Wednesday
Jan282009
The Inaugural Jewels
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 3:00 PM 
Image via Flickr user dbking / Creative Commons
From her beaming smile, to her crystal embellished Jason Wu gown, to her diamond jewelry, Mrs. O sparkled through and through at the Inaugural Ball. But despite a lifetime's worth of photography and video from the evening, the details of Mrs. O's inaugural jewelry have eluded us. We could never quite get a clear view of Mrs. O's diamond earrings, bracelets and cocktail ring. Thanks to the gracious people at Loree Rodkin, we can now take in every last stone.
We first saw Mrs. O wear Loree Rodkin earrings on Election Night in November. Subsequently, Mrs. O turned to the designer for most of the jewelry she wore throughout the inauguration, including pieces she wore at the Lincoln Memorial Celebration, the Kids Inaugural Concert and finally the Inaugural Ball.
In an interview with Firstwater News, Ms. Rodkin revealed the design instruction for the Inaugural Ball jewelry had been "pieces be all white with no color". She continued, "I wanted sparkle but no too glitzy. I wanted the jewelry to pop but not overwhelm."
With that direction, Ms. Rodkin designed an exclusive, one-of-a-kind suite of jewelry for Mrs. O to wear for the Inaugural Ball, including the 61-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond "Inaugural Earrings", 13-carat "Michelle Signet ring" crafted from white gold and black rhodium, and a set of white-gold bangles featuring 13 carats of diamonds.
As Ms. Rodkin told Heard on the Runway, the jewelry was loaned to Mrs. O by the designer, arranged through Ikram Goldman, owner of Ikram in Chicago. Rodkin will donate the jewelry Mrs. O wore to the Inaugural Ball to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American history. Along with Mrs. O's inaugural fashions, they will join the museum's "First Ladies" collection.
When Rodkin was asked about the cost of creating the jewelry, which the designer herself absorbed, she said, "What greater honor could I have? My jewelry for all eternity is going to be part of history,” she said. “For me, it’s worth it.”
She continues in her official press release: "It's a privilege to be a part of history. Today the country has new hope. The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. I am honored that she has chosen my jewelry. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment."
The Michelle Signet Ring:
Image used with kind permission from Loree Rodkin
More glorious diamond jewels after the jump:
The Inaugural Earrings:
The Inaugural Bangle Bracelets:
Images used with kind permission from Loree Rodkin
tagged Ikram, Loree Rodkin in Inauguration 2008, Jewelry
Ikram, Loree Rodkin in Inauguration 2008, Jewelry
Reader Comments (40)
Ahhhhhhhhh... I am breathless! Just lovely!
And at a loss for words. Thank you for bringing this to us, Mrs. T!
What gorgeousness!
--I loved, loved, loved the look of the bangle bracelets. It's something I would really love to recreate. It's much more flirty and youthful than the usual jewelry for formalwear.
--The detailing on those earrings is simply incredible.
--That ring! Again, totally youthful, quirky and not stuffy, yet somehow not over the top. I admire Mrs. O for her bravery.
--Michelle has the arms of a 20 year old. It is actually not fair...
Up close it's all a bit much for my personal tastes, but it fits the occasion and the gown beautifully.
Oh, except the bangles! I love the bangles, hehe.
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
Those earrings are astonishing. The bottom is a grapelike cluster of small briolettes.
Beautiful workmanship.
I went to the designer's site but there are no pictures of any of her jewelry designs. I'm very disappointed as I'd like to see what else she has made.
Brilliant post Mrs T - the photos are amazing !
I was impressed w/ the jewels from the earlier less detailed photos I had viewed in various media, but now upon gazing at these much more detailed images I am, in the words of mlaiuppa " astonished".
Absolutely beautiful design and craftsmanship.
Modern and elegant glamor.
Wow.
Thanks very much for this fantastic post.
Lovely earrings.
Now that I've had a chance to reflect on Mrs T's post, two thoughts keep coming to mind:
First, the expense of these jewels! At 61 carats, those earrings are worth a small fortune, and a TEN-carat stone in the ring is probably worth even more. I'm sure Rodkin had quite an insurance policy on them while on loan to Mrs O despite the reassurance of a Secret Service detail, but it's still hard to grasp. I don't think any other First Lady has worn such jewels, have they, Mrs T?
