We've got a big fat newsletter for you this month and we hope you will enjoy it. Again, we are so pleased by all the comments we get from our readers. We enjoy doing it each month.
NEW YORK: New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th St.
July 24 - 27, 1-7pm, 11am-4pm on July 27
NEW YORK: From Stocks to Rocks Lecture
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd St.
July 29, 6:30pm
(I will speak on my transition from Wall Street to estate jewelry)
(contributed by Jane)
This season the “hot” pieces to own are the wrap around bracelet and watch. They are fun to wear day or night, dressy or casual. Most recently we bought two of the most gorgeous antique wrap around snake bracelets and two Bulgari “Tubogas” wrap around watches with a round and square face. This particular style is designed with and without diamonds. The watch was just featured on the fabulous wrist of Rebecca Romijn in the June 2009 issue of In Style. The snake bracelets however, slithered right out of here within a day of owning them!
Spotted! Wood jewelry as the simple staple piece for summer 2009. Big beautiful cuff bracelets and long bead necklaces that can be worn with an effortless white outfit and can be the perfect accessory to complete any look. We have a gorgeous long wood and gold bead necklace, a wood cuff studded with gold and diamond rivets, a wood and gold link bracelet, a FABULOUS wood and gold leopard watch, and a great light wood cuff studded with cabochon emeralds and polished lapis.
We heartily agree with Jane on wood jewelry. It has long been one of our favorites
and we have a great selection now. The link bracelet is wood and 18k gold [20A333] and is a great look. When we were rooting around in our bead boxes we found these wooden beads that I don't even remember buying. We combined them with an 18k gold clasp and beads and the result is incredibly chic [24N369]. It is 34 inches long and can be doubled. The dark wooden cuff [24A388] with baroque pearls is Trianon and is open back. The medium color wood bangle [22A799], studded with gold and diamonds is Christian Dior. The light wood bangle is open back and is studded with cabochon emeralds and lapis set in gold.
Read more about recent stylists selections…
This brooch by Donald Claflin is very special. He designed for Tiffany before they let designers sign their goods; Tiffany is in script instead of block letters on his designs. This double ram brooch is in lapis gold and diamonds. Most of you have seen my cat brooch: it is also by Claflin. He trained as a cartoonist before he designed jewelry and you can see that influence in my cat brooch. He also designed lots of animal brooches like hippopotamuses, cats, dogs, all with a bit of a twist. The book The Jeweled Menagerie by Suzanne Tennenbaum and Janet Zapata has a number of examples of Claflin's animals.
Also in a total freaky coincidence, last year we bought a Bulgari designed emerald cut diamond ring surrounded by diamond brickwork and a dealer/historian told us that Claflin designed that ring. Then when she saw my engagement ring which is two square yellow diamonds with sapphire brickwork she said Claflin did that too. We learn something every day.
from Tiffany Jewels, John Loring, p. 208
We are very fortunate to have bought two rock crystal Seaman Schepps brooches. The first is the classic chessman with a big cabochon sapphire in his face, embellished with sapphires, pearls and diamonds. Then we bought a fabulous frog, set with cabochon emeralds in gold throughout his body. We love this design with one leg stretched out and the other curled up; reminds me of my real little cat.
Two Trianon shell earrings in 18k gold, one with turquoise ends [24E387], and one with peridot [24E386].
Trianon did these wonderful earrings with bamboo; the pearl ones [24E384], and ones centered with coral [24E384]. The wonderful thing about these earrings are that the pearl and the coral are button shaped so they don't stick out and are very flattering. The bamboo is studded with little gold bits. I love these earrings and they were quite expensive at retail. We also have two pairs of Trianon wood and aqua, the round ones [24E382] and squares [24E381] and would work with our wooden necklace and bracelets. An unusual pair of Trianon earrings [24387] they are a beige shell fragment centered with a turquoise. We have not seen this model before.
We love coral, especially in drop earrings. [24E162] are c. 1960 and feature oval corals, hung from round ones set in 14k gold with diamonds. A fun look that doesn't have to be saved for evening. The others [24E012], are carved corals with diamond and onyx, set in platinum, c. 1920.
Big rings are still popular although I fear we like them better than our clients. The big ruby and diamond cluster [24R318] is dramatic. The lime green pailloné enamel and pavé diamond ring [24R190]. The cabochon emerald and 18k gold [24R373] is a bargain. The unusual gold and translucent aqua cabochon ring.
