When you were young, you loved watching her get ready for parties — putting on her makeup, putting on her jewelry, putting on her glamorous dresses.

She was always impeccably dressed. Impeccably made up. And impeccably accessorized.

She let you try on her jewelry and sometimes even let you put on some of her lipstick. You wanted to grow up to look as put-together as she always was.

But her love of fashion never could compare with her love for you. She loved dressing up for parties, but she loved listening you more. She always had obligations, but none of them was as important to her as her obligation to listen to your hopes, dreams, disappointments, and secrets.

She’s the Elegant Mom, and she’s everything you ever wanted to be.

Cathy Waterman Platinum and Diamond Listen Ring, $5,770 at barneys.com.

This Mother’s Day, show her that you appreciated all the times that she provided you an elegant shoulder to cry on. She didn’t just look like a model — she also modeled for you how to be a good listener.

What a beautiful way to tell your mother: “I hear ya!”

Listening,
Olivia

A lot of my friends have been getting engaged, lately.

This means that I’ve been privy to a lot of conversations about engagement rings — size, settings, color, carats, clarity… and cut.

Every girl has a favorite cut. I remember when princess-cuts used to be all the rage. These days, I’m seeing a lot of cushion-cut diamonds.

But thanks to the recent trend towards vintage jewelry, we’ve recently seen a resurgence in the popularity of rose-cut diamonds.

Mouawad Rosette Collection Rings.

The rose-cut has been around since the 1500s. Unlike today’s popular brilliant cut, the rose-cut is flat-bottomed instead of conical. While brilliants are cut so that the light will bounce around and refract inside the diamond itself, roses are cut so that the light refracts off of the surface of the diamond. This means that, while they might be more carats than a brilliant diamond of about the same size, it may need some help in the bling department. This is why many rose-cut diamonds are backed with gold or silver foil, to help them shine that light right back.

Mouawad Rosette Collection Heart Pendant.

Thanks to the vintage appeal of this cut, the rose is back!

Mouawad Rosette Collection Necklace.

And nobody does the rose-cut better than Mouawad. Their exclusive Rosette Collection features beautiful pavé-set, rose-cut diamonds, sapphires and rubies in designs with a distinctly vintage feel.

Mouawad Rosette Collection Earrings.

This hot revival of a trend is popping up all over the place! It’s been seen on celebs from Naomi Campbell to Paris Hilton.

Celebrity trend fan Michelle Monaghan.

So it looks like the old has become new again — and this trend is coming up roses.

Rosily,
Olivia

It used to be a bad thing if you said you were “feeling blue.”

Well, this new diamond might change that.

An extremely rare blue diamond weighing 7.03 carats will be auctioned off in Geneva on May 12th.

The diamond was unearthed by Petra Diamonds in the famed Cullinan diamond mine in South Africa, where the famous Star of Africa diamond was mined. Uncut, it weighed 26.58 carats. Blue diamonds are extremely rare because the conditions necessary to form a blue diamond so seldom occur. They are second only to red diamonds in rarity.

This particular yet-unnamed, cushion-cut blue diamond is expected to fetch an estimated $8.5 million at the Sotheby’s auction. It’s been shown all over the world, and will soon adorn some lucky woman’s finger.

Can you imagine being proposed to with an engagement ring like this? Now, that’s an offer I can’t refuse!

Rarely,
Olivia

We talked a little yesterday about synthetic diamonds — what they are, how they’re made, and where you can get them.

We learned that they’re cultivated from “seed” diamonds — microscopic specks of diamond — but did you know that they can be made from any purified carbon source?

Get this people: that means that you can make a diamond out of human hair — or even human remains!

These diamonds are called “memorial diamonds,” and they’re quickly rising in popularity!

How do you do it? Well, you can expose human hair to heat treatment in order to extract the carbon. You can then turn that carbon into a diamond using the HPHT process (which we discussed in yesterday’s blog).

You can also filter and purify cremated human remains and then turn that into a diamond, once again thanks to HPHT.

The implications are astounding. You could wear a necklace made from your late grandmother. You could have earrings made from your first pet cat. You could even sport an engagement ring made from your fiancé’s hair!

I think a diamond is a classier keepsake than most cremation jewelry, but what do you think?

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Remembering,
Olivia

Memorial diamonds can be commissioned in the United States by LifeGem.

Yesterday, I wrote about April’s birthstone: the diamond. In that post, I alluded to the fact that diamonds have been duplicated in labs. What I was referring to was the fact that there are several companies that can synthesize diamonds.

