Style Watch: Mariah Carey Scintillates in David Yurman Earrings at 2015 Billboard Music Awards

OK, so the consensus seems to be that the award show itself was a bona fide hot mess. Performances were poorly shot and the event painfully MC'd. But speaking of MCs, another MC--Mariah Carey--was there, and at 46, the bombshell still slays the red carpet. In a Tom Ford dress and David Yurman high-jewelry earrings, Carey owned her timeless beauty.

Image Credit: cocoafab.com

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Three: Cognac Diamond

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His third pick, which is for the winter holidays, is cognac diamond, DYguy's longtime preference over white diamond (and even more so over black).

From DYguy:  White diamonds, while undeniably stunning in their light refraction, can give off what sometimes seems a cold light. Not so with cognac diamonds from David Yurman. These gems, whose hue conjures sunsets and lazy summer afternoons, provide one with a visual escape from the greys, whites, and blacks of the winter months (not to mention their inherent color warmth complements just about any holiday party ensemble).

How to Best Clean David Yurman Jewelry (with Pavé Settings)

Whenever you take jewelry with pavé settings to a David Yurman boutique to have them cleaned, what you receive is a lightning-fast ultrasonic treatment. Your pieces are dipped in water and exposed, only for a moment or two, to a high-frequency wave "bath" through which particulate matter is pulled away. Your jewelry comes back to you looking better but not entirely like new. The approach detailed below, however, gets one markedly better results. Cheap, quick, and easy, this proven-effective treatment (of DYguy's own design) restores David Yurman jewelry with pavé-set gemstones to showcase form. Let's get started.

Dos & Don'ts
The following four-step process was designed for use on/with David Yurman jewelry whose base is primarily sterling silver and which feature pavé-set gemstones, such as rubies, diamonds, or black diamonds. Designer jewelry should be treated with care and cleaned on a regular basis (i.e., once every month or two months, depending on frequency of wear). NEVER use harsh chemicals or silver cleaning solutions and/or dips on David Yurman product and especially not on those boasting inlays, mixed metals, and/or set stones.

Materials
This treatment calls for the following items:
everyday dishwashing liquid (such as Dawn)
a linen dish towel or cloth
a sterling silver polishing cloth (Connoisseurs brand recommended)

Coming Soon: The David Yurman Miniature Pinky Ring for Women

Seeing is believing. @islandfeversisters gave Instagram users yesterday this preview of what is to come from David Yurman. It appears that Waverly rings with colored gems and miniature pinky rings will soon be available. Get your pocketbooks ready, ladies. While price points have yet to be determined, these pretty creations will likely cost an equally pretty penny. I'll update this posting with additional details as they emerge.

David Yurman Targets New Market Segment with Griffin Collection

Pictured are designs from Yurman's new Griffin Collection for men.
Pieces range from $350 to $2600.

"Bold" is a word I'd use to describe David Yurman's fresh-from-the-studio Griffin Collection. "Curious" is another. As I've mentioned in an earlier post, these designs are anything but quintessential, classic Yurman. In fact, if it weren't for the shape of and antiquing on the tag necklace (see above), I'm not sure I'd even make the Yurman connection. I'd think Stephen Webster or Scott Kay. (I know. Scott Kay. Gross.) That's not to say I dislike what DY is doing here. It's just that these creations, I think, are not for me. While the motifs employed are designed, according to David Yurman copy, to "conjure... symbolic power," I don't think I'm--what's the right word?--burly enough for these to mesh with my look. The designs are sharp, hard, and, well, almost angry. They have an Armory Collection feel to them with the heavy antiquing and use of spikes on the amulets, but I can wear and pull off Armory, whereas I don't think I can Griffin.

I wish Yurman provided a
second, alternate product image
for this three-sided ring.
I'm interested to know what's out
of view on the left there.

And so for whom has this collection been prepared? For whatever reason, I see men with thick sausage
fingers working (and rocking) Griffin. I see the collection on gents who fancy the mythical (and mystical, for that matter). I see it on those whose chest hair is ample, those who wear only jackets of leather, those whose  musk is heavy and whose beards are dense. Will these men pay for Yurman? Will Yurman actively target them in advertising? Only time will tell, I suppose. I will say this, though: It is going to be an interesting fall/winter for the DY Men's Collection. At this point, what comes next is likely anybody's guess.

Briefs: New Arrivals, New Catalog, and DY Goes into Mom Mode

What's new and now in the world of Yurman? Much, actually. Here's a rundown of recent developments.

A slew of new product offerings for men are now available at DavidYurman.com, including leather wrap bracelets, a Maritime star amulet, Waves Collection skull pinky rings, and several Swiss Army knives (see below). Check out all the latest additions here.

Second, those on David Yurman's mailing list received late last week a new S/S '13 catalog from the company whose theme is Design Is in the Details. Pieces and quotations from the catalog can be viewed here.

Lastly, let it be known that DY is in full Mother's Day mode (see below) and that the line with which Yurman is leading this April-May is that of the Starburst with pieces ranging from $750 to $24000.

Does anything say love like the glint of a $1600 diamond pendant? ;)

And with that, what do you know? You are officially caught up on your DY news. Now go forth, and be vibrant. 

Country Stars Don David Yurman: Get The Looks

Held last night at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and broadcast live on CBS were the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Didn't you love that guy's--you know his name--performance? Oh, and didn't that one songstress look ravishing? You know the one. That... lady.

Yeah, OK, so I'll admit it: I'm not the biggest country music fan, and by that I mean I'm not a fan at all. Still, when I hear that persons of note were seen working David Yurman, I make it my business to--if nothing else--contrive interest. So, with that, here's a rundown of wearers and pieces worn last night at the ACM honors.