Second, in light of how women will surely want to choose elements of Mrs O's style to emulate, the bangles are a brilliant move. I read somewhere that Rodkin's bangles sell for about $700 each, but there are certainly quite a few affordable designs in the same style, from crystals to CZs to cheaper diamonds. So, again, we can take elements of Mrs O's looks and make it our own without breaking the bank. Brilliant!
I am SWOONING over those earrings. They are a work of art.
I find that, although the jewelry is so decadent, it's also quite pared down. She's only wearing 3 pieces of jewelry, one of which is a set of very simple bangles. So while each piece has a great deal of impact, the overall effect is understated.
I am LURVE with all of it.
I love the bangles - it's an easily reproducible look in costume jewelry for those of us who won't be buying real diamonds anytime soon. I like the earrings, except for the bottom clusters. I would have preferred the election-night earrings with that dress. Hate the ring; I thought it was way too strong with the floaty ethereal mood of the gown.
Her skin is no joke. Not a blemish on her. Barack has some pretty skin too.
I've just updated the post to correct a few things, including the carat size of the ring - it's actually 13!
mlaiuppa, this site features quite a bit of loree rodkin's jewelry. i found it to be quite different than the pieces designed for Mrs. O, but true to the designer's self-described "modern meets medieval" style.
http://www.bluebee.com/brand/loree_rodkin.htm?gclid=CMOTqai9spgCFQJ2xgodVHw4UA
Thanks for the detals Mrs. T.
On a side note, I absolutely adore this picture. Mr. President looks absolutely smitten with his wife :-)
The ring, I agree with t'other Mrs. O. It seems so large and heavy with such a light and free dress. However I love the bangles and like the earrings. Not sold on the bottom 'grape cluster' at the end nor the length, but it's still pretty. I love seeing the happiness they seem to exhibit.
I have to echo the other comments about Michelle's skin. The jewelry is lovely of course, but none of it glows as much as her incredible skin. She doesn't seem to have a single blemish!!
I also adored the bangles. They were such a sweet, whimsical touch on a very sweet, whimsical dress.
The ring is beautiful, as are the earrings. The bangles are light and fun. But I must say, her skin is warm and gorgeous.
If you would like to purchase similar style jewelry at a fraction of the price call me!
I own Roxbury Jewelry, a diamond and jewelry company in Los Angeles and I would be happy to create a custom piece for you.
213-627-4179 or info@roxburyjewelry.com
OK, forget about the jewelry...I just really want to have her toned arms. But if someone threw those earrings at me, I'd be there to catch them...
Caroline, I just about fell off my chair laughing when I read your comment....
I don't want to offend you in any way but I find your prediction quite ridiculous. Maybe you should ask people to Google Larry Sinclair instead? Seriously, there are going to countless false rumors about the Obamas over the next four years. Until the Whitey Tape (if you know what I am referring to) shows up or Trigg Palin gets proven to not really be Sarah Palin's kid...etc, etc. I think you should assume anything, especially the truly sensationalist, that you read on the internet to be false.
I just noticed that she's not wearing a wedding ring.
Is there anyone in the whole universe who would fault Michelle for wearing expensive jewelry on the night of HER HUSBAND'S INAUGURATION AS PRESIDENT. No. I really, really don't think so. I don't think it even occurred to anyone to wonder how much her jewelry cost. That seems beyond petty, and no, Cindy Mccain at the RNC does not equate.
Actually, Jenna, I wondered what they cost. I never dreamed that they were real diamonds, though. Do I fault her for it? Of course not! But I also didn't have a problem with Cindy McCain's jewels, either. There is no difference whatsoever, and anyone who tries to fault one while approving the other has misplaced ideals.
Any woman who has jewelry - expensive or otherwise - should wear it proudly and not have to fear being criticized for it. Least of all our First Lady.
Doesn't matter what the jewels cost retail; LR loaned them to Mrs. O for the inauguration and will donate them to the Smithsonian.
t'other Mrs. O, thank you... I thought of adding that after my post, but you beat me to it!
I just wish I could afford those earrings...
CarolineG, just a small reminder that this blog is for the people who admire Mrs. O and are full of hope for our country's future in fashion on otherwise. I love the lightheartedness and goodwill toward our First Family. Hopefully, we would all be that way toward each other, make the world a better place. Also, please be reminded that the Obamas are not putting on a show for anyone. Take a look at some of their older photos before he was even in politics. Please try one of the other blogs for all the doom and gloom! This is the feel good one!
