NEW YORK -- I can still remember the first time I laid eyes on Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. It was at a downtown Houston nightclub during the festivities surrounding Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Tall and slender, Johnson was wearing a green army fatigue hat, shirt, pants and Timberland boots. But the most memorable part of his ensemble was the nearly retina-shattering, benzel-set, roundstone diamond chain with a huge pendant that hung real low.

Naturally, he had the bracelet to match.

So, while the jury is still out on whether the Chiefs' 2003 first-round pick will shine on the field, off the field, he gets a definitive, "Hell, yeah!"

After all, whether it's a diamond encrusted No. 24 for Carolina Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. or the infamous "hope" diamond (as in, "he better hope it doesn't happen again") that Kobe Bryant purchased for wife, Vanessa, diamonds are no longer just a girl's best friend.

These days, every player knows that off-the-field accessories are as essential as the one he wears on the field.

I didn't get a chance to ask L.J. where he copped that little bit of glitterati that was wearing him, but I do know where Terrell Owens, Charles Woodson, and Charlie Garner go to drop a grip.

They visit Gabriel Jacob of Avianne & Co, located in New York's Diamond District.

Yours truly recently spent some time at the Manhattan playground for fans of glitter and gold. And just for kicks, I brought along someone who could afford to do more than browse the merchandise -- New York Jets lineman Kareem McKenzie.

This girl, who likes jewelry as much as Shaquille O'Neal likes attention, was definitely in her element. From the rose-colored gold and diamond spinners to 25-carat, roundstone, benzel-set bracelets to the 20-carat, canary yellow, diamond engagement (or whatever) ring, I needed my Mini Motards (Christian Dior sunglasses -- get a clue!) to block the glare.

Gabriel, whose client list is elite enough to impress any sports agent, definitely had enough bling to satisfy any jewelry jones.

That's why superstars like Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers, Denver Broncos defensive end Reggie Hayward, Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matthew Hatchette, N.Y. Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, boxer Zab Judah, and NBA MVP Kevin Garnett are also faithful clients.

Prior to the NBA draft, five of the Class of 2004, including Ben Gordon, Shaun Livingston, Devin Harris, and Sebastian Telfair, reportedly dropped $100k of their newfound fortunes on the A4 Avianne time pieces and other baubles.

Ironically, as I was asking Gabriel what we could expect to see at the 2004 ESPY Awards, ESPN's own Stu Scott entered the premises to purchase an elegant watch made of 18-carat white gold with a black band and interchangeable face plates.

Gabriel said the red carpet in L.A. will be sparkling with diamond Breitling watches and, my personal favorite, the Franck Mueller 18-carat gold watch with a diamond bezel dial.

When it was time to go, I felt like I'd just been to the Super Bowl and lost. Sadly, I walked away empty-handed. McKenzie, however, managed to find a little something for a special person in his life -- but it's a surprise, and I promised I wouldn't tell.

Nikita Banks is a freelance writer covering the world of sports and entertainment.