We want to remind our friends that we are doing The New York Antique Jewelry and Watch Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion located at 125 West 18th Street, from July 23rd to July 26th. The show opens at 1pm on Friday the 23rd and is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 7pm and on Monday from 11am—4pm. We hope to see you!
As you know it has been really hot in New York and we have noticed more girls in shorts than ever before. Most are young with very good figures. We also see more men in Bermuda shorts than normal and would like to mention that Roger, our UPS man has the best legs in New York. One fashion trend we see and like (although we’d need to be a lot younger) is boots with shorts or short skirts. Today, Jane got her sandals wet so she put on a pair of boots she had left here with her short skirt. Since she has great legs, it looked fabulous. Another trend we see on the street is double carriages for twins or babies close in age. Families are definitely staying in New York.
This is our special piece for the month. This St. Bernard was made in 1989 by Van Cleef and Arpels in memory of a very special dog. It is platinum, 18k gold and diamonds. He has a wonderful face and is carrying the little barrel around his neck. If you are interested, please call us for a price.
We are lucky to have bought three pieces of Marianne Ostier jewelry recently. The firm of Ostier was formed at 5 East 57th Street when Oliver Ostier came with his wife Marianne to America after the Anchluss in Austria in 1938. Oliver was a third generation court jeweler in Austria, and Marianne was a talented sculptress and painter as well as jewelry designer. She was the author of “Jewels and the Woman”, a basic primer on how to wear jewelry. Her freeform and abstract designs became classics. She often won awards from Diamonds USA and was elected to the Diamond International Academy Hall of Fame. Oliver died in 1969 and she closed the firm rather than compromise her designs. All the stock was sold at Park Bernet. We have two brooches and a pair of earrings.
We bought a fabulous Ostier platinum and diamond brooch with over 10 carats of diamonds. The coordinating baroque pearl earrings have about 4 carats of diamonds. The 18k gold brooch is centered with sapphires.
We are fortunate to have bought one of Cipullo’s nail bracelets in the medium size with almost 3 carats of diamonds. This 18k gold bracelet weighs about 39 grams. Most of you know my gold and sapphire forties bracelet that I wear all the time. Well it is in the hospital after I took a fall so I bought myself one of these nail bracelets, alas without the diamonds. I love it.
Ashley thought we should feature black jewelry and I agree as it is good in the summer and goes right into fall. We are featuring three great pairs of earrings starting with the bakelite hoops which we studded with diamonds. Then we bought these dreamy David Webb ones in black onyx, pearls and 18k gold. These double hoops in 18k gold and black enamel are also David Webb. We've got a great ring, 14k gold, black onyx and diamonds.
We've got a great pair of doorknocker earrings in 18k gold. Then we have a fabulous tassel pair in 18k gold with diamonds. One of our favorite Aldo Cipullo's is in 18k gold, carnelian and black onyx.
We bought two great bracelets in 14k gold which open on both sides. The smaller one is set with sapphires and turquoise. The bigger one has rubies and turquoise.
We hit a bonanza and bought four "Alhambra" necklaces by Van Cleef & Arpels. The lady just didn’t wear them and we were happy to buy them. First we have a short one in black onyx. Then we got two long ones, one in mother-of-pearl and one in tiger's eye. They are rather fetching worn together or separate. Then in the coup de grace, she had a long one with three sizes of clovers in mother-of-pearl and abalone. All of these are in 18k gold and are being sold at prices below retail if you bought them new at Van Cleef & Arpels.
We have bought a number of terrific rings this month. First is an aqua surrounded by diamonds in 18k gold. It is Schlumberger. Then we bought seven Pomellato rings from the same lady. All are in 18k gold. Our favorites are the one in diamonds interspersed with light blue sapphires and the carved coral with peridots on each side. Then she had two moonstones flanked by aquas and another blue/green moonstone with diamonds. In the big ring category she had a carved black onyx and a green tourmaline and a huge carved dark iolite and 18k gold ring.
We bought a few great charms, 14k gold probably from the forties. Those of you who have heard me lecture on the forties will recognize the little star motif around the rubies and sapphires as typical of the period. The lifesaver has romantic sentiments, “call me if you need me” and all can be used as charms or pendants. We also bought a great astrological pendant (I’m partial to it as it is Pisces, my sign). It is in 18k gold as is the chain.
