smokey topaz center stone instead of the more traditional diamond fare.

In fact, many women today are going for colored stones instead of diamonds for their bridal bling – including the Today Show bride, who is sporting an emerald solitaire on her ring finger for her big day.

What do you guys think? Would you wear a colored stone engagement ring or are you afraid to buck with diamond tradition? Weigh in! And in the meantime, take a gander at Jewelry.com’s education section about the many ways to skin the engagement ring cat.

Ok. Bad metaphor. But you get the idea…