Whenever I buy new jewelry, I consider it art, but this really takes it to a whole new level.

The Guggenheim Museum’s releasing a line of jewelry in honor of their 50th anniversary. Everything in the collection - including necklaces, bracelets, cuff links and earrings - is made out of Gunite remnants from the original Frank Lloyd Wright building. The rough rocks have been embedded in resin and set in sterling silver.

California-based artist Cara Tilker designed the collection, called Restoration Rocks, and prices start at $80. You can buy it online or at the museum store. We’d suggest swinging by on October 21st - admission to the museum’s free so you can enjoy the collection and put your $18 toward a ring instead.

Little girls have been wearing charm bracelets for years, but we’ve seen a burst in kitsch jewelry recently. Food, animals, kitchen appliances—just about anything and everything has been put onto a necklace or earring.

It’s a fine line though, between cute kitsch and tacky kitsch, and sometimes we aren’t even sure. For instance, Fred Flare’s PB and J earrings: my favorite food is smiling! And has cherubic cheeks! But how would those look perched next to my actual cheeks? Hmm…

What about Gilbert & George’s glasses necklace? We love the two Brits’ sharp humor, and those are some pretty sleek frames, but even those of us who don’t wear glasses on our faces (because we’re pretty sure that six eyes: funny in theory, idiotic in practice) are a little wary.

With a fan base that includes fashion arbiters (Diana Vreeland, Babe Paley and Coco Chanel), royalty (Aga Khan and Princess Diana) and stars (Sarah Jessica Parker, Greta Garbo, Halle Berry), Verdura, the Italian jeweller, has a very “niche” appeal - those with strictly superb taste and the bank account to match.

Yesterday in London, Nico Landrigan, Verdura’s VP, brought over from New York seventy of the jeweller’s most treasured archived pieces to the Obsidian Gallery in a “part exhibit, part sale”, to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary (the exhibit opens to the public this October). Given what was on display, the security should have been as tight as it was down the street as the Obama’s and Sarkozy’s of the world assembled for the the G20. For the rare buyers (anyone got £50,000 handy?), jaw dropping pieces are available.

For fashion historians and junkies, not only were the jewels exhibited, but also the original, handwritten ledger books from the 40’s, including four items purchased at around $2500 (a grandly sum then) by Mrs. Henry Fonda. Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins once said of the Italian Duke, whose muse was Babe Paley and lover Vogue editor Nicky De Gunzberg: “He is the century’s best jeweller… his designs are not for insecure people and does not appeal to the herd instinct. Women who wear Verdura don’t want to look like every other person wearing their Van Cleef diamond flower pin, their Chanel suit and their Prada bag.” Nuff said.

—CHARLEY B

1. Because after all the little flashes of jade at Chanel, you can’t get the idea out of your head either.

2. Because you should really stock up on your spring wares so you actually have stuff in your closet come real spring.

3. Because you might be strapped for cash these days, and these adorable stainless steel bud studs are $5, which is less than I paid for my bagel with lox this morning.

4. Because they’re made in America and you’ve been totally meaning to help out with that whole economy thing.

5. Did I mention they’re $5? And since shipping will cost you $1.95 no matter what, you may as well scoop them up in red, baby blue, yellow and purple, too. Come to think of it, that might make a cute decoration down the length of a placket or along a cute clutch.

Did I miss anything?

It’s no secret the diamond industry has seen much more decadent times, but we’re sure Bulgari’s news of having to close “a number of unprofitable stores” since their earnings “fell more than 45% in the last year” comes as a shock to the many red carpet starlets that reguarly borrow their jewels for free.

So here’s something surprising:

Every once in a while, the U.S. Treasury auctions off diamonds - we’re assuming they’re of the “seized” variety - and there’s a big preview of a huge stash at the New Yorker hotel next Wednesday and Thursday, for those who don’t mind a little competitive shopping (ok, and maybe some creepy feelings, too) in exchange for non-retail prices.

Not that this has anything to do with those Bulgari customers, though this could probably make for a decent episode of The Real Housewives of New York.

Today’s WWD had all the details about the upcoming jewelry collaboration between Alexander Wang and Paris Kain of Abraxas Rex, maker of some of the biggest jewelry you’ve ever seen.

The capsule line is supposed to explore outrageous ways of wearing accessories like earrings (“We want to push the meaning of embellishment”) with outrageous price tags to match (“$350 to $975 wholesale”). The collection debuts at Alex’s Fall 09 show next week.