I'm such a bracelet-ho and I'd kill for those bangles.
Not that I think it even needs to be commented on...
But it's clear to me that the Obamas are very in love. I remember over the summer when the whole family did an interview with Access Hollywood. And the sweetest comment was made by the eldest daughter who said she loves how affectionate they are. And they really do seem to adore each other.
I guess it could all be one big act...but that's far, far more cynicism than I am capable of.
Mrs. O again in purple at the Lilly Ledbetter women's equal pay bill signing this morning...and of course with the classy pearls
Can't wait to get a full view of the outfit
its also very fitting that this is the first major politically related event of Mrs O. since her husband started his presidency, being a very smart Havard and Princeton educated female with supreme style...heck yea women deserve equal pay!!
Here are some pictures of Barack and Michelle visiting Sidwell. She is wearing that fab Narciso Rodriguez coat!
http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/today/1?q=michelle+obama
To Caroline G, our chief deflator-in-chief on this blog:
I'm not sure why you come to this site but your repeated attempts to deflate our admiration for Michelle O have all the signs of a pesky troll.
Layo G, I looked and looked for pictures of Michelle at the Lily Ledbetter signing and did not see here there. Do you have a picture?
Doreen, I've been looking too. I don't think there are published photos so far... just a video showing Michelle there with the others.
@Carolina
Get over it Barack won not McCain. Anyway the jewels are goreous. Its so sad that the bitter McCains supporters are still jealous about what happened on November 4.
Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know we have a new post up from the Lilly Ledbetter reception today. I'll continue to post as more information and/or images surface.
I'm very glad I found this upbeat site that celebrates Michelle Obama. I should point out that I think CarolineG did say ONE thing that makes sense, and that's that President and Mrs. Obama are human and we shouldn't put them on too much of a pedestal. I suspect they would agree with this themselves! ;) But what I absolutely love and respect about them is that they are human -- fully alive, fully in the moment, and wiling to confront their own shortcomings and move forward, rather than dragging us all down, spinning in an endless circle of pointing fingers at others and pretending to have all the answers. Yay! -- I respect Michelle and Barack Obama SO much for the no doubt slightly flawed but always genuine people they are.
Oops, I'm obviously slightly flawed myself -- typo: "wiling" = "willing," ha ha.
Michelle beautifully epitomizes the youthful yet mature sensibility of effective and wise women everywhere. At every step she remains true to herself and her graceful management of the sexism and racism surrounding her. She knows what black women and women in general face in every arena of life - especially politics - yet she discards those sentiments like a soiled glove. Instead she raises her head high above such tawdry realities and sails her own ship demonstrating to all what a woman with guts and grace can do.
Oh, and about those jewels. Being a princess once in a while is just another facet of woman. But she is also political. She doesn't need to own the jewels - like Cindy M. does - she can instead support fine craftsmanship and design while augmenting the Nation's preeminent collection at the Smithsonian. Once again showing us all what a woman can do who is clear minded enough to forgo vanity and ego while still being true to herself.
Michelle gives energy to all my sisters in the world who reject the need to masculinize themselves in order to be effective in a "man's world."
She is showing us what the world could be like with men and women in it who mutually respect each other and have moved on from the squalor of partizanship and bigotry in all its forms.
You keep on Michelle!
About Mrs. O wearing this ring and not her wedding ring: This is a style that I have seen at Ikram. Ikram Goldman herself wears an oversize gorgeous cocktail ring (not with a diamond, though! it has some other kind of gem.) instead of a traditional wedding ring herself. I think it's a stylish look, particularly for a special evening.
Caroline: yes people griped about the price of Cindy McCain's outfit at the Rep. Convention. But can you imagine how much her inaugural outfit would've cost? Let's say - at least as much as Mrs O's!
Mrs O looks great, but what I love is that she's accepting the attention about her lifestyle, and using it as a conduit for people to then start exploring other aspects of her lifestyle - like healthy diet and organics and exercise and family life.
PS I wish I could wear those beautiful Inaugural earrings, but I'd need a couple of extra vertebrae in my neck - they're so long!
I was glancing through the "Facets" catalogue today and there are several earrings that capture the flavor of these but in different materials. These in onyx and CZ capture the playful juxtaposition of geometry. http://www.facetsjewelry.com/productdetail.asp?inum=32294