We are ready for winter to end and have tried to choose jewelry to lighten your spirits. We enjoyed being in Washington for the inaugural show at the DC Convention Center. This is a new show, and many people have never been to the Convention Center, but the area is changing for the better, and we are hopeful. Then we were off to Naples, with barely a breath in between. The show seemed to be more affected by the economic woes, but we were glad to see our old friends.
UPCOMING SHOWS/EVENTS
NASHVILLE: Nashville Symphony Spring Fashion Show, April 21
CHICAGO: Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, May 1—4
IN THE PRESS
- GLAMOUR - March 2009, p. 217
- ELLE - March 2009, p. 335
- CONDE NAST TRAVELER - March 2009, p. 91
IVORY JEWELRY
I love ivory and we recently bought some fabulous pieces, including these bracelets. Tiny wrists need not apply as these are bangles with no clasps and fit average wrists. The pair [23A957] are carved and would be divine with a gold bangle in the middle. Carved bangles are hard to find and these are especially nice at this price. The large bangle [23A958] has pieces of lapis inset and is chic, chic, chic.
Furthering the ivory quest, we also got a wonderful necklace [23N956]. It is hard to find just a plain necklace. These earrings [23E966] are incredibly smart but they are BIG. They are ivory with gold decorations, and can only be worn as clip earrings and not for pierced ears. I think they are best with no necklace and perhaps the big bangle.
VERY SPECIAL RING
23R889. An Art Deco chalcedony, emerald and onyx ring. The dome shaped ring is set with numerous emerald baguettes edged in carved onyx. This ring is a size 4 and cannot be sized. It looks good on the little finger. It is incredibly chic but cannot be worn every day to knock around in. This is not a ring to do your gardening in.
WEBB ENAMEL JEWELRY
We hit a little hoard of early David Webb jewelry. The enamel frog brooch [23B961] and earrings [23E963] are classics especially the earrings which are facing downwards, a style only seen on early ones. The giraffe bracelet [23A959] is very rare and comes with the original sales receipt from 1969. The white enamel horse brooch [23B960] is perfect for the horse lover.
WONDERFUL NECKLACE
23N970. An 18 karat yellow gold necklace that can be worn day to night. The collar style necklace is composed of overlapping scalloped shaped links. It is very pretty on.
LONG VAN CLEEF & ARPELS NECKLACES
We recently bought two long VCA necklaces. While they may seem expensive, they are not made by VCA anymore and similar items would be much more.
23N971. An 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and pearl pendant necklace, signed and numbered by Van Cleef & Arpels NY. It is composed of circular twisted gold links that alternate with oval links of similar design set with large pearls, separated by twisted gold and diamond (6.84 carats) links. Suspended is a removable tassel of 7 pearls accented by diamond and gold rondels. This necklace was probably made in the mid-70's.
23N972. An 18 karat yellow gold and diamond necklace, signed and numbered by Van Cleef & Arpels. The necklace is composed of textured gold circular links joined by bamboo c-shaped links and set throughout with six links designed as lion’s heads set with diamonds as the eyes. A larger lion's head is suspended from the center. It was made around 1969.
COCKTAIL RINGS
23R964. An 18 karat yellow gold, emerald, ruby and sapphire dome shaped ring by David Webb, circa 1960's.
23R941. A yellow gold, diamond and tiger’s eye ring by Le Triomphe.
23R975. An 18 karat yellow gold and smokey topaz ring. The ring centers an oval cut smokey topaz set atop two gold arches of twisted gold.
DOORKNOCKER EARRINGS
23E965. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold earrings, circa 1970s. The door knocker style earrings suspend two concentric ovular gold pieces.
23E917. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold dangle earrings. The earrings are stylized as a polished half hoop suspending a braided oval hoop dangle.
23E405. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold door knocker style earrings signed Cartier Cipullo 1971. The fact that these are square "doorknockers" makes them quite unusual and very striking on the ear. We've featured these earrings before, but we think they are so chic.
