If you have noticed stately women, they do not usually wear a lot of gold or diamonds. Instead, they use jewellery that has character and that which has an aura of sophistication. Price really doesn’t matter when it comes to elegance. While an expensive necklace can be ultra chic, an inexpensive antique necklace can have the charm that is priceless.

This Crown Turquoise Necklace being sold at Tique, Etsy is amazingly rich to look at while it brings back memories of czars and  czarinas of the past. It can also pose as a brooch and the faux turquoise doesn’t  really look faux and looks amazing! It has this vintage elegance which has not come across even in the most expensive necklaces we have featured.

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You can love them, hate them but the truth is that you can’t ignore them. Yep, you guessed it right; we are talking about bizarre jewelry and the fact that they never go out of fashion as long as you have the attitude to carry it off. And the one we are just going to introduce you to is as crazy as it gets, but it stands splendid in its uniqueness. The name is Shagreen Cuff with Gold Vermeil Bug and the name itself defines what the accessory is all about.

As we know, Shagreen is already quite popular amongst the fashionistas, especially the pure sting ray leather ones but the creepy bug on this one might repel them on first sight. However, we are definite that once the eye falls on the pretty rubies and sapphires on the insect, perspectives might change in a jiffy. Reminiscent of the Egyptian times of yore, this cuff would work wonders with your goth ensemble and actually win you some envious glances.

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Royalty in ancient India played a form of Chess called Shatranj. Sadly, all they had was silk cloth board and usual dice. If they knew about the latest artistic investment in the game of Chess, they would have been amazed. For instance, The Art Of War board and dice, designed by Victor F. Scharstein. Imagine rhodium and gold chess pieces dancing at your command on a decked up ebony board.

Every piece is tastefully decorated with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones. Even the legs of the board are all gold- having eight all gold balls. It will be priced at nearly $50,000. It is said that all other parts of the game such as the lock and the key, the hinges and the handle are made of gold. I can imagine how much motivation a thief will have to break open the lock and get away with it.
My other concern is that of functionality itself. Would not so much of glitter distract the attention away from the game? But may be that is also a positive point if you twist the argument a little.

Now you can call your friends for a game of Chess and win every game as they would be too busy admiring the glitter and gold to play the game seriously, at least the first few times! If, after all my convictions, this game piece does not appeal to you, check out the subtle yet classy transparent chess set here.

Via ArtOfWarChess

iPhone, the unprecedented device by Apple, is being launched with another exclusivity factor. Continental Mobiles, well known for its range of luxurious cell phones, has pimped the 3G, 16GB white luxury i-Phone with Pigeon Blood Red rubies and white diamonds. Exclusively and intricately handcrafted, this piece of art comes from England for £3099 (about $5,550). Though this isn’t the first union of gemstones with the much-hyped 3G iPhone, it will certainly be leap forward of the earlier versions. This adorned Apple cell phone comes in a sophisticated briefcase that promises a shield to this delicate gadget. And that’s not all! This security comes in a variety of elegant shades to choose from especially the Piano finishes that are inspired by the graceful curves of the Steinway Grand Piano. This seems to be a melodious twist!

Trendy and chic as the iPhone may be, it still vies for your haughty touch (no pun intended!) and dressing it up in glam-style is the only option. So here’s technology coming hand-in hand with the pompous flair.

Melted down is not a painting but an antique bowl that have reached the auction block. This gold Ming Dynasty bowl is anticipated to sell off for $30,000, which is almost two-fold of its estimated price around four years ago. Sotheby’s disclosed that at a scheduled Hong Kong auction on 11 April, this masterpiece w would be inviting bids not less than HK$60 million ($7.7 million). Emblazoned with dragons and fitted pearls, turquoise, rubies and sapphires, the three-legged vessel is bejeweled with 1.3 kilograms of 18K gold, which makes it the highlight of Sotheby’s auction amongst 25 other gold and precious-metal objects. Total auction value expected to be generated from this New York-based auction is d HK$100 million.

Via Bloomberg