NFL's #3 Pick Dante Fowler Rocks the Gold Carpet in Gold-Studded Christian Louboutin Loafers

In a media spectacle reminiscent of the Oscars, the 261-pound Dante Fowler rocked the gold carpet at NFL Draft Day sporting a white suit with crimson piping, gold-and-white bow tie and $7,000 gold-studded Christian Louboutin loafers — with red soles. He was escorted by his mom, Lanora.

The explosive rookie defensive end from the University of Florida, who clearly has an eye for style and can run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, was drafted #3 in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In a video posted on Twitter, the 6 foot 3 inch powerhouse is shown excitedly opening a box containing his blinged-out shoes. Bright-eyed like a kid on Christmas morning, Fowler said, "You know, if your going do it big, then do it big. You know I'm here to stand out and that's what I'm going to do."

It's not every day that a fashion magazine gets breathless over a sports figure, but InStyle.com headlined its coverage this way: "These $7,000 Christian Louboutins Stole the Show at Day One of the NFL Draft." The reporter pointed out, "You couldn't see the flash of red sole until Fowler walked across the stage as a newly drafted Jacksonville Jaguar, but what a detail: it picked up the crimson piping on his white tux. It's quite a step up from cleats!"

On the gold carpet, Fowler summed up his fashion strategy: "It's something unique, something different. I'm just a guy that wants to do different things. I'm a guy that's into fashion, so it's something I wanted to do for a little minute." He told former pro Deion Sanders, “You look good, you feel good, you play good.”

Fowler told the Associated Press that the idea to wear the gold-studded shoes to this high-profile event was inspired by fellow Florida alum Joe Haden, who wore the exact same design to his wedding in July 2013. At the time, it was reported that the cornerback, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns, had to settle for shoes one size too small because they were the only pair available in the U.S.

Fowler also had trouble sourcing the shoes, but eventually tracked them down. After he solved the shoe challenge, he had to pick a suit to match. In the Twittersphere, many observers noted that if the young man plays as well as he dresses, the Jaguars have certainly struck gold.

Images: Twitter/NFL; SI.com screen captures; NFL.com screen captures.

Britain's Newest Princess Is Already Up to Her Bib in Bling

Born Saturday, the teeniest member of the British Royal Family — Princess Charlotte — is already up to her bib in bling.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, safely delivered her second child on the morning of May 2, and only two days later, The Natural Sapphire Company of New York announced that it had designed a bejeweled custom baby rattle, fit for a princess. The gift is fashioned in 18-karat white gold and encrusted with blue sapphires, rubies and diamonds in the red, white and blue pattern of the Union Jack.

The firm is also looking into the possibility of added Welsh Gold to the rattle as a symbolic connection to the parents' wedding bands. Prince William and Middleton continued an 88-year tradition of the British monarchy when they exchanged vows using wedding rings made of rare Welsh gold.

Natural Sapphire Company spokesperson Yvette Tse told us that the rattle will be about five to six inches in length and is valued at $45,000. "It will be fully functioning, though it probably shouldn’t be used by an infant," she said. "It’s more of a commemorative object.”

Executives at The Natural Sapphire Company have a particular fondness for the royal couple because the firm's sapphire ring sales skyrocketed after they were engaged in November of 2010 with the iconic blue sapphire ring that once belonged to William's mother, Princess Diana. The ring featured 14 white diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold.

Princess Charlotte's new rattle is a token of the company's gratitude for the couple introducing the world to the beauty of sapphires.

Interestingly, back in December of 2012, when Buckingham Palace confirmed that Middleton and William were expecting their first child, The Natural Sapphire Company pulled out all the stops with a creative and head-turning baby shower gift — a sapphire-and-diamond pacifier in the classic Princess Diana style.

The pacifier's design had a core of small blue sapphires surrounded by 8 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. At the time, the company recommended a variation in the design that would replace the smaller sapphires with a single 69.35-carat sapphire called The Titan's Eye. A company spokesman had said that the large sapphire, which had a price tag of $1.38 million, would be the most "baby proof."

A company spokesperson predicted at the time that the sapphire-and-diamond pacifier would connect mother and baby “not only by blood, but by fashion sense as well.” Tse said that although the pacifier was designed, it was not delivered to Middleton and little Prince George, who was born in July 2013.

Tse confirmed that the bejeweled rattle is about to go into production and will be hand delivered in a month or so to an organization that collects gifts on behalf of the royal couple.

Images: Gettyimages.com; The Natural Sapphire Company.

May Babies! 217-Carat ‘Mogul Mughal Emerald’ Is a Legendary Example of Your Birthstone

First mined by the Ancient Egyptians in the days of Cleopatra, emeralds have been prized the world over for their breathtaking green color, healing properties and the promise of bringing good luck to their owners.

One legendary example of May’s official birthstone is the “Mogul Mughal Emerald,” a 217.80-carat precious stone that dates to the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1695. Sourced in Colombia and brought to India by Spanish traders, the Mogul Mughal Emerald is 10 cm (approx. 4 inches) tall and shaped like a rectangular tablet.

One side of the emerald is inscribed with prayer texts in elegant naskh script, a special calligraphic style for writing the Arabic alphabet.

The other side is engraved with magnificent floral ornaments, including a central rosette, poppy flowers and scrolling foliate detail. The beveled edges are carved with cross-pattern incisions and herringbone decoration.

The maharajas and maharanis of the Indian subcontinent coveted emeralds because their holy scriptures anointed the gem with magnificent mystical and spiritual properties.

When Spanish Conquistadors discovered rich sources of large, fine-quality emeralds in Colombia during the 16th and 17th centuries, Spain soon learned that the Royals of Middle East empires and the Asian subcontinent were hungry for their precious gems.

The historic Mogul Mughal Emerald hit the auction block at Christie’s London in September of 2001 and was sold to an unidentified buyer for $2.2 million. Today, it can be seen at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.

Emerald is the most valuable variety of the beryl family and is known to display a wide variety of visible inclusions, which are referred to as “jardin” (French for “garden"). These imperfections do not detract from the stone’s beauty but, instead, give each stone a unique fingerprint and distinct character.

Colombia continues to be the world’s most prolific producer of fine emeralds, constituting more than half of the global production.

Images of Mogul Mughal Emerald: Christie’s. Colombian emerald jewelry via WikiCommons.