$30,000 Bling Bling Ring for Michelle Obama??

[atprm]

Barack Obama to buy rare £20,000 rhodium ring for his wife to say 'thanks for your support'

By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 11:58 AM on 02nd December 2008
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/30/article-1090653-02A59AA9000005DC-116_468x301.jpg

Michelle Obama is to receive this £20,000 thank you from her husband for her support during the election.

The Harmony ring is made of rhodium - the world's most expensive metal --and encrusted with diamonds. It is being hastily made by Italian designer Giovanni Bosco in time for January's inauguration ceremony.

Only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, mostly in South Africa, and as a result its price is typically around £5,000 an ounce.

Bosco is based at Valenza Po near Alessandria. The top designer counts a select list of VIPS's and celebrities as his clients.

Rhodium typically sells for around £5000 an ounce.

It is a very select precious metal. Because of its value and association with wealth, rhodium was chosen as the material for the disc presented to Beatle Paul McCartney for being history's all-time best-selling songwriter and recording artist.

Several luxury items such as the world's 'Most Expensive Pen' or 'Most Expensive Board Game' also contain rhodium while the Crown Jewels worn by the Queen are also rhodium plated.

A spokesman at Giovanni Bosco said: 'Our American distributor has contacted us and has asked us to provide details on the Harmony ring.

'It is our top of the range piece and made from rhodium and encrusted with diamonds.

'Our agent in the United States was asked by Mr Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank you gift for his wife Michelle for her support the last two years.

'We have a select number of clients both in the United States, Europe, Russia and the Middle East and our prices as a result reflect the wealth of our customers.

'For obvious privacy reasons I cannot reveal the cost of the ring but bearing in mind it is made from rhodium or black gold and encrusted with diamonds you can be sure it will cost thousands of pounds.'

[atprm]

Hit & Run: Ring the changes

Tuesday, 2 December 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/hit-and-run/hit--run-ring-the-changes-1044166.html

When Barack Obama took to the stage on election night, he was careful to court the dog lovers of the world by telling them he'd be buying his daughters a puppy. What he neglected to mention was the gift that he'd be giving his wife, Michelle. How, you might well have wondered, does a President-elect reward his first lady for putting up with two years of non-stop campaigning, and at least another four in the White House?

Well, now we know: he does it with a £20,000 piece of jewellery, crafted from the world's most expensive metal: rhodium. Rhodium?

The "Harmony" ring that Obama has ordered for his wife has been designed by the A-list Italian jewellery designer Giovanni Bosco, who's now busy knocking the thing into shape and encrusting it with diamonds before Inauguration Day rolls around on 20 January. Even dearer than those diamonds, however, will be the rhodium ring itself.

A hard metal from the platinum family, rhodium is mostly mined in South Africa and Russia, though only 25 tons of the stuff are extracted each year, most of which is put to work in aircraft spark plugs, precision optical instruments, LCD television screens and catalytic converters. Its typical worth is around £5,000 per ounce, hence the ring's estimated £20,000 price tag. Historically, when silver, gold and platinum simply didn't say "I love you", "Congratulations", or "I'm loaded" loud enough, rhodium has done the trick. Used in the world's most expensive pens and, indeed, to plate the Queen's crown jewels, rhodium was also the only metal sufficient to mark Paul McCartney's lifelong contribution to music. In 1979, the former Beatle was awarded a rhodium-plated disc by GuinnessWorld Records for being the bestselling songwriter and recording artist of all time. The Harmony ring, which Bosco's spokespeople call the company's "top of the range piece", is so sumptuous that even the jeweller will not disclose its true cost.

President-elect Obama's tastes are relatively restrained – he wears a functional watch, a simple wedding ring and sleek but unremarkable suits. His wife's sartorial success on the campaign trail wasn't achieved by spending big. In fact, her outfits are a solid mix of designer and off-the-rack, many found not on Fifth Avenue, but online at Jcrew.com. Not for Michelle the $70,000 outfits of Cindy McCain, nor the $150,000 shopping bills of Sarah Palin.

On the other hand, the First-Lady-in-waiting is not averse to a bit of bling, and has frequently been compared to that other White House style icon, Jackie Kennedy, whose jewellery continues to inspire knock-off collections to this day. (Fancy the look of a Jacqueline Kennedy Wedding Bracelet featuring 18 Simulated Pearls, 25 Swarovski Crystals and platinum plating? That'll be $99, thank you very much).

Michelle has occasionally invoked the style of Jackie with a string of faux pearls, made her distinctive brooches a staple of her public appearances and, on election night, complemented her controversial Narciso Rodriguez dress with diamond drop earrings and glittering silver bangles.