But here’s what’s interesting: In the article, Alex reveals that he wanted the jewelry to be “sleek and streamlined” to match his collection. Huh?

Turns out, Alex’s Fall 09 will veer away from his usual languid silhouettes, and into new territory, one that comes with adjectives like “constructed” and “tailored”.

Could this be the direction that also made Alex decide to sort of branch into menswear?

We’ll probably never know, but there is officially buzz around Valentine’s Day.

In light of diamond prices taking a significant dip, Harry Winston’s made a big change. They’ve quietly launched an e-commerce site called the Harry Winston Online Salon.

It consists of only diamond jewelry, much of which is winter-themed (like at left), ranging anywhere from $6,000 for a pendant to $135,000 for a necklace.

Our first thought: Who the hell drops a mortgage payment online?

Our second thought: Well, it’s Harry Winston, so even though you lose all the magic of the glittering jewels in their boutiques, you definitely know what you’re getting, so the quality wouldn’t be any different than from jewelry bought there in person.

And yet, we still can’t help but feel like:

1. This comes dangerously close to diluting their brand image (Marilyn Monroe singing, the storied old house, etc) by placing their goods in the realm of shame shopping, which usually consists of bags and shoes.

2. Even though Harry Winston has famous standards, we still don’t see ourselves casually charging $20,000 to our Amex, even though it’s technically the same as doing it in the store (assuming you know what ten carats of bling look like on your ears.)

So many questions: Would you buy major jewels online? Or is that left for minor accessories - and should all major jewelry purchases be made in person? (Because, as much as we hate to admit it, we can’t imagine how we’d feel if we were on the receiving end of a major gift, and learned that the necklace/earrings/ring was purchased while watching television…)

Some facts:

1. American workers make up almost half of all diamond purchases worldwide. [Another somewhat related fact: There is exactly one diamond mine in the US (in Arkansas), and it’s not used for commercial sourcing.]

2. US joblessness just increased to 6.5%, the highest in 14 years. Translation: A lot of those American workers are out of jobs right now.

3. Almost 50% of all diamond purchases are made in the fourth quarter. Translation: They’re usually bought as holiday gifts, or in anticipation of a major bonus to buoy the cost, so most major diamond dealers (Harry Winston, Tiffany’s, Van Cleef, etc) haven’t even felt the full effect of our downward economy, and are just about to enter the time of year that usually carries their business.

So what does this all mean? Well, according to Bloomberg, the price of diamonds should fall at least 15% next year, which basically means that Harry Winston is going on sale - but does 15% off $30,000 really help? Well, for some..

We just got back from the Rogan Spring 09 press preview on Franklin, and we have some news:

Not only is Lady Grey designing a collection for the King of Denim, but he’s already designed a jewelry collection of his own, launching this Spring.

The pieces are mostly wood with some metal accents, some of which look like some kind of tangram game for the neck, but we’re into it.

And as for Lady Grey, their designs are still in the works, though the collaboration is definitely on. We were told straight from Rogan’s press girls that the Lady Grey designs will be in stores, exclusively at Rogan, for this holiday season. We think it’s a little funny to debut a designer collaboration for an accessory you haven’t done for your brand yet before you debut your own, which is already designed and made anyway, but it really just makes this more interesting anyway. But what’s most interesting, is how the Lady Grey girls’ aesthetic meshes with Rogan’s decidedly woodsy take on jewelry.

Enjoy some choice looks from Rogan’s Spring 09, after the jump.

If you happen to be a college student in Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis or Los Angeles, and a fan of the Lauren Conrad Collection, then you’re in luck.

Lauren’s kicked off a college-tour of her line, The Lauren Conrad Collection College Tour, bringing a runway show to each school along the way. Apparently, she’s figured out that her key customer is young, in school, and probably in a sorority, and much more likely to buy the clothes if she graces the middle of class schedules with a fashion show.

Confirmed schools include Georgia State, Georgia Tech, University of Texas at Austin, University of Minnesota, Brandeis and BU, and shows will go on through the next month.

In other celebrity-design news, have you seen Nicole Richie’s first line for House of Harlow? Because we have to say, Kitson or not, we’re pleasantly surprised, and picturing that Pyramid Bangle with everything come Spring.

