TWO BLONDS & CO. Patriotic Jewelry

American Flag Pendant

14K White Gold American Flag Pendant;

(chain sold separately)

Material: 14K White Gold - 14.5x14mm
Weight (DWT): 0.88

Retail: $85.00
Our Price: $60.00

TWO BLONDS & CO. Patriotic Jewelry

God Bless America Lapel Pin

14K Gold 11.25x20x25mm

(Shown in white gold)

Description:
Material: 14K White Gold
Weight (DWT): 1.38

Retail: $130.00
Our Price: $105.00

U.S. Independence Day a Civic and Social Event

Americans celebrate July 4, 1776, adoption of Declaration of Independence

By Michael Jay Friedman

Washington File Staff Writer

Fourth of July fireworks burst above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol in Washington DC

Washington -- The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4, a day of patriotic celebration and family events throughout the country.

In the words of Founding Father John Adams, the holiday would be “the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, … . It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

The holiday is a major civic occasion, with roots deep in the Anglo-American tradition of political freedom.

A SUMMER HOLIDAY

Community fireworks displays are common. In New York City, Macy's department store for 30 years has sponsored a July 4 fireworks display. In 2005, the 30-minute show featured 35,000 shells launched from seven barges afloat in the East River and in New York Harbor. The Associated Press estimated that more than 3 million watched in person. The event also has been televised nationally in recent years.

The Fourth" is a family celebration. Picnics and barbeques are common. July is summer in the United States, and millions of Americans escape the heat at beaches and other vacation spots. Independence Day is not among the legal holidays fixed on a Monday or Friday, but many employees use vacation time to create an extended weekend, as in 2006, when the holiday occurred on a Tuesday.

Construction of important public works sometimes begins on July 4. The Erie Canal, Washington Monument and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (the nation's first) all broke ground on Independence Day. The date reflects a desire symbolically to stamp these projects as true civic improvements.

A CIVIC OCCASION

The Fourth of July is a time when elected officials and other public figures often give speeches extolling American traditions and values.

Independence Day has provided some of this nation's most stirring words of freedom. In 1788, Founding Father James Wilson addressed a Philadelphia gathering that was possibly the largest July 4 celebration in the young nation's history. He exhorted his fellow citizens to ratify the proposed Constitution. "What is the object exhibited to our contemplation?" he asked. "A WHOLE PEOPLE exercising its first and greatest power -- performing an act of SOVEREIGNTY, ORIGINAL and UNLIMITED….”

On July 4, 1852, the black journalist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass decried the evils of slavery, still prevalent in the American South at that time, but identified forces "drawing encouragement from the Declaration of Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions in operation" that "must inevitably work The downfall of slavery."

Ninety years later, near the darkest moments of World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reminded the nation that July 4 symbolized "the democratic freedom which our citizens claim as their precious birthright:" For the "weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution," he continued:

"the Fourth of July was a tonic of hope and inspiration. So is it now…. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour take heart in its message -- the assurance of the right to liberty under God -- for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world."

On July 4, 2001, President George W. Bush spoke outside Independence Hall, Philadelphia, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. That document, he said, continues to represent "the standard to which we hold others, and the standard by which we measure ourselves. Our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to these ideals. Our greatest tragedies have come when we have failed to uphold them."

Across the nation, civic leaders of even the most humble station echo these words, and their audiences give thanks for the freedom and liberties that the founding generation won for all Americans.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov/)

A display of fireworks illuminates the sky near the Statue of Liberty as seen from Jersey City, NJ on July 4, 2004.

An Anniversary He'll Remember

June 19, 2007
Modern Jeweler

July 7, 2007 is shaping up to be the most popular wedding day in history.

Couples across the country are hoping that the triple-seven date will prove as lucky for love as it is on a slot machine. Of course, Las Vegas, already a mecca for weddings, is playing up the lucky-number date. Many casinos have 77 weddings scheduled for the day, about three times as many as usual. Wedding planners, halls, and other wedding specialists started receiving 7-7-07 bookings in 2005.

The Knot, which tracks wedding dates of its members, has recorded 38,000 weddings scheduled for that day, compared to an average of 12,000. The fact that the date is a Saturday makes it even more popular than other memorable dates or holidays like Valentine’s Day. Some retailers have created promotions for this special day (Wal-Mart is offering a all-expenses paid wedding in one of its garden centers, one of those prizes you would always regret accepting: maybe not now but soon and for the rest of your life.) Any contest with a drawing on 7-7-07 will get extra attention and publicity.

