Black diamonds could be spotted all over the red carpet at this year’s Emmy Awards.  Stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Julie Bowen and Lea Michele all chose these dark rocks to finish their looks.  Here are some shots of them on their big night along with some similar looks we have here in the store.

Black diamond pear shape and round drop earrings with white diamond frames

Lea Michele wears a Black Diamond Ring at the Emmy Awards

Julie Bowen wearing Black Diamond Drop Earrings to Emmy Awards

Black Diamond Drop Earrings and Black Diamond Ring

Julie Bowen wearing Black Diamond Drop Earrings at the Emmy Awards

One of our customer-friends just emailed over this beautiful story of their engagement proposal.  I hope you enjoy reading it, perhaps get inspired from it!

If you have a wonderful engagement/proposal story you would like to share please email them to me at john@LJemail.com

Romance and Then the Stone

“What a beautiful afternoon!  It’s perfect,” she exclaimed, and she wasn’t exaggerating.

Bright Louisiana sunshine filtered down through the pine trees, and a few brown ducks played by the edge of the pond in Audubon Park.  My girlfriend of almost two years walked next to me, the fingers of her left hand entwined in mine.  We had come to New Orleans under the ruse of visiting my family, but in reality I had a single, important question in mind.  We had just arrived from the airport, and as we were both hungry, I suggested we try the new restaurant that had recently opened in the park across the street from my parents’ house.  She continued to chatter away, happy and yet blithely unaware that decisions would be made in the next few minutes that would determine the course of our lives together.

“You really do love parks, don’t you?” I asked with a smile.

She was so clearly in seventh heaven with fresh air in her lungs and sun soaking her blond hair.  In college, she had spent a semester in Paris and some of her fondest memories in life were the afternoons she spent spread out on a blanket on soft French grass reading a good book in the middle of the famous capital.  She couldn’t believe her luck today, as we strolled slowly through the park.  As a professional racecar driver, I am not a walk-in-the-park kind of guy.  In fact, all of our activities together, free diving and spear fishing in the lower Bahamas, biking to the top of Aspen mountains, speed boating, motorcycle riding, they always seem to deal in some way with either insane speed or the possibility of death or dismemberment.  Today, this gentle walk on a beautiful sunlit Friday was all for her.

I led her from the foot path toward the edge of the pond, and then in a flash, before I could procrastinate any longer, I was on my knees.  Not one knee, but in my nervousness I had taken two!  I scooped up a leaf from the ground and raised it in front of me.

“Will you marry me?”  I held the leaf up higher.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Marry me with this leaf?” I asked her again.

She swiped the leaf from my hand and held it to her chest.

“Yes!  Yes, I’ll marry you!” she beamed.

Her parents had become engaged on a picnic 41 years before in upstate New York.  A leaf had fallen into their picnic basket, and her father, who at the time was a law school student and couldn’t afford an engagement ring, decided that that small detail shouldn’t stand it their way and proposed with that fortuitous leaf, which they have to this day.  She couldn’t believe I had remembered this romantic family story that she had shared with me only once, months before.

“Now, let’s find that restaurant.  I’m starving!” I said, as I threw my arms around her shoulder and we continued around a bend in the pond.  She walked forward, the leaf still clutched to her chest.  Her eyes were wide with shock and joy.  Did she really think that was it?  A leaf and a hamburger to follow at a neighborhood joint? I could do better than that.

As we rounded the corner and she saw past a row of bushes, she gasped.

“Is that for us?” she exclaimed, but softly as if in doubt.

An entire picnic lunch had been spread out across a white brocaded blanket arranged by the water’s edge, framed with large linen pillows, and decked out with bouquets of white roses, chocolate covered strawberries, a book of love poems, a silver ice bucket with Dom Perignon and a set of crystal champagne glasses.

“Yes, it is for us!  And, this,” I paused, as I pulled the shimmering seven carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring from my pocket, “this is for you.”

This time, I got it right.  I knelt to a single knee, and slid the magnificent platinum ring onto her finger.