Anna Sheffield, maker of the Anna Sheffield fine jewelry line as well as everyone’s favorite, Bing Bang, is having a big sale, starting tomorrow:

What: Seriously cute stuff at serious savings. Some examples - her Claw Talisman necklace is going for $1,035, instead of $2,300; her Heart Hoop earrings are going for $40, instead of $160; a leather pouchette with gold studs is going for $90, instead of $450…

Where: 153 Lafayette Street (at Grand), 4th Floor

When: Tomorrow and Friday, 12 - 7pm. Saturday, 12 - 4pm.

Why: They’ll take credit, they’ll take cash, and haven’t you been looking for a way to help the economy?

Yeah.

After receiving a pair of Disney Couture bracelets as a gift last month, Faran had to come up with a new word for them: Dangles.

See, they’re almost bangles, except they’ve got a crazy Tinkerbell charm hanging off the side - and therefore, off your arm.

Similar Dangles were spotted at Betsey Johnson, at Chanel, and at Juicy Couture, but is this cool, or just - gasp - slightly tacky? We couldn’t help thinking about those little old ladies at casinos wearing big gold bracelets with those little chain clasps that hang on their arms.

Then again, we also couldn’t stop thinking about Nicole Richie.

Ultimately, Faran decided she couldn’t deal with the Dangle - but when she offered the bracelets up to her friends, everybody pounced. Would you have, too?

We just came across BRadelyBB, a seller on Etsy, and we knew we had to share. Her online store is packed with adorable accessories, mostly stud earrings, and at incredibly low prices.

The ice pop earrings, at left ($4!), are what first drew us in. We’re picturing them with braids and a romper.

And then we saw these steel anchor studs ($5), these neon yellow rose studs ($6), these bright watermelon slices ($3) - we could go on and on.

Extra best part? The seller is located in upstate New York, so if you’re in town, dying to buy something cute and have less than $10 to spend, believe it or not, you’re in luck.

It looks like Urban Outfitters thinks we all need inexpensive versions of expensive jewelry for this year -

Last month, UO announced that it would exclusively sell a lower-priced line from Bing Bang, to be called Bee 23, starting this Fall.

Now, Erickson Beamon’s revealed that their own more affordable line will be available in Urban stores first, as soon as the end of the month, in the UK.

The Erickson Beamon line will range from £88 to £288, making it by far the most expensive jewelry to ever hit Urban Outfitters, ever, even though it looks a bit like the work of a BeDazzler and hot glue gun, at left (though we think for Urban Outfitters, that’s actually kind of cute.)

Let’s hope Bee 23 is more in line with UO’s general prices.

Kristin Davis may have just decided to launch a fashion collection, but we don’t really care.

Instead, we’re far more fascinated by the latest project from graffiti legend Shepard Fairey: A collection of hipster jewelry inspired by his iconic OBEY prints.

The line has necklaces and earrings, and seems inoffensive but still really weird. How can you be protesting mass consumerism and creating it at the same time?

Maybe it’s not so surprising, considering graffiti babe Claw Money has her own handbag line, and Fafi just did a makeup collection for M.A.C. Meanwhile, Fairey’s other project - a series of OBAMA graphics that you’ve probably seen everywhere - feel a little more inspiring.

Robert Lee Morris, winner of two CFDA awards and longtime Donna Karan collaborator, is working on a jewelry line for Elizabeth & James.

According to WWD, MK + A are longtime fans of Morris’ jewelry, which ranges from blurred dollar sign earrings to rings with crosses.

His work has appeared in ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, and will be part of the Elizabeth & James label sometime this summer.

The line will consist of “silver and brass dagger necklaces, amorphous knuckle rings and edgy earrings” - expect to see Mary-Kate decked out in every piece during Fashion Week.

One of our favorite jewelry makers, Anna Sheffield, is expanding her company.

Her line, Bing Bang, is now going to sort of be available at Urban Outfitters.

She’s producing a lower-priced line, called Bee 23, exclusively for Fall that college girls might actually be able to afford now.

According to WWD, the move is meant to make her chain necklaces and pyramid stud earrings accessible to new (read: younger) customers without lowering the cache of Bing Bang, which is usually sold in places like Barneys.

No word on where she got the name (we’ll be sure to ask her later today), but we’re hoping it means a Teen Vogue spread…

Reader Jade sent in these very similar bracelets.

One’s Kenneth Jay Lane ($220), inventor of the strawberry charm necklace seen everywhere in Soho about a year ago. The other’s Topshop (a little under $50), with which we’re all familiar.

We know one bracelet features an elephant and the other a lion, but the choice of turquoise, gold and safari animal heads make this too coincidental a trifecta to ignore.

Is it terrible that we actually like the one from Topshop way better?