Fifth Avenue Bling - Van Cleef, Bvlgari, Harry Winston

I love to walk up Fifth Avenue and take a peek at all of the bling bling in the windows.

Here are some from a recent visit.

Van Cleef & Arpels in the Bergdorf Goodman windows.This next photo I believe is from Harry Winston.Next is a store that holds a very, very special place in my heart - Bvlgari. Why? I used to work here.Bvlgari is pronounced Bull-gah-ree not Bulgaria like the country or Bull-garr-ee.

A few weeks ago, on an episode of Desperate Housewives, Vanessa Williams mispronounced the name and I wanted to break my television.

The "v" which replaces the "u" in Bvlgari is a nod to the company's origins which are in Greece, not Italy. They are today headquartered in Rome.

I love Bvlgari's rich family history and the incredible artisans who make their jewelry and other items. It is amazing to see the hard work that goes into these pieces.

And folks, the sample sales were to-die-for!One day while at work, I was passing the vault and the gentlemen who worked in it called me over and instructed me to close my eyes. I did and what I saw when I opened them nearly knocked me over!

They had placed a 75-carat canary yellow diamond ring on my finger! It was worth over $1 million and it fit! It looked something like this but not exactly.Ahhh . . . I get all goose-bumpy just thinking about it.

If you are ever in Manhattan, definitely take a stroll along Fifth Avenue from 57th on down and admire these gorgeous creations.

Do I hear Lotto anyone?!

"I never worry about diets.
The only carats that interest me
are the number of carats in a diamond."
- Mae West

and

"This diamond has so many carats,
it's almost a turnip."
- Richard Burton

last image credit