Must Have Pieces for 2013

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Harry

It is the perfect time to look forward and begin to explore the must have jewelry trends that will follow us to 2013.

Geometric Patterns

If you walk the streets, you may find yourself having flashbacks to that high school math class that loved so much. The pieces triggering those flashbacks are part of one of the hottest jewelry trends for 2013. If you want to follow the fashion forward this season, then the geometric pattern is the way to go. Look for necklaces with triangle details or earrings with dangling diamond patterns that will add style to any wardrobe. Take your math lesson to a new level and prove that you are at the forefront of today’s fashion frenzy.

Neon Color Blocking

Color blocking has made its way to the runway in another form and fashion. This season look for large statement necklaces that incorporate color blocking in their palette as a way to show that you’ve still got it. When it comes time to choosing pieces this spring, look for bright pieces that will compliment those cool colors that emerge when the clouds part and the sun emerges once again.

Rose Gold

A rose by any other name is just as stylish. This year the golden age of the season is raised gold. The beautiful metallic first landed on the scene as a fashion forward alternative to standard watch selections. This season you will see the rose gold collection expand into the area of necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Barkev’s White & Rose Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring

Southwest Inspired Jewelry

Last season may have been the season of the feather, but this season will bring the emergence of a southwest style. Look for turquoise pieces that are created with feathers as an integral part of the design. Some great color combinations for these pieces are turquoise and purple or turquoise and yellow. The bright colors will compliment almost any color combination in your closet.

A New Year brings a new opportunity to spread your fashion wings. Take advantage of the emerging trends and strike while the iron is hot in order to have the best selection of pieces for the upcoming season.

The Reluctant Heiress’ Jewels Bring in $20 Million

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Harry

Christie’s International took in $20.8 million on 17 pieces of jewelry from the esteemed collection of the late copper heiress Huguette Clark. The jewelry was sold during the April 17^th“Magnificent Jewels” auction in New York, which contained more than 300 lots of fine jewels.

Dubbed “The Reluctant Heiress” due to her reclusive lifestyle, Clark had an eye for unique fine jewelry. The heiress’ coveted “The Clark Pink” ring was the auction showstopper, selling for a whopping $15.7 million. The 9-carat cushion-cut diamond ring took in nearly triple its original estimate, and is currently the most expensive pink diamond sold to date. The staggering tally is all the more impressive considering that the ring was tucked away in a bank vault for seven decades.

Another noteworthy piece for sale was a rare, 19.86-carat colorless diamond ring designed by Cartier. The D-color diamond ring fetched an impressive $3.1 million. Clark’s Tiffany & Co. designed diamond bracelet also bested its pre-auction expectations. The shimmering piece, which dates back to 1915, sold for $266,500.

The Magnificent Jewels auction was a top moneymaker for Christie’s, earning $70.7 million overall. Clark’s jewelry collection alone earned the second-highest auction total for private jewelry, and it doubled pre-sales estimates. Despite the impressive total, the auction fell short of the record-breaking $137.2 million in earnings from the sale of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor last year.

Bonham’s Fine Jewelry Auction Recap

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Harry

A three-stone white gold ring with brilliant round-cut diamonds sold at the Bonhams New York auction.

Bonhams New York held a “Fine Jewelry” auction at their Madison Avenue location on April 19^. Auction lots consisted of contemporary and antique fine jewelry pieces, as well as high-quality gem stones. The spirited proceedings were simulcast to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and attracted a bevy of international bidders who packed the auction house or participated via the Internet and phone.

The auction’s top earner was a stunning 14.82-carat, JVVS1 marquise-cut, diamond solitaire ring. The piece sold for $482,500, nearly doubling its $250,000 pre-auction estimate. Another high earner was a 20.59-carat cut-cornered rectangular diamond solitaire ring, which sold for $254,000. A smaller 4.42-carat cut-cornered, rectangular-cut diamond solitaire stone went for an impressive $116,500.

Antique jewelry was also in high demand, thanks to two distinct pieces that date back to 1910. A belle époque yellow topaz and diamond necklace sold for $15,625, while an 8.46-carat marquise-cut diamond solitaire ring fetched $88,900.

Other hot ticket items include a striking, turtle-shaped, purple sapphire and amethyst diamond brooch. The distinctive piece was bought for $68,500, earning six times its pre-sale estimate. Fine gemstones were represented by an exquisite, 7.10-carat, European-cut solitaire diamond. The high-grade diamond sold for $60,000.

Bonhams New York reports that the auction was a rousing success. Early estimates list a take of $5 million for the single-day event. The impressive tally suggests high-demand in the market for fine jewelry.