We wanted to put in this diamond ring as we think it is a perfect ring for an upgrade to a larger stone. It is a yummy cushion cut, 9.83 carats L color, SI1 clarity. It faces up as a much whiter stone and you will get masses of compliments on it.
An 18k gold necklace [24N292] designed as interlocking rings by Tiffany. I wore this necklace one evening and quite enjoyed it.
I went rooting in the bead box again and found so many treasures. We strung up the white onyx with a big gold bead, dividers and a toggle clasp [24N371]. It's a great summer look. Then we had one strand of dumorterite (aka blue jean beads) and put in gold dividers and clasp [24N370]. It is fabulous with blue jeans and a white tee shirt, preferably from Target.
The wide gold 40's bracelet [23A155] is a particularly nice one. It has about $2500 worth of gold in it plus all that workmanship and beauty. We then have a pair of 18k gold and garnet bracelets [24A274] by Champensan. I always love pairs.
The maltese cross pendant [24N376] has amethysts and peridots without the chain. I think this is very chic. The chain is an antique one.
While we have had our plastic watches from Time-Will-Tell in before we wanted to feature again as they are so right with summer fashions. We were perusing our new favorite fashion website, Mrs. O, which tracks what Mrs. Obama is wearing every day. She was photographed in a lavender plastic watch (not ours alas) and it looked so chic. We have tons of colors, call 212.794.9100 or email Jane. I am wearing my white one everyday.
 
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS
(contributed by Jane)
Over the years working here at Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd., not only have I had several "favorite" pieces of jewelry, I have also had many favorite clients as well. You get to know clients and they become part of our family and vice versa. One of my favorite clients is Laura Jean Mallon. We have known each other for close to ten years and while we don't see each other often, when we do see each other we enjoy catching up on our children, family and life in general.
Laura Jean is a special woman and she has some exquisite pieces of jewelry that she, of course, bought from us! I asked Laura Jean what was her favorite piece of jewelry from us. She explained to me that it was two beautiful pieces of turquoise and diamond jewelry that her husband Mark Mallon gave to her for various occasions. The bracelet is a style we refer to as "couscous" which is set with turquoise, sapphires and diamonds and a beautiful pair of cabochon turquoise and diamond cluster earrings. She loves these pieces especially because they are so beautiful and so easy to wear. She said "I love the bracelet and earrings because they are so versatile. Worn separately or together, they are elegant, simple and clean. The color works like a neutral, it seems to go with everything. They make the outfit, whether it is casual or formal, they are timeless. I am grateful to wear it and own it."
It is so wonderful to see our client's wearing and enjoying their beautiful pieces throughout the years and being a part of something that makes them so happy.
We'd like to add that over the years we have bought every nice turquoise cluster earrings we could find and have many clients sporting them year round. Laura Jean's happen to be especially pretty ones and we love the look. I have some myself and they are one of the first things I bought for myself.
(contributed by Ashley)
One of the wonderful aspects of working with engagement rings is the opportunity to meet interesting new people. You instantly become a part of their love story, their proposal, and in a small way feel as though you are a part of their wedding because you hear about all of the wonderful details. I would like to share with you a wonderful couple who walked through our doors and were an absolute delight to work with! Beth & Graeme Sanderson.
Read more about their story…
©Becky Spencer Photography
What not to buy. You know I am a devotee of Trish McEvoy makeup. Well, I got talked into buying their eyeshadow base and I caution you to not make the same mistake. It is thick and viscous and made every wrinkle in my upper lids show…avoid this product.
FASHION TIP…I was so excited to see an article in the New York Times last week heralding the return of big round sunglasses this summer, I have never stopped wearing my big round ones and finally had to get a new pair last summer as the tortoise on my old ones finally cracked. I also have big tortoise regular glasses and plan to get a pair of big red one from A R Trapp (488 Madison Avenue, 212.752.6890) I have always gotten compliments on my sunglasses. It is so nice to be vindicated.
We mentioned the Wallander series on Masterpiece Mystery in last month's newsletter. We had only seen one when we wrote the comments and each one got better, especially the last one. Kenneth Branaugh, the great Irish actor, is simply wonderful as Wallander and the casting of the other policeman is excellent, especially the good looking one who plays Martinsson. I realized I had not read all the books so am devouring The Man Who Smiled right now. Run out and read all the books by Henning Mankell immediately.
