We didn't get an August newsletter out, so this is a combo August/September. We have ventured to put in a few fashion tips as we see them.
Just a friendly reminder that we buy as well as sell. We recently bought privately an 11 carat yellow diamond in a Van Cleef & Arpels mounting with chunky side stones, so bring us your big stuff as well as the small stuff. By the way, if you are interested in a big yellow, call me.
As you know I am very interested in fashion and I'd like to highlight the fall trends as I see them:
- Red in all shades, from bright to fuchsia to purple. If you're not bold enough to wear a red dress or red suit (and you should be) wear some red accessories like our red Time-Will-Tell watch or red glasses like I got from Trapp. A red enamel Schlumberger bracelet or a cashmere cape will do the trick.
- Animal print. I recently ordered some cheetah leggings (see next category) and Gus is horrified when I told him. He may be right, and if so, I'll be the chicest girl at Pilates.
- Leggings. Youth and a great figure are helpful for this category. They are available everywhere in all sorts of luxe fabrics. I may try a cashmere and cotton blend from Victoria's Secret.
- Metallics and Glitter. Gold jewelry is particularly big this year. Get a gold leather handbag or belt. I saw a black cashmere dress covered with sequins that I may order.
- Necklaces. This is a necklace year, and all the stores and magazines confirm this trend. We have a number of necklaces in our selections. Beads are very big, and we are working on an amethyst one and a prehnite one.
- Big bold gold jewelry. Cuff bracelets, or several bracelets worn together are a big look. I once wore five bracelets on one arm together and I'm thinking I will resuscitate that look. Big rings and big earrings are also featured in our selections.
- Black — always in but the black clothes this year are particularly nice, and can be combined with all the other trends. Look at AKRIS for inspiration.
Just to prepare you, we went to the Gift Show and got lots of fabulous things for gifts. The most delicate cashmere shawls in reds and animal prints, gorgeous shagreen cuffs and bejeweled clutch bags, horn picture frames and more. One fabulous look — gorgeous amethyst beads and a muted lavender leopard print cashmere shawl. Get ready for some fabulous stuff at great prices.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Antiques at the Gardens, Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
October 2-4, 10am-5pm
Washington DC Antiques, Art & Jewelry Show
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
October 15-18, 11am-7pm
This is a very rare piece of VCA jewelry and probably made in the 70's. We have never seen it before. Please contact us for a price if you are interested.
24N957. An 18k gold, rutilated quartz and emerald necklace. The necklace is composed of rutilated quartz cylinders separated by chain and suspending a large piece of rutilated quartz edged in gold and set with emerald cabochons. This was originally a belt and we converted it to a necklace.
25N179. An 18k gold necklace with watch pendant. The necklace is composed of stippled circular links and twisted gold circular links. The necklace suspends a pendant of a floral design composed of stippled gold pieces centering a circular Patek Philippe watch face.
25N163. An Italian 18k gold, diamond and jade necklace by Satsky. The necklace is composed of interlocking square shaped triptych links that suspend a carved jade and diamond pendant.
15N108. A 14k gold necklace in the “gooseneck” design.
25N016. An 18k gold and jade collar from the 1960's.
25N180. An 18k gold, carnelian and black onyx necklace by A. Cipullo.
25E195. A pair of 18k gold, frosted crystal and carnelian earrings by Cartier A. Cipullo from 1974.
25E146. A pair of carved ivory lion's head earrings.
25R261. An 18k rose gold, diamond and bone pyramid ring. Marcella found this ring and studded it with the diamond. This ring is a size 7 and can only be sized down by adding a gold piece inside. It is wonderful.
24A549. A twisted carved ivory bangle bracelet.
25A053. An 18k gold, brown diamond (approx. 1.51 cts) and ivory bangle bracelet. Marcella studded this bangle also.
Two ivory and gold zodiac discs by Buccellati — Aries is on a 14k gold chain [24N642], and Aquarius is on a long 14k gold nugget link chain [24N692]. Chains and discs can be sold separately.
We have bought a fabulous smoky topaz ring [25R249] that exemplifies everything I've said about big, bold jewelry. It is a big smoky topaz set in gold with no prongs so it's just a big hunk of topaz floating on your finger. Just for fun, the backside is set with a tiny diamond. I adore this ring.
