WHO-WHAT-WEAR-WEDNESDAY. EPISODE 6

Hello everyone! We have made it to the sixth edition of Who-What-Wear-Wednesday. Before we dive into our topic of the week, it is worth noting that Gem Steady will be having a trunk show this evening at OBSCURA, in downtown Cincinnati. Catch a glimpse of the latest jewels by the brilliant husband and wife team, Brittany and Bobby of Gem Steady. They are sure to have magnificent couture pieces that will make the perfect gift for the lovely ladies in your life! The fabulous luxury handbag company, Kathryn Allen Couture, will also be at the trunk show. Hmm, jewels and alligator skin handbags? Now that is one glamorous party! Festivities run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the address will be included below.

In honor of Gem Steady’s huge accomplishment, our post today is all about opulence. It has been said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and we are about to take that saying to a whole new level. Today we will be swooning over the largest diamonds in the world. Be prepared to feast you eyes upon diamonds so huge, they would give you instant carpel tunnel if you wore them as a ring.

First, we need to catch up on a little background of the diamond mining business. The largest mine to date is the Orapa mine in Botswana. The Orapa mine looks like a giant underground cyclone. Since operations began at the mine in 1971, the land went from a small hole to a crater you would see on another planet. Other locations with lucrative mines are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Russia, Indonesia, and even Arkansas. Mining is all about luck, and one could spend months searching and still leave a mine empty handed. It takes a curious eye, good sunlight, and the willingness to get extremely dirty in order to find a diamond. Although, one can’t expect the most iconic symbol of wealth and glamour to come easily.

Now we are ready to embark on our tour of the top record-breaking diamonds that have ever graced the earth’s presence.

Our journey begins with a diamond discovered at the Premier mine near Pretoria South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed in at 1.37 pounds, and had an estimated carat weight of 3,106. This enormous rock was so big, that it was cut into 9 different jewelry-quality stones. The largest cut from the Cullinan is still the largest polished white diamond in the world.

                                                                                                                               The raw Cullinan Diamond, prior to being cut.

Frederick Wells who discovered the magnificent diamond almost passed the Cullinan up while he was making his rounds on a typical day. He thought the diamond’s shine was nothing but a shard of glass deviously glistening in the sunshine. Luckily, Wells let his curiosity take over, and he made the discovery. Queen Elizabeth owns a broach with one of the diamonds cut from the massive Cullinan, but she has never been photographed wearing it. She claims the broach is too large, and “gets in the soup.” The largest cut from the Cullinan, named the Cullinan 1 is worth an estimated $400 million.

                                                                     The Cullinan 1

Our next stunning stone is golden and shines like the suns bright rays. The Golden Jubilee diamond was discovered in 1985 at the same mine as the Cullinan, and it proves that South Africa has produced some of the finest diamonds to ever grace our presence. The Golden Jubilee weighs in at 545 carats and it gives off a bronze sheen that is almost blinding. The color of this diamond exudes warmth, and it is a fascinating stone to look at. It’s as if the power of the sun was encompassed in this magnificent natural beauty. The original name of this stunner was the “Unknown Brown”, but it quickly earned a more respectable and interesting name. The estimated value of this gorgeous gem is around $12 million. The thought of something more luxurious than this amazing diamond is nearly impossible.

                                                                                               The beautiful Golden Jubilee.

Our next diamond is also a golden goddess, but this stone’s unique shape makes it stand out in a crowd of other enormous diamonds. The “Incomparable Diamond” was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1980’s by a young girl who was playing in a pile of debris near her Uncle’s house. She had discovered a diamond weighing in at 890 carats that was later sold by her uncle to diamond dealers.

                                                                                                                                The Incomparable Diamond in its' raw state. 

The Incomparable Diamond is truly unique from other diamonds, and it has been criticized for its' deformities. The diamond is slightly sunken in on one side, and the odd triangle shape is very far from flawless. In its’ raw state, the huge golden gem was ripe with cavities, and cracks, but it was polished into a marvelous stone. Despite the criticism it has received, this diamond is very special and beautiful. The shape is reminiscent of a freshly bloomed tulip, and the glistening golden color is sure to capture the attention of anyone who looks in its' direction. The diamond was once auctioned for $12 million, even though the sellers hoped to receive $20 million for the golden beauty.

                                                                           It may not be perfect, but this huge diamond is truly incomparable. 

