I'm overdue for a newsletter but it seems we barely got back from Christmas vacation, and the Miami Beach Show was upon us.  It was a great show for selling and O.K. for buying.  The theme here was "big diamonds."  We sold the "coconuts", a pair of stones weighing over 35 carats, and the Golconda, a pinky/brownish stone of over 20 carats.  European buying, with their strong currency, was aggressive.

We had a busy show schedule with the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville in early February followed by the Palm Beach Jewelry & Antique Show.  Palm Beach was especially strong, with sales covering many categories.  Signed pieces from David Webb, Buccellati, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc. were especially in demand.  We are glad to rest a bit until the Chicago International Antiques Fair ( April 27-30, Preview Party 26th) and then the Hunt Ball on May 11 in Nashville.

RETRO JEWELRY

There is strong demand for cuffs, and we never had a retro gold cuff like this one.  Studded with tiny diamonds, it is 18k gold and flips open easily.

19A490.  This is one of the prettiest retro bracelets we've ever had.  It has French import marks; middle section featuring little pyramids is pink gold, base is yellow.

Two variations on the tried-and-true shrimp earrings. 

19E501.  The pair on the left come to a point where they dome and are signed Tiffany in 14k.

19E451.  Pair on the right has two twisted shrimp sections.  This is an earring that not only looks good from the front, but from the side too.  I love these earrings.  They are 14k.

19B245.  The knotted bow is ribbed 14k gold from the late 40's, is signed Cartier.  This is a smart, chic, all-purpose brooch.

VCA CHAIN NECKLACE

19N544.  We are seeing enormous interest in long gold chains.  This one from Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1965, is heavy, weighs about 285 grams, and can be doubled.  As you can see, the links are alternating white and yellow gold.

ANIMAL BROOCHES

19B912.  This fiesty little turtle with a malachite shell, coral feet and turquoise eyes and set in 18k gold - and best of all, his feet, tail and head all move, sometimes while he is perched on your shoulder.

19B551.  The David Webb snail has a red enamel shell and diamond eyes.  It was probably made in the 60's.

BULGARI EARRINGS

19E365.  We bought the "bottoms" of these earrings in an estate.  We don't know if they were once earring bottoms or pendants, but Gus cleverly got hoop tops made for them and they are fabulous.  Bottoms are by Bulgari and are rutilated quartz and onyx, set in 18k gold.  You'll be the only person in town with them.

BUCCELLATI RING AND BANGLE

19R563.  The arrival of a Buccellati ring is always met with excitement.  This is a beauty in 18k white and yellow gold with .80 ct of tiny little diamonds.  It is a size 7.

19A585.  We've gotten a Buccellati white gold bangle which rarely turns up.  It has 1.10 carats in the three center stones and 3.15 carats in the small stones.  Again, with Buccellati, it is about the workmanship.

GOLD & LEATHER BRACELET

A novelty for us, this bracelet is leather with 18k gold plaque in front and for the clasp.  It is a bit funky but fun.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS

MISCELLANEOUS

Jill Furman has done it again.  As one of the producers of the Drowsy Chaperone, she has chosen "In the Heights" as her latest venture.  Jean and I saw it in previews and loved it.  It's about one block in Washington Heights, over a July 4th weekend, and the mix of Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and other Latinos.  The music is hip-hop, merengue, salsa, and a bit of rap, and the dancing and singing are terrific.  It is playing at 37 Arts, 450 West 37th Street.  The writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, also plays one of the leads, a bodega owner called Usnavi (the first sight his father saw on arriving in America was a boat with U.S. Navy on it).  The reviews have been terrific in the NY Times, NY Post, NY Magazine, and Variety.

I loved watching the Academy Awards and with all the strapless dresses I thought the no necklace/hanging earrings look was perfect.  I was disappointed Water didn't win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

A DVD recommendation - the Duchess of Duke Street, which was on PBS thirty years ago and is just as amusing now as then.  The heroine, Louisa Trotter, goes from an assistant in the kitchen of a Duke in London, to the finest cook in town and the proprietor of a small luxury hotel.  It is splendid and I warn you, you'll get hooked.  Netflix has both seasons one and two.

Many of you ask me where I get my reading glasses (i.e. magnifiers) - Debbie Burk Optical, you can call 800.789.6322 or email at info@DebSpecs.com.  My favorite is Hot Stuff at $9.95 in red, pink, green, or blue, but there are lots of fun ones called Sugar Baby, Angel, and Sweet Pea.  They come in a wide spectrum of strengths.  Debbie and crew are very pleasant as Jane found out when she had a pair break a few days after purchase and they replaced them right away (free replacement within 30 days).

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