Rock Royalty Collection to Debut October 19

Rock Royalty proudly announces the debut of their highly-anticipated custom guitar and accessory collections slated for October 19, 2010 in Nashville, TN. Based out of Music City, Rock Royalty is a luxury design house dedicated to manufacturing the finest and most opulent guitars in the world. These exclusive custom guitars are one-of-a-kind creations designed for the most discriminating musicians, guitar collectors, and jewelry aficionados.

Combining optimal musical performance with fine aesthetic beauty, Rock Royalty has skillfully engineered patent-pending designs that focus on jewel-encrusted guitar hardware and accessories. Designs incorporate only the finest gemstones, precious metals, and exotic materials. All hardware and accessories are manufactured in 18kt gold and/or sterling silver, and then set with natural fancy color diamonds, colorless gem diamonds, rubies, multicolor sapphires, and vibrant gemstones such as green tsavorite.

Rock Royalty will also introduce the patent-pending Kaged Guitar Collection which features guitars custom wrapped in exotic animal skins (i.e. alligator, anaconda, sting ray) and then framed in a high-polish stainless steel cage. All Kaged Guitars contain Rock Royalty’s jewel-encrusted hardware and accessories that compliment the guitar’s exotic wrap motif. Kaged Guitars make great performance instruments with bold and unique looks as well as luxurious gifts for the musician who has everything.

Inspired by a creative passion and fueled by an endless pursuit of perfection, Rock Royalty custom designs innovate and challenge the boundaries of guitar design. The launch of Rock Royalty will highlight the company’s diversity and expertise for design as the prototype collections represent a broad spectrum of music genres and adorn artistic custom shop creations from leading guitar manufacturers.

Rock Royalty’s production is extremely limited as all designs are handmade in our Nashville design studio. Design consultations with the Rock Royalty team will begin in November 2010 when custom guitars will be available for sale directly through our design studio as well as on-line at www.RockRoyaltyGuitars.com. The exquisite jeweled guitar accessories will also be available to purchase individually or as sets with accommodation for custom design.

LIVE 1 LOUDER!!!

ROCK ROYALTY GUITAR LAUNCH OVERVIEW

1) Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop --- $350,000
2) Paul Reed Smith – Orange --- $50,000
3) Fender Telecaster Custom Shop --- $65,000
4) Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop --- $40,000
5) Ibanez Steve Vai --- $25,000
6) Custom Charvel --- $18,000
7) Fender Telecaster KAGE Collection – Alligator --- $100,000
8) Fender Telecaster KAGE Collection – Black Stingray --- $25,000
9) Fender Telecaster KAGE Collection – Chocolate Stingray --- $25,000
10) Custom Rock Royalty Tension Bar (Accessory) – Skulls & Black Diamonds --- $10,500

The custom design shop is based out of King Jewelers in Nashville, TN.

Behind the Designs - Kwiat

Brides.com recently met with Kwiat’s director of design, Janice DeBell, as well as Greg Kwiat, great-grandson of the brand’s founder, to discuss the design process of some of Kwiat’s most memorable pieces.



The Beaded Engagement Ring
When designing this highly detailed ring for the fiancee of a Kwiat family member, DeBell kept the symbolism of engagement rings in mind. “I really like to keep the engagement ring as close to the hand as possible,” she remarked. With an emerald-cut diamond at its center and small diamonds on the band, this ring is reminiscent of the intricate beading of an elaborate wedding gown.



Modern Cocktail Rings
“They have an ethnic look, but still read ‘Kwiat’,” says Greg Kwiat, of the brand’s modern cocktail rings. With a mix of rose-cut and full-cut diamonds combined with varied-color metals, these rings are lightweight and eye-catching, as well as surprisingly comfortable and wearable. The trademark of quintessential Kwiat pieces are “timeless, elegant designs that will be in style today, tomorrow and for your grandchildren,” according to Greg. Some of the family’s most classic pieces have been around for 100 years.


The Melody Collection
This collection began from a pair of earrings inspired by the jazz age. The motif evolved into the bracelet and necklace illustrated here, with intricate designs that are truly musical. "I love that these pieces look good with any complexion," says DeBell, "making them perfect for any bride."



The Rose Cuff
The Kwiat name in Polish means “flower,” so it was only appropriate that this dazzling rose cuff was designed for Mrs. Kwiat, the matriarch of the family, for when she attended the wedding of one of her sons. This exquisite piece features a ruby at the center and open veining on the sides. DeBell says that showing a little skin through the jewelry helps make it fresher, younger, and more feminine. She also commented that her inspiration comes from architecture, textile, and even furniture, by studying how things come together. “We’re making wearable sculpture,” she says. “And it’s important that you wear the jewelry -- it doesn’t wear you.”


