Mirela Gluck

Yes, the diamond industry leads us to believe that women around the globe deserve a ritzy rock. Others, though, say it’s just a marketing plot to get their white, rather plain-looking stone, to sell.

I have to admit that I was a member of the latter team when I got married to my husband. I first denied the desire – or need — for a diamond ring altogether, and then a couple of months after our 9 a.m. civil ceremony, I walked with my husband into a store and bought a modest three-stone ring. I didn’t put much thought into a particular style or the number of carats I “deserved,” that day. It was the second marriage for both of us, and at the time our priorities were to pay off the debts we each inherited and move on with our newly combined life and complex family.

Last year, however, around the time of our unfussy 10-year anniversary, I started wondering if the diamond industry had it right after all. I started paying more attention to comments made by women about others’ “rocks,” like the comments made by my stepdaughter about her two cousins’ engagement rings. Even my husband made brief remarks about the size of his business partner’s impressive diamond jewelry.

I wasn’t immune, either. During a business meeting I found myself completely distracted as I gazed at the diamond ring glaring in front of me. I wondered if it was a huge engagement ring, or if the woman just forgot to take her cocktail ring off from the previous night.

Eventually, I found myself wanting to have a proper ring for myself. I started looking around, and because I had to honor the title of “shopper extraordinaire,” I decided not to make an impulse decision. I spoke with my husband about what would be a reasonable “budget” for us to spend on my ring and started studying up and window shopping. I did most of the research, but I took my husband with me a couple of times so he was familiar with all the options.

In the end, we agreed that an eternity band would have more significance for our “later in life” love story, and the fact that it was an anniversary ring made it a clear choice. After 18 months of research, I have narrowed down the list to the below three options. As you’ll see, I went beyond the “Four C’s,” as they call them (carat, color, clarity and cut) and decided to invest in a tiny piece of art that I’ll wear on my finger for many days to come. Yes, I could go to one of my husband’s acquaintances on 47^th street and secure a pretty large rock within our budget, but I decided that buying a “name” ring comes not only with a marvelous shopping experience, but also with a potentially bigger resale value.

Hearts On Fire: The Cut

Although I said wasn’t going for the Four C’s, I have to admit that I was smitten with the HOF cut. Each diamond is chosen from the top 1% of the world’s raw diamonds and then is cut and polished at 100X magnification, which is 10 times the industry standard. The company claims — and by looking at a ring you tend to believe them — that “A Hearts On Fire diamond takes up to four times longer to cut than other diamonds, and the results of the microscopic precision can be seen from across a room.” The ring is simple, but the quality of the diamonds makes it memorable. It is simple, classic, will never go out of style, and can be worn day or night.

Tiffany: The Brand

Tiffany was an obvious option in terms of brand, and Tiffany Aria, with its triad of brilliant diamonds set in perfect harmony, is a beautiful, substantial ring. (I am tall and well built, which means I need a larger ring.) The price is significantly lower than the HOF ring, but notice the Tiffany ring is only 2.49 carats versus the four carats of HOF. If carat-wise HOF seems to be a better buy, Tiffany is a more recognizable brand and the ring itself is more romantic.

Piaget: The Story

I personally think every piece of jewelry should have a story — a story that could be passed on to children, or to good friends when sipping old wine. This is the ring that would come to me with many stories. Years ago, I used to work at Piaget while pursuing my MBA. I even met Prince Albert and Monsieur Yves Piaget at a function. As far as the ring goes, to this day I remember the hypnotizing sound of the endlessly dancing sparkling bands. I have to admit to butterflies in my stomach when I put the ring on last weekend. I think it’s love, but love never comes cheap. Although the same price as HOF, the Classic Piaget Possession ring has approximately 3.5 carats of diamonds, which is less than the 4 carats the HOF ring has.

By Mirela Gluck

Today’s sales are for regular gals who take the subway and stay online at Fairway after work. Although yesterday’s sale roundup was more of a “just in case I hit the jackpot one day I know how much everything costs,” I certainly hope you ended up buying something. I personally didn’t. Not even the Frette sheet I had planned on purchasing. Credit or no credit, I like to get creative with my sheets, combining different sets, and their selection would not have worked with what I already have.