In addition to being a racecar driver in the American Le Mans Series, Chapman Ducote is also the President and CEO of Merchant Services LTD, a full-service, vertically integrated credit and debit card processing company, and has completed several successful real estate development ventures.  Kristin Snyder is a practicing attorney in South Florida and currently limits her practice to estate planning and probate matters.  Chapman and Kristin have begun to plan a spring wedding which will take place in the Bahamas.

She’s 22 years old.  An LPGA Champion Golfer.  She founded her own cancer foundation four years ago, has already raised over $2 million dollars.  Last year, she provided about 1000 women with mammograms that would likely otherwise not have gotten one.  She works closely with Sylvester Cancer Center on a drug that is looking very promising!

To say she’s ambitious is clearly an understatement.  There are a few reasons I wanted to bring The Morgan Pressel Foundation to your attention.  There are seemingly countless breast cancer foundations.  They all have the best intentions.  But the bottom line is that cancer, specifically breast cancer is still an enormous problem despite the billions raised over the years by the countless foundations out there.  So despite all the races, the fundraisers, the pink ribbons that are worn every October, it’s still a year-round constant problem.

Morgan’s foundation is doing things NOW.  The money is making a difference NOW.  We don’t need “awareness” about breast cancer as a disease.  Everyone has heard of it.  We need a cure.  Until we have a cure we need a way to increase early detection and aid in treatment.  That’s what Morgan and her foundation are doing.  In addition to working on the cure portion with her work and research with Sylvester she is also tackling the early detection/treatment part.

There’s something very special about Morgan and what this 22 year old has already accomplished.  I personally feel that she and her foundation could be the one we are waiting for to make the big difference.  She’s young enough and passionate enough to see it through.

I hope you’ll consider The Morgan Pressel Foundation when you are able to make a donation.  Read more about it at http://www.morganandfriends.us

Robin Levinson with Morgan Pressel

UPDATE:  Thank you to all that attended our launch party for the Peace Thru Music collection.  It was wildly successful and raised well deserved money for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Due to the interest and demand for the diamond piece we made specially for Irie we have added them to the collection, now offering a diamond version in both the necklace and bracelet.  The necklace is priced at $2500 and the bracelet $1900.  They are awesome and a great way to show your support.

The Peace Thru Music pieces are here and so far LOVED by all!  DJ Irie is wearing a very special custom diamond one-of-a-kind piece made specially for him and he was blown away by it!  We are working hard to get the pieces ready for the official launch party taking place here at Levinson Jewelers on November 16th.  We have already begun to take pre-orders for the the first edition of this limited collection.

To place your order or for more information email contact@levinsonjewelers.com or call 954-462-8880 TODAY!

Levinson Jewelers, one of the leading independent jewelry stores in the country, is pleased to partner with Miami Heat’s celebrity DJ, DJ Irie to design a signature line of jewelry called “Peace thru Music”.  In addition, DJ Irie will serve as an Ambassador for the brand, promoting Levinson jewelry, fine timepieces and the company’s superior customer service.

Robin Levinson and DJ Irie worked together to design this special line of jewelry. These pieces will be sold exclusively through Levinson Jewelers, with proceeds benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Dade.  The pieces include a limited edition “Peace thru Music” pendant necklace on a leather cord and a signature “Peace thru Music” bracelet set.  Both items will retail for $395.

We are fully immersed in Fall (despite what the thermometer may say) and Fall at Levinson Jewelers means BUSY!  This is the most exciting time of year for us as we gear up for the holidays and work to plan fun events for our special clients.  This year we also have the excitement of launching several new lines in the store, including Ivanka Trump, Hermes, Gucci and Gurhan.

Ivanka Trump is a stylish yet classic collection that is for the sophisticated woman.   Her pieces are modern interpretations on classics.  To celebrate the launch we will be hosting an exclusive launch party with the young mogul herself on November 27^th.  It will be a great chance for our clients to explore the line WITH Ivanka and get her input on styling them personally.   This event is invite only, RSVP early as space is limited.  If you didn’t receive an invite please contact us to be put on our waiting list and if space allows we will happily accommodate you.

Hermes, yes that famous Paris fashion house has an awesome and edgy collection of watches that anyone woman would love. The collection offers stainless steel, rose, white and yellow gold pieces, available with and without diamonds. The straps on each watch are of the high quality leather the company is famous for. The straps are offered in a variety of colors (to match all of your Birkin bags!) and are available in a very cool and fun extra long version made for wrapping around the wrist twice!