It is fascinating to think that the earth can create such meticulously beautiful things. Our wildest ideas of glamour start miles beneath the earth’s surface, surrounded by dirt and rocks. Beauty can be found all over, even right under your feet.

Have you ever mined for diamonds? What would you do if you discovered the next Cullinan Diamond? If I discovered a diamond that large, I would send it right over to Gem Steady to let Brittany and the Whittle Master whip up a work of out-of-this-world art! Show us your favorite diamond pieces!     #gemsteady 

We hope to see all of you at the trunk show tonight! The address is 645 Walnut Street, Cincinnati OH, 45202

WHO-WHAT-WEAR-WEDNESDAY. Episode 3

"When I love, I do it without counting. I give myself entirely. And each time, it is the grand love of my life." -Brigitte Bardot 

 Hello everyone, and welcome to our third edition of Who-What-Wear-Wednesday. Today we will be traveling back in time to discuss a French fashion icon who is known for her big blonde bouffants, her perfectly lined eyes, and adoration for animals. This week we celebrate Brigitte Bardot, who manages to be ultra glamorous at age 80, just as she was in her prime decades ago. Our style icon of the week came from humble beginnings, but her career quickly skyrocketed out of this world.

 Brigitte was born in an apartment near the Eiffel Tower on September 28, 1934. Her parents were notoriously harsh toward their young daughter, and showed her little affection. At age seven, Brigitte accidentally knocked her parents beloved Chinese lamp off of a table, and sent it crashing to the ground. Brigitte's heart shattered with the elaborate lamp, and she claims that her parents never treated her the same way again.

“It was if a barrier had been erected in the warmth of my childhood, with regard to my parents." Said Bardot. As a teenager, Brigitte was a graceful young woman, who displayed polite manners at home, at her Catholic school, and at dance class. The aspiring ballerina spent her strictly monitored days dreaming of escape into a care free world, and she longed for the love that her parents denied her. At age 14, the striking young Brigitte began modeling hats for her mother’s friend. Shortly after her modeling career began, Brigitte got the surprise of a lifetime when her picture appeared on the cover of ELLE Magazine. The cover model quickly captured the attention of France’s finest filmmakers, and Brigitte was promptly scouted to act in the comedy, Crazy For Love.

 Brigitte was not sold on acting as her profession, and she found the long days of filming to be exhausting. Her fiancé who happened to be a director, convinced Bardot to star in the 1952 drama, The Girl In The Bikini. Brigitte’s parents were not fond of their daughter wearing a risqué bikini on screen, and even less thrilled when their daughter flaunted all of her curves in the film. Brigitte became a pioneer in the American film industry due to the provocative roles she played in her movies. These films were considered indecent in America in the early ‘50s, but audiences soon embraced the sizzling hot blonde bombshell, and her films. Bardot’s ultimate breakthrough in the American film industry happened when she starred in the seductive film, And God Created Woman. Some Americans protested the film, but even more went to see it.

 At last, Brigitte had a way to liberate her inner rebel. She was a bohemian goddess that freely expressed her wildest fancies, while maintaining her image as a stunning and elegant French beauty. Acting was a form of release from Bardot, and she would no longer be the little girl who was constantly scolded by her parents. She was a strong, powerful bombshell.

 In addition to being a flirtatious film star, Bardot quickly became a trendsetting fashionista. She often wore corseted dresses, with voluminous circle skirts to accentuate her enviable curves. Her golden hair was swept up into a billowing bouffant, or flat ironed into silk-like perfection. Her large brown doe eyes were always exquisitely lined, and she complimented her bold eye makeup by wearing pale nude lipstick.

 Bardot often strutted down the streets of Paris and Cannes in ladylike straw hats, wide-rimmed white sunglasses, and sophisticated rompers. She wore tailored, slim fit capris that hugged her hourglass figure, and striped boatneck tee-shirts that caused a fashion phenomenon. Bardot specialized in looks that struck the perfect balance of allure and ladylike irresistibility. She developed a style that was bohemian and eclectic, especially compared to her blonde bombshell counterparts from the USA. Bardot didn’t fancy red lipstick, and nothing about her outfits were too perfect. Brigitte wore minimal jewelry. She was often spotted in a delicate silver chain necklace, and occasionally a beaded bracelet. 

 Bardot chose to remain in France, even at the height of her career, and declined to be a Hollywood-based starlet. Bardot resented the constant attention that fled her everyday life due to her film career. In the ‘60s, Bardot gave acting a rest, and picked up singing as a hobby. Whether she was behind the camera, or a microphone, Bardot continued to turn heads with her every move.

