It is the thought that counts, especially if it involves purchasing the monster hunk of sparkle she's been lusting over all year. Sure, she liked the sweater/bath oil/homemade potholder you got her last year, and that I-promise-to-(fill in the blank) coupon book was sweet, but this year show her that you've really been listening with some bodacious bling that'll knock her Isotoner socks off.
For insanely ostentatious, see Harry Winston and its Lesotho One-Diamond, an emerald cut that weighs in just shy of 72 carats (price upon request). Add to her heirlooms with 18-plus carats of Tiffany's diamond-encrusted, yellow sapphire pendant ($54,000). David Yurman's Renaissance Collection has her candy-colored, cushion-cut gemstone cravings covered. But have your black AMEX ready; it is going to hurt (price upon request).
If she'd break your neck for blowing your budget on some compressed carbon, the fashion-forward jewelers at Swarovski, Erwin Pearl and Baccarat have all that glitters for a lot less green.
Swarovski, purveyors of fine Austrian crystal since 1892 and best known for Paris Hilton's fascination with bedazzling everything she owns in its pink, pinpoint sparkles, has baubles so big you can see them from space. Its Glacier ring ($185), a massive chunk of clear crystal faceted to catch the light and envious glares in even the darkest club, is only the tip of the iceberg.
Erwin Pearl, another Austrian native with a penchant for rainbow brilliance, cuts his colorful cubic zirconia into enormous rocks, set simply in silver and sure to awe. His 50-carat pendant in prismatic pink, at $150, is the perfect piece to start her collection, and at another $150 for the matching 50-carat ring, she'll be "so spoiled" all year.
Baccarat, über-exclusive chandelier and finery house, has a collection of high-polished crystal confections that are sure to satisfy. Its domed Tango ring, in two luminous layers of color buffed sleek and smooth, will remind her of her youthful obsession with Ring Pops—and what a sweetheart you are ($350 or $360, depending on color).
To ensure your foray into fashion jewelry is remembered fondly, and so you can revel in her flashing your perfect purchase at her friends all year, remember to check her ring size, note what jewels she's already blessed with, and while she's busy picking your socks up off the bedroom floor, ask if she thinks there's such a thing as too much bling.
All of the companies mentioned have stores in Las Vegas. For online shopping, check out
www.erwinpearl.com,
www.baccarat.com and
www.swarovski.com.
Jennifer Henry has got the goods on what to get and where. E-mail her at [email protected].