Speaking of luck, 7-7-07 may not be the most popular wedding day in history for very long. Next year, 8-8-08 is tremendously lucky too, particularly in Chinese culture. (License plates with triple-eights sell for big bucks in Hong Kong.)

GIA Museum celebrates gem-carving pioneer

June 25, 2007

The use of angles and curves in this sculpture from Bernd Munsteiner reveals the gem-carving master's radical approach to his craft.

Carlsbad, Calif.—A new exhibit at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Museum showcases an innovative body of work from German artist Bernd Munsteiner, a pioneer in the art of gem carving.

The June 8 gala event marking the opening of the exhibit, "Reflections in Stone," drew a capacity crowd eager to meet the "Father of the Fantasy Cut," as Munsteiner is frequently known.

The gem legend sparked a revolution more than 40 years ago when he broke out in an entirely new direction of gem carving. Today, he is best known for turning agates and transparent stones into sculptures and objets d'art. His trademarks include the abstract use of angles, grooves and curves, scaling across the stone.

During the gala event, gem and mineral authors and teachers Si and Ann Frazier delivered a presentation titled "Bernd Munsteiner: Maker of a Gemstone Revolution."

This marks the third presentation in GIA's 2007 Museum Lecture series. The Munsteiner exhibit will be open to the public through March 2008 at GIA's Rotunda Gallery. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call (760) 603-4000.

ARE YOU JEWELRY SAVVY?

A new book by industry vets Caroline Stanley and Cynthia Sliwa teaches consumers jewelry-wearing basics.

June 14, 2007

Los Angeles, Calif.—A new jewelry book aimed at consumers discusses jewelry-wardrobe building and aesthetics.

The 224-page book, 'Jewelry Savvy: What Every Jewelry Wearer Should Know', is written by third-generation jeweler Caroline Stanley and certified image consultant and jewelry designer Cynthia Sliwa. It features more than 100 images.

The authors say their book covers "everything that people should know about jewelry but probably have never been taught," including developing a jewelry wardrobe, understanding personal style, care and maintenance of jewelry, and understanding the basics of metals, gemstones and costume jewelry. "

Receive a copy as a complimentary gift copy from TWO BLONDS & CO. with a $250.00 minimum purchase.

DIAMONDS BEYOND CONFLICT

Jewelry Scene
by Ivan Solotaroff

With conflict diamonds—and “Blood Diamond”—safely in the rearview mirror, the World Diamond Council held its fifth annual meeting at Jerusalem’s David Citadel Hotel on May 9 and 10.

Hosted by the Israeli diamond industry, the conference kicked off with a masterful speech by Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres on globalism and the future of worldwide industries such as the diamond. A more supply-side address greeted the closing banquet by the Likud Party’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Calling on Ramat Gan (in collaboration with a government he hopes soon to head) to put an end to Belgium as a diamond center, he vowed to bring all Antwerp dealers—“and not only Israelis,” he said, “but Indians as well”—to Ramat Gan to do business.

A comprehensive presentation on the “Blood Diamond” movie, by the Diamond Promotion Service’s Carson Glover and Nancy Orem Lyman, set the tone for much of the meeting to follow: a merging of the industry’s historical responsibilities in Africa and the proactive measures it has taken and must continue to take, both to resolve the issues and to educate the public on their full realities. WDC chairman Eli Izhakoff noted that, rather than harm the industry, the movie “gave us a wonderful opportunity to tell consumers about the great strides we’ve taken toward eliminating the trade in conflict stones.”

Conflict diamonds are now at less than half a percent, by value, of world trade. That figure was agreed to even by industry watchdog, Global Witness’s Alex Yearsley, cited by Izhakoff variously as a “partner” or as “the conscience” of the diamond industry. Yearsley did note, however, that certain productions of the Congo and DRC, while “not, technically, conflict stones, are nonetheless tainted by affiliation with, or controlled by, rebel groups.” He also cited half a dozen countries, including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic, as potential hot-button zones where the industry “would do well to arm itself” against future taint.

He had high praise for the WDC’s mission to Ghana, headed by Charterhouse Street’s Andrew Coxon and the HRD’s Mark von Bockstael, where production and trade of diamonds that had come under the conflict headlights last year were audited extensively on three occasions. Presentations of findings by von Bockstael provided the conference’s gemological and technical highlights. It’s amazing how much the issue has taught us about rough diamonds.

