We regret we didn't have a May newsletter, but with Chicago and Las Vegas we just couldn't get it out.   A number of people called, worried that they'd been dropped, and proving it is being read.  We have chosen things this month that should be particularly pretty in the summer, with emphasis on bracelets as you are more likely to have bare arms.

As you know, we love to sell beautiful, wonderful jewelry.  However, keep in mind that we are always interested in buying as well.  We will either buy it outright, or if you prefer, you can take a credit against new purchases.  Keep us in mind if you or your friends or anyone you know is involved in settling an estate.  Also, if you just want to do a good cleanout we will buy all the broken bits and whatever else you find in those drawers.  We aim to be one stop shopping for all your selling needs.  Call Jane for an appointment.

KUDOS TO THE WOMEN OF CHICAGO

Most of you know about my strong feelings on pants, i.e. they need to be very long and either boot cut or straight leg, never tapered in.  This way, you look 10 lbs thinner and a few inches taller.  Tapered, too short pants make you look like a pear—not a good thing.  We want to compliment the women of Chicago.  We first noticed it last year when we did the Chicago Antiques Show.  As women walked by, we got a good view from the desk and it didn't matter the age, or whether they were casual or dressy.  They all had on properly cut trousers of the right length; of course there were some exceptions but very few.  It was the exact same thing this year.  We wonder, is there some genius alterations lady in Chicago who with her team hems all the pants in town?

BRACELETS

22A467.  Buy of the week—Buccellati bracelet that makes into a cuff; first time we've had this model and it could be your all purpose bracelet.

20A560.  A flexible bangle in the feeling of Gucci or Hermes but unsigned, made around 1970.

22A463.  Three bracelets in ivory and gold are from the 60's.  You can wear these stacked on one arm or hook two together for a short necklace or three for a long one.

Our chic shagreen cuffs.  Ashley found these cuffs at a show last year and they came with a gray pearl decorating the cuff.  We thought about doing something more interesting but did nothing.  Along comes Marcella who has the idea of taking old bits and pieces, i.e. the snake or putting new bits like the pave diamond circle.  As you may know I'm a long time collector of shagreen so I am particularly partial to these cuffs.

RINGS

22R127.   Buy of the month in the ring department.  This 14k yellow gold gypsy ring has a .90 ct old European cut diamond in the center surrounded by 6 smaller diamonds and 6 little sapphires.  Gypsy rings were very popular in the 19th century and were generally worn by men.  They got the name, gypsy rings, from tales told at the time that gypsies cut bad stones in half and set them way down in the gold so you couldn't see imperfections.  We used to have lots of these rings and customers would buy 2 or 3 and stack them up.  Today we don't see them very much and even though this one is 20th century.  I was excited when Gus found it.

22R376.  An unusual find as this is a Bulgari ring in 18k white gold.

22R447.  Another Bulgari ring with a cabochon citrine set in white porcelain and 18k gold. This is from the Chandra series and comes with the original box.

22R425.  The last ring is an 18k gold pyramid with 10 square diamonds weighing approximately 2 cts, c. 1950.

EARRINGS

22E423.  A beautiful pair of fluted coral and gold earrings from Tiffany, late 60's, early 70's.

21E265.  These "handkerchief" earrings from the 40's are something we often buy.

21E781.  The ribbed doorknockers earrings are very lightweight.

22E426.  These Bulgari earrings are enameled in light blue and black.

22E372.  The "egg" earrings were bought in Italy but were designed by a Japanese, Raw Wong, for an Italian firm.   They must be worn with posts and are quite effective.

BROOCHES

20B908.  Everyday dress clips that are lightweight.  These very wearable geometric clips can also be worn as brooches.

22E391.  These are gold and diamond combination clips/earrings with a quick change of the backs.  They were made in the late 40's and look great as earrings or clips/brooches.

CARTIER BROOCH

22B424.  An incredibly beautiful dress clip by Cartier, London, c. 1930.  It is composed of creamy white enamel, gold, diamonds and carved coral.

NECKLACE

21N424.  A necklace that will make an outfit.   Gold and turquoise collar that sits like a dream.

PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS

TO DINE (FROM NOEL)

One of my favorite cuisines lately, particularly in warmer weather, is Vietnamese.   Being Cambodian, my palate has always been more favorable to the cuisines of the Mekong Delta.   Gus and I were in Las Vegas recently and he went wild over a new Vietnamese restaurant Pho Little Saigon (3775 Spring Mountain Rd) we discovered.   I recently bought one of the popular culinary travelogue books, Hot Sour Salty Sweet, capturing all the flavors of the region.

