Once in a while I get to contribute to the brilliant work of with my museum colleagues around the world. I was delighted to join the Curatorial Advisory Committee for Rings that Rock at the DIVA Museum in Antwerp. This exhibition traces the history of the diamond ring and looks at it as an object of love, power, and autonomy.
We talk about the first engagement ring and the divorce ring, the Fede ring, and the mourning ring. It’s really quite encyclopedic. Of course, we also showcase the work of jewelers who are inspired by the diamond and are critical of it too.
It’s a really beautiful, fun, educational exhibition. See it in Antwerp through November 8th.
You can also join me in conversation with curator Catherine Regout this Monday noon EST at @artjewelryforum_org Live. Link in my stories or artjewelryforum.org
@catherineregout@divaantwerp
#divaantwerp #ringsthatrock #jewelryexhibition #antwerp
🎤🎥💎 @nycjewelryweek kicks off on Monday! I sat down with @stephsimontv@ny1 to talk about the 8th edition of the festival. Of course we discussed Diamond Day - our tour of the District - just one of the 135 events taking place over the course of 7 days!
Link in bio if you want to hear the entire interview.
Thank you to my @weareoptimist family.
#nycjw #nycjewelryweek
Our Roman (jewelry) holiday came to an end but not before visiting some of the best antique and vintage shops in Rome.
#JewelryJauntsRome #jewelryeducation #micromosaic #Castellani #cameo
Etruscan masterpieces to Castellani Micromosaic to contemporary mosaics of Le Sibille to Raphael’s Le Sibille and Fabio Salini’s high jewelry creations. And a drop in at Alternatives Gallery to peek at their contemporary jewelry collections. Thousands of years of jewelry captured in a day. I’m speechless.
#JewelryJauntsRome #jewelryeducation #jewelrycurator
B is for Bulgari all day today … at via dei Condotti we toured the museum collection at DOMUS (and slipped out the back door like Elizabeth Taylor), sipped aperol spritz at the Restaurant and toured the workshops (but no 📷 allowed so you just had to be there)! Ended a day with a visit to Lucia Odelschalchi and had dinner in a private apartment. La Dolce Vita!
@curated_by_gislain@amandatriossi@luciaodescalchi
#JewelryJauntsRome #jewelryeducation #madeinitaly
An incredible first day in Rome… from visiting the Università e Nobil Collegio degli Orefici (Metalsmith guild founded in 1508) to world-class jewelers Paolo Mangano and Diego Percossi Pappi … it was a really great start to our trip.
#JewelryJauntsRome #jewelrytrips #jewelryeducation
@paolo.mangano.materie@percossipapijewels
Visiting the Geneva auction previews in May is one of my favorite jewelry activities. The three houses - Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips each take up residence at one of the exquisite hotels facing Lake Geneva, Jet d’Eau and the Alps. They each bring their best pieces for the Geneva sales the following week and also highlights from upcoming Hong Kong and NYC sales. Some collectors come for the important large diamond jewelry (which is spectacular), but I look for the artist jewels, focusing on good design and craftsmanship, and also get star-struck by important historic pieces that I’ve only seen in books. Highlights for me: Jean Despres necklace and ring , Jesus Raphael Soto ring , Charles de Temple ring, Gilbert Albert brooch, Lalique Scarab Necklace, Cartier Flamingo Brooch, Boucheron Art Deco Scarf Necklace, Codognato Serpent Bracelets, and Cartier Elephant Bracelets, VCA Zipper Necklace Cartier 1920s Enamel Vanity Case with finger ring.
A couple of trends: Bulgari from the 60s and 70s is hot right now. Both at the sales and Gem Geneve. Many of these pieces are now coming to the market from the original owners. There are more European brands here than we might see in the US, makes sense since we are in Europe. For example, you might see more Cartier made in Italy. Also, we saw lots of great Italian jewelry, like Codognato, Nardi, Frascarolo, even jewelry from the personal collection of the great Italian actress Claudia Cardinale. Definitely got me excited for Rome!
This year all three houses delivered ten fold.
#genevajewels #sothebysjewels #christiesjewels #phillipsjewels
Looking back at one of those days that reminded me exactly why I do this. ✨️
Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is my job. Most days I work from home, but some days are incredibly special. Last week, my morning started at Nordstrom celebrating Diamond Month with Muse — and I fell hard for a ring by Sylva & Cie. That ring is everything.
Then I walked 10 blocks south to the Diamond District to visit Grandview Klein. GKD is a world-renowned diamantaire specializing in exceptional natural diamonds. I got a private tour of their diamond cutting facility and spoke with some of their cutters and polishers — many of whom have been at the wheel for 50+ years. It was a treat to handle some of their rough diamonds and see the finished beauties. I realize that many people don't get this kind of access, and therefore don't fully understand what an incredible skill these men possess. Truly remarkable.
Back to 57th Street for the Tiffany & Co. Landmark to see the Blue Book 2027 Collection — Hidden Garden, designed by Nathalie Verdeille alongside the Tiffany Design Studio. The newest high jewelry collection reinterprets Jean Schlumberger's flora and fauna motifs, many inspired by pieces created for Bunny Mellon. Alongside this breathtaking new collection — most of which has already sold — is an exhibition of vintage pieces on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition design alone was worth the visit: secret gardens, gazebos, and fountains.
Finished the day feeling inspired and grateful. This is the work. And I wouldn't trade it.
#NYCJewelryWeek #TBT #DayInTheLife #JewelryCommunity
@alexa_nypost , show me three gem-fluencers who can share their dream jewels and tips. Alexa Jewelry Issue out NOW!
🙏 @rimasuqi … happy to share this spread with @sothebysjewels@jessicawang
#gemfluencer #jewelrytips #dreamjewels #nycjewelryweek
Seeing these Roman jewels today from @efoxeharrell really got me excited for my jewelry trip to Rome coming up in a few weeks!
The first pair of earrings are amphora shaped from about 500 BC in high karat gold. They are so beautiful and not heavy at all. The second pair is from the 1st- 3rd century also high karat gold and banded agate and reference a colonnade form.
Thank you Lee and Sam for being so gracious with your time and knowledge!
#antiquity #romanjewelry #jewelryeducation
Amphora shaped - 500BC high karat gold