Well, I thought it might be a good idea to dig in to what they are, how they’re made, and whether or not they’re worth the money.

Gem-quality synthetic diamonds are mainly cultivated using two different processes. The first is “high pressure, high temperature,” or HPHT. A microscopic diamond “seed” is placed in a special oven that can exert thousands of pounds of pressure and work up temperatures as high as 2,700 degrees Celsius. Through this process, that speck of diamond grows, one atom at a time, until it gets to the desired size — usually about 2.5 carats, which takes four days. This process mimics the conditions under which diamonds form naturally, deep in the earth’s crust.

The second process is called “chemical vapor deposition,” or CVD. It involves pumping gas into a chamber that “rains” carbon. Eventually, in about two to four weeks, a nugget of a diamond will form. This process is closer to the way that diamonds form in space. The great thing about this process is that, if you add nitrogen to the gas, the impurity in the diamond actually makes it turn yellow — a far cheaper way to get yellow diamonds, which rarely occur in nature and are consequently much more expensive that clear diamonds.

So what are the benefits of buying a synthetic diamond? Well, they look like a diamond, feel like a diamond, and shine like a diamond, but they cost 15% less!

And, best of all, synthetic diamonds don’t need to be mined, so they are guaranteed conflict-free, every time!

A lot of people turn up their noses at synthetic diamonds, calling them “cultured,” like pearls, and insisting that they just can’t compare to the real thing.

I, however, can see why the niche for this product is growing so quickly — if I can get the look for less, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

Faux Real,
Olivia

Synthetic diamonds can be purchased at Apollo Diamond, Chatham Jewelry, D.NEA Diamonds, and Gemesis.

If your birthday is in April, then your birthstone is the diamond!

You may already have read our intro to diamonds (Diamonds 101 in WooU), but let’s review anyway.

The diamond is the hardest naturally-occurring mineral on earth. Its name comes from the ancient Greek adamas, which means invincible. Another mineral that gets its name from this Greek root word is adamantium — the fictional mineral that is infused into Wolverine’s skeleton in X-Men to make his bones into indestructible metal.

All geeky fangirlishness aside, a diamond is the quintessential gemstone — the first gem that comes to mind when you think of jewelry. Songs have been written celebrating it, nursery rhymes comparing stars to their luster. It’s often imitated and even duplicated.

So let’s celebrate all of you fabulous April Diamonds out there with a few different ways to rock your birthstone!

Affordable Accent

fettY Aries Zodiac Necklace (also comes in Taurus), $675 at barneys.com.

Whether you’re a courageous Aries or a determined Taurus, these ultra-hip Zodiac necklaces will show your true self to the world. And the diamonds used in this necklace are conflict-free!

The Investment Piece

Frank Gehry for Tiffany & Co. Torque Bead Ring, $1,650 at tiffany.com.

Y’all know how I feel about Frank Gehry. And, since I know that you April Diamonds will accept nothing but the best, I suggest you try on Gehry’s Torque ring for size. The idea is classic, but the execution is so modern — everything we’ve come to expect from the fabulous Mr. Gehry!

Living in Luxury

Diamond in the Rough Champagne Bubbles Necklace, $22,000 at neimanmarcus.com.

It’s your birthday — this calls for a celebration! And a celebration always calls for the best champagne! I love the paradox of these rough diamonds creating such a refined piece of jewelry.

You April diamonds are tough, but beautiful. Shine on, my friends, shine on!

Brilliantly,
Olivia

A lot of things these days seem so processed. From the food we eat to the fuel in the cars we drive, so few things seem complete in their natural state.

Not even jewelry is safe. Gemstones are cut and polished and filled in within an inch of their lives these days.

But just as organic food is on the rise, it looks like organic jewelry is the next big thing.

Diamond in the Rough Solitaire Stack Rings, $5,000 each at bergdorfgoodman.com.

Diamond in the Rough builds their jewelry around uncut, “rough” diamonds. Sad to say, I had never even seen a picture of an uncut diamond until I discovered the diamond in the rough that is Diamond in the Rough. I had no idea that they were so beautiful!

These pieces also boast pavé diamond accents — a wonderful foreshadowing of what most of these rough beauties will eventually become.

And since Diamond in the Rough only uses conflict-free, certified natural rough diamonds, you know that there were no people harmed in the making of this jewelry.

Respect for human life is so in right now.