The rhodium ring, a gift truly fit for a First Lady, will make an impressive addition to her jewellery box. Tim Walker

Nick Clegg, lend us your ear

Some PR advice for Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg: when describing your faith, don't fudge with "I am not an active believer", having previously replied to the unambiguous question, "Do you believe in God?", with the single word "No". Avoid discussing your personal life on the record with Piers Morgan. When asked how many sexual partners you have had – now, that's the time to deploy ambiguity. Do not say: "No more than 30." And when slagging off your front-bench team ("He's a problem. I can't stand the man"), avoid doing so on a Flybe budget airline flight from London to Inverness. Ian Burrell

There is rap after rehab

He has been off radar for four years, but the real Slim Shady is back. Having suffered the fatal shooting of his best friend, written his memoirs, battled against sleeping-pill addiction and piled on the pounds after rehab, US rapper Eminem is due to return with a new album in January. Relapse – his first since Encore in 2004 – will feature the second part to his hit "Stan", plus collaborations with hip-hop heavyweights Dr Dre and 50 Cent. His producer, Swizz Beatz, has hailed "Stan 2" as "genius". Perhaps it's thanks to the macrobiotic diet Marshall Bruce Mathers III (Eminem's real name) is rumoured to have adopted... Elisa Bray

The land where they really kill for a bargain

If you weren't already aware of the apocalyptically bad downside to capitalism, check out this cheery news. Bargain-hunters in America have become so frenzied in their quest to pick up cut-price gifts in the run-up to Christmas that they have started murdering each other.

Two men died in a Toys 'R' Us in Palm Desert, 120 miles east of Los Angeles, last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, known as "Black Friday". It is one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the US, so called because it is when American retailers' profits move into "the black".

The fracas happened after two women began scrapping and Juan Meza, 28, who was with one of them, pulled a gun. Alejandro Moreno, 39, then produced his own weapon and chased Meza. The two men exchanged fire and their bodies were found near the front of the store.

The same day, a Long Island Wal-Mart employee was crushed to death by a stampeding crowd that surged in at 5am, eager to pick up bargains. Wal-Mart had erected barricades and brought in extra security, but to no avail. "Despite all of our precautions, this unfortunate event occurred," said a Wal-Mart spokesman, with magnificent understatement. The end is indeed nigh. Rob Sharp

[pepperpot]

It's his money that he's spending....:shrug

[atprm]

I know that -- but some I suppose would tend to think (and they do think this by the 2nd article) that it was campaign funds that he used.


I just posted it. LOL don't shoot the messenger. LOL :slap:

[cinnamonch]

Folks don't realize that the Obama's are millionaires due to the sale of his books.

[LunaChick]

It's a beautiful ring! Wowies!

[sdb_ngc]

I agree he can buy whatever he damn well pleases WITH HIS MONEY!!!!

[pepperpot]

I agree he can buy whatever he damn well pleases WITH HIS MONEY!!!!

Yup, I just don't want him to take my money and 'spread it around'.....;)

..as long as he doesn't do that....we're good...:lol

[Jolie Rouge]

Too much bad publicity ??

FACT CHECK: Michelle Obama won't get pricey ring
37 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Looks like Michelle Obama won't be setting aside her fake pearls in favor of a $30,000 'thank you' ring from her husband.

London tabloids reported that President-elect Barack Obama was buying a pricey rhodium ring from Italian designer Giovanni Bosco for his wife. But there's no truth to the report, said Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer.

The rumor began overseas and made the rounds of American blogs, including the Drudge Report.

The office of Giovanni Bosco, reached in northern Italy, also said the reports were incorrect.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/fact_check_obama_ring;_ylt=As.M64l5d91fr8fY2DXqVlK s0NUE

Fact Check is a defacto arm of the Obama campaign ..... :hmmmm2:

[whatever]

I agree he can do what he wants with his money. I just find it funny that if had been McCain I can invision the comments that would be posted about it. And I would believe they would be more on the negative side:rolleyes:

[sdb_ngc]

Another rumor bites the dust.

[cinnamonch]

Another rumor bites the dust.

Is it really a rumor or is the Obama camp not wanting people to know what is going on considering the state of the economy?

[janelle]

We'll soon find out if or when she appears with it on her finger. All of the candidates are wealthy except for Palin but she was thrown under the bus for borrowing clothes.

[ElleGee]

Who cares... The ring is gorgeous and it's not like she didn't earn a 'thank you' gift..

[sdb_ngc]

Is it really a rumor or is the Obama camp not wanting people to know what is going on considering the state of the economy?

Hey like I previously said HE CAN BUY WHAT HE WANTS WITH HIS MONEY!!! I could care less.. it's his money.:star:

[pepperpot]

Another rumor bites the dust.

How do you know it was a rumor and not a change of heart? :shrug

Either way, I don't care......but it sounds like you'll defend him either way.....:shrug...the teflon presidential elect....:rolleyes:

[gmyers]

Thats what my husband says. He's like teflon nothing sticks to him.