Gucci is a line of the company’s classic iconic horse-bit inspired pieces as well as their signature bamboo design among many others. The line also consists of some Sterling Silver pieces at awesome price points for gifts. Check it out in the store today!!

GURHAN is a line we’ve admired for years and are happy to be able to offer to our clients.  It has a very organic and worldly feel with the rich gold colors and fabulous diamond and gemstone pieces. The collection offers pieces in 24kt gold with diamonds and gemstones.  It’s unique, it’s gorgeous and something different for us.

Check our Calendar of Events often to see what’s coming up and be sure to RSVP early as space is limited.

So without further ado, Levinson Jewelers is proud to announce our partnering with Ivanka Trump!

Ivanka Trump Diamond Tassel Earrings

I have the utmost respect for Ivanka Trump.  For me she represents a smart, sophisticated and elegant businesswoman that is not at all common amongst “celebrities” of her age.  She has created a name for herself in the jewelry business that is very respectable, beginning slowly from the ground up to where it is today with plans to expand and grow in the future. Ivanka started her own jewelry line in 2006 and since has become and important force in the jewelry business.   She has already inspired trends like her famous tassel design, which is now often imitated, but never duplicated!

We will have the line in the store this fall, with a special VIP launch party and personal styling event with Ivanka IN PERSON, to be held November 29^th at Levinson Jewelers on Las Olas.  (This event is strictly invitation only.)  This is sure to be a major media event and will be an awesome opportunity to view the line with Ivanka and be personally styled by Ivanka, in her jewels, by her personally!  It will be amazing!

Ivanka Trump Black Diamond Briolette Tassel Necklace

I had the privilege to speak with her briefly and ask a few questions that were on my mind, I hope you enjoy reading them.

John: What is your first memory of being interested in or fascinated by jewelry?

Ivanka: My first memory of beautiful jewelry is a stunning pair of pearl earrings my grandmother gave me. But my love for jewelry really took shape when my mother gifted me an exquisite diamond necklace for my 21^st birthday – it was truly heirloom chic – my father had given her the necklace for their 10^th year anniversary.

John: When did you decide to get into the business?  How did it come about?

Ivanka: I decided to start the jewelry line in 2006 and officially launched with a jewel-box boutique on Madison Avenue in September 2007. I realized the luxury jewelry market was missing a niche – classic jewelry with a modern twist. Thus the “Rock Tradition” motto for my jewelry line. I want self-purchasing women to buy their own important piece of jewelry – invest in a classic that is modern and versatile.

John: You are obviously a very busy woman with a lot of various projects going on at one time, how much involvement do you maintain in the jewelry company?  What is your typical day like?

Ivanka: I am fully involved in the jewelry business from my commitment to my exclusive retail partners to working with the design team on the next collection. My full-time job is at Trump Org as the Executive VP of Development and Acquisitions. Every day’s schedule is different for me.  I generally wake up, exercise and read through a copious amount of newspapers.  I arrive at the office somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m – my brothers and I are always the first ones in.  My days are often filled with a large volume of meetings – everything from hotel design to building management to jewelry initiatives to new deal development to marketing strategy and often, filming for the Apprentice.  I try to stick to a very strict schedule and I am never late – this is something that I learned from my father.  I also try to schedule some time between those meetings to return phone calls and emails, as I think that it is very important to respond to direct correspondence in a timely manner.

My main focus will continue to be on expanding the Trump brand globally through real estate and hotel ventures.  Additionally, I would like to continue to grow my personal brand in a wide variety of luxury lifestyle businesses including the fine jewelry line, a footwear and handbag line (coming Spring 2011), my book The Trump Card (NYTimes Bestseller).

John: How much involvement, if any, do you have in the design of the jewelry?

Ivanka: I work very closely with the design team and approve every single design of every single piece.

John: If you are, where do you get your creative influence from?  What inspires you?

Ivanka: Fashion’s most celebrated eras, the ‘20s and the ‘60s, inspire me constantly. Travel, cultures, architecture, languages all inspire me.

