Jewelry News

Michelle Obama's Ring - A Diamond and Rhodium 'Thank You'

December 2, 2008

President Obama says 'thank you' to his First Lady with a diamond ring. As they say, behind every wise man, is an even wiser woman...

Michelle Obama is getting another glittering upgrade - aside from filling out a change of address form to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Her husband is giving her a whopping gift of jewelry as a 'thank you' present for her tireless efforts on the campaign trail.

Wise man.

Our 44th President commissioned Italian jeweler to the stars, Giovanni Bosco, to create a special Harmony ring out of rhodium and diamonds. The gem will put him back approximately $30,000 - or about a year's salary for Joe the Plummer.

Known as the most expensive and rare of the precious metals, rhodium is a member of the platinum family. Its price per troy ounce today is higher than gold at approximately $1000 but was as high as $3,000 just a few months ago.

Rhodium is most often used in jewelry in combination with white gold or platinum to give it a more reflective surface. This process is known as 'rhodium flashing' and also serves to strengthen the metal and protect it from tarnish.

While the divine Mrs. O has been known for her down-to-earth style and off-the-rack fashion statements, this new rhodium addition to her jewelry box may have tongues wagging. It is certainly a far cry from J Crew cardigans and the vintage brooches she plucked from her own jewelry box.

But Jewelry.com thinks this well-deserved 'thank you' should be considered 'bling we can believe in'. When she breaks out a rhodium and diamond tiara, then we'll talk.

Tell the woman in your life how much you appreciate her with your own gift of diamonds. And the good news is: you don't have to live in the White House (or know how to solve the economic crisis) in order to bring that little box home.

Browse Jewelry.com's diamond super savers this holiday season, and tell her you love her with both glitter and style!

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