Von Bockstael was one of many to note that the diamond is now the world’s most audited, controlled, and overseen commodity. “Look at timber, fisheries, cars, plasma TVs, even oil,” says Michael Rae of the Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices, “no one has taken the steps we’ve taken.” All, however, were entirely necessary, Rae adds. “In the same way that customers today expect a certificate for diamonds of value, the customer of tomorrow will expect assurances of ethical practices behind the jewelry they’re buying.” Those would extend to simulants, lab-grown diamonds, and enhancements, as well as issues of African beneficiation and the plight of alluvial miners, issues that formed a backdrop to many speakers.

Given the WDC’s success in merging 45 member nations in lockstep cooperation with the Kimberley certification schemes to establish conflict-free status for the world’s legitimate diamonds, it was widely suggested the body go forward on such issues. Will it become, in essence, the arbiter of a fractious and discoordinated industry?

“The WDC must seek to expand its mandate beyond conflict,” says Gareth Penny, managing director of De Beers. “The resource capability of the WDC must be reviewed and where possible increased. It has to be in a position to address issues arising from the governance of our industry, its business ethics, and environmental concerns, and be able to demonstrate awareness of the issues facing the communities in which the industry operates—anywhere in the world.” — Ivan Solotaroff

Soap star appears in Caressa ads

"All My Children" star Leven Rambin is the new face of Caressa. She portrays Lily Montgomery on the show.












June 19, 2007

Belgium—Caressa, a designer-jewelry division of De Beers sightholder Taché, has tapped All My Children star Leven Rambin for its new advertising campaign.

"I am thrilled to be a part of this campaign," Rambin said in a statement. "The Caressa brand is synonymous with elegance and empowerment. It inspires me to achieve my dreams as my most beautiful self.

"In the ads, Caressa unveils two new collections, both inspired by women from the 18th or 19th centuries and aimed at modern female self-purchasers.

The Georgia Collection features a rose motif, and the Lady Brooke Collection features lace dripping with diamonds from a silk or satin and organza cord.

"Women today are not as simple as we pretend to be," Caressa Executive Vice President Kendra Bridel Weinman said in a statement. "We want to do it all—have a successful career, keep up with the fashion trends and have a loving relationship with our perfect family. We tried to capture this in our jewelry collections.

"Photographer Sergio Kurhajec, whose clients include Cosmopolitan, Glamour and GQ, shot the new campaign. The ads debuted in the May 2007 issues of Vogue and W magazines.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!

Hat's off to Johnny Damon and Barthman Jewelers for their efforts to benefit injured veterans. Having a Disabled Vet in my family, we appreciate any gesture of kindness in their behalf...even a simple "Thank you for serving our country" means a lot.


Yankee star & Barthman Jewelers raise funds for vets

June 18, 2007
New York—New York Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon brought his star power to downtown Manhattan when he and William Barthman Jewelers hosted an exclusive charity event to benefit injured veterans.

The June 14 event featured a silent auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds and 10 percent of all sales being donated to the "Wounded Warrior Project," whose mission is to provide assistance and services to injured men and women during their transition from active duty to civilian life.

Items that were auctioned included signed Yankee memorabilia and luxury jewelry by Cartier, David Yurman, Judith Ripka, Montblanc and Rolex. The event took place at William Barthman Jewelers' new location in downtown Manhattan's financial district. In addition to raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, the event also celebrated the revival of the store, which suffered major damages on Sept. 11.

Father's Day Image Gallery

Actor Eddie Murphy and children

John Lennon and son

George Bush, Sr. and sons

Actor Will Smith and son

Martin Luther King and children

Paul McCartney and family

To view even more pictures, visit the photo gallery.

About Fathers: Did You Know?

June 17 is Father's Day.

What was your childhood like regarding your father? My younger brother and I were raised by my father until he remarried when I was age ten. Those were some of the most incredible years of my life.

Thank you Dad, I know you did the best you could.

I love you.



Did You Know?

Mr. Mom
- 159,000 estimated number of stay-at-home dads in 2006. These married fathers with children younger than 15 have remained out of the labor force for more than one year primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers cared for 283,000 children.