 
24E293. A pair of big 14k gold chandelier style earrings in a Florentine finish from the 1970's.
23E692. A pair of 18k gold door knocker style earrings with stippled finish.
25E324. A pair of 18k gold dome shaped earrings with diamond stars. The stars fit right in with the gold and glitter trends.
24E624. 18k gold, malachite, and diamond shrimp style earrings.
24E621. 14k gold and rhodalite garnet fluted design earrings by David Yurman.
24E602. 18k gold and oval bezel set citrine earclips.
We've accumulated some classic pieces that are very desirable and always in style.
25A298. Rare and older 14k gold and coral large curved link bracelet from the 50's by Seaman Schepps. They rarely make this bracelet now as it is almost impossible to find the coral.
25A294. 18k gold LOVE bracelet designed as an open bangle by Cartier. Always a favorite.
25A311. 18k gold anchor chain toggle bracelet by Hermés Paris from the 70's. It is very hard to find one of these. It's a perfect bracelet to layer.
24R172. 18k gold iolite and garnet three-stone ring by Verdura. This combination is an unusual one.
24N923. 18k gold and silver antique coin chain link necklace by Bulgari. They were the first to use coins and in this anniversary year, it's a good time to own a piece.
22R862. 18k yellow and white gold band style ring by Buccellati. This is a size 6 and always in demand.
25R043. 18k gold, platinum, ruby and diamond ring (size 5) by Schlumberger/Tiffany. This is their classic 16 stone ring and if you're the girl with a size 5 finger, it's your lucky day.
25A256. A 14k gold charm bracelet with seven charms all pertaining to a baby theme — basket with a four leaf clover, two amethyst hearts, baby carriage, baby shoes, stork with a baby, basket of pearls, fortune cookie. This is a great present for a new mother.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS
(contributed by Ashley)
CDB engagement rings have been on a world tour recently! They have traveled to a barn in upstate New York, South Africa and St. Peter’s Square in Italy to just name a few places! Our grooms to be are getting quite creative with their proposals.
The proposal that took place in a barn is one that will go down as one of my absolute favorite proposals, perhaps because it was for one of my nearest and dearest friends Betsy. She was my roommate in college, sorority sister and bridesmaid!
It all started with a wonderful email from her now fiancé, David asking when we could talk and of course swearing me to utter secrecy! Several meetings ensued and the whole time, it was wonderful to see a man who is clearly so in love with one of your closest friends. He wanted the ring to be absolutely perfect for her. Our secret meeting paid off, for one night in August David got down on one knee, gave her the CDB yellow box, and she said Yes!
It was quite obvious that Betsy had found “The One” and after we had spent hours discussing this wonderful man. I invited her to come play with some diamonds and see what would look best on her hand. I brought in a bunch of stones for Betsy to try on, and we had a fabulous time! She came in thinking she would like perhaps an emerald cut or a cushion and she left loving the classic, the round brilliant. Betsy is a timeless beauty like the round brilliant, bubbly as it is sparkly, and just as elegant.
When David came in, we must have looked at 20 stones searching for the perfect one that was in essence — Betsy. He chose a gorgeous stone that sparkled like no other. We discussed several design options for the setting. Ultimately, we wanted a setting that would be totally different from our friends’ engagement rings but would still compliment the round stone. We tested the round diamond in an old Deco mounting and it was a perfect match! I had the jeweler set the diamond in a hand made platinum mounting that was flanked by two baguette cut stones from a Deco mounting. We actually kept their original setting and created a new ring around them that was incredibly delicate and set very low. The end result was, I must say, breathtaking. David did a fabulous job choosing the stone and the older cut baguettes add to the fire of the round brilliant without detracting from it.
I have said it before and I will say it again, there is really something special about being a part of people’s engagement story, whether it is the yellow box or the meetings leading up to it or the wonderful pictures that people send to me afterwards, I am truly so lucky. However, helping the man that your friend is head over heels for, nothing will ever rival that experience. Having him ask you to be a part of the engagement plan and to help design a ring that she will wear every day for the rest of their lives and being trusted with the secret that her life is about to change in an incredible way.
Read more about other stories…
We were very excited to receive Amazon's 10 Best Books of the Year so far and see that Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese was included. If you remember, we recommended this novel a few months ago and think it is fabulous. This sweeping novel of medicine in India, Ethiopia, and America is a must read.