Naturally,
Olivia

Diamond in the Rough jewelry is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

I talk about the “gold standard” on this blog a lot. It makes for a convenient metaphor and a clever pun all in one.

But I really hit the proverbial jackpot with this metaphor when I talk about the “Gold Coin” that sets the gold standard in the world of jewelry.

Of course, I am talking about the one and only Roberto Coin.

In 1977, Roberto Coin started a company specializing in the production of gold pieces for fine jewelry companies. By 1996, Coin realized that he could launch his own brand with his own unique vision. By 2000, Roberto Coin became the seventh most recognizable fine jewelry brand in the United States and, as of 2002, they’re the third-ranked fine jewelry company and the number one Italian jewelry brand in the world. And they say that the value of gold is steadily rising!

Roberto Coin is firmly rooted in their traditional roots. They began as a company specializing in gold, and gold of all colors still figures prominently in most of their jewelry.

The Roberto Coin Celebrations Collection.

Despite their loyalty to their original vision, they also herald creativity and imagination. I love how inventive their design is — they’re inspired by anything from everyday items to animals!

The Roberto Coin Animalier Collection. Clockwise from top left: Elephant Skin, Giraffe, Unique Pieces, Turtle.

They’re also committed to experimenting with new things — new techniques, new materials, new designs — this three-pronged approach to creation and innovation is what always keeps the brand fresh.

One of the new techniques they’ve developed is called the Cento Diamond. Most diamonds have 57 or 58 facets, but Roberto Coin Cento Diamonds have 100 facets, making them almost twice as brilliant as ordinary diamonds — and, next to a Cento Diamond, any other diamond just look ordinary.

Roberto Coin Cento Diamond Engagement Ring, $15,660 at jrdunn.com.

And most pieces are blessed with the Roberto Coin signature. If you look carefully, you will often find a tiny ruby on the inside of Roberto Coin’s jewelry, where it will be in direct contact with the wearer’s skin. This ruby is as much a part of Roberto Coin’s signature as his name. Rubies have long been thought to have mystical powers to impart peace, long life, health, and happiness.

This is Roberto Coin’s secret blessing to the women lucky enough to own a piece of his jewelry: every time they wear Roberto Coin, they will feel that ruby and know that, somewhere in the world, Roberto Coin himself is wishing them well.

Blessedly,
Olivia

Roberto Coin jewelry can be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and J.R. Dunn Jewelers.

When it comes to gems, diamonds are music to my ears!

And apparently, they’re music to the ears of musicians, if the red carpet at the 2009 Grammy Awards was any indication. Diamonds reigned supreme on the red carpet, and diamond earrings were the definite winner that night!

But each shining star put her own spin on this red carpet trend!

Kim Kardashian: Drop It Like It’s Hot

Kim Kardashian at the 2009 Grammy Awards

Kim Kardashian of E!’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” kept things classy with these simple drop earrings. We here at WooMeOver are glad to see Ms. Kardashian practicing some subtlety in her style!

Jennifer Hudson: The Mod Squad

Jennifer Hudson at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Diva Jennifer Hudson showed that she’s living in the now with her modern, geometric earrings. Paired with an ultra-sharp black, white, and gray frock, these earrings are the perfect finishing touch to La Hudson’s nod to mod!

Miley Cyrus: Big

Miley Cyrus at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Billy Ray’s little girl is a big girl now! Miley’s sophisticated pentagon earrings are inlaid with pavé diamonds — nothing “Disney Channel” about these stunners! This elegant look is much more “Hollywood” than “Montana”.

You’ve gotta love the music community for going big in everything that they do, whether it’s music, awards shows, or lighting up the red carpet!

Harmoniously,
Olivia

When I was in junior high, my mascot was the owl. I hated it. I wished we at least had a mascot that wasn’t portrayed as a geeky professor in cartoons.

Well, I’m much (much) older and (a little) wiser now, so I think I’ve earned the right to wear my old mascot proudly. And since I don’t wear stonewashed jeans or layered socks anymore, I don’t have to do it in a way that makes me look like a dork.

Tiffany & Co. Sapphire and Diamond Owl Brooch

This adorable brooch by Tiffany & Co. shows so much more than school spirit. This brooch oozes class (thanks to the simple, but still adorable, design), fashion sense (owls are so in right now), and luxury (what part of “Tiffany & Co.” did you not understand?).

I’m almost two decades too late, but I think it’s about time I started supporting my school’s mascot, don’t you?

Spiritedly,
Olivia