The Crochet Collection
When beginning the design of this collection, DeBell says that she needed to map out the elevation, using color in her sketches (seen here) as a sort of topographical scale."When I first proposed this collection to the Kwiats, they loved it," she says. "But they were surprised when they saw that the actual piece wasn't flat. It has elevation." The elaborate, elegant necklace and bracelet have both height and movement. Greg Kwiat notes that pieces like this and others can be used to heighten your everyday jewelry collection, not just your wedding day collection. "Diamond fashion jewelry is becoming more popular now," he says.


Dangling Earrings
The look of estate jewelry is captured in these dazzling danglers. Their movement and a graphic fresh design make them young and versatile. "These earrings are a perfect example of an art deco motif—geometric and repetitive in their pattern, " says DeBell. "They are 18-karat white gold with full-cut round brilliant stones and briolette hanging diamonds, which gives a textural difference to the piece."



Diamond Headband
Part of Kwiat’s 100th anniversary collection (in which 10 pieces were created for each decade since the company’s birth in 1907), this platinum and floral diamond headband was designed by DeBell in 2007 and worn by Greg Kwiat’s wife on their wedding day. Considered to be the modern alternative to the tiara, headbands are becoming exceedingly popular with modern brides.

Kwiat fine jewelry is available at King Jewelers in Nashville, TN and Aventura, FL. For more information, please visit http://www.kwiat.com and http://www.kings1912.com

Watch Care and Maintenance

When you initially receive your timepiece, if you need to reset your date or time never use the quick set for setting the date between the hours of 9:00PM and 3:00AM. This could cause serious damage to your timepiece. To determine whether your watch is in AM or PM, pull the crown out fully and rotate the hands in clockwise direction. As you turn the hands watch for when the date changes. This will indicate when your timepiece is at midnight. From this point advance the hands past 3:00AM, adjust the crown to the position indicated by your instruction manual to now safely adjust your date.

If you have an automatic winding or manual winding timepiece it is not recommended to wear them while playing certain sports as the impact can possibly damage the movement. Most timepieces are water resistant to at least 30 meters so hand washing should not affect your timepiece. Exposure to hotter water can cause the gaskets to expand and contract which may lead to water entering the case. Chronograph timepieces should never be operated under water.

A soft cloth is ideal for cleaning smudges and fingerprints off of the case and crystal. A time will come that through daily wear scratches may appear. Most cases and bracelets can be refinished to appear new. Metal bracelets can be removed periodically and cleaned. Typically leather straps will darken with time and should not get wet. Rubber straps are extremely durable and can be cleaned and rinsed with mild soap and water.

Servicing of the movement of your timepiece can be done through an authorized retailer or service center of the manufacturer. When battery changes are done on quartz movements, make certain the gaskets are inspected.
With proper care and maintenance your timepiece will last for generations to come. If you have any questions about the care of your new timepiece, please contact any of the experts at King Jewelers.

For more information, visit King Jewelers in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN or online at http://www.kings1912.com

Stephen Webster to open first U.S. retail location

London-based jewelry brand Stephen Webster has announced plans to open its first U.S. retail location. The store will be located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California and is set to open in November 2010. The location is ideal, given the brand’s celebrity following, which includes pop stars Christina Aguilera (who is also the face of the brand’s advertising campaign), Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez.



"Over the past 10 years we have built strong ties with the L.A. community including the world of entertainment based there," said founder and creative director Stephen Webster. "The opening of this store is set to be extremely significant in our development."

Spanning two floors, the boutique will house the brand's full men's and women's fine and silver jewelry collections on the ground floor, while the upper level will become a unique lounge space featuring changing exhibitions and creative collaborations.

"This project is very exciting to me and my team who feel that the Stephen Webster brand is shifting to become an all encompassing lifestyle experience," Webster said.

The store design will mirror the brand's London store and European mono-brand boutiques, which reflect Stephen Webster's signature style of glamour with a rock and roll edge. The space is intended to showcase a modern, eccentric retail aesthetic that will convey the designer's passion for traditional craftsmanship, fashion, contemporary music, and art.

Stephen Webster jewelry is available at King Jewelers in Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit http://www.stephenwebster.com and http://www.kings1912.com.

Frederique Constant teams up with Actress Eva Longoria for the prestigious Par Coeur Gala 2010

Swiss watch brand Frederique Constant will be the official sponsor of the Par Coeur Gala 2010, which will be held this September 20th in Paris at Cambon Capucines Pavillon by Potel and Chabot.




The French foundation Par Coeur Association, founded by actress Eva Longoria and NBA star Tony Parker, seeks to bring attention to fiscally responsible charities that make substantial differences in the lives of families and children worldwide.