PRETTY EARRINGS
22E089. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and emerald earrings. The earrings are designed as textured circles set with a total of 14 diamonds centering five chains of polished emerald beads, two of which are finished with small gold shells. This is a big look for the money.
23E786. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set diamond earrings, signed Tiffany & Company Schlumberger. Classic, beautiful earrings.
Three great pairs of earrings, two in the cheap and cheerful category. The first pair by Van Cleef & Arpels [23E944] are stylized hoops, from the Byzantine Alhambra collection. We have never seen these before. Then with spring coming, we've got these great wood and pearl earrings [23E953]. Another bargain is this pair of gold and citrine earrings [23E947].
COLORFUL SIGNED JEWELRY
23E781. A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, carnelian and diamond earrings, signed Van Cleef and Arpels, serial number 3V857-76.
23A967. A lovely link bracelet of lapis and 18k gold by Bulgari. This is a great bracelet to mix with others, perhaps to wear with a watch.
CHUNKY RETRO BRACELET
23A974. An 18 karat yellow gold Retro bracelet. French. The bracelet is composed of bisected hexagon shaped links separated by cylindrical shaped links. It is heavy and is one of the nicest 40's bracelets we've had in quite a while.
FUN SNAKE BRACELETS
We just bought these antique snake bracelets [23A976] which curl up most any size wrist. One is signed Bailey Banks and Biddle and the other not. These are very rare and it is unusual to find a pair.
SCHEPPS TOPAZ BRACELET
23A782. A 14 karat yellow gold and smoky quartz bracelet, circa 1945, Seaman Schepps. This is old Schepps.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS
JEWELRY PERSONALIZED FOR PET LOVERS
One of our friends is doing "pet" jewelry. If you give her a photo of your pet, she will work out a design with you using an old piece of jewelry. You can browse among our pieces or check what you have at home. Just call us and we'll arrange a meeting if you are in NY or a phone consultation if you are not.
TO SHOP
Oh Mossimo, Mossimo how could you be so cruel? On our last trip to Target our beloved white T-shirt was lengthened and also had longer sleeves and seemed a bit snugger. We made another Target run in Naples and while shape was back to normal except for the longer length you need to go up a size. Many of you have recommended other white T-shirts that I've tried but they are too boxy and/or the material is too thick. Oh Mossimo, why tinker with perfection?
We are quite intrigued with the JCrew website. Our stylish friend Ann Free bought some fabulous things there, particularly the fitted cotton stretch shirts. We also like the V-neck cashmere cardigan in pretty colors for spring. We love the way our new First Lady throws a cardigan over everything. We are eyeing the boyfriend military jacket, which is not available until June. One complaint — the site is a bit hard to use and is user unfriendly in my opinion.
TO READ
Back to the Swedes! Stieg Larsson's new book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is simply spectacular. It has actually made the "crossover" into regular suspense fiction. I've had several "normal" people ask if I've read it. While it is a tiny bit hard to get into, it then flies along, as the business journalist recently on the wrong end of a libel suit and a very likeable, strange young woman with the title tattoo team up to solve an old unsolved disappearance/killing. I loved the two main characters. Rush to buy this book.
I just received Peter Robinson's new book, All the Colors Of Darkness. A set/costume designer is found dead and then later his lover. The Chief Inspector Alan Banks has to be called back from vacation. I think he is my favorite Brit police novelist and I can't wait to start this.
Then my other favorite Charles Todd (actually a mother/son team from Delaware and North Carolina) has a new one, A Matter of Justice. Their books about Inspector Ian Rutledge who still bears mental scars from WWI are superb. It is hard to imagine that they are two Americans as the period detail is superb.
Turning to lighter subjects, our favorite Maeve Binchy has a new one, Heart and Soul, about a woman doctor in Ireland who runs a cardiology clinic. As you can see I could do nothing but read in my spare time, and I've more waiting as well.
TO COOK
While we were in Washington DC Ann Free cooked a wonderful dish for us. She served it with grits, which I highly recommend. It was delicious.
