For the ultra-wealthy, Harry Winston is the most prestigious jeweler. That’s the conclusion of the Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) ultra-luxury jewelry survey from the New York City-based Luxury Institute.

The Luxury Institute surveyed a representative sample of more than 400 households with a minimum of $200,000 gross annual household income and minimum household net worth of $5 million (including home equity.) Brands rated were selected with the assistance of industry experts.

Harry Winston, America’s premier fine jeweler, achieved strong first place for

- superior quality,

- uniqueness and exclusivity,

- social status,

- customer experience.

Of the four component measures of the survey, Harry Winston’s margin over other jewelry brands is highest for the dimension of the jeweler’s ability to make its customers feel special across the entire experience.

The Twenty-three brands rated, include: Asprey, Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Blue Nile, Boucheron, Buccellati, Bulgari, Carrera & Carrera, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, David Yurman, DeBeers, Dior, Graff, Gucci, H Stern, Harry Winston, Jacob & Co., Mikimoto, Piaget, Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpel, and Zales (included for comparative purposes).

In the survey Tiffany & Co., and the Cartier brand tied for the second place; Mikimoto was the third.

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) is the only measure of the value and equity of leading luxury brands to wealthy Americans, based on statistically meaningful objective and independent data collected from wealthy consumers themselves.

The Luxury Institute is the independent research institution that focuses solely on the top 10 percent of America’s wealthy. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research to educate high net-worth individuals and companies that cater to them on trends, consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. Publications include the monthly Wealth Report, the Luxury Brand Status Index surveys, the Luxury Best Practices surveys and the Luxury Consumer Experience Index surveys.

Buddy Holly’s wife, Maria Elena Holly, is auctioning off several personal artifacts of the rock n roll legend.

The items include a diamond-and-white gold Omega wristwatch he was wearing when he died in 1959. The watch was a gift from his wife. It is inscribed on the back ‘Buddy Holly 12-1-58,’ the date she gave it to him as an early Christmas present. Later, Holly s father, Laurence, wore it in honor of his son in the family s hometown of Lubbock, Tex.

The singer was only 22 years old when the plane he was flying in crashed in Iowa on February 3, 1959, also killing singers Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. All three were travelling to Fargo, North Dakota, the next venue in their Winter Dance Party Tour.

Maria Elena Holly married the singer just months before the crash. She met Buddy in 1958, while working as a receptionist in a music publishing firm. Now she has three children from her second marriage, which ended in divorce.

Unreleased Holly recordings, his passport and other personal items also will be on sale. Holly’s widow explains she wants his fans to have something of him to treasure and pass on to their children. Heritage Auction Galleries and Auctioneers in Dallas will sell the items on April 14 and 15. Doug Norwine, director of entertainment memorabilia with the auction house, thinks the watch could sell in “six figures.”

Despite his short career, Buddy Holly wrote several legendary songs, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day” and “Maybe Baby.” As one of singers who created the sound of early rock ‘n’ roll, he influenced a generation of artists, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

St. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so let’s start thinking about buying some gifts before it’s too late. The Valentine’s theme is all about love, romance and appreciation, and people look forward to something special this day. The best idea to demonstrate your tender feelings, high respect and serious reationship is to present a charming piece of jewelry that she or he will treasure forever.

Conducted by BIGresearch , NRF’s 2006 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey displays that 14.6 percent of shoppers plan to buy jewelry as Valentine’s Day gifts this year. More men will buy jewelry than last year, with 22.4 percent of men planning to pick up baubles for the holiday, an increase from the 18.1 percent who bought jewelry for Valentine’s Day last year.

You can buy Valentine jewelry gifts everywhere and at any price. There are many on-line stores and they are more convenient and more informative.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D.,the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine”. Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.

In the 21^st century, roses, greeting cards and poems are no longer enough. They’re the obvious necessity; women don’t really appreciate them when offered as gifts. Romantic valentine heart-shaped pendants, rings, earrings and bracelets are the best gifts and the unforgettable declaration of love.