[dv8grl]

Regardless of him buying the ring or not... He should not be buying diamonds., all the pain, suffering, terror & DEATH the miners go thru in these African mines, he should know better!

[nightrider127]

I agree he can do what he wants with his money. I just find it funny that if had been McCain I can invision the comments that would be posted about it. And I would believe they would be more on the negative side:rolleyes:



You wouldn't have seen any negative post from me. McCain would have every right to spend his money on his wife. As long as I am not helping to pay for something, I really don't care.

[whatever]

How do you know it was a rumor and not a change of heart? :shrug

Either way, I don't care......but it sounds like you'll defend him either way.....:shrug...the teflon presidential elect....:rolleyes:
Ain't that the truth!!

Thats what my husband says. He's like teflon nothing sticks to him.

Even if something is founded to be a be a truth about him (that is negative)
it comes off spun in a positive spin.

[LuvBigRip]

You wouldn't have seen any negative post from me. McCain would have every right to spend his money on his wife. As long as I am not helping to pay for something, I really don't care.

I saw a lot of people (I am not saying you did) who slammed the McCains for owning multiple homes, with their own money.

[Bahet]

McCain didn't get slammed for owning multiple homes. He got made fun of for not remembering how many homes he owned.

[speedygirl]

She wasn't thrown under the bus for borrowing clothes. Her party used party donations to shell out $150K for the family's wardrobe. I thought she should've kept the clothes considering how her own party threw to the wolves over it.

Exactly then her party threw HER under the bus. I still feel bad for her over that. Hell there was underwear that they had to give back.

[pepperpot]

Only about 25 tons of rhodium are mined each year, mostly in South Africa, and as a result its price is typically around £5,000 an ounce.

Bosco is based at Valenza Po near Alessandria. The top designer counts a select list of VIPS's and celebrities as his clients.

Rhodium typically sells for around £5000 an ounce.

It is a very select precious metal. Because of its value and association with wealth, rhodium was chosen as the material for the disc presented to Beatle Paul McCartney for being history's all-time best-selling songwriter and recording artist.

Several luxury items such as the world's 'Most Expensive Pen' or 'Most Expensive Board Game' also contain rhodium while the Crown Jewels worn by the Queen are also rhodium plated.

A spokesman at Giovanni Bosco said: 'Our American distributor has contacted us and has asked us to provide details on the Harmony ring.

'It is our top of the range piece and made from rhodium and encrusted with diamonds.

'Our agent in the United States was asked by Mr Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank you gift for his wife Michelle for her support the last two years.

'We have a select number of clients both in the United States, Europe, Russia and the Middle East and our prices as a result reflect the wealth of our customers.


Well, if he does decide to spend lots of his money and give his wife an expensive present......perhaps he'd be better off buying an American product?:slap We could use some stimulus....;)

[3lilpigs]

I don't like him....
I don't like her.....
The ring is ugly...
I'd never spend that much money on ANY jewelry....

but it's his money and he can spend it how ever he pleases.

[pepperpot]

What does the state of the economy have to do with him buying a present for his wife? I bought a stackable washer/dryer last month. Does that make me evil given the economy?

Nah, you're evil for other reasons.....:slap

:rolling:

[whatever]

McCain didn't get slammed for owning multiple homes. He got made fun of for not remembering how many homes he owned.

Okay NOT slamming you.......But can your dh tell you where you keep everything? I'm sure his wife (who is reported to be worth alot of money) bought those houses etc and he probably just doesn't keep track or care much. He probably figures they don't need all of them.
I know my dh can't find stuff half of the time in our own home! LOL
So I see that as no difference!

[LuvBigRip]

McCain didn't get slammed for owning multiple homes. He got made fun of for not remembering how many homes he owned.

He also got slammed by people for owning those homes. Comments were made about why he needed more than one home, the size of those homes and so on.

[sdb_ngc]

How do you know it was a rumor and not a change of heart? :shrug

Either way, I don't care......but it sounds like you'll defend him either way.....:shrug...the teflon presidential elect....:rolleyes:

What's your problem. Did I do something to you. I can defend whomever I want to!

You need to get your panties out a bunch!! ....:rolleyes:

[pepperpot]

What's your problem. Did I do something to you. I can defend whomever I want to!

