World-record longest bracelet
A UK jewellery designer has set a record for making the world's longest beaded bracelet.
Alayna Salter, a designer and musician, created the 80-metre long chain of beads to gain publicity for her jewellery label and music career.
"I wanted to create a young, fun brand that didn't follow the rules of the more formal traditional trends and that's exactly what I've done," Salter said. "Better still, the success of my jewellery is now providing me with the opportunities to further my music career."
New jewellery brand Punky Allsorts was designed at Salter's kitchen table and has been spotted on celebrities like Nicky Hilton, Gabriella Cilmi, Fearne Cotton and chart topper Katy Perry.
The label is currently stocked in LA and several UK stores and was first spotted adorning Paris Hilton.
Rare red diamond on show
A 5.05-carat red diamond - one of only three such stones of that size known to exist - recently began a worldwide tour at a Los Angeles museum.
On show in February at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the world-famous stone was discovered as a 35-carat rough in South Africa during the 1920s, stolen by Nazis during World War II and kept hidden away at Adolf Hitler's summer retreat.
"Everybody who has seen it has marvelled at it, partly because of its beauty and partly because it's a very rare stone," said Anthony R. Kampf, curator of minerals and gems at the museum. "I think what really makes it stand out even more than its appearance is the fact that it has a very interesting history."
The rare red rock was named the Kazanjian Red Diamond by its current owner, Douglas Kazanjian, CEO, Kazanjian Bros. Jewelers in Beverly Hills.
"This is one of the rarest diamonds in the world and even if my company went on for another 1,000 years we would never find a diamond rarer than this."
Madge cleans up
Despite being on the verge of divorce, film-maker Guy Ritchie reportedly gave now ex-wife Madonna a $100,00 vintage Rolex Masterpiece watch for her 50th birthday last year.
Officially splitting in October, Ritchie threw a lavish birthday party for Madonna in August last year, disguising the troubled marriage from party guests.
Madonna had wanted the 18-carat gold, diamond-set Rolex President Masterpiece for a while, but could not justify spending that much on a watch.
Golden Globes present winning jewellery looks
The underlying theme behind actors' adornment at the recent Golden Globe Awards was decidedly classic and old Hollwood glamour, according to a report in JCK.
Held on January 11 in Los Angeles, the Golden Globes red carpet displayed several top jewellery trends including earrings in drop styles and studs, statement necklaces and bold bangles and cuffs.
Beyonce Knowles wore diamond drop earrings and fringe necklace, while Christina Applegate chose yellow diamond-drop earrings, flower necklace and rings, and Elizabeth Banks sported cushion-cut diamond studs, necklace and flower rings.
Marisa Tomei decided on a statement-necklace - carved citrine and diamonds, along with layers of platinum necklaces featuring darkened and pavé diamond balls.
Drew Barrymore shone in moonstone and opal pendant earrings, while Kate Beckinsale selected red spinel and diamond chandelier earrings.
Sandra Bullock accessorised with yellow gold and turquoise earrings and yellow gold and turquoise snake bracelets, while Megan Fox wore yellow gold and emerald earrings, yellow gold and diamond bangles and beaded emerald bangles.
Would-be jewellery thieves planned to use child in robbery
Police have arrested a couple who allegedly planned to rob a jewellery store using a young child as a distraction in Madrid.
When police spotted the couple acting suspiciously in a car parked near the store, they checked whether the vehicle was stolen.
As they received confirmation it was, the woman got out of the car, put her child into a stroller and headed towards the jewellery store.
The police apprehended and detained the woman straight away. And although her accomplice tried to escape, he was also caught and taken into custody.
Charged with multiple counts of theft, the couple had three knives with blades measuring between 18 and 35cm, screwdrivers, gloves and balaclavas in their car.
Police also found keys to luxury cars, cash and a number of items of jewellery in their possession.
Both have been charged with burglary and car theft, while the child is now in its grandmother's care.
More bang for your Valentine's Day buck
A gun dealer in Wisconsin, US had devised an unusual promotion for Valentine's Day: buy a pair of diamond earrings, get a free gun.
According to an Associated Press report, General Coin and Gun Exchange owner Brian Zinn believed, "guys like guns and girls like diamonds." So he figured he'd "mesh the two together this year."
Zinn said some wives had been sending their husbands into the store to take advantage of the "bang-bling" deal: spend $400 on diamond earrings and pick any gun in the store worth under $300.
The General Coin and Gun Exchange buys unwanted jewellery, diamonds and gold, while also stocking new and used rifles, shotguns and pistols.