The Lobortas Classic Jewelry House of Kiev, Ukraine has entered the record books by setting 2,525 diamonds in one ring.
The “Tsarevna Swan” ring was presented and measured in Kiev on July 21, 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed.
The diamonds range from 0.001-0.05 carats with a total weight of 10.48 carats. All of the diamonds are of G color and range from VVS2 to VS1 in clarity.
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French fashion house Hermés have created a luxurious chess set as part of their Spring-Summer 2012 collection.
The hand-sculpted set is carved from Brazilian rosewood and mahogany, laid out on a 95cm board made from Clemence taurillon leather.
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The World Dubai will see its first island open to the public this week with the launch of the luxury World Island Beach Club.
“We will be opening in the first week of January,” said Reza Sinnen, operations manager at the beach club, based on the island of Lebanon.
The resort was originally scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2011 but pushed back its launch following construction delays.
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For IWC, 2012 will be all about its “Pilot’s watch” collection, following 2011 being the year of the Portofino.
Here is the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph “Top Gun Miramar” edition, one of five new Pilot’s watches we can expect to see from IWC for 2012.
The IWC Top Gun Miramar watch is a tribute to the place in California where the myth of the elite pilot (the “Top Gun”) was born.
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Update: BMW announced January 5 that US sales totaled 247,907 throughout 2011, beating Mercedes-Benz to the top spot by just 2,715 vehicles.
In a first, two German manufacturers — Mercedes-Benz and BMW — are dueling for the honor of being the top luxury brand sold in the United States.
Right now, BMW holds a slight lead, but US sales for Mercedes surged in November, climbing more than 40 percent.
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A round-up of the biggest, brightest and best boat shows to look out for next year.
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Next year will see a host of new cruise liners making their debut on the high seas — here, seven of the best to look out for.
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For 2012, Ralph Lauren presents two new interpretations in its Slim Classique collection, featuring the luxuriously embellished cases.
The first model places a single row of brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel, set off by a glossy black frame that emphasizes the rectilinear form of the watch.
On the second watch, two rows of diamonds make the bezel sparkle. Diamonds have also been set into the lugs, and a single rosecut diamond adorns the crown.
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It could be any standard hotel room in the quaint northeastern Dutch city of Zwolle, with a bed, a minibar, bathrobes and two pairs of slippers.
Except for the room temperature, which hovers just above freezing. Welcome to the first Dutch ice hotel, all the comforts at eight degrees Celsius (46 °F).
“If you take a shower before bed, make sure your hair is dry or it will freeze. Do not drink too much alcohol, or eat too heavy a meal. Make sure you change clothes before entering the room,” hotel manager Annet van Limburg told first-time visitors.
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Below are the top ten most viewed stories from throughout 2011 – just click on the links to enjoy them again.
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