You know I love coral and we all thought the following were interesting and well priced. The coral bracelet has a cabochon turquoise and 18k gold clasp. Marcella designed these earrings which are branch coral with polished agate beads set with diamonds on 14k wires also set with diamonds. The big coral cabochon ring is by Faraone Mennella. It is set in a wide band of 18k gold.
We love citrine and so do our clients. We got this 18k pink gold bow set with diamonds and citrines. It actually comes apart into two clips, was made in the forties. These Piranesi earrings are actually not citrine but set with orange, yellow and red sapphires, working perfectly with citrines. The earrings are set in 18k white gold with diamonds and are in the shape of a fan. This square cut citrine ring surrounded by half moons was copied from a ring of mine that I love. It is set in 18k gold.
Before Christmas last year, we found these wonderful water buffalo horn necklaces and quickly sold out. We have recently restocked and they are going fast. I get stopped all the time with people asking about mine. The water buffalo naturally sheds its horns every two years and they can be gathered to be carved for necklaces. As you well know we are all animal lovers here and want you to know that the water buffalo is not killed to make any necklaces.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS
(contributed by Ashley)
For the July newsletter I am taking a brief vacation from our usual discussion of diamonds and all things bridal to focus on just gorgeous jewels! Summertime is filled with barbeques, days at the beach and parties under the stars. Occasions that call for flowy dresses or my personal favorite white jeans and a fabulous top! I have a friend who refers to these as the “ubiquitous white jeans”, worn throughout the summer on almost any occasion, dressed up or dressed down. They go with anything and always look crisp and good!
I attended a Marrakech night party where I wore of course my white jeans and a chiffon top adorned with the amazing 60’s gold and diamond necklace and cocktail ring below. I felt like Liz Taylor! Many women wore Marrakech inspired outfits but I must say my simple outfit was the showstopper because of my jewels! Women stopped me and even the most staid man said, “he never liked jewelry but that necklace was awesome”. I love to wear outfits of solid colors and spice them up with big gold and diamond pieces, enamel accents or splashes of color with semi precious stones. A great piece of jewelry always makes for interesting dinner conversation!
Another absolute favorite of mine is layering necklaces. For the fourth I wore yet again my white jeans and a navy blue sweater with the below necklaces. I wore the enameled backgammon pendant long and the heart short. Even though they appear not to go together once they were layered up, they formed a great look. The enamel backgammon pendant is designed by Aldo Cipullo. Short or long it is a wonderful piece and is on my wish list, especially since I love the game. The heart is a Cartier piece featured in our last newsletter and just feels great. I wore the necklaces with the blue topaz earrings I mentioned a few newsletters back and of course an aquamarine cocktail ring. I was decked in blue and feeling very patriotic!
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In my never ending search for the perfect concealer, I found a great one at Walgreens. It is by L'Oreal and is called True Match. I chose the color Natural. It is creamy and blends well and I consider this an important find.
I bought a Kindle and I love it. I love the feel and smell of books and I like to keep them so I fought the idea. In my C200 group several people have it and love it. They thought I might like an iPad, but I like the size of the Kindle as it fits in my purse. When my friends Michael and Phoebe, both hard core readers, said they had succumbed, I bit the bullet. It will be fabulous for traveling so I can’t wait to take my next trip.
The first book I read on my Kindle was wonderful. It was The Glass Room by Simon Mawer. The story takes place in Czechoslovakia between WWI and WWII. I had forgotten how all these countries were carved out after WWI so you get a bit of history too. The glass room refers to a modernist house built for a couple which was quite contrary to German/Austrian styles. The husband is Jewish so they have to flee. The story is gripping and I hung on to every word.
Normally when a review contains words and phrases like vampires, sci-fi, the future, viruses, the end of the world as we know it, etc, I run as fast as possible the other way. I do not know why I bought The Passage by Justin Cronin, but there were many comments on the beauty of his writing and that is true. This man can write. It was my second book on my new Kindle and the only defect I see on the Kindle is you can't peek at the end and that was probably a plus with this book. The story of the FBI agent and the little girl just sucks you right in. This is a very different book from what I usually recommend, but I really liked it.