FAIDA'S SPICY SHRIMP (serves 4)
1 lb medium shrimp (peeled)
1 small onion (finely chopped), about 1 cup
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 16oz can chopped/diced tomatoes (without seeds)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1-2 medium green hot peppers (diced)
1 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper to taste
Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft and clear. Add tomato sauce and bring to slow boil. Add diced tomatoes. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peppers. Cook 5 minutes. Add shrimp to sauce and simmer until cooked. Serve with rice or grits (with cream and parmesan cheese).
TO SEE/DO
Congratulations to Rich Willis on producing 33 Variations with Jane Fonda. We hear it is wonderful, and she is terrific.
Congratulations as well to Roy Furman and his daughter Jill, producers of West Side Story. While we haven't been yet, it opened to rave reviews ands we look forward to seeing it.
Our former pilates instructor, Celine Burn, is now at Erika Bloom at 795 Madison Avenue (212.288.3410). She is wonderful.
TO VISIT
On our recent trip to Washington DC, we discovered a wonderful romantic bed-and-breakfast, Swann House, located just off Dupont Circle. It's a federal house styled charmingly and each of our rooms even had working fireplaces. You get a full continental breakfast to start the day and a very friendly staff to recommend local attractions.
TO GIVE BACK
Our friend Alison Winter is involved with Bideawee and as we are big animal supporters, we think this is a good cause.
Join Bideawee and some of the most influential pet lovers comprised of the greater NYC area's elite business, social and celebrity communities at its premiere fundraising event, Gala on the Green on Thursday, May 7th from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm at Tavern on the Green. You can attend with your dog at this dog friendly event, and if you don't have a canine companion yet, Bideawee will have some adorable adoptables for you to meet.
Bideawee was founded in 1903 by Mrs. Flora D'Auby Jenkins Kibbe, Bideawee, which means "stay awhile" in Scottish, is one of the oldest and largest no-kill humane organizations in the United States. Bideawee’s three locations in New York, Wantagh, and Westhampton are home to approximately 250 - 350 animals at any one time. Each year Bideawee places thousands of dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens in loving homes.
All proceeds will directly support Bideawee's mission to help animals in need. For more information about the event and to learn how you can be a part of it, please email ball@bideawee.org or call 212.532.6395.
TO KNOW
We were recently referred to a new watchmaker in New York to help us with our client's watch repairs. After years of going through several not so good watch repair companies, we can finally end the search. Look no further. The company name is Vicovanu Antiques Restorers, a perfect name for this perfect master watchmaker. It is owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Dimitrie and Rita Vicovanu, who know the watch business inside and out and are very proud of their work and stand behind everything they touch. They are the most amazing watchmaker in New York City and provides us with a handwritten estimate that is normally a page long written in the most exquisite artistic handwriting. To have found such quality watchmakers and such wonderful people is truly a gift. They were recently written up in a beautiful article about watchmakers in Departures March/April 2009 on page 73.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Penny Prodow, co-author with Marion Fasel of Hollywood Jewels and many other important jewelry books died recently after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 65. Penny was also the InStyle Magazine contributing jewelry and watch editor. She loved jewelry and did much to make it come alive for all of us. She will be greatly missed. Our fellow C200 member Judy Abrams has become President of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance helping to fight this dreaded disease.
MICRO FAMILY ADDITION
Francesca Romana is a miniature dachshund but more like a micro dachshund — she is Gus's new baby girl. She went to the Washington DC show and got more attention than
our jewelry. She now weighs almost two pounds and will probably top out at 5
pounds. As you can see, with all the cats, we are proud to show we are an equal
opportunity employer.
After longing for a puppy, mainly a dachshund…for a long time, Gus was given this precious baby girl as a gift a few weeks ago! She is absolutely beautiful and we are all in love with her here in the office. While her full name is Francesca Romana, Gus likes to call her "baby Dachshund" at home. She is settling in nicely as a welcome new addition to Gus's family as well as the Camilla Dietz Bergeron family. Ciao Francesca!
FRANCESCA
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