We are just plugging away buying and selling things. Business is not easy but we seem to hold our own. We continue to see great merchandise privately and are buying a lot. We will be in Southampton in a few weeks doing a buying event with Rose's Jewelers. Clients continue to want special pieces at special prices.
We'd like to thank all the clients we have seen at shows who have commented on how much they like the newsletter. Please let me know if you have suggestions on what you'd like to see added.
UPCOMING SHOWS/EVENTS
If you are in Rome you shouldn't miss the celebration and exhibit marking the 125th anniversary of Bulgari's founding. There will be a special room with Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry and the emerald ring we purchased and sold will be there. Another client of ours has loaned a natural pearl necklace we got for her. The exhibit opens to the public on the 21st of May and Gus, Noel, and Marcella were there. See photos below.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, May 28—June 1
IN THE PRESS (edited by Jane)
As summer approaches, we are seeing a lot of interest in our "fish" and "shell" themed pieces. The stylists loved our whimsical collection of brooches and bracelets depicting natural shells and fisherman especially. The warm weather brings out coral and turquoise jewelry in our wardrobes! Big chunky beads and cocktail rings create a truly unique look!
Brooches are Back! Women of all ages are embracing the brooch once again. We are seeing big and bold brooches or a grouping of several brooches being worn as well. I think lots of women who have put their brooches away are pulling them out again and enjoying them this season!
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT - ALDO CIPULLO
As we have mentioned before we have been lucky enough to buy a number of things from the estate of Aldo Cipullo. We have four more we'd like to feature here. Cipullo is best known for designing the Love Bracelet which featured a screwdriver with each bracelet to open it. You were supposed to buy them in pairs and never take them off. Fortunately for us some romances broke up or couples split so we get them in the secondary market.
He loved using the nail motif in jewelry and this is the first time we have had these nail jabots. I like to wear them crossed. I wore them to the Cartier exhibit at Cartier and got a lot of comments. Cartier has an exhibit for its 100th anniversary in America and there is a whole case devoted to Cipullo where there is one nail jabot. This show is moving to the Beverly Hills shop and is worth seeing if you are there.
Cipullo loved to use the doughnut motif for pendants and this is a yummy one in rhodochrosite on a black cord. This bracelet features alternating round links of carnelian and onyx, a combination he loved. He also loved to cook and did a series of earrings and cufflinks based on the shapes of pasta. Alas we don't have any.
HOT TURQUOISE
We love turquoise any time of the year but it is especially nice in the spring and summer. The turquoise and white coral earrings [24E122] are a big look for the money; the Schlumberger turquoise with a gold "X" design [23E413], and the tree brooch [22B503] by Ostier.
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL SHELLS
Shells are always pretty, white ones [24E209] and beige ones [24E210], and they are well priced.
PURPLE, PURPLE, AND MORE PURPLE
This gold bracelet with cabochon amethysts [24A145] is Tiffany. The Verdura 3-stone ring [24R172] is garnet and iolite. The gold and amethyst circular earrings [23E761] are by Theo Fennell.
We are big on purple and love these earrings [24E211] that are oval amethyst drops set in platinum with diamonds. These were made around 1910.
WOOD AND GOLD
We have bought a wonderful wood and gold necklace and a bracelet. The necklace [24N140] is 18k gold with two ebony links in front. The bracelet [24A167] is ebony with 18k gold leopard heads spotted with black enamel and featuring ruby eyes by Gay Frères.
GOLD AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
The earrings on the left [24E117] are English and 18k gold and pave diamond dome shaped by Collingwood, England. The Bulgari coin earrings [24E168] are like none we've ever had. The coins features horses, and are surrounded by three sections of four diamonds each. They are also a little smaller than usual and very flattering. The earrings on the right [24E160] are by Van Cleef & Arpels.
MORE CHARMS
We have bought a number of charms, which can also be worn as pendants.
24M266. A Middle Eastern man riding a carpet charm.
24M144. Watch charm made with a coin from 1812.
24M233. A grand piano charm with sapphire, ruby, and pearl is from the 40's.
24N247. An ivory Aquarius charm.
24N175. A spade charm by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier.
LONG BEAD NECKLACES
Went looking at all the jewelry counters in New York in the last few days and we definitely see long bead necklaces doubled or tripled. We made up two recently which are rather nice, one with banded agate and the other with green turquoise.
FOR FATHER'S DAY
Father's Day and graduation are fast approaching and we've got some suggestions. First, these Tiffany links [24C217], are fluted onyx barrels each set with a seed pearl in 18k gold. This is a big look. The classic, a Van Cleef & Arpels dress set [24S176], signed and numbered, has a pair of 14k ribbed gold bar links that are interchangeable with carved malachite ones. There are also 3 gold ribbed shirt studs.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR PRICING DETAILS
HAPPILY EVER AFTER...(edited by Ashley)
Once you have put the engagement ring on her finger for that one word – YES!
Now you must have a ring for those two wonderful words - I DO!
