If your birthday is in March, then your birthstone is the aquamarine!

Aquamarine is a gem-quality, turquoise-hued variety of the mineral beryl. The name “aquamarine” means “water of the sea” — so apropos! The color of fine aquamarine is an exact match for the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Maybe that’s why ancient sailors slept with aquamarine under their pillows. They believed that this seaworthy gem would protect them from harm on their voyage, guarantee a safe passage home, and even help them to sleep soundly!

At a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is a low-maintenance, high-quality gemstone to invest in.

And here are three of our favorite ways to do just that!

1. Affordable Accent

Baccarat Galet Women’s Pendant in Aquamarine, $230 at neimanmarcus.com.

This Baccarat pendant is a lovely abstract shape that will go with anything from a little black dress to a white cotton tee. And since the shape is so nebulous, it just adds to the mystery of your look!

2. The Investment Piece

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Sugar Stacks Pendant in Aquamarine, $750 at tiffany.com.

I once said (okay, maybe twice) of Paloma Picasso’s Sugar Stacks collection for Tiffany & Co. that the pieces looked so good that I almost wanted to taste them!

Well, I imagine that this yummy pendant from Paloma’s collection would somehow taste like the sea. A versatile piece like this is always worth the investment!

3. Living in Luxury

Linda Lee Johnson Mermaid Pendant, $10,550 at barneys.com.

The same ancient sailors who used aquamarine as a good-luck charm also believed that a mermaid’s fishy parts were made of them. Linda Lee Johnson pays homage to this old seaman’s tale with this adorably nautical necklace. The perfect combination of elegance and whimsy, it’s a great way to show that your birthstone has a history that you can be proud of!

You March Aquamarines are mysterious, tranquil, and as deep as the blue sea. Happy birthday to you, and may the coming year be filled with halcyon days.

Peace Out,
Olivia

After weeks of dropping cryptic hints, 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner Alexander Wang finally debuted his new jewelry line along with his Fall 2009 collection.

A metal cuff from Alexander Wang’s Fall 2009 jewelry line.

Propz to Mr. Wang on rendering me speechless. I couldn’t decide: was it primal or futuristic? Was it inspired by nature or aeronautics? Was it animal, vegetable or mineral?

Either way, it’s fabulous. Designed in collaboration with Paris Kain of Abraxas Rex, the lines of this collection are sharp, but the feel is blurry. You know what it looks like, but you can’t quite put your finger on whether it reminds you of the future or the past.

Models on the runway of the Fall 2009 Alexander Wang show.

Those Woobies out there without pierced ears should rejoice: Alexander Wang’s earrings hang over the ear itself and don’t require piercings. And even though they don’t actually pierce the skin, they somehow look even more tribal than an actual piercing!

I don’t know how a designer can simultaneously remind me of cavemen and spaceships, but Alexander Wang has done it. And I don’t know what to make of it, but I think I kinda like it.

Delightfully Confused,
Olivia

So far in our analysis of the 2009 Oscar red carpet, we’ve seen women wearing gold, diamonds, coral, and even some wearing nothing much at all!

But I think that, when it comes to the ultimate accessory, Penélope Cruz and my downest girl Kate Winslet have the contest in the bag.

I mean, look at Penélope. Doesn’t she look simply ravishing?

Actress Penélope Cruz at the 2009 Academy Awards.

I loved the vintage feel of her lacy ivory dress. And it certainly set off her accessories perfectly!

And let’s have a gander at Kate, shall we?

Actress Kate Winslet at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Her gunmetal blue dress is beyond elegant. As usual, Kate looks just flawless. And don’t you agree that her ultimate accessory is the ultimate accessory?

What’s that? You don’t know what I’m talking about?

Maybe you just need to take a closer look.

Or maybe you need to see these two ladies from a better angle. How’s this?

Actress Penélope Cruz accepting the 2009 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

And imagine my satisfaction at seeing this:

Actress Kate Winslet accepting the 2009 Academy Award for Best Actress.

Gold doesn’t get any better than this accessory. With Oscar on your arm, everyone knows that you look like a million bucks.

All kidding aside, congratulations to Ms. Cruz and Ms. Winslet on their huge wins!

Elatedly,
Olivia

I told y’all yesterday that I was glad that the stars toned down their jewelry on the red carpet — possibly in response to our country’s recent economic downturn.

But I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t secretly glad that some starlets decided to go for it in a big way on the red carpet.

Actress Amy Adams at the 2009 Academy Awards.

I mean, look at Amy Adams: she’s glowing! Her milky white skin is the perfect canvas to show off her multicolored Fred Leighton statement necklace! It was a risky move, considering that so many other actresses opted not to wear necklaces at all. If you were going to wear a necklace on Oscar night, it was going to have to be fabulous.

