These Wallets Look Like a Million Dollars

What would help you to be organized? For me, it's a beautiful wallet. If you have a finely crafted one, it's a pleasure to tuck your credit cards and money inside (although slightly less so to remove them).

Wallets have been around since the 1600s, when paper currency began to replace the clunkier coin, rendering larger pouches or purses unnecessary.

Today they're produced in a myriad of styles, colors and materials, so it's easy to find one you'll enjoy almost as much as what's inside it.

Bejeweled Dazzlers

If you're looking for a wallet that is a piece of art, check out Kelly Lyon's gemstone-embedded collection.

Lyons, 40, has a background in jewelry. She started designing belt buckles a year ago, but when she couldn't find the right straps to go on the buckles, she started searching for leather. "I said, this [leather] would make a great handbag, which led to my designing wallets," Lyons explains.

Her blend of precious stone and leather makes for unique pieces: One Western-inspired standout ($400, pictured above) is made of black buffalo bull hide accented with red brindle cow hide, and features a hunk of turquoise. It has a place for credit cards and change and room for a checkbook.

Lyons designs a number of custom pieces ($75 to $600), in leathers ranging from alligator and ostrich to crocodile. "I don't like to use run-of-the-mill materials," says Lyons.

Even the hardware is hand-fabricated from precious metals, incorporating Lyon's experience as a master jeweler.

Traditional Elegance

If a traditional wallet is more your taste, accessory king Coach (COH Quote) has plenty of offerings. The chelsea signature checkbook wallet ($230) features the classic Coach print on jacquard fabric with leather trim, and has ample room for bills, cards and checkbook.