We have an array of wonderful antique bands that are the perfect accent to our Edwardian rings. For the classic engagement ring, we have fabulous channel set bands or shared prong settings or diamonds set with colored gemstones and of course the classic plain platinum or gold band. We look at the bride’s hand and the setting of her engagement ring to determine which style of ring would be the perfect fit.
I could not find a wedding band that I thought would compliment my engagement ring, so I designed my wedding band. The band was set with baguettes all the way around that mimic the baguettes flanking my center stone thus highlighting my engagement ring. One of the great aspects of designing a wedding band is that you are able to incorporate elements of your engagement ring therefore, providing the perfect accent to your ring!
We also have gentleman’s wedding rings in various widths and designs. A wonderful personal touch is to add a hand engraved message inside of the band. We have loved hearing the wonderful phrases that brides want to say to their grooms and vice versa. The message is just one more surprise for the big day!
More Happily Ever After….
TO SHOP
I know I have recommended this lip liner to many of my friends but in case I missed you, buy Spice lip liner by MAC. It is perfect, not too dark, not too light, not too red, not too pink. About 15 years ago Vogue Magazine mentioned in a beauty column that you had to have Spice lip liner and I ran to Bendels (only place that had MAC) only to be told they were out and would have to send me when they restocked. (They were deluged with customers after the Vogue article). They did and I have repurchased many times. The funny thing is that in the following weeks friends from Maine to Alabama asked me to get it for them as they had read the article and MAC was not available in their area. I always use this as an example of superb PR. An ad would not have had the same effect. I just found out that Jane has been using Spice lip liner for 13 years as she had a friend who worked there. Clearly this is a product worth your trying.
To wear with that lip liner I have discovered a new lipstick that I love, No. 21 from Orlane. Sort of pinky, light but with enough color. WARNING: the Orlane counter at Saks has the mot fabulous makeup artist, Olive, who could sell me the Brooklyn Bridge and I'm not an easy sale. I must say that I have loved all the creams and potions she has talked me into buying, especially the Skin Firming Serum and the Hypno-Therapy Eye Replenishing Cream.
Bare Necessities is a great underwear site with many brands. I happen to like Felina and was thrilled to see that my favorite style 198P, a no-show tanga (like a thong but high cut and with a tiny bit more fabric in the back), regularly $10 was $3.99 in pink flambe and english lavender. These are perfectly nice colors with a 60% saving because somebody didn't like them. This is a very comfortable panty and is very no show. Stock up at this price.
TO READ
I just read an amazing book called Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese. I received an email from Bernie Strom that just said "Read this book" so I ordered it and stayed up two nights reading it. I hadn't done that in a long time. It is hard to talk about this book but it goes from India to Ethiopia to America and follows the lives of twin doctors and all those around them and it is riveting. The author was born in Ethiopia of Indian parents, started med school there and had to leave during the riots, finishing med school in India. He did his residency in Johnson City, Tennessee where as an infectious disease specialist he became involved with early cases of HIV/AIDS and later wrote a memoir My Own Country which I have also read and enjoyed. He is now a professor at Stanford Medical School. He practiced also in Iowa and attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop. This is a MUST read. This man can write.
Most public TV stations started a new series on Masterpiece Mystery recently called Wallander based in the novels of Henning Mankell. I highly recommend the three television episodes and all the books. Inspector Kurt Wallander is the moody hero of these police procedurals set in southern Sweden. They have long been a favorite of mine and it is a great pleasure to see Wallander on the screen. I'm sure they will be repeated if you miss them the first time around.
TO DINE
I was taken by Katie Rosenberg to Cognac (212.757.3600) this week. It is a very charming French restaurant at 1740 Broadway, between 55th and 56th Street. The chef, Florian Hugo, is young, very attractive and a great cook. We particularly liked the fresh gazpacho with a bit of cantaloupe and watermelon and the lovely raspberry macaroon dessert. Cognac opened last year and is a welcome addition to this area, as it is open before and after theater or concerts. It is also open for breakfast on weekdays, handy for those who "do breakfast". (I gave it up when I left Wall Street). They have a shop next door for bread and other takeout.
TO VISIT
My friend Joni Evans started a web site for women over 40 last year called WOWOWOW. Her partners and regular contributors are Liz Smith, Candace Bergen, Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Reed, Peggy Noonan, Lesley Stahl and others. The web site is a mixture of news stories, politics, advice, fashion, health and whatever else strikes their fancy. I especially like the advice on what kind of hair day it is in whatever city, as Joni has always been a source of good hairdressers and my beloved Chen came from her through his cousins Avi and Rami. I urge you to look at this web site and get involved with your comments.
CHICAGO MERCHANDISE MART ANTIQUE SHOW
We are happy to report that the same little tailor is still busily working away in his garret making sure that the ladies of Chicago have pants that are long enough. With few exceptions all the pants in Chicago are elegantly tailored. It is a mystery to me.
PHOTOS FROM BULGARI 125 YEARS CELEBRATION
Bulgari. From History to Eternity. 125 Years of Italian Jewellery
Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome
May 22 — September 13, 2009
 
 
 
 
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