The Reluctant Heiress’ Jewels Bring in $20 Million

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Harry

Fashion Week 2012 Jewelry Trends

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Harry

Fashion Week showcases the most stunning upcoming styles and designs, and jewelry lovers can catch glimpses of Fall 2012 trends with New York Fashion Week 2012. The week of style madness kicked off February 9, 2012.

Some of the popular jewelry styles gracing the streets of Fashion Week included:

Chunky, glamorous necklaces worn under button-up shirt collars, in a style similar to wearing a tie. The glistening neckpieces make a striking contrast with an otherwise business-ish ensemble.
Chunky necklaces also complement fall sweaters and jackets, with designs ranging from chokers to thick pendant necklaces.
Rich, neutral colors are making a splash at NYC Fashion Week and jewelry with complementing tones such as black, bronze and gold will be popular accessories for fall 2012.

Just as big as the styles gracing the stage is who wears what to the glamorous events. Here is a rundown of standout jewelry among NYC Fashion Week 2012 attendees:

Cindy Crawford donned stunning chandelier earrings at a gala to kick off New York Fashion Week 2012.
Supermodel Cindy Crawford donned dazzling diamond chandelier earrings at an amfAR kickoff party for New York City Fashion Week 2012.
Linda Fargo, fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman, was one of several Fashion Week attendees decked out in a chunky bracelet, as she enjoyed a party celebrating designer Jason Wu’s latest collection.

HRD Awards Showcase Top Diamond Designers in the World

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Harry

Diamond jewelry designer Jiang Zhe won first place for her "Porcupine Theory" diamond brooches.

The HRD Awards, an international diamond jewelry competition, draws the world’s top jewelry designers with breathtaking pieces from around the world. The Antwerp World Diamond Center in Belgium organizes the annual event.

The 2011 HRD Awards, held in Shanghai, recognized 29 winning designs out of a record 1,396 entries. China rose to the spotlight of the awards, with Jiang Zhe of China winning first place. Zhe’s “Porcupine Theory” design featured unique, eye-catching diamond brooches with quill-like needles.

China’s diamond industry has rose to prominence in recent years, with the rapidly growing economy and increasing interest in diamonds in the nation of 1.3-plus billion people. Ling Qiang, the president of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, was recognized by the event for his work to improve diplomatic relations between Belgium and China.

Other top finalists at the competition were Alia Mouzannar from Lebanon, Gabri Schumacher from the Netherlands, Maja Houtman from the Netherlands and Chun Man Ping from Taiwan.

The selection process for the 2011 HRD Awards began in October 2010, when a panel of jewelry experts chose 29 finalists from all of the entries. Those finalists completed their designs throughout the year, and the top five were announced December 11, 2011.

Jewelry at SAG Awards

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Harry

The 18^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards once again brought out Hollywood’s finest – not just in the acting realm, but also in the dazzling jewelry showcased by the stars. This year’s awards included gorgeous diamonds as well as a diverse mix of bold and beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Diamonds

Diamonds remain a classic style staple for the graceful acting crowd, and a popular way to wear the exquisite gems this year was with chic and understated palladium and diamond earrings. Actress and model Stacy Keibler escorted George Clooney to the event donning a stunning pair of palladium and diamond teardrop earrings. “Extra” host Maria Menounos wore sparkling palladium teardrop earrings as well, and paired the ensemble with a diamond bangle bracelet.

“My Week With Marilyn” actress Michelle Williams took a more luxurious approach, donning a unique, eye-catching antique diamond snake ring.

Beyond Diamonds

Sofia Vergara donned a bold rose dress paired with gorgeous amethyst jewelry.

Other stars strayed off the beaten path beyond diamonds at the SAG Awards. The elegant Sofia Vergara sported a bold amethyst cuff and earrings with a rich violet hue to perfectly complement her rose-colored Marchesa dress.

TV personality Giuliana Rancic ventured far outside of the box with a breath-taking, modern gold neck piece with a folded design.

A brooch that belonged to Marjorie Merriweather Post

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Harry

Traveling to see the world’s finest jewelry collections is a great way to view world-renowned pieces during your vacation. Whether you are in Paris or Boston, there are several museums with jewelry collections that will educate, entertain and inspire the traveling jewelry lover.

For nearly two centuries, The Louvre in Paris, France, has housed an impressive collection ranging from crown jewels to bracelets. Collection highlights include “Bracelets of Duchess of Angouleme,” a 19^th century pair of bracelets with 24 rubies, 451 diamonds and 60-dutch rose cut diamonds, and the 140.64-carat “Regent Diamond,” which was originally discovered in India in 1698. The Empress Marie-Louise’s necklace and earrings are also on display. The pieces were a gift from her husband Napoleon on their wedding day.

