Celebrities and jewelry: Learning their lines
Lately, celebrities have been launching their own jewelry lines faster than you can say “B-list baubles.” And even though stars drape themselves in millions of dollars worth of fine diamonds when they walk the red carpet, when it’s time to get down to business, they are more likely to go the bargain route. Here’s a cheat sheet on the newest lines.
The line: Grayce by Molly Sims
The look: ‘60s sex kitten
The stats: Model-turned-actress-turned-designer Sims launches her jewelry line after success selling at HSN. Inspired by vintage jewelry scored at estate sales, the collection is priced from $75 to $250 online at graycebymollysims.com. The best pieces are the colorful triple cabachon drop necklace ($125), which has a nice, chunky chain, and the crystal-faceted gold fringe earrings ($85) — both perfect accents for summer dresses. But the oversized medallion necklace is too much.
The verdict: Uneven
The line: LowLuv Costume by Erin Wasson
The look: Venice boardwalk meets museum shop
The stats: Model-turned-designer Wasson channels her nomadic hippie lifestyle into rough-hewn, gold- and silver-plated knuckle rings, ankh pendants, cuffs etched with hieroglyphs and “bone” stack bangles. The new collection (which follows the original LowLuv fine jewelry range) is $40 to $200 at Diavolina, Ron Herman, shopbop.com and forwardforward.com.
The verdict: A cool interpretation of the globe-trotting tribal look but not quite as fun as stumbling on the real thing.
The line: Kardashian sisters for Virgins, Saints & Angels
The look: Byzantine boudoir
The stats: Everyone’s favorite TV family taps into its cultural heritage, bringing religious symbols and Armenian icons to this 20-piece bronze and silver collection of rings, necklaces and earrings, available at Nordstrom and Kitson stores, or online at ylang23.com, for $185 to $1,025. Think naughty nun Armenian cross rosaries ($385) and kinky-spiked hoop earrings ($285).
The verdict: Too expensive for the weight and feel of the pieces. Visit an Armenian church gift shop instead.
The line: Melania by Melania Trump for QVC
The look: Younger wife
The stats: Inspired by the cities the model-turned-socialite calls home — New York, Paris and Palm Beach — this 36-piece line of watches, bracelets, necklaces and oversized cocktail rings tries to bring high-class sparkle to the home shopping set. The Fifth Avenue watch ($49.75) has princess-cut crystals and a mother-of-pearl dial, and the Champs-Elysees ($64.08) watch has a jewelry link crystal bracelet. There’s even a replica of Trump’s engagement ring for the gal who can’t bag a billionaire. Everything is less than $200.
The verdict: Showy but not very stylish. Most of this stuff is already at a sidewalk tchotchke shop near you.
The line: One Kiss by Cindy Crawford for J.C. Penney
The look: Malibu mom
The stats: Model mogul Crawford expands her partnership with J.C. Penney to include fine jewelry in 14K gold, sterling silver and gemstones, $79.99 to $299.99. An Arabesque motif carries through the collection of tricolor stack rings, hoop earrings and pendants with Iolite drops. It’s the “henna symbol for a kiss,” according to the press materials, except that there are no henna symbols. Whatever the shape is, it’s pleasing and actually quite modern-looking.
The verdict: Delicate enough to wear every day. A lot of design for the price.