Married Fathers
- 26.5 million number of fathers who are part of married-couple families with children younger than 18 in 2006.
- 2.5 million number of single fathers in 2006, up from 400,000 in 1970. Currently, among single parents living with their children, 19 percent are men.
Child-Support Payments
- 10% of custodial parents due child support who were fathers. They numbered 740,000
- $2.1 billion amount of child support received by custodial fathers in 2003; they were due $3.3 billion. In contrast, custodial mothers received $23.3 billion of the $33.7 billion in support that was due.
- 46% of custodial fathers who received all child support that was due, not significantly different than the corresponding percentage for custodial mothers. Fathers received an average of $2,797 in child support in 2003, compared with $3,579 for mothers.
Dining with Daddy
- 30% of children younger than 6 living with married parents in 2003 who ate breakfast with their father every day. The corresponding number for children living with unmarried fathers was 41 percent.
- 64% of children younger than 6 living with married parents who ate dinner with their fathers every day. The corresponding number for children living with unmarried fathers was 66 percent.

Kind Words from Dad
- 63% of children younger than 6 living with married parents who were praised three or more times a day by their fathers. The corresponding number for children living with unmarried fathers was 57 percent.

-Information from the U.S. Census Bureau.

HISTORY OF FATHER'S DAY

Once again I have relied on http://www.history.com/ for information regarding the holidays. After all, they do such a great job of it. Remember that Father's Day is being observed on Sunday, June 17 this year. How are you honoring your father? What are your fondest memories of your dad?

Two Blonds & Co. has many gift ideas to make him feel extra special.




History of Father's Day

The first known celebration of Father's Day was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia, where it was commemorated at William Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South - now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton is believed to have suggested it to her pastor after a deadly explosion in nearby Monongah in December, killing 361 men.

It was also during a sermon in 1909 that Sonora Smart Dodd became inspired by Mother's Day. After the death of her mother, Sonora and her siblings were raised by their father William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran. Sonora wanted to show how thankful she was to her father and, because William was born in June, she worked to have the first Father's Day celebrated on June 19, 1910.

In 1924, President Coolidge recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday. President Johnson designated the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day in 1966. It was not until 1972 that President Nixon instituted Father's Day as a national observance.

Did You Know - Roses are the official flower on Father's Day, red for fathers who were still living and white for those who have passed on.

GIFTS FOR DAD

Evo 18 - 85mm Wenger® Genuine Swiss Army Knife

Additional Details: Dimensions: 3-1/4"
Weight: 3.35 dwt

Retail: $50.00
Our Price: $45.00

GIFTS FOR DAD

100 Cigar Humidor


with a Burlwood Finish with Scrolled Inlaid Designs; Includes Humidification System and Exterior Hygrometer
Additional Details: Dimensions: 13-1/2 x 9-1/2 x 7-1/2"
Weight: 160.00 dwt



Retail: $140.00
Our Price: $126.00

Selecting Pearls

Two Blonds & Co.

The most important thing to remember when selecting a pearl is that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” as most elements used to assess a pearl will depend on individual taste. Therefore, the most important test is subjective. The “Five-Virtues” of South Sea cultured pearls will assist you in selecting your ideal pearl.

Luster
Luster describes the beauty you see as light travels through the nacre of the pearl. Luster is not to be confused with surface shine. Luster comes from deep within the nacre, much as light filters from the depth of the clear blue sea. Only South Sea cultured pearls have the depth and, more importantly, the quality and richness of nacre for the light to be so perfectly refracted to produce true luster.

Complexion
Pearls may have surface characteristics which may or may not detract from the pearls’ beauty depending on the quality, depth, or visibility or the blemishes. Pearls are graded into 4 complexion categories: Statement, Fine, Fashion, and Foundation.

Size
South Sea cultured pearls dominate the pearl world in quality and size, and are generally found in sizes between 10mm and 15mm. When found, rarer pearls from 16mm to in excess of 20mm are highly prized by connoisseurs.

Shape
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is certainly the case when it comes to pearl shapes. Due to the thickness of their nacre, South Sea cultured pearls are found in an interesting variety of shapes. The shape of a pearl does not affect its quality. For convenience, South Sea cultured pearls are graded into twelve shape categories. Examples include:
The photographs of the shapes shown are representative samples of the various shapes and qualities available. As a product of nature, each pearl is rare and unique. The pearls you purchase may not look exactly like the images shown.