Vietnamese food and cooking is the true "light cuisine" of Asia.   Abundant fresh herbs and veggies, delicate soups and stir-fries, and well-seasoned grilled foods served on rice or noodles.   Similar to Cambodia, you also have the French influence with caramel-based sauces and bread and butter.

My favorite low-brow Vietnamese restaurant in NYC is Pho Viet Huong (73 Mulberry Street) in Chinatown.   This is one of the cheap eats as you don't have to spend a lot for quality.   Make sure to order the summer rolls, spring rolls, and anything in a caramel sauce.

If you decide to learn how to make some of these dishes, also pick up the book, Into the Vietnamese Kitchen.

TO READ

I moved around in Scandinavia and went to Norway.  I had read Karin Fossum a while back but had forgotten how good she was.  The Indian Bride is magnificent.  A stodgy Norwegian man decides he wants a bride from India and against improbable odds, he goes there and finds one and marries her.   Alas, things don't turn out happily ever after on his return and the various plot twists make for a very good read.

Staying in Norway, What Is Mine by Anne Holt.  I bought this book several months ago but only got around to reading it in Chicago.  Children are disappearing in Norway and then ending up dead.  Police inspector Adam Stubo brings in a former FBI profiler, Johanne Vik, to help him solve these heinous crimes.  The interplay between the two and the links to an old crime make for gripping reading.

Back to Sweden with Hakan Nesser's The Return.  Inspector Van Veeterens has to use unorthodox methods to solve the mystery of a body found with no head, hands or feet.  This psychological thriller will suck you right in.

BOOK REVIEW:  PATIENT SIGGY (FROM JANE)

If you have not already read this book, please run out and get a copy of Patient Siggy:  Hope and Healing in Cyberspace.   I have known Sigourney Cheek for almost 13 years now and to know her is to love her.   After you read her book, you just love her even more!   I gave a copy of the book to mom, who is also a cancer survivor and she said "don't you just LOVE her!!??"  Yes!   She is an incredible woman, mother, wife, grandma, friend and an even more incredible author!   I read her book so slowly because I just did not want it to end...savoring every last page until the very end! Sigourney writes in such a descriptive way, I felt as if I could smell the salt air in Mallorca, taste the Mahon cheese and fresh brown bread and picture the fabulous view from the patio at the house called "El Barco."

This book shows that with a positive attitude, a plethora of supportive family, friends and doctors, and prayer, you can overcome anything!  Sigourney's experience with her cancer was incredibly inspiring and empowering...you want to be able to handle yourself with such courage and grace if you were diagnosed with cancer.   She is funny, honest and so down to earth.   This book should be read by everyone, especially if you have cancer, you know someone with cancer or anyone dealing with a life threatening disease. I just loved this book so much, I hope that Sigourney does not stop her writing here!   I am anxiously awaiting a second book...I hope it is coming soon!

You can purchase this book online at Amazon.com.   Buy a copy for yourself and one for a friend.

TO SEE

The Neue Galerie has extended the Wiener Werkstätte Jewelry exhibition until September 1.  We urge you to see it and this beautiful museum if you haven't done so already.

Congratulations to Jill Furman who won the Tony for Best Musical on Sunday as one of the producers of In The Heights.  This is so spectacular for her and we are so very proud.  As we mentioned previously, it is a hip hop rap musical set in the Spanish section of Washington Heights.  The show has moved from Off Broadway to the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 226 West 46th St. (between Broadway & 8th Avenue).

UPDATE ON ABBA AND FRIENDS (I.E. THE CDB CATTERY)

As most of you know my little cat Abba has a sort of epilepsy and must take medication twice daily.  She takes it like an angel (probably helps that it is chicken-flavored).  She has not had a seizure since February 5th, Primary Day; the loving care she receives from me, Barbara and Jean surely helps.  She is an unusual little cat in that most cats are very attached to their home and do not like to move.  She is happy as a clam on 68th St or in Southampton, or in Brooklyn or Pennsylvania when she stays with Barbara.  She goes right to her box, her food and her favorite sleeping place in each house.  We figure she moved four times before us—the breeder, her original owners, the shelter, and Noel's friend who rescued her.  She knows she is loved and secure now.

Noel does admirable work in finding homes for abandoned cats, witness my darling Abba, surely given up because the previous owners didn't want to deal with her seizures.  Noel's cat Cleo came to him just before Abba, after the death of his 18 year old cat Simba. Silvia came to Marcella in November last year.  We are all slightly gaga over our feline friends.

Abba / Cleo / Silvia

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