You need to get your panties out a bunch!! ....:rolleyes:

No bunching panties here....;)...and you can defend anyone you choose, you don't need my permission......but it seems like those who support Obama have on rose colored glasses when looking at any aspect which remotely concerns him. It's like he walks on water....:shrug

No one is perfect, we all have faults....can you name one fault on Obama? I admitted McCain was not perfect....he had faults......I have yet to hear an Obama supporter admit that he has one fault.....he could poop in the middle of the road and some would see and thank him for fertilizer for a rose garden....:doh

And, BTW I have also said he's not all bad......:rolleyes:

[sdb_ngc]

No bunching panties here....;)...and you can defend anyone you choose, you don't need my permission......but it seems like those who support Obama have on rose colored glasses when looking at any aspect which remotely concerns him. It's like he walks on water....:shrug

No one is perfect, we all have faults....can you name one fault on Obama? I admitted McCain was not perfect....he had faults......I have yet to hear an Obama supporter admit that he has one fault.....he could poop in the middle of the road and some would see and thank him for fertilizer for a rose garden....:doh

And, BTW I have also said he's not all bad......:rolleyes:

I have better things to do like make some money so I can buy whayever the heck I want just like he can and anyone else with THEIR MONEY!!!

[pepperpot]

I have better things to do like make some money so I can buy whayever the heck I want just like he can and anyone else with THEIR MONEY!!!

...and I was the first one here to post to say so as well.....:confused:


It's his money that he's spending....:shrug

[pepperpot]

Not knowing where your wife keeps her spices or sewing shears is very different from not remembering how many homes you own. I don't begrudge him or her their wealth. I don't begrudge Obama buying his wife expensive jewelry or whatever. It's their money so they can spend it as they wish.

As odd as it sounds.....at times I've forgotten how many I had....:p......

[SHELBYDOG]

No bunching panties here....;)...and you can defend anyone you choose, you don't need my permission......but it seems like those who support Obama have on rose colored glasses when looking at any aspect which remotely concerns him. It's like he walks on water....:shrug

No one is perfect, we all have faults....can you name one fault on Obama? I admitted McCain was not perfect....he had faults......I have yet to hear an Obama supporter admit that he has one fault.....he could poop in the middle of the road and some would see and thank him for fertilizer for a rose garden....:doh

And, BTW I have also said he's not all bad......:rolleyes:

I honestly can't think of 1 fault YET that he has, but I'm positive he has many & they'll come out 1 by 1.
IMO Obama finally got my full support bc of his pleasant disposition & the way he conducts himself & that's what the republicans really couldn't stand about him. They couldn't get him to break & I admire that alot with him & anyone!
After 8yrs of Bush it's like he does walk on water with alot us, I'm hoping he delivers everything he says, though I highly doubt it (none of them do).
I do have have alot of admiration for McCain you won't find a more admired war hero & I believe he has earned & deserves everything he has. I just don't agree with his politics & he's a hot head.
I don't have room in my heart for hate & I believe everyone has a fair chance to prove themselves, it's to bad alot of other people don't see it the same. I gave Bush the same chance & he failed me & I just see him & his admin as corrupt "evil doers" & that's giving him to much credit IMO.

[SHELBYDOG]

Ah, I thought of a fault of Obama's, Obama's "Project Vote" with Acorn, my home is on the outskirts of Gary, IN & there were alot of voter registrations that WERE fraudulant in Northwest IN & I'm sure elsewhere.
So there you have it, here's a fault & from a Obama supporter.
BUT he's not the 1st & he won't be the last for some kind of fraudulant voting in our country.

[Bahet]

My DH can't tell me how many jars of peanut butter we have in the pantry. He can't tell me how many rings I own. He does know how many cars we own, how many kids we have, how many bedrooms our house has, etc. We're talking homes, not how many forks are in the silverware drawer. Even for a multi millionaire each home represents a significant chunk of change. These aren't $100,000 homes we're talking about. If any of them are worth less than $750,000 it's only because the market tanked. I guarantee if we owned 7 of somthing that cost a minimum of several months of income each, DH would know exactly how many we had.

[Bahet]

He's probably farted in public and blamed it on someone else at least once.

[YankeeMary]

For the amount of money they make, that really isn't that expensive of a ring. For all of us here, yes it is alot. She use to work and pulled in 6 figures as well as his income. I hope if he was/is getting her the ring that it wasn't a surprise and the press spoiled it by reporting it, kwim? I am sure that each new first lady got something from their husbands. Two years is a long time to dedicate yourself to something that you might not get, kwim? IMO she deserves it just because it had to be really hard on their family the last 2 years. Plus she is a wife, mom, friend, aunt, etc, she like all of us women deserve nice things occassionally.
As for McCain and him not knowing how many homes he has...lol...well, it must be nice...haha...I want his life. Maybe just maybe they are in the process of selling one or buying one and he was just unsure if one sold or they had a recent purchase. Maybe the past 2 years have really put a strain on him and he honestly forgot. Maybe Obama needs to buy him a new ring...haha. Maybe he was trying to be humble and didn't want to state how many he actually has? Regardless, it really isn't anyones business what they spend their money on.

[YankeeMary]

Well we've all done that. :paranoid :lol

Speak for yourself :slap LOL.:whistle