Fortunately for the luminous Ms. Adams, Fred Leighton absolutely knows what he’s doing when it comes to statement necklaces. The rainbow of jewels on her neck is what saves her from blending right into the red carpet.

Actress Taraji P. Henson at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Actress Taraji P. Henson went for this fabulous diamond necklace (also by Fred Leighton). But she still kept in touch with old Hollywood by choosing a vintage piece. I love how it perfectly complements her creamy gown; it adds sparkle and shine to the softness of her frock.

Model Heidi Klum at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Finally, for your consideration, take a look at Heidi Klum’s stacked coral bangles and matching earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. Klum was dressed in red — a nod to Diet Coke’s Heart Healthy campaign — and also wore a Diet Coke Red Dress charm bracelet in support of her cause. A celebrity using her red carpet clout to support a worthy cause — now that’s what we call beautiful!

I love that the 2009 Oscars had a little bit of everything: compassion, drama, class, and charity.

Well-Rounded,
Olivia

Ahh, the Oscars: the night of the year that shines brightest because of all the stars.

In this time of economic hardship, I was wondering how Hollywood would respond. Would the troubles of the rest of the country be reflected by the red carpet styles of the rich and famous?

It looks like the movie industry has really been paying attention to current events and are actually being sensitive to the plight of everyman. The red carpet was largely devoid of in-your-face, “look how rich I am” jewels (although there were just enough statement pieces to keep it interesting. Hey, we watch these people so that we can escape our own humdrum existence). The result was reminiscent of old Hollywood, back to a time when an actress could rely on her class to generate buzz, and not on gaudy jewels.

Clockwise, from top left: Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Beyoncé Knowles, Evan Rachel Wood.

Most notable to me was the lack of necklaces. An unusual number of actresses opted to forego necklaces altogether, and wore modest, but gorgeous, earrings and bracelets. It was just enough to put the finishing touches on these beautiful looks without screaming: “I don’t ever have to worry about getting laid off!”

Clockwise, from top left: Freida Pinto, Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Jessica Biel.

It was refreshing to see that even the cream of the Hollywood crop didn’t need to bury themselves in jewels in order to feel important. In fact, I think that allure of a radiant complexion might give the sparkle of a statement necklace a run for its money.

Clockwise, from top left: Marisa Tomei, Queen Latifah, Miley Cyrus, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Most of all, I enjoyed the sense that these women, whom I sometimes feel live such different lifestyles than I do that they might as well be from Jupiter, understand that I can’t afford the same luxuries that they can, and they chose not to rub it in on Oscar night.

Perhaps a beautiful soul is still a treasured accessory in Hollywood yet.

Modestly,
Olivia

Joyful, joyful, I adore thee!

I can’t help but to react with joy when I see pieces from Frey Wille’s new “Ode to Joy of Life” collection of jewelry. Featuring bright enamel mounted in either 24ct yellow gold or rhodium-plated sterling silver, these beautiful pieces make me want to burst out in song!

The “Heavenly Joy” line in this collection remind me of sunshine sparkling through the famous stained glass windows at Chartres Cathedral.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Heavenly Joy Half-Moon Pendant, $662 at freywilleusa.com.

The “Paradise Moonlight” line makes me think of the fragrant mystery of a night in Tahiti.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Paradise Moonlight DIVA Bangle, $1,395 at freywilleusa.com.

“Paradise Sunlight” must have been inspired by the sun filtering through the clouds in the Hawaiian tropics.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Paradise Sunlight Mini-Creole Earring, $1,095 at freywilleusa.com.

“Endless Love” is an homage to what some might say is the greatest thing in this life: love.

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Endless Love Ring Diva, $610 at freywilleusa.com.

I love that the “Passion” line comes in two colors: red and blue. Although the shapes are abstract, they certainly evoke a sense of yearning!

Frey Wille “Ode to Joy of Life” Red Passion Oblong Dress Watch, pricing upon request at freywilleusa.com.

The only problem with this collection is that I can’t decide which line I like best! This has to be the happiest a problem has ever made me.

Joyously,
Olivia

Zip it!

Dr. Evil may be evil, but he’s got the right idea as far as the hottest jewelry trends go. We did a piece last month on jewelry designer Kate Cusack. Ever since then, I feel like I’ve been seeing zippers in jewelry everywhere!

But, first, let’s revisit the original: Kate Cusack’s zipper jewelry!

Kate Cusack Zipper Necklace

I love how the light catching on the zippers’ teeth are reminiscent of the sparkle of pavé diamonds — but at a fraction of the cost!

And, since I love to see two trends in one, here’s an example of the zipper trend with my favorite pendant watches! Oh, Marc Jacobs, you get me every time.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Gold Zipper Clock Necklace, $175 at neimanmarcus.com.

And, finally, here’s the luxury option for wearing this trend: Van Cleef & Arpels’ version in white gold, dripping with diamonds!

Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Zip.

Between these three designers, they’ve got this new trend all zipped up! Look out, clothes — you’re not the only ones sporting zippers anymore!

Zippin’ Out,
Olivia

If you know Olivia, you know that she likes multitaskers. She likes watches that are necklaces. She likes brooches that are hair pins.

And now she likes rings that are two rings.

Van Cleef & Arpels Lotus “Between-the-Finger” Ring, $24,300.

Van Cleef & Arpels has a new line of rings that they call “Between-the-Finger” rings. Part of it is like a traditional ring — a metal circle designed to fit perfectly around one’s finger.

But the second part loops around the bottom of the adjoining finger, with an unexpected flower that seems to bloom right out of your very hand! Factor that with the trendilicious pavé diamonds, and you’ve got a hot new trend on your hands — literally!

I love that you get two rings in one with this fabulous piece of jewelry!

Duplicitously,
Olivia

Hi, I’m Olivia, and I’m a blingaholic.

I saw Confessions of a Shopaholic this weekend, and I assure you: the fashion was fabulous to behold! I drooled over Isla Fisher’s outfits as the ultimate Shopaholic — Rebecca Bloomwood — as much as I laughed over her antics. The Prada, the Gucci, the Louis — how they crammed so many amazing designers into such a short time span is beyond me!

There were some fantastic pieces of jewelry displayed in the movie. I love that stylist Patricia Field isn’t afraid to go big when it comes to bling. The necklaces in particular were so bold (and double droolworthy)!

Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) had some incredible jewelry!

I especially enjoyed the anchor pendant necklace that Rebecca sported in the Miami scenes. It was so nautical; so “statement”; so apropos!

There was a definite moral to the story: spending beyond your means can get you in major trouble! But thank goodness that we can live vicariously through characters like Rebecca Bloom!

Addicted,
Olivia

Happy Singles Awareness Day. That’s S.A.D., for those of you not in the know.

That’s right, for those of us who are single on February 14th, it’s not the happy, lovey-dovey holiday that it might be for those of you who are expecting something sparkly from someone you love (or at least someone who loves you).

Many of us single ladies have nothing planned for Saturday except for an evening in with some microwave popcorn and deep, philosophical questions like: “What’s Bridget Jones got that I don’t?” or “Wherefore art MY Romeo??”

But fear not, my stalwart, single sisters! Remember the eternal words of some of our generation’s greatest thinkers:

“Question: Tell me what you think about me
I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings.…
Rock I’m rockin’, I bought it…
‘cause I depend on me.”
– Destiny’s Child, Independent Woman, Part I

And now that I’ve put you in the mood, here are my fave five pieces for the single lady who doesn’t need a man to feel like a human being on Valentine’s Day.

1. You Give Love a Bad Name

“Shot through the heart
And you’re to blame
You give love
A bad name.”
– Bon Jovi, You Give Love a Bad Name

fettY Shot Through the Heart Necklace, $685 at barneys.com.

I’m sorry; I don’t know why I’ve been so inspired by music lately. But this necklace by fettY might remind some of you that it’s better to be single than to be with a player.

2. Put a Ring on It

“If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it.”
– Beyoncé, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

M² Design by Mary Margrill Women’s Amethyst “Love” Ring, $250 at bloomingdales.com.

Show yourself a little love on Valentine’s day by putting a ring on it. This M² by Mary Margrill ring will be a constant reminder that no matter who comes in and out of your life, love will always be with you.

3. The Power of Positive Thinking

“Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love.”
– Robert Palmer, Addicted to Love

Alex and Ani Love and Luck Bangle Set, $178 at saks.com.

Might as well face it; most of us swingin’ singles wish we were luckier in love. Well, these bangles by Alex and Ani are the perfect good-luck charm for the single lady on the hunt.

4. The Missing Link

“Two of hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
I need you, I need you!”
– Stacey Q, Two of Hearts

David Yurman Linked Heart Earrings, $275 at neimanmarcus.com.

Show the world what you’re looking for with these David Yurman link earrings: you’re looking to make a connection with someone special! These earrings will help you to look your best so that that someone special doesn’t pass you by.

5. The Greatest Love of All

“Learning to love yourself:
It is the greatest love of all.”
– Whitney Houston, The Greatest Love of All

Tiffany & Co. Kunzite and Diamond Bow Brooch in Platinum, $74,500 at tiffany.com.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the day that you give a special gift to the one you love most. If that person happens to be YOU, then don’t pull any punches — gift yourself right! This exquisite kunzite brooch comes pre-wrapped with a pavé diamond and platinum bow.

Being single can be fabulous! So put away that pint of Ben & Jerry’s and get blinged out. Show your single self that you deserve nothing but the best. Make Beyoncé proud.

Independently,
Olivia