So, let’s go back to today. If yesterday’s sales were for celebrities and socialites, today’s sales are for the pragmatic career girl (Brooks Brothers), the girly girl(Perfectly Polished: Fit and Flare Dresses) and the creative career girl (Theyskens’ Theory).

Starting at 11AM:

Brooks Brothers at RueLaLa.com

Why?

This sale has timeless pieces, which will be your “bread and butter looks” for more than a solitary season. They’re garments that will make you look polished without looking like you read every fashion blog out there. My advice for a polished career look is to start with timeless garments and then add a statement accessory that becomes a conversation piece.

Theyskens’ Theory at RueLaLa.com

Why?

Well, Theyskens’ Theory’s sharp design and cutting-edge vision could bring the desired edge to somebody’s wardrobe who works in a creative field.

Hello PR girls, this one is for you.

Starting at 12PM:

Polished: Fit and Flare Dresses at Gilt.com

Why?

Because most of us have four pairs of black/gray trousers that we mix and match with whatever came back from the dry cleaning. Let’s put some yang into our wardrobe ladies. Spring is here, after all (at least that’s what the calendar says).

Happy hunting. Shop responsibly.

As Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is finally being put to rest, I’ve taken the time to reflect on Anna Wintour’s power. Specifically, whether or not she’s “too big to fail” and if she’s smart enough to navigate any disaster that may come her way.

It’s no secret to those who know me that I have a love/hate relationship with the snappish lady who put fashion to bed with politics. I don’t recall when I first became aware of her power, but it’s been an enlightening experience to see her move mountains and (probably) buy herself an ambassadorship position in the process. While I am still working on figuring out her superpowers, I am sharing with you the lessons I’ve learned from her FNO fiasco.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Remember 2009? Between the economy crumbling and Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the most affluent felt less than optimistic about their futures and, consequently, stopped spending. The fashion industry was caught with their pants down and excess inventory, which lead to panic and erratically slashed prices. Anna Wintour knew how to capitalize on the nervous frenzy.

What you should take from this experience: TIMES OF CRISIS ARE THE BEST TIMES TO CONSOLIDATE POWER. Don’t be afraid of a crisis.  Regardless of the later outcome, you will get people to pay attention to you in that moment.

I don’t want to imply that from the very beginning FNO was just a plot to further Anna Wintour’s career. However, let’s not forget that after coming up with the FNO initiative and being perceived as saving the fashion world from crumbling, Condé Nast gave Anna Wintour another five year contract.

Lesson to be learned: MOST PEOPLE GET PERSONAL GAINS WHILE THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE SAVING THE WORLD.

Now, to me the FNO plan looked doomed from the beginning. I am going to quote Gawker here because I couldn’t say it better:

“The plan seems to spend a lot of money getting people in the stores to spend a lot of money. The one thing we haven’t heard anything about is discounts. Just because Catherine Malandrino is converting her Meatpacking showplace into a French cafe for the evening doesn’t mean that suddenly more people will be able to afford one of her cocktail dresses.”

The lesson: WHEN PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE AN EXPERT, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT YOU CAN SELL, REGARDLESS OF HOW CRAZY IT IS.

After four years — which seemed to drain rather than fill the fashion industry’s coffins — FNO has finally been put to rest. Anna has not personally spoken on th topic yet, and I doubt she will.

When Steven Kolb, chief executive officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), was asked about the money brought in by FNO, this is what he had to say:

“I don’t think the success of it was measured only by numbers or money, but was really about engagement. Everyone feels we had a great four years.”

What is the lesson to be learned here? REGARDLESS OF HOW BAD A SITUATION IS, IT IS RARELY A 100% FAILURE.  FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE AND MAKE THE WHOLE THING LOOK LIKE A SUCCESS.

By Mirela Gluck

As an Upper East Side Ambassador, I had to report on the blizzard. I don’t know how badly it snowed in other neighborhoods, but I have to tell you, it’s pretty quiet here. It is kind of Christmas and Valentine’s Day in one. Enjoy the pics, and have a great weekend.