My friend Christina has long urged me to go to the organic health food store, The Westerly, at 911 Eighth Avenue at 54th Street (212 586 5262). This store is open until midnight seven days a week. It has a huge selection of organic produce as well as packaged goods that are organic or gluten free. It has a large selection of vitamins and minerals. The people are very helpful and the prices were very fair.
Quite a while ago someone recommended Bistro 61 to Jane and I filed it away in my head. When I recently went to the movies at 62nd and 1st, it resurfaced and we gave it a try. It is at 1113 First Avenue at 61st Street
It was terrific and worth a visit. I had yummy gazpacho and then the real discovery, veal lollipop, which is listed as an appetizer but is plenty for dinner. It has three baby veal chops on a salad of lettuce, blue cheese, peanuts etc and we loved it. For dessert there are a variety of crepes and we shared the crepes au sucre with vanilla ice cream. This is a great find for before or after the movies.
While we wait for The Closer to start its summer run, we are enjoying Hawthorne with Jada Pinkett Smith as a head nurse. It is on TNT on Tuesday nights but is repeated several times. Also on Tuesday on USA is White Collar, an FBI crime drama at 9pm and Covert Affairs at 10pm which is about a female CIA agent. Both are repeated and look promising. White Collar has a delicious star as the ex-criminal.
Another summer television show to watch is Flashpoint about a police SRU, Strategic Response Unit, in a big city. It is based on a Canadian show and stars the wonderful Hugh Dillon, a Canadian and the star of Durham County that I liked so much. It is on CBS on Friday night.
I recently saw The Kids Are All Right with Annette Benning and Julianne Moore. They play a lesbian couple with a teenage son and daughter who seek out their sperm donor father. It is a love story, a comedy, a teenage coming of age story and more. It is a lovely movie.
I saw The Girl Who Played With Fire, the movie of the second novel of Steig Larsson's trilogy. It has the same wonderful cast as the first one, in Swedish with subtitles. I loved this movie and I am not excited about it being remade in an American version.
We like small museums like The Frick Collection which is located on 70th Street between Fifth and Madison. It is one of the most special museums and we urge everyone to make a visit if you haven’t already done so. Henry Clay Frick was an industrialist who made a fortune in the steel business. He then built this beautiful home and filled it with magnificent paintings, sculptures and furniture and donated it all to New York. He had no training but developed a wonderful eye. After the death of Mrs. Frick, the house was expanded and the beloved garden court was opened in what was formerly the driveway. The pictures here range from Gainsborough to Rembrandt and Turner to Whistler and on and on. There is a wonderful film played every 20 minutes and I urge you to see it. Also there are free audio phones of the collection which I quite enjoyed. With the Frick and the MADD I often think I don't need this help and I admit, I am wrong. Let yourself benefit from the wealth of knowledge available.
We revisited The Museum of Art and Design recently. It couldn’t be more different from the Frick as the exhibits are on the cutting edge. They have guided tours/lectures at 11:30am and 3:00pm each day and if you are lucky you get Naomi. The current exhibits are Dead or Alive, and a group of baskets which have been promised to the museum. Dead or Alive consists of art made from natural objects such as a picture on the floor made from red beans, black beans, rice and corn. All have been genetically altered so they cannot be eaten. Another artist gathers the dry vomit of owls (did you know they cannot digest bones or hair? I didn’t). Trust me, you need these to be explained. The wonderful silver jewelry is still on exhibit.
(contributed by Jane)
This week Gus surprised us all with a wrapped present from Bergdorf’s on our desks. Inside was the most fabulous gift, Estee Lauder Turbo Lash mascara in black. If you have never seen this before it is an amazing tube of mascara that has a vibrating wand that lengthens and separates your lashes and it is truly amazing. Run out and get one today, you will absolutely love it!
We would love to introduce you all to our two new employees, Michelle Arbolino and Alex Shear. We have known Michelle for a long time as she used to help a friend of ours at shows, she is a stone expert, especially with diamonds and Gus would agree that she sometimes outdoes him. Alex came to us as a summer intern and we couldn’t be more pleased. She has a natural feel for the business.
Michelle & Alex
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