Color
The most popular color is white or white with slight overtones. The overtone colors of the South Sea cultured pearl are the natural colors of the South Sea pearl shell and cover the full spectrum of the rainbow including pink. It should be noted that all of our South Sea cultured pearls are of natural color and luster and are not enhanced by any artificial means.

PEARLS, new political statement?

Although I'm not a fan of Ms. Pelosi, I must admit that she brings back an old trend with new flair; that of dressing like a lady. In this day and age of "come as you are" even to church or the theater, it is refreshing to see some of us still dress with respect and dignity.


Two Blonds & Co. offers a full line of the finest South Sea, Tahitian and Freshwater pearls.

Pelosi's Pearls
Pearl Scene
by Cheryl Kremkow, Editor-In-Chief



Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's popular pearl wardrobe features two spectacular strands.


It may be due to the fact that she's the first female Speaker of the House, but California Representative Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe has been getting a lot of attention lately. And the most ink has been devoted to Pelosi's signature strand of South Sea cultured pearls.

Make that strands. Because the well-dressed speaker has at least two spectacular large and lovely strands in her wardrobe. The first, which she wore on election night, is a multicolor Tahitian cultured pearl strand.

The second, which she wore to her swearing-in ceremony, is a golden South Sea strand. Both strands, but particularly the multicolor Tahitian, are helping to drive retail pearl sales. The Speaker, who just made Blackwell's best-dressed list, is becoming a factor in the pearl market.

"This holiday season, we sold a lot more South Sea pearl strands, expensive ones in the $20,000 and up range: in white, golden, or Tahitian," says Marilyn Rudd of Scheherazade Jewelers in Edina, Minnesota. "And we sold a lot of matching earrings, big 13mm pearl drops on a lever back. We called one of our sales associates ‘the pearl queen' because she sold so many. We believe the new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had a lot to do with these sales. She's been photographed so many times wearing her South Sea pearl strands and we had customers coming in and asking for the ‘Nancy Pelosi pearls.'"


Pelosi wore her multicolored Tahitian cultured pearls with a gray suit and black shirt, to the Washington Woman's Tea the day before her swearing-in, making the conservative suit instantly chic. In a noticeable style shift among these powerful women, many of the other women at the tea, young and old, wore similar strands.

Conservative blogger Lisa Schiffren of the National Review On-line wore the "traditional Republican double strand of choker-length eight-millimeter pearls" to a gala in Pelosi's honor that evening. "Just that morning, on the front page of The New York Times, was a picture of notables at the funeral of President Ford. In it, Barbara Bush, Lynne Cheney, Doro Bush, and Mrs. Ford herself all wore them." But Schiffren encountered a size shift in the pearls at the gala just as noticeable as the political shift taking place that day: "In honor of Nancy Pelosi and her signature strand of silver, gold, and white South Sea pearls (which my jeweler estimates at somewhere north of 80 grand), many women were wearing similar necklaces," Schiffren reported.

Pelosi's new role as a trendsetter has attracted the attention of the mainstream media, too. The Los Angeles Times has already devoted a story to Pelosi's wardrobe, leading with her pearls. The story quotes pearl dealer Leon Rebibo, who says he fielded calls from more than four dozen women of all political stripes who wanted a muted, multicolor strand of South Sea Tahitian pearls, just like the one Pelosi was wearing.

"I'm very disappointed the Democrats won, but I absolutely love her necklace. If my husband hears me, he's going to kill me," Rebibo recalled one Republican woman whispering into the phone.

CNN's "The Situation Room" also devoted a segment to Pelosi and her pearls. "When it comes to looks, they say female politicians get a lot more scrutiny than men. But instead of focusing on Nancy Pelosi's pearls of wisdom, the focus tends to be on her pearls, period," said correspondent Jeanne Moos. "For instance, this photo op resulted in requests for information on where to get the speaker-to-be's string of pearls. Shopping tips on-line to the rescue. These sure look a lot like Pelosi's pearls for a near $3,999. We didn't hear of anyone seeking information on where to get Senator Harry Reid's tie."

On-line shopping sites are selling "Pelosi" necklaces for $3,000 to $6,000. Pelosi's high profile means those pearls will be in the spotlight a lot during the coming months.

Barbara Walters interviewed her as one of the year's 10 most fascinating people. People magazine has written about her twice in recent months. An article in a Palm Springs newspaper ran with the headline: "How to Get the Nancy Pelosi Look."

