Liz Taylor Collection @ Christie's

"The Mike Todd Tiara, estimated at $60,000-$80,000

We told you previously about Elizabeth Taylor's fabulous jewelry collection going on an international tour before the upcoming auction in December, and now we have a up close look at some of those pieces.

Check the vid for a sneak peek inside Christie's and try not to drool over the carats.

More images and specs inside.

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Made in China: Cultured Pearls

Not limited to knock off handbags, bootleg movies and the occasional American flag, China is currently the world largest producer of pearls. This is due to the booming business of cheaper farmed pearls that are being used in costume jewelry with a price point that is much more affordable than their saltwater counterparts. 
Some consider cultured, or man made pearls the wave of the future, such as Zhan Weijian, owner of Grace Pearls, one of the worlds largest pearl farming companies and creator of the "Edison" pearl. Others, who value the rarity and natural beauty of saltwater pearls feel that freshwater pearls are, in a sense, bastardizing the industry.
Are cultured pearls the new cubic zirconia?
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Jackie O's Signature Pearls Up For Auction

Former first lady Jackie Onassis has held her rank as a fashion icon for decades with her classic ensembles and the all important signature accessory: Pearls.
This Sunday, August 15th, a three strand pearl necklace, previously owned by Jackie O is up for auction as part of Bonham's Pioneers of Popular Culture sale. The auction will also include iconic pieces such as an Abbey Road Studios' piano, played by The Beatles and Pink Floyd and an electric Solidbody Stratocaster guitar by Fender worth £25000- £35000.
Off popularity alone, Bonhams is expecting to fetch a pretty penny for the pearl necklace that can be seen worn by the first lady in countless photos. It even comes in its original Sotheby's box and carrying pouch and is expect to sell for around $39,672 and $55,541.
The real story is that the necklace is from a set of faux babbles that Jackie wore regularly as she was known to misplace her jewels from time to time. Their actual worth is said to be around a few hundred dollars.
For those have a serious penchant for pearls, you can place your bid on the online auction HERE.

Here are a few pics of some of my favorite girls in pearls.

First Lady Michelle Obama & Sarah Jessica Parker

Pop star Lady Gaga & Rock star Rihanna
~vK

Birthstones- June

Alexandrites vs Pearls

Those born in the month of June have the privilege of choosing from one of two birthstones commonly associated with this month: the Alexandrite or the Pearl.

Alexandrite stones were discovered around 1830 in the Ural mountains of Russia and named after the czar of that period, Alexander II. What makes these gems so special, is there ability to change colors in different lighting situations. They range from an almost emerald green in natural sunlight, to a smouldering reddish-purple hue when hit by incandescent light. They are some of the rarest, most expensive gemstones and are quite fab in my opinion.

But more widely known as the birthstone for June babies are milky white Pearls.

Born of a less than attractive source, pearls are naturally grown inside of oysters. A protective substance inside their shells called "nacre" is produced when an irritant, like a grain of sand or pieces of tiny sea creatures gets lodged inside of them. Over time, the nacre covers the foreign object with many layers that eventually harden, and Voila'; You have a shiny new pearl.

The natural process can be assisted with the help of man to make what are called cultured pearls. About 90% of the worlds pearls are grown by someone actually placing a small piece of shell inside a mollusk. A large part of the cultured pearl industry is found in Japan and Australia where they are harvested in their coastal waters. They vary in color such as pinks, soft yellows, grey, black and pure white.

While pearls have their In and Out moments in fashion, it seems as though the second they appear to become dated and out of style, they are brought back to life. Sarah Jessica Parker revived the look in her role as Carrie in last summer's hit "Sex and the City- The Movie". She had everyone, running to Mikimoto for the $11,900 opera length string of pearls to add a touch of class to their outfits.

I swear she never took them off-- I'll never forget the scene where she wore them to bed in her underwear.

I mean really; who doesn't wear their baubles to bed? ~vK