I was still exhilarated from finishing this hilarious book called “Snob” (what a befitting title!). My DB bought the book for me over the holidays at Barnes and Noble for only $3 (we love the bargain bins!) The author’s tale took me to the very heart of English aristocracy and nobility, one which I just related to so very well, leading me to think that I must’ve been a snooty aristocrat-wannabe in another life *muwahaha I can’t believe this– I was already a social climber in my past life???? Pa-theh-tic!!*
Wow, that book made me realize a few things. *Self reflecting bag hag/ self righteous bag hag alert!* It’s amazing how some women can be so disillusioned into marrying into nobility or of wealth, or someone with a more famous- sounding last name, thinking that it’s all money * tiaras, if you married some Earl or Duke or Prince even!*, jewels, and doors of opportunities. Well I’m sure a lot of that is true– jewels and all, but although I am one *gulp, very* materialistic baghag, I daresay that marriage to someone “landed” or extremely wealthy will not always equate with personal happiness. Families do crumble and go in debt– just think of 80s punk princess, Princess TNT (channeling Marie Antoinette with her tiara of Empress Eugenie. Check out the 4 strand diamond riviere necklace that connects to the pearl stomacher!! *major wolfwhistle!*), 
whose jewels (like the tiara!) and other heirloom pieces had to be auctioned off to pay for over three hundred million dollars of debt (taxes actually) after her husband passed away. Ouch, that must’ve been really painful to part with all those jewels! But money can always be earned. Eternal happiness cannot be bought by money or by a few dozen crocodile and diamond birkins or beautiful diamond fringe tiaras or jaw- dropping blings. So just work hard and live your life right– that’s the real noble way to live. Fortune follows those who are decent (alas sadly, oftentimes the indecent. But hey, that’s what karma is there for, right?). Fortune comes in many different forms, not just materially. Always remember that 🙂 We may not be bestowed with material wealth, but we are happy– and that is wealth in itself! *wowwww I’m sooooo self righteous today, aren’t I!*
Bah, the realization that I was not one of those bestowed with tiaras and diamond rivieres *muwahaha tsk I’m really soooo materialistic and shallowww… hehe* was not about to dampen my day, because my day went very well– so much better today than yesterday. I’ve had sleepless nights because of all that coughing! Poor DH… but pffft he slept through it :).
So today I had a little free time, I passed by Jul B. Dizon Jewellery Salon. I had to get my fill of eye candy especially after having read that book last night. Remember I forgot to take photos of the carved flower rings a few days ago? When I got there to view the lot, most of the rings I had seen were already sold! (There was a black flower as well as a white one and both were soooo beautiful and soo sold!) So ya better get right to them before they all get sold! And here’s a little not-so-secret- secret: these rings will soon find their way into the jewelry showcase area of a prestigious and exclusive department store in the U.S. *whistle whistle!*
These beautiful rings are made from carved stones and have center stones of either fire opal, spinel, blue topaz, or yellow sapphire and are set in oxidized silver. They would look great on the pointer finger as a cocktail ring, or on your real ring finger. The best thing is, the price is not painful on your pocket (hello, if you are used to dropping over 20K on a bag, you won’t even feel the pinch so much, especially if you know how much the rings are to be sold for overseas!). 
These rings just range from Php 11,000 to Php 20,000.
Of course when you are in a jewellery shop, you don’t really just look at one case, right? Over at another case, these gray South Sea pearl earrings caught my eye.
*gush gush* It’s purrrrtyyyyy… They are priced at Php 39,000, and these earrings are set with diamonds, tsavorites, and sapphires! So, it’s actually a very good deal with all these precious stones. At first even I thought they were at least Php 50k, but I was wayyy off with the price guess.
And of course if you have le budget for some major bling, here’s a breathtaking kunzite and aquamarine necklace, surrounded by diamonds. 
For Php 120,000 that’s a lotta bling for the buck! Those are what I call “ROCKS” in caps!
Here’s something unusual as well– something that you won’t see in your neighborhood jewelry store. These chain link bracelets studded with semi precious stones like sapphires,
and set in blackened gold, are so versatile that you can just add a nice silk ribbon to the ends and turn them into necklaces. Prices for these pieces are at Php 100K up, but it’s all justifyable. It was a painstaking process to set all those small stones together into each chain link! That’s pure artistry.
And last but not least, is the Butterfly ring with 2 diamonds for antlers 
(Errr.. did I identify that right? Antlers?). The whole ring is set in yellow gold. The price? Just Php 15,000!! It was very affordable for a ring with diamonds in gold that DH bought me one *woooohooooo!* This may not be the Crown jewels but I care not, because this came from DH 🙂 Anything that DH gives me, I looooove! 🙂 *Melts* Anyway, there is one more of this ring available, and it’s very well priced and sits so nice on the finger! Here’s my QVC-home shopping network- moment of showing off the ring on my finger *hehehe*.
I highly recommend you get this ring because I myself loooove wearing it!
Sigh, there are more beautiful pieces in the shop. If you find the time to pass by Manila Peninsula Hotel, do go there to check them out. Jul Dizon Jewellery Salon is located at the Mezzanine of the hotel (where the Conservatory is), tel # 887-2888 (ask to be connected). They also have another branch at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel.
The stores will be having a big sale on February 3 and 4 if I’m not mistaken. And when they go on sale, they do go on sale! Jewelry is always a good investment (and oh what a great excuse!) because while they are in your custody, you can use them without “exhausting” their quality! Be a baghag but be a jewelry hag once in a while. It doesn’t hurt 🙂
Now don’t you pelt me for being a bad influence in your life *muwahaha tsk but I’m sharing the things I love with you hags!*. But really, it is much better to save your money instead of buying small things here and there that you can’t sell later on anyway if you get tired of them *heaven forbid you throw a garage sale and sell your Php 8k bags for just 80 pesos!*. Again, perfect example is Princess TNT— jewels got sold off and money was made 🙂 *And in the process too, Princess TNT became wise with her money and now her son is one of the youngest billionaires in Europe at just 25 years old!! Whistle!*
If you save your money, you can buy something investment-worthy– like a good designer bag, or real jewelry. At least both ways, you will still be able to sell them *and get a fair price for them* if you no longer want them 🙂
P.S. I want to acknowledge and thank my DH’s good friend RG who also appreciates the finer things in life, and also one who happens to read my blog. I found it amusing that he reads it, so hey, here’s a hi- hello to you from the blogworld :D. Great dinner we had, eh?
P.P.S. JR sent me this photo of Halle Berry who carried a Celestina 
as well during the recent awards ceremony. Thanks girl!
P.P.P.S. Special thanks to CandyD of Jul D. for allowing me to take photos in her joallerie salon. Thank you sooo much!! I swear, I was so annoying earlier *but then again, I’m always annoying– every waking minute haha*, but she was so patient with me! Sigh, I really wonder WHY some people have to put up with me since I’m such a royal pain! *woohoo take note, I used the word ROYAL haha*
Anyyyyway, cheers everyone and have a great weekend! 🙂 Throw caution to the wind once in a while 😀
xx