You must forgive me for I am wallowing in the Swedes once again, particularly Henning Mankell. The Pyramid and four other Kurth Wallander mysteries has five short mysteries dealing with Wallander's earlier days on the police force. We see him as a rookie cop, a young husband and father and an aging divorcée. They really help develop the character and are immensely readable. One Step Behind was featured on PBS so I won't tell you much about it in case you see it, but it is really spectacular in both forms. I had the Return of the Dancing Master tucked away and I think I didn't read it because it wasn't a Wallander tale. What a mistake but what a pleasure now. It is about a policeman, Stefan Lindeman, who has cancer of the tongue and after hearing of the brutal murder of a retired policeman he used to work with, travels to the north of Sweden and becomes involved in the investigation. Nazi connections (remember Sweden was neutral during the war) give the book an atmosphere. This book has a beginning that sucks you right in and you can't put it down.
We went on Monday to the book party celebrating the publication of Michael Thomas’s new book, Love and Money. It is the first novel written in Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and published in Dumbo. Many of you may remember Michael's previous books like Green Monday. This is a great read with a plot involving divorce and the supreme court.
With the lovely weather we are having it is very nice to eat outside. Our old favorite Le Charlot is perfect and the warm chicken salad makes a divine lunch. For dinner we like Lumi at 953 Lexington Ave. (212.570.2335) at 70th with the outside tables on 70th street. It is best to go early as they don't hold these tables. The seafood risotto and the mussels in tomato sauce are yummy.
Noel, Marcella and I went to see Valentino: The Last Emperor…this documentary was made in conjunction with Valentino's 45th anniversary in the business and the gala celebrations that accompanied it. It traces the business from the beginning with Giancarlo Giammetti by his side as business and life partner. The clothes are fabulous and the work that goes into designing and making them is incredible. It is a film for anyone interested in fashion.
(conducted by Marcella)
Can you describe how the company was founded?
Buccellati was founded in 1919 by my grandfather Mario at the end of World War I, after much hard work with the company Beltrami & Besnati. At the turn of the century, it was a time of great artistry and literary ferment. Mario invented the Buccellati style inspired by nature and Venetian laces of the 18th century. In order to produce his designs, he had to invent new techniques of workmanship which are still used today.
What was the turning point in the history of your company?
In 1923, Gabriele d'Annunzio, a famous and eccentric Italian poet, discovered and was inspired by the works of Mario. On the morning of 1923, while passing Santa Margherita, next to the Teatro alla Scalla, he saw the showcase of Buccellati with only sketches of jewelry. He then entered the shop and announced "you sell dreams and starting today you will be the Goldsmith of the Vittoriale", his Palatin estate. D'Annunzio was among Buccellati's very first admirers, and was certainly the most faithful and enthusiastic.
What are your inspirations for your designs?
I try to respect the tradition and stylistic memory of my grandfather adding a pinch of novelty. Every Buccellati design is unique and unrepeatable.
What is your most cherished creation?
What I cherish the most is a necklace created in 1964 for an Arabian Emir. This client wanted very important jewelry and we fulfilled his wish. We designed a necklace of tulle pieces which detached into four separate sections. It took almost 2000 hours of labor and was comprised of 235 carats of diamonds. To this day, I still get shivers thinking of this necklace.
What is your passion moving forward from a tradition dating back to 1919?
To honor and respect such an important name in jewelry. My responsibility is to preserve traditions almost a century old handed down from my family. Our sketches and archives, like part of the ancient world we need to preserve, are most important to me.
(contributed by Jane)
I recently learned a very important lesson on caring for a watch. A client came in and brought in a beautiful watch that he loved and wore every day and the watch kept stopping. We fixed it two or three times before I had to find a new watchmaker because the client was so upset we couldn't fix his watch. I found a wonderful new watchmaker and they inspected the watch and they called me to ask if the client who owned this watch traveled a lot. I found this question to be quite odd, but I said, well actually he does, why do you ask? They informed me that this particular watch was highly magnetized which is very often caused by putting your watch through the X-ray machine at the airport! Astounding. I had no idea and she said that 90% of the watches that come in to her are highly magnetized caused by airports, leaving watch on a TV, DVD player, or clock radio.
So a good tip is always wear your watch in the airport, do not put it through the X-ray machine!
More Tips of the Trade...
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