We've moved to Norway this month with Jo Nesbo's The Redbreast. We had actually had this book for some time and just hadn't read it. Nesbo has won lots of prizes and acclaim for this book so I am not early. The wonderful English translation came out in 2006 and it deserves all its accolades. It is a little confusing in the beginning as it jumps from Norwegians fighting for Germany in WWII to killings in the present day. The very appealing detective Harry Hole, a reformed alcoholic, realized when no one else does, that present events are linked to the past. My only complaint is there is still one unsolved murder at the end (although we know who did it) and I was hopeful Harry will solve it in the next one, Nemesis, as the instigator is particularly loathsome. Read this book. I just finished Nemesis, translated into English in 2008. It is as good as The Redbreast and is another all-nighter. Harry solves the very complicated murders and while he still hasn't solved the murder of his colleague and friend, he is very close and we can hope he puts this disgusting man away in the next book.
I'd like to brag again a little bit. When I picked up the NY Times Book Review, some weeks ago, I was surprised and happy to see The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson at number one, surely a first for a Swedish thriller. I repeat — it is fabulous, as is the first one now in paperback, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which is on the paperback bestseller list.
You don't need me to tell you to go see Julie and Julia but I'll tell you anyway. Meryl Streep is simply fantastic. (I can't figure out how they got her to be taller than everyone) Contrary to many reviews, it does not drag when Meryl is not on as Amy Adams is perfect and both husbands are well cast, especially Stanley Tucci as Julia's husband. There were lots of men at the showing and they seemed to enjoy it also. This is a feel-good movie.
Last Friday four of us went to the Metropolitan Museum to see Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul. This is a wonderful show with lots of jewelry which has a very “now” feeling as it is big and bold and gold. These Afghans were nomads and were influenced by many cultures such as the Greeks and Chinese. My favorite piece was a “traveling crown” in gold with a tree motif. Because they were nomadic and had to be ready to travel at a moments notice, this crown folded up so it could be easily packed. Is that cool or what? This tour and lecture were sponsored by the American Society of Jewelry Historians, just another reason you ought to join.
Durham County is a Canadian import on ION Television Channel 31 in NY but I've watched this station elsewhere. It’s a cop, what else, who has moved from Toronto to the west coast of Canada. It is on Monday night at 10 here and while a bit "noirish" it is very appealing. A very likeable cop and another disgusting bad guy. By the way ION has lots of reruns of Criminal Minds and NCIS, two of my favorites.
Last week Marcella took Jean and me to a new Italian restaurant on Second Avenue between 82nd and 81st. It is called Gina La Fornarena (212.535.3300) and has a sister on the west side. It is light Italian cooking like they eat at home and was delicious and quite reasonable.
My friend Michael Thomas has a great blog Midas Watch. He used to write for the New York Observer and now does this blog on politics, current affairs or whatever strikes his fancy. I do not always agree with him, but he makes me think. It is very readable as is his new book, Love & Money.
One of Ashley's friends, Molly Fahner, who was actually a bridesmaid at her wedding, has started a blog Red Riley for dog owners in New York. She has done a lot of research and it is very useful and entertaining. It lists all the parks with dog runs, nutrition tips, accessories and much more. We were particularly struck by a notice of Central Park Paws Bagel Bark, a get-together for dog owners and their dogs to meet by the tennis courts in August from 7:30—9am for pastries and fellowship. It struck me that this was a great way to meet people. This site is also interesting for dog owners outside New York as there is information on day trips with your dog, traveling with your dog etc.
Alix Smith is a very talented photographer with a solo show opening on Sept. 10th at the Morgan Lehman Gallery. Read all about it in the links which we have provided. We visited the show and it is wonderful.
Morgan Lehman Gallery
Alix Smith
States of the Union
On a recent visit to my beloved hairdresser, Chen Levi, for a cut and highlights, he decided to do the Brazilian straightening on my bangs and sides. While everyone thinks I have straight hair, it is in fact quite wavy and rain and/or humidity wreck my look. With Chen's blow dries it stays pretty well any way but now it is even better. The Brazilian has keratine and gives your hair a real shine. Chen's website explains all the details and also the Japanese hair straightening which they do also. He now has two other Israelis working with him, Albert and Sarah.
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