 Bardot was consistently a well-rounded person, and she invested her money wisely. She was, and still is an active animal rights activist, and she is often photographed with her beloved animals. Bardot has always felt a deep connection with animals, ever since she convinced her parents to let her keep a kitten when she was a child. After her 50th birthday, Bardot kissed the lavish life of a movie star goodbye, and put all of her affection toward her furry friends who gave her a sense of endless love. It was the love she was searching for. Her activism led her to meeting world leaders, and she launched a foundation for the protection of animals that reached over 42 countries. 

The classically beautiful Brigitte Bardot will continue to be admired for her effortless style, her carefree personality, and for the passion she puts into everything she does. Despite being recognized as a fashion icon all over the world, Brigitte's best accessories will always be her glowing grin, and the compassion she displays for all living creatures. This style star is truly beautiful inside, and out.

Here at Gem Steady, we love embracing fashion inspiration from the past. We want to know which style icons influence your everyday look. Let us know in the comments below which style icon we should feature next! 

-BB

WHO-WHAT-WEAR-WEDNESDAY. EPISODE 2

Hello everyone, and welcome to our second edition of Who-What-Wear-Wednesday. Depending on what part of the world you reside in, the brisk winter months may be slowly creeping up on you. While you may be under the assumption that it is time to retire your mini dresses and shorts for the year, our style star of the week may inspire you to do otherwise.

Our style star is a British babe known for her impeccable street style, her bangs that always seem to be tousled to perfection, and her husky voice that is the cherry on top of her coolness sundae. I am speaking of the lovely Alexa Chung, who found fame when she turned down acceptance into King’s College in London, and decided to pursue a career in modeling instead. While Chung realized this was a risky move, she quickly found work modeling for teen magazines, and popular clothing companies such as Lacoste and Urban Outfitters. She eventually branched out into acting. She starred in music videos, and fashion programs where she interviewed elite designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Despite her lucrative career as an actress and model, Chung is best known for her incredible taste in fashion. Need proof? The gorgeous Chung has won the title of British Style Icon for three years in a row, at the British Fashion Awards, she has multiple designer handbags named after her, and Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief has called Chung “a phenomenon”.

One may assume that Alexa Chung plucks all of her favorite pieces straight off of runways all over the world, but her style is far more complex than wearing the hottest trends everyday. “I’ve never been the type of girl that would wear something just because it’s a seasonal trend. I’m not an avid fashion fan in that sense.” Chung said, in an interview with AP Entertainment. “I just respond to actual clothes and craftsmanship.” Said Chung. Our style star has an addiction to well-crafted vintage clothes, and beautifully tailored pieces. Her styling process does not mimic magazine spreads, or runway shows. She has the ability to concoct and plan out flawless outfits in her head.

Chung also credits the fashionable women who stroll down the streets of London as a main source of her style inspiration. Chung’s organic fashion sense is really admirable, and she is a true mix master when it comes to spicing up basic pieces, and tweaking her wardrobe to suit every season.

Alexa has been spotted layering a basic gray hoodie under a color-blocked fur coat, and she balanced out her funky combination with classic black skinnies and black paddock boots. This stylish Brit knows that slightly off the wall pieces combined with classic wardrobe staples are essential for innovative style.

When the temperature drops, Chung does not pack up her favorite denim cut offs. She layers them over tights, and pairs the summer staple with a long sleeve blouse and black suede boots for a refreshing style solution. Chung is often seen strutting the streets in classic pieces such as flared skirts, and fitted leather jackets. She always finds a way to spice up these wardrobe basics with flirty prints, intricate details, or fabulous accessories.

While Chung is aware that you can’t go wrong with the classics, she is also not afraid of taking risks. She has donned black suspenders on the red carpet, and she is not afraid to rock a sequined skirt before sunset. This stye star is a true inspiration to all fashionistas out there. Alexa Chung should inspire all of us to take risks, and not rely on trends for the core of our style. We are all individuals with unique tastes. That is what makes fashion so much fun! 

I would really love all of you to send us a picture of you rocking an outfit that defines your personal style! Here at Gem Steady, we are all about individual style and we are so inspired by our awesome fans. Leave your outfit pics in the comments below or give us a shout out on Instagram! @gemsteady 

-BB