Pictured here (to the left) is Ms. Carrie Underwood (Hey! There's a name I actually know!), looking sumptuous in a floral-print dress. Last night she sported not only a Signature Black Diamond Pinky Ring, which retails for $6800, but also a pair of chandelier earrings, which, sadly, are not available online due to their being part of the company's High Jewelry Collection (its one-of-a-kind pieces are available only in certain boutiques or by special order).

Next up is Jason Aldean, who took home the prize for male vocalist of the year. He rocked a Pave Chevron Double-Sided Cross necklace ($8420), a Black Diamond Lion Claw Amulet pendant ($1795), and a Chevron Pave Diamond Ring ($1650).

Third (and finally) we have Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square, the twosome that won Best Vocal Duo of the Year. Keifer arrived on the scene Sunday wearing a Pave Black Diamond Armory Necklace (price tag: $1250).

Which look do you love? Who wore DY best? Sound off; post a comment or send me an E-mail. (Just don't make me listen to the pictured individuals' music. Hehe.)

New Additions to Yurman's Armory and Waves Collections for Men

Just Arrived
This Armory collection band ring (see right), whose official name is--get ready for this--"Armory Band Ring," is now available for purchase on DavidYurman.com. The piece, which is presently available only in a size 10, boasts intriguing weave designs, not to mention a black-diamond carat weight of 2.77. While the product image shown here suffices, I'm sure it very much pales in comparison to the actual ring itself (the retail price of which is $3200). Yurman's pave-set black diamonds sparkle brilliantly, whereas the stones here appear dull and unpolished. Rest assured the piece would be degrees more stunning on your hand. (You have my word on that.)

On Their Way?

I'm still waiting for the newest two rings from the men's Waves collection to make their digital debut, one of which is pictured here (see, again, right). Cut layered agate comprises the surface detailing on the piece. Its brother, of which I don't have an image, boasts the same exact design, only its surface is host not to agate but polished black onyx. Both are presently available in DY boutiques and come in at price points not exceeding $1000. Just for reference, the number at which the David Yurman Townhouse on Madison Avenue can be reached is 212.752.4255.  ;) And on that note, I'm out. Have, for me, a question or a comment? Sound off by posting your remark (or query) or by shooting me an E-mail.

Why There's No Comparing Tiffany & Co. to David Yurman (with pictures to prove it)

So a female colleague at my day job, knowing my adoration of David Yurman, remarked last week that DY is "great and all" but--and I quote--"we need to get you some Tiffany in your life." Knowing it was unwise to speak what I was thinking (i.e., Are you kidding me?!), I just blinked at her. But, really, are you kidding me? I mean, have you seen the men's collection at Tiffany & Co.? A glance at their offerings, and two words come to mind. Kay Jewelers. OK, so maybe that's not entirely fair. Glorified Kay Jewelers. (And that's entirely fair.)

You see, the offerings at Tiffany's for men are, to me, kind of sad. The line is just... kind of there. I get a sense there is very little corporate investment related to its development. While the pieces offered are sleak and clean in design, they are, in a word, boring. Or maybe "safe" is a better word. Or maybe "unremarkable." They certainly aren't cut to impress, to draw the eye. Still, I suppose that's OK. I mean, goodness knows not everyone wants his or her jewelry to make a statement. One should know, though, that in wanting not one's jewelry to make a statement, a person makes a very loud statement.

But that's enough dithering. My argument, dear reader, is, essentially, this: David Yurman is artistry. Tiffany & Co. produces (for men) accessories. If jewelry is, as Grace Kelly's character contends in Rear Window, "basic equipment," don't you want or, to use the D-word, deserve equipment in its highest form? If you're going to drop $600 on a ring, don't you want to buy the most elegantly-crafted available? That's all I'm saying. DY is on another level, a higher plane than is Tiffany's when it comes to men's collection design. So--what do you say--can we stop comparing apples to oranges?

Now having said that, allow me to present to you a slew of side-by-side product comparison shots. :)

The Basic Cuff

David Yurman, $450

Tiffany & Co., $425

The Classic Band

David Yurman, $425

Tiffany & Co., $2250

The Cross Necklace

David Yurman, $785

Tiffany & Co., $225

The Trend Ring

David Yurman, $975

Tiffany & Co., $475

Do those help to elucidate my argument? See left for original, masterful designs. See right for those that suffice but call to mind pieces found at large-chain jewelry stores (or appear straight from the Armani Exchange catalog).

Interview Magazine Identifies David Yurman Pinky Ring as "Most Wanted"

In case you missed it, Interview Magazine listed yesterday David Yurman's black diamond pinky ring for women as its "most wanted" item of the week. The article's writer, Alexandria Symonds, had this to say about the distinctive piece, whose shell of diamonds will set a buyer back $6800:

This is definitely not your grandpa's signet.

The phrase "ring finger" is a little unnecessarily exclusive, isn't it? We think every digit deserves adornment—and we're starting with the oft-neglected pinky, which can be difficult to outfit for reasons of proportion. A ring too large can overwhelm the finger or, worse, cross over into Mafioso territory; and why bother with a tiny, dainty one? This black diamond creation by David Yurman, a clever update on the signet ring, strikes just the right balance. 

Will you take DY's suggestion and adorn your pinky? If so, are you thinking diamonds or something less audacious? Sound off; leave a comment or write me.

Instagram of the Week

I search high and low each week (not really, I just browse images tagged #DavidYurman) in a quest to find what is, in my estimation, the best DY-related Instagram of that seven-day stretch. This week's pick comes from @ryann914.

Yes, this is a stellar in-close-focus shot of some beautiful product, but what sold me on this Instagram was @ryann914's clever caption in which he makes an endorsement--some sixty years late--of racial integration. It is good to know all the same, @ryann914, that you are on the right side of history. ;)