John: What is your favorite piece of personal jewelry?  What is your favorite piece from the collection?

Ivanka: My favorite pieces are the signature ovals, the tassels and the rose gold collection. I was very happy that Levinson Jewelers will be carrying all my favorite pieces.

John: How do you describe your own jewelry style?

Ivanka: Classic yet modern.

John: I personally cringe when people refer to jewelry as an “accessory”.  I believe that people should “accessorize” their jewelry with their clothing.  If you have an awesome piece of jewelry you make sure you pick your clothing around that.  Would you agree with this, do you ever pick your clothes around a specific piece(s) of jewelry you want to wear?

Ivanka: My wardrobe style is fairly simple – I use jewelry as my statement!

I plan on doing a follow up interview with Ivanka Trump when she visits in November for our launch party, so any questions you may have feel free to email them to me and I will get you some answers!

My Pulitzer Prize for Journalism can be sent to my attention at the store address, thank you!

Ivanka Trump Necklace

Ivanka Trump Signature Oval Earrings

No matter how hard you might try, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the 
attention society gives to celebrity these days. It’s amazing what even
 qualifies someone as a “celebrity”.

  I have met a ton of various categories of celebs over the years working 
with Mark and Robin. Usually the illusion I have of them in my
 mind is quickly altered in some way upon meeting them (and their 
respective entourages).  Nonetheless, I am still a big fan of the famous, fascinated by them, and always excited for a celeb
 encounter!

  On a side note, it’s hilarious to me how bad Robin is at
 spotting famous people.  Whether in the store (though we usually
 have advance notice) or out and about, I am pretty sure she could have 
an entire conversation with Oprah and not realize it. It’s really funny, 
 but not the subject of this blog post.

Celebrities are now infiltrating the jewelry industry, typically 
throwing their names and faces on whatever pays best. We have been 
approached by countless celeb-driven lines that want to be in the store 
but in the end, the product is always what prevails. Robin doesn’t get
 star-struck and distracted by the ‘fluff’. If it isn’t great jewelry, you 
aren’t going to see it at the store.  

That said, there is a certain someone whose line we are very proud and
 excited to introduce at Levinson Jewelers!  The jewelry is stylish yet 
classic, quality, sophisticated, and the best part is that the celebrity
 isn’t simply endorsing the line, she owns the company and is truly 
running it. She is intricately involved in the design process, marketing 
and all aspects of her business and she takes it very seriously. She is 
someone we are proud to align ourselves with. Who is it????  Check back 
on Monday, August 23rd! We’ll be announcing shortly right here first!   And with
 the announcement– watch out Matt Lauer– I am going to play reporter 
for the first time and interview her exclusively for my blog!!!!  I am
 so excited!  But I have a lot to do, have to prepare my questions and 
figure out how I am going to play “journalist”!

Women get the engagement ring, the guy gets the bill.
Women get diamond wedding bands, the guy gets a plain band.
Women get a push present, the guy gets?????

Ok, so this post isn’t exactly as serious as the title suggests.  But this is my blog, not Huffingon Post!

I think we should start a new custom that the FATHER gets a present too to commemorate the birth of a child.  Before you ladies send me your hate mail about how the women do all the work, allow me to elaborate.  I am not denying or arguing that the women have to pretty much do everything when it comes to having a baby and all that entails.  But that doesn’t mean that a man wouldn’t appreciate a symbolic token to commemorate the special day.

For example, I am having a boy.  There is a new blue Panerai that would be awesome!  Blue dial, blue croc strap, brushed titanium.  <<<deep breath>>>> My heart rate getselevated just typing the details of this watch, it’s really awesome.

Back to my point… not only is the blue symbolic obviously, but the case back or buckle could be engraved with the baby’s name and birthday etc. Perfect!!

I have another idea, blue sapphire cufflinks!!!! I have an awesome pair of blue sapphire and mother of pearl cufflinks that go with almost everything. They are so versatile. As a gift from a new mother to a new father this would be amazing! Having a girl? Maybe you could do cufflinks in the new baby’s birthstone.

