Charles & Colvard named a new CEO this morning, the fifth executive to take the top spot during the past 18 months at the maker of moissanite gemstones.

Randy N. McCullough, 56, has spent 36 years in the jewelry business, most recently as CEO of Samuels Jewelers, a chain with 150 stores.

He takes the helm at Charles & Colvard as the recession dampens interest in fine jewelry using the Morrisville company's manmade gems. In August, the company reported that second-quarter sales fell 64 percent to $1.3 million.

Charles & Colvard is scheduled to report its third-quarter results on Thursday. The company has been cutting costs as its sales have slumped, and it now employs 25 people.

McCullough replaces interim CEO George Cattermole, who is chairman.

With the new CEO and several other new managers, "we believe we have the right cross-section of talent that can execute the strategic initiatives to increase shareholder value and to reintroduce Charles & Colvard to the world," Cattermole said in a prepared statement.

Charles & Colvard's stock rose 5 cents to 66 cents this morning. The stock hasn't traded above $1 since June 2008.

Cat Banjo is celebrating Cameron Village's 60 years in the shopping center business (GrooveFest, going on now throughout the center) with a sidewalk sale Thursday through Sunday. Look for jewelry, scarves, dog collars, art, mirrors, frames and more marked 60 percent off.

Kendra Kist is back for another trunk show of her work at Denim & Lace boutique at the Arboretum in Cary. She'll be showing her latest fall collection at the store on Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saks has a busy month ahead with three trunk shows of different jewelers.

The first has already gotten started. It's the Kenneth Jay Lane trunk show running now through Oct. 14. Lane is known for his fun costume jewelry styles (see the bee to the left) that won't break the bank.

Sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines and rubies for everyday wear will be part of the David Harris trunk show Oct. 16. And then on Oct. 17, look for latest styles in 18k gold by Italian jewelry designer Ippolita.

For more information or to make an appointment call 919-792-9100, ext. 5318.

Spotted: Moon and Lola's New Orleans earrings on Gossip Girl's Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) Monday night.

Another great bit of exposure for Kelly Shatat and her Apex-based jewelry line! Earlier this month she had a trunk show at Henri Bendel. She's also had some great press recently in magazines, including People and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Buy the earrings in an antique gold finish or in silver for $56.

When Donna and Lee Hankin started Joint Venture Jewelry in 1998, their girls were in the middle of elementary school. Now they have an empty nest! To celebrate their 11 years selling new and pre-owned jewelry, they're offering 11 percent off all jewelry. Check out what's new in the store here.

It didn't take long for local fashion retailer Tina Saib to jump back into the fashion business, only this time in a less stressful form.

The former owner of Belly Blossom maternity store in Durham (which sadly closed in June) is now a stylist for Stella & Dot, a jewelry company that sells through boutique-style trunk shows. She says she's the first one in the Triangle area to sell the line.

The collections look to be really wearable, functional and fun with nothing too fancy that you couldn't wear for either day or night. It looks as if prices start around $29 and go to several hundred. Pick from earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets to suit your look, whether it's trendy, bold or delicate. I really like this silver chain and brooch piece (La Coco, $98). How cute with a little black dress!

Check out Tina's page at Stella & Dot here. 

Cat Banjo in Cameron Village wants you to imagine a world without taxes ... and then come shopping. This weekend, everything in the store is tax free. That includes jewelry, Holly Aiken handbags, scarves and all the rest of the fun, colorful stuff in the store. There's also a clearance table for even more savings.

Had a really nice phone chat with Christie Brinkley Wednesday about her new line of jewelry, called CeleBrate, now available online and at Ross-Simons, which has stores at Crabtree Valley Mall and The Streets at Southpoint.

First off, she’s really nice and down-to-earth. And unlike so many celebrities these days who just slap their name on a line of clothes, shoes, handbags or whatever, she seems to really have put herself into the line. She says she even has a notebook that she carries around to jot down ideas when they hit her so she can share them with the folks at Ross-Simons.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “One of the things I’ve enjoyed about working with Ross-Simons is they’ve allowed me to pull from so many of my different inspirations.”

Brinkley, who was an illustrator before she was discovered as a model, calls the new line “eclectic,” with four distinct collections: Southwestern, floral, inspirations and signature. Most of the pieces are made with sterling silver with either semi-precious stones, pearls, beads or other types of earthy materials.

None of it is what you might call fancy. Rather it’s designed to be casual so it can be mixed, matched and layered with casual clothes for day or evening wear. And it’s priced so that no one has to wait for a birthday or holiday to get a piece of it, she said. Earrings start at around $45 and necklaces go to about $1,250 (a diamond heart-shaped charm necklace). There are about 100 pieces in all four collections.

Her favorite pieces are a yellow gold and diamond dove charm and a coral bead necklace with sapphire pendant, shown here. “It’s so great to wear with jeans,” she said. “It’s also great with a dressier outfit. It really stands out.”

I have to admit, it’s one of my favorites, too. I also like the Suncatcher earrings with turquoise and citrines, which look like they would go well with a little black dress or jeans and a T-shirts. Price is $85.

You can see the entire line here.

I was happy to see from this picture taken on Friday that Michelle O hasn't lost her sense of personal style.

I love orange in the summer. And really love this orange and white print dress (sleeveless, of course) on her, especially against her skin. She's glowing! And the vintage orange floral pin is the perfect accessory with the dress. (Should we all be stocking up?)

The dress, btw, reportedly is from Talbots, but I can't seem to find it on the company's Web site. Perhaps it already sold out?

(Photo: AP)