Guys, with jewelry bargains galore on St. Armands Circle, you are so not getting away with economy-based copouts this Christmas. Circle jewelers have ingeniously ramped up their lavish cases with irresistibly-priced choices – and if I’m the judge, they will elicit as much joy as sky’s-the-limit gifts of Christmases past. Call it bling without sting. Everybody comes out a winner.

Fashion at a price: custom jewelry of unique stones, fresh water pearls and more at Dalia Koss's new St. Armands store.

Start with the super-rich. Coal in the stocking is not an option - no matter how bleak the financial picture. So it’s off to Tilden Ross for rough diamonds. They can’t keep them in stock. Not just because they’re cheaper than white stones polished and faceted to perfection. Necklaces, bracelets and rings make a timely fashion statement with these unique, raw cubes in their imperfect, uncut, unpolished state. Rough diamonds are an un-showy, toned-down look of luxury--politically correct yet a secret guilt-free pleasure.

Rough- and rose-cut diamonds by designer Todd Reed, available at Tilden Ross.

The selection in rough and rose-cuts from Tilden Ross by designer Todd Reed is amazing – and won a Best in Diamonds award from Town and Country magazine. Some of the pieces are unisex (like wedding bands from under $2,000). Prices do go up from there. I fell in love with a simple 18k yellow gold band with 4.3 carat rough diamond for $3,750 – which I spotted when stalking the stores the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Alas, it was sold by the time I got back from holiday.

Affordable luxury: Michele ceremic watches at Queens' Wreath Jewels.

OK, so you’re not an heiress like Cindy McCain. On the other hand, you don’t understand the vitriol the far-left blogs sputtered about her white ceramic Chanel watch during the campaign. You know you want one. They’re great with a Sarasota tan. But is the old man willing to spend upwards of $10,000 in this economy? (They’re less if you settle for one sans diamonds – in the $4,500 range.) Fear not: The perfect solution is waiting at Queens' Wreath Jewels. Michele ceramic watches go for $1,995 with diamonds; $995 without. All the fashionista blogs say they’re fab – and that’s why Queens Wreath sells out so fast. Husbands beware: Get one while you can, or it’s off to Chanel.  

Bargains abound on designer bling at Optional Art--you won't believe whose jewelry this is!

Now, what’s the retail therapist to think when she sees signs with “liquidation sale –up to 70 percent off designer jewelry” plastered all over the front windows at Optional Art? She thinks the worst. Turns out to be the best-ever sale and a brilliant coup. Talk about stockpiling – this is the time to buy. Owner Maureen Hoyt has decided to single-handedly jumpstart sales in the jewelry industry by asking vendors for lines or items they were anxious to liquidate.

The designer names are incredible. Everything is on sale from 10 -50 percent off: that means all the brands steady customers know they carry (including the famous-maker watches). But the big surprise is 50 -70 percent off on famous brands Optional Art handily acquired just for the sale (which extends through February). The condition for getting this coveted bling is brand anonymity – but I promise you will know whose jewelry it is as soon as you walk in the door. We’re talking superstars - from Hollywood legends to supermodels to Italy’s top designers. That’s all I’m going to say.