If a lot of women take that advice, South Sea strands may become an essential part of dressing for success. — Cheryl Kremkow

T. Boone Pickens: Still Controversial After All This Time

Being a blond, I usually rock on with whatever is thrown my way (if it doesn't go right over my head) and adjust to the situation accordingly. I am certainly not expected to have a mind.

However, after watching Maria Bartiroma, Wall Street Journal Report, interview T. Boone Pickens, Sunday, I could no longer be silent. When asked his opinion of the current extreme rise in gasoline prices over the past two weeks, he suggested that the price be raised even further to $5.00/gallon! His theory is based on "supply and demand" and that if the price is raised or taxed so high that it forces us to stop driving then it will in turn bring the prices down.

Now I ask you, do we all have "stupid" stamped on our foreheads? Have you changed your driving habits in the past two weeks...or even in the past two months? Will they change if you have to pay $5.00/gallon? In other words, will you discontinue taking your children to school? Will you take a day off from work every week because it's too expensive to drive? I think not.

Living in East Texas myself, I am twelve miles from nowhere; meaning twelve miles from the nearest grocery, gas station or civilization in general. I plan my trips to town and carefully plot my errands. Thank God my vehicle is paid off and therefore I do not have that expense, but gasoline is a necessary commodity.

There is something definitely wrong here. Perhaps the solution is to purchase stock from Exxon, BP or other major oil companies in order to recoup the prices we are forced to pay at the pump. The only people cheering on big oil executives, like T. Boone, are the stockholders.

Here is a portion of yet another interview with T. Boone last year also touting the same idea.

T. Boone Pickens: Still Courting Controversy
April 27, 2006
by Christopher Palmeri

The Eighties-vintage corporate raider and ex-CEO of Mesa Petroleum dismisses his critics and says that a gas price of $5 a gallon is a good thing

Being a prominent voice in the industry, Pickens meets frequently with politicians and pundits who ask him what to do about today's high prices. Fox News (NWS ) host Bill O'Reilly, for example, once asked: "If Exxon's cost to produce oil is $20 a barrel why can't they sell it for $30?" Pickens' response: "They're not fools."

Pickens says he had a Congressman suggest recently that Washington should put caps on prices. "It's never worked," Pickens told him. His solution is just the opposite -- raise the price of gasoline by putting more taxes on it. He suggested bringing the total price to $5 a gallon, much as it in the rest of the world. "Price will kill demand," he says.


Enough is enough.

"Grey's Anatomy" Star Engaged

May 17, 2007
Jeffrey Slonim


Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh now has another reason to celebrate: In addition to getting her own spinoff, she's also getting married. "I'm engaged," the actress, 39, told PEOPLE on Tuesday at the Entertainment Weekly upfront party at The Box in New York City. "Alex [Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox] asked me to marry him and I said yes. We were in San Francisco last week and I'm very, very, very happy."


So what makes her fiancé so special? "Oh, everything," gushed Walsh, flashing her Neil Lane Jubilee-cut diamond. "He's the most amazing man I ever met. We're in the process of planning the wedding."


Walsh recently stepped out with Young at an April 28 fund-raiser for Barack Obama in Los Angeles. "He's a hotshot," a friend told PEOPLE at the time. "But Alex also has substance. He's a good guy."


Meanwhile, ABC this week formally announced that Walsh will star in her own Grey's Anatomy spinoff, playing Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd in Private Practice. The show will air Wednesdays this fall and costar Taye Diggs and Tim Daly. Walsh told PEOPLE the cast will start shooting the series in July. "It's super exciting," she said.


"Grey's is about interns starting their careers and starting their professional lives, and Private Practice is going to deal with people who are successful in their private lives." Her character, Walsh said, needed a change of scenery to improve her personal life. "How much more [could] Addison do at Seattle Grace? Her marriage failed, McSteamy and her did not work out. She tried to hook it up with Karev. She's either going to do some light filing or move on."


Her new castmates are thrilled about Walsh's engagement. Merrin Dungey, who plays Addison's best friend, was early to notice Walsh's new bling, she told PEOPLE at the EW party: "I was blinded. I saw when she walked into the room and I said, 'Jesus.' It's very exciting." (When Walsh later passed Dungey on the dance floor, they double high-fived.) And Diggs, who partied on with his costars into the wee hours at the ABC afterparty at Tenjune, characterized his own reaction to the news: "So excited!"