Berlusconi gives female MPs gold rings

For some, five gold rings are enough for Christmas. But for Silvio Berlusconi, 37 are required -- one for each of his female MPs.
The 74-year-old Italian prime minister ordered the specially made $1,600 rings from a designer jeweller, and they were given to female politicians as part of his Christmas gift.

In all, 24 women MPs from the lower house and 13 senators from the upper house were given the Italian "tricolour" rings, which were made of three bands of white, yellow and pink gold studded with tiny diamonds.

The rings were made by the jeweler Recarlo, which is based at Valenza near Alessandria in northern Italy, an area known for its upmarket gem dealerships. On its website, Recarlo says of itself: "Pure passion -- Recarlo has always chosen the best quality diamonds."

Berlusconi is known for his generosity, and each year he gives MPs from his People of Freedom party Christmas gifts. His largesse is not just limited to Italian politicians -- he has also given expensive watches as presents to world leaders.

The subject of jewelry gifts has been controversial for Berlusconi -- last month it was claimed that he gave a diamond necklace and $9,000 to Karima El Mahroug, a teenage belly dancer, who later spoke of attending "bunga bunga" sex parties at one of his homes.