The number one activity missed by most people in the U.S. over the last year has been going to a restaurant – as found in a survey by Volition Capital. Dining out beat travel, going to the gym, worship, going to the salon and visiting the mall – which makes sense considering that a great dining experience can be comforting, surprising, and glamor-filled all at once. Whether you are preparing an elegant home dinner for you and your partner or you are planning your first gala evening or party for when these events are safe to celebrate, why not plan an elegant outfit, introducing gemstones into the equation for a bit of extra sparkle?
Why Gemstones?
Gemstones are an increasingly popular choice for everything from wedding rings to engagement bands, with diamonds now facing ever-tougher competition from gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and other sturdy gems. Even those who love diamonds often opt for gem and diamond engagement designs. For a bit of high-end inspiration, check out Victoria Beckham’s emerald and diamond ring, Jessica Simpson’s ruby engagement ring, or Kate Middleton’s stunning sapphire ring, once belonging to Princess Diana. Gemstones are a great way to stand apart from the crowd, but they are sometimes also a more affordable way to sport big rocks of outstanding quality. Of course, some gems are at least as expensive as clear diamonds. This is sometimes the case with very exclusive emeralds and pink and blue diamonds.
Gemstones And Cloth Accessories
There are many ways to introduce a bit of color into your look, especially if you love wearing scarves, hair clips, and fashionable bags. You can simply invest in one multi-colored piece (think a brooch bearing various colors of sapphire or even quality crystals) that you can affix to a bag, scarf, or hair ribbon. Gemstone hair clips by brands like Gucci are currently all the rage, but nearly all fashion jewelry shops are selling similar barrettes with crystals and pearls, which are far more affordable, yet still glamorous and attention-catching.
Gemstones On Leather And Other Sturdier Fabrics
You can also take note of unique bags, belts and shoes by top designers, many of whom are also embracing color in their designs. Bvlgari, Chanel, Gucci and Prada are all famed for adding crystals and/or gems like sapphires, malachite, and sometimes even diamonds. The Leiber Precious Rose Bag is one of the most luxurious in existence. Selling at around $92,000, this bag contains over 1,000 diamonds, over 1,100 pink sapphires, and 800 tourmalines. Chanel’s Diamond Forever bag is even pricier, selling for around $261,000. It is easy to emulate the look of these items by investing in a quality glue gun and crystals. These can be affixed to leather belts, shoes, bags, and the like. Make sure to practice beforehand so the look is clean, polished, and well thought-out. Even quality rhinestones placed delicately across the surface of a fabric or leather bag can really jazz up this accessory.
The popularity of gemstones can undoubtedly be attributed to their bright, vivid hues and their sturdy nature. Gemstones are an affordable alternative for those into big, bold pieces, since they can be considerably more affordable than diamonds. However, they work equally well in fashion items – from high-end designer bags right through to DIY hair clips, bags and shoes.