K-9 Carats
Ultra-luxury dog collars make your pooch twinkleby Scott Rose
The original cover to David Bowie's album Diamond Dogs showed the artiste as half-man, half-canine, with the family jewels on full if not elegant display. Tut, tut, tut! How dare he talk about diamond dogs without offering dogs any scintillating gemstones?
Relief has finally arrived, thanks to i Love Dogs Diamonds (www.ilovedogsdiamonds.com). The company, part of I Love Dogs, launched in October 2007 with a happening party in sunny and sparkling Torrance, California. The most glamorous of the guests were down on all fours. Not that the humans present were slouches. We don't know for sure whether Liz Taylor had anything to do with the launch party, but the great Hollywood icon is known to love poochies.
And diamonds. What's not to love? La Collection de Bijoux from i Love Dogs Diamonds includes five absolutely stunning, drop dead gorgeous pieces. Whether the love of your life is a Bouvier des Ardennes, an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, or even a Lapis Lazuli Apso, you are sure to wow her, or him, with one of these extraordinary creations.
The starter piece in La Collection de Bijoux is Jeune Chéri, inspired by the sweet warmth and youthful energies of puppies. A crocodile leather collar band is studded with eight round diamonds while dangling front and center there is sheer mineral radiance in the shape of a heart. Framing that are no less than 470 hand-set companion rocks. Supporting structures are in 18K white gold and platinum. Whoa, baby! A pup shouldn't be seen without it on Laguna Beach, still less Les Champs-Elysees. The i Love Dogs Diamonds site has for each fine piece in La Collection de Bijoux a description, a revolving 365-degree image of the K-9 jewelry and, best of all, photos of dogs modeling the designer's artistry with unlimited poise and self-assurance. That Chihuahua/Basenji cutie you see sporting Jeune Chéri on the site is best friends with the lovely actress Kelly Hu. Mu Shu is the name and that doggy looks for all the world to be saying "Sure I had to be rescued from a shelter; but look at me now!"
I asked i Love Dogs Diamonds' General Manager Kimberly Foley about historical precedents for treating dogs as they deserve to be treated. "Millennia ago, Pekingese sat on the throne beside the emperors of China. In ancient Egypt, dogs were accessorized with gold collars. Today, we're setting new heights of luxury with our diamond collars." The company carried out fastidious market studies prior to the launch, but the bottom line is, more and more people are realizing that their dogs are worth it.
That's ostrich leather on the band of étoile, a diamond collar that lives up to its name by twinkling in the opulent night. Five brilliant-shape diamonds adorn the piece, while between the settings and the buckle there are no less than 400 hand-set additional diamonds. Again there is platinum, again there is white gold. As Mae Westie said "No gold digging for me; I take diamonds!" The Terrier showing off étoile on the site is Gigi, a TV film and commercial actress as well as an agility champ. She's another lucky dog rescued from a shelter, and I wish her many years of wearing the étoile diamond collar in the best of health.
Kimberly says that all pieces in La Collection de Bijoux were inspired by thoughts of ultimate luxe and immoderation. "Wanting to go beyond anything else out there for canines," she explains, "we were motivated to set new standards in dog luxury and to give these, our best friends the same level of indulgence that we humans have - and isn't indulging our dogs an extension of indulging ourselves?" That sure hits and wags close to home; and you've gotta love it!
Next in the bow-wow gemstone parade is Chéri. No less than 630 diamonds set the stage for the heart-shaped dangler in the center. Platinum, white gold and ostrich leather make up the remaining ingredients in this delicious recipe for bottomless spoiling. Is it any wonder that Sir Isaac Newton named his dog Diamond? Those beauties you see modeling this piece on the site, by the way, are the Eva and Zsa-Zsa of the Papillon world, Cricket and Cami. Cricket, much in demand as a K-9 model, is presently working towards her AKC Confirmation championship. She's already a champion in my eyes!
Enough of the yak yak and yip yip; how does a body buy one of these enchanting treasures? Kimberley Foley says you may call her in their Los Angeles office at (888) 456.8955. The first step is to discuss the ordering process and answer any questions a prospect might have. Then, a meeting will be arranged with their affiliate master jeweler in New York City's Diamond District, at which time customers view and select precious stones. This stage presents the option for upgrading from stones described in the designer's first vision of the pieces. Why should your dog chase pigeons when she could instead chase pigeon blood rubies? One could also select a dog's birthstone to be incorporated into a collar. That May birthday barks right out loud for an emerald. The smart money of course selects a matching piece for him or herself.
Los Angeles is perennially worth the detour, and now even more so; i Love Dogs Diamonds has on display in their Torrance offices one completed example of each collar in La Collection de Bijoux. Just give Kimberly a jingle to arrange for a viewing. Chien entendu, the collar made for your dog will be bespoke, with all of your size and luxury requirements fulfilled spectacularly.
The Amour de la Mer collar symbolizes the oceanic depths of our love for dogs. That pendant in the middle is an 8.5-karat sapphire; it naturally needed the company of over 600 diamonds, and just as naturally provokes a welcome tranquil meditation on beauty. We all know about the four Cs of diamond quality; cut, clarity, color and carat. Wouldn't it be high time to pair them with four other Cs, for example Cotons de Tulear, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Catalan Sheepdogs and Collies?
Diamondiferous is the word that will spring to your mind when you first behold the top-of-the-line Amour Amour collar. As Kimberly says; "A jeweler needs at least ten years experience before being able to make such a detailed piece." There are over 1,600 diamonds in this "chandelier" design, with a 7-carat brilliant-shape centerpiece more than justifying the splendor all around it. That's Cricket's half-sister Cami modeling Amour Amour; doesn't she look precious? Cami has won many Best in Breeds and has her championship in AKC Conformation. She looks like she should win an Oscar, and darling, we of course are not talking about a Mayer Wiener. Intricate as this diamond collar design is, it exhibits perfect bilateral symmetry as well as gasp and woof inducing razzle dazzle. I don't know about you, but I certainly would sit pretty for the Amour Amour collar.
I Love Dogs have their sights set high. Kimberly elaborates. "We intend to be the Neiman Marcus of the dog industry. We aim to provide premium, proprietary products and services to dog lovers. As a very young company, we are working towards becoming a leader in premium dog vitamins and supplements. Our I Love Dogs site, besides offering those products, (www.ilovedogs.com) provides a great opportunity to pose questions to an esteemed veterinarian, Dr. Justin Choo. Furthermore, we're developing other outstanding luxury products such as oriental silk portrait art, a collection of exotic leather dog carrying bags and a collection of silver and turquoise collars."
Admirably, the company donates a portion of its diamond collar sales to a pup support organization of the customer's choice. Its charitable activities don't stop there. "We are proud of our involvement in the SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups," says Kimberly, "helping to rescue and safely transport U.S. soldiers' mascots and companion animals from Iraq. The first dog, Charlie, will be arriving in the States on Valentine's Day, with more dogs to follow, all going to loving homes and escaping the daily threats of the war in Iraq. Then too, we are very pleased to announce our sponsorship of the AKC USA World Agility Team for 2008, 2009 and 2010."
Mark Stouffer is soon coming out with his film Diamond Dog Caper. Bouncing back a few centuries, Jean de la Bruyere said "Next to sound judgment, diamonds and pearls are the rarest things in the world." Then there was Joanna Sandsmark, who wrote A Girl's Best Friend; Why Dogs Are Better Than Diamonds. But who ever said it was an either/or choice? A girl can have her dog, and diamonds on her dog too! Shouldn't you?