The point is that there are a lot of good ideas that women can surprise the new Daddy with.  I swear this is a blog post, not a letter to my wife.

Attention men: Here’s a little quiz for you.

Fill in the blank:

“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes _______”

If your answer had anything to do with a baby in a baby carriage you MUST continue reading and remember this blog post. This old saying has been revised as follows:

“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby simultaneous with a PUSH present, followed by aforementioned baby carriage”. What’s a push present you might be asking? It is the new social norm dictating that women receive jewelry when having a baby.  It is now as standard as presenting a ring with a wedding proposal.

I know what you might be thinking…. Isn’t the baby gift enough?Without getting into too much detail and getting myself into trouble (my wife is pregnant) the simple answer is no. Trust me, it’s easiest and safest to just believe me.

So a push present isn’t a new concept for me being in the jewelry biz, but it was fascinating and surprising to me to see how fast pregnant women start dropping the hints.  And when I say hints I mean saying things like “What am I getting for my push present?” I know, very subtle. It seems like all of our friends are also having babies so one of the first topics of conversation amongst the women always seems to be the push present!  It’s amazing how fast it gets brought up.

A push present is not only a way to show your appreciation for all she’s going through but also a way to mark the occasion forever with something that will last forever–a diamond!

There are a lot of options and few rules. A push present can be something as modest as a simple charm with the baby’s name or initial on it. It can be a beautiful ring containing the baby’s birthstone.

It could be a watch with the case back engraved with a special message. Of course, diamonds are always a sure fire guaranteed way to put a smile on her face. White diamonds or even a fancy colored diamond, they come in pink and blue you know!

Having twins? I suggested one of my clients give his wife a “matched pair” of diamonds for earrings in exchange for the matched pair of babies she was giving him.  Of course, this was a big hit.

The point is that it’s more about the gesture and all about having a symbolic token to commemorate the special occasion. Every time she wears it she’ll think of when you gave it to her. That is the important thing. So whether your budget allows for the pink or blue diamond or a simple classic locket to hold a picture of the new baby, just don’t show up empty handed!

Remember the childhood game ‘rock-paper-scissor’?  I barely do but I am pretty sure that paper beats rock.  Not sure why that is, but that’s the rule of the game.  This is a rule that many are now applying to diamond buying and shouldn’t!  In the world of diamonds paper does NOT beat rock.  Rock is always the be-all end-all.

What I am I talking about?  The rise of the Internet has led to an obsession with diamond grading certificates (Paper).  Certificates have value and I am not minimizing their importance, but they aren’t the most important thing when considering a diamond (Rock) and certainly not enough to base a purchase on without seeing the diamond in person.

From day one at Levinson Jewelers I have heard Mark and Robin say 1000 times that they aren’t buying a piece of paper, they are buying a diamond.  Translation: they need to see the diamond! They want to see the shape, the brilliance, the life, or lack there of!

Believe it or not, finding “the” diamond can be a surprising experience.  You can look at 10 different stones, all with the same quality grades and they can have very different appeal and look to the eye.  Nothing is more exciting to us than finding a diamond that “speaks” to us.  It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does we buy it to offer to our customers because it is something special.

The point is that there is only so much that the specific information reported on a certificate can give you.  It can give you the color, the cut, the clarity, but nothing takes the place of seeing a diamond in person, holding it on your hand and getting to really know it.  There is a lot that can affect the way a diamond looks to the eye and it’s how all those statistics come together that are important.

You see, like most things in life diamonds are all about balance.  There are the ‘4 c’s’ which everyone knows about but it’s how all of those combine along with the fifth element, budget that will determine the best diamond for you.

This is where an experienced and passionate jeweler is an asset.  In my not-so-humble opinion we are THE BEST at it and proud of it!  Perhaps it’s because of our experience, vast resources and passion for what we do.  I can’t tell you how many times someone has walked in with a paper they printed off the Internet and they think it is the “perfect” diamond for them.  So, I bring in the EXACT diamond to show them.  99% of the time there is something about the diamond that doesn’t look right and the person doesn’t like it.  So that is why, when it comes to buying diamonds, Rock beats Paper!  So, where do the scissors fit into the picture?  Not sure, but you could try using them to cut the computer cord.