In 2011, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston opened the country’s first gallery solely dedicated to jewelry. The 11,000 piece collection includes a Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace that was gift from Samuel Colt to his with Elizabeth on their wedding day, a 19^th century “Tiger Claw Necklace” from India, a suite of gold and silver pieces that belonged to Mary Todd Lincoln and a 1920’s brooch from the collection of cereal heiress Marjorie Meriwether Post.

The World Jewelry Museum is one of the top cultural attractions in Seoul, Korea. The collection was acquired over 30 years and over 3,000 pieces. Museum attractions include a 50 million year-old “Amber Wall,” a necklace hall, and extensive gemstone, bed and ivory collections.

International Diamond Centers: Where Diamonds Come to Life

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Harry

Before diamonds reach your ears and engagement rings, they pass through diamond centers for grading. The centers are located in many of the world’s top cities, such as New York, London, Mumbai and Tel Aviv. Antwerp has been at the forefront of the diamond industry since the 14^th century and is internationally recognized as the world’s leading diamond grading center.

The Antwerp Diamond Square Mile is a short walk from historic Central Station in Antwerp, Belgium. According to industry estimates, 80 percent of the world’s diamonds enter the market through the Antwerp Diamond Square Mile. The district is home to four major diamond exchanges, 1,500 international diamond companies, diamond banks and roughly 3,500 brokers. The Antwerp Diamond Square Mile is known for its extensive selection of industrial, rough and polished diamonds.

For more than three centuries, London has been a major distribution center for rough diamonds. Hatton Garden, a street in Central London, is known across the globe as one of the finest jewelry centers in Europe. The street is lined with 300 diamond companies and 55 shops, which combine to make up the largest concentration of jewelry retailers in the United Kingdom. The shops offer everything from classic styles to one-of-a-kind pieces from the world’s top designers.

The New York Diamond District is located in Midtown Manhattan, steps away from Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and Times Square. The district rose to international prominence after World War II due to the influx of Jewish immigrants from Belgium. The New York Diamond District is the gateway to the U.S. market. Approximately 90 percent of diamonds that enter the U.S. come through the district. The New York Diamond Dstricit has 2,600 retailers and is known as one of the world’s top manufacturing centers for large diamond sizes.

Los Angeles Diamond District is located in downtown Los Angeles, steps away from Pershing Square. This district is smaller than the New York diamond exchange but their are over 1,000 retailers and diamond dealers in downtown Los Angeles. You can find a lot of retailer’s who specialize in engagement rings in Los Angeles.

Tel Aviv, Israel, is among the most technologically advanced diamond cutting facilities in the world. Nearly $4 billion worth of fancy cut diamonds are exported from the city each year, the majority of which go to U.S. markets. Israel’s diamond center is located approximately 10 minutes outside of Tel Aviv in Ramut Gan. The Israel Diamond Exchange is comprised of four towering buildings that contain 1,200 diamond companies and the world’s largest diamond trading floor.

Mumbai, India, is a major exporter of diamonds due to its high-quality diamonds at more reasonable prices. India’s diamonds are produced in Surat and sold by thousands of diamond retailers that line the streets of Mumbai.

World’s Biggest Diamond Heists

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Harry

Diamond heists have captured the public’s imagination for centuries. The exciting tales about gangs of thieves looting diamond vaults and trucks for the coveted gems has been mimicked in crime fiction novels and dozens of Hollywood films. But there are several real-life heists that trump all fictional accounts on the subject.

The Hauge, Netherlands’ Museon of Museum of Science was the setting of one of the country’s biggest diamond thefts. The museum hosted a diamond exhibit in December of 2002 that featured royal jewels and rare pieces from private collectors. After closing on Sunday evening, a group of thieves entered the museum and looted the diamonds in six of 28 display cases that were used in the exhibit. When the museum reopened the following Tuesday, the heist was discovered.

The heist dumfounded investigators since the diamonds were housed in motion-detection cabinets behind reinforced glass, guarded by a 24-hour security detail and monitored around-the-clock by surveillance cameras. In all, thieves stole $12 million worth of diamonds. The stones were never recovered and no arrests were made.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was the sight of arguably the most expensive diamond heist of all-time. In February 2005, a shipment of diamonds worth an estimated $118 million was being prepared for air transport to Antwerp, Belgium, the diamond capital of the world. The diamonds were to be transported via KLM airlines.

On the day of transport, the diamond-transport truck was intercepted on the airport tarmac by a group of thieves dressed in stolen KLM uniforms and driving a stolen KLM cargo track. Armed gunmen forced the drivers out of the cargo truck carrying the diamonds then drove the truck off the airport grounds.

The theft took place in broad daylight in front of hundreds of onlookers. However, the diamonds were never recovered.