This year, the gala will benefit two non-profit organizations: “Toutes A L’Ecoles,” a non-profit organization that operates to create schools and educational programs for young girls in developing countries, as well as “Eva’s Heroes,” a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of those with developmental challenges by creating environments in which they are free to interact, grow, learn, and love.

The goal of the annual Par Coeur Gala is to be a night of hope and inspiration, attended by celebrities and prestigious guests, with the sole of aim of benefiting Par Coeur Association’s charity partners.

“We are proud to be the official partner for this year’s Par Coeur Gala,” said Frederique Constant CEO Peter Stas. “We are committed to celebrate and support those passionate charitable organizations that go the extra mile to improve the lives of less fortunate people worldwide. Thus, Frederique Constant and the Par Coeur Association form a perfect match.”

“Each year, the gala gains more and more attention and attendees, and we are so honored to have Frederique Constant participate as our official sponsor,” said Eva Longoria. “This year’s Par Coeur Gala will bring together individuals who are dedicated to making a contribution to improving the lives of young girls.”

Frederique Constant timepieces are available at King Jewelers, an authorized retailer for the brand, at its locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit http://www.frederique-constant.com and http://www.kings1912.com.

Bell & Ross introduces Vintage Collection

As an homage to the aviators of the 1940’s who first used the wristwatch professionally, Bell & Ross has designed the Vintage Collection. While each line of the collection is unique, all of the watches share the same shape, movements, and inspiration. Each watch features a round case, domed sapphire crystal, refined dial graphics, and an automatic (BR 123) or a chronograph function (BR 126). Both lines of the collection, Vintage Original and Vintage Heritage, illustrate the brand’s signature qualities: reliability, readability, accuracy, and functionality.



The Vintage Original
This modern version is a re-edition of the watches worn by aviators in the 1940’s, which evokes the essence of the original models. The case is satin-finish steel and the dial is available in two colors reflective of the era: black and beige.

Similar to an aviation instrument, the black dial is in direct contrast to the white hands and index, illustrating one of Bell & Ross’ core principles - readability. It comes with a matte leather strap, making it subtle, yet elegant, and able to be worn on any occasion.

The beige dial is reminiscent of World War II pilots’ uniforms, full of vintage spirit. For perfect readability, the dial contrasts with the black numerals and index. The brown leather strap complements the tones of the beige dial.





The Vintage Heritage
Combining readability with the authenticity of period watches, the Vintage Heritage has a matte black case with an anti-reflection finish, identical to aircraft instrument panels. The hands, index and numerals are beige in color, reminiscent of the distinctive color of period watches. Similar to antique watches, the natural leather strap acquires a characteristic patina over time.






BELL & ROSS VINTAGE ORIGINAL BLACK
Technical Characteristics
Movement: Mechanical automatic
ETA 2895 (123) and 2894 (126).
Functions:
- Vintage BR 123: Hours, minutes and small seconds. Date.
- Vintage BR 126: Hours, minutes and seconds. Date. Two-counter chronograph (60-second and 30-minute).
Case: Diameter 41 mm.
Satin-finish stainless steel.
Dial: Black. Numerals, index and hands covered in photoluminescent coating.
Crystal : Anti-reflection domed sapphire.
Water-resistance: 100 meters.
Strap: Black calfskin.
Buckle: Folding. Satin-finish steel.

BELL & ROSS VINTAGE ORIGINAL BEIGE
Technical Characteristics
Movement: Mechanical automatic
ETA 2895 (123) and 2894 (126).
Functions:
- Vintage BR 123: Hours, minutes and small seconds. Date.
- Vintage BR 126: Hours, minutes and seconds. Date. Two-counter chronograph (60-second and 30-minute).
Case: Diameter 41 mm.
Satin-finish stainless steel.
Dial: Beige. Numerals, index and hands covered in photoluminescent coating.
Crystal : Anti-reflection domed sapphire.
Water-resistance: 100 meters.
Strap: Brown calfskin.
Buckle: Folding. Satin-finish steel.

BELL & ROSS VINTAGE HERITAGE
Technical Characteristics
Movement: Mechanical automatic
ETA 2895 (123) and 2894 (126).
Functions:
- Vintage BR 123: Hours, minutes and small seconds. Date.
- Vintage BR 126: Hours, minutes and seconds. Date. Two-counter chronograph (60-second and 30-minute).
Case: Diameter 41 mm.
Black PVD finish steel.
Dial: Matte black. Numerals, index and hands covered in sand-color photoluminescent coating.
Crystal : Anti-reflection domed sapphire.
Water-resistance: 100 meters.
Strap: Natural leather.
Buckle: Tongue. Black PVD finish steel.

Bell & Ross timepieces are available at King Jewelers in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit http://www.bellross.com and http://www.kings1912.com