Saturday, September 29, 2007

Marie Antoinette pearls on auction

Source: http://foreverjewelry-gemstonecollection.blogspot.com/2007/09/marie-antoinette-necklace-that-is-made.html


In the year 1973, Marie Antoinette, the French Queen gave pearls to a British government for safe keeping and after she was imprisoned the pearl was for auctioned. If you did not know who is Maried Antoinette. She is remembered for her legendary and heroic act during the French Revolution in 1793 and was executed by guillotine for the crime of treason.

Marie Antoinette, the French Queen
On 1770, Marie Antoinette was conveyed to the Royal Palace and married The Dauphin" Louis XVII. Just before the wedding , Marie Antoinette presented with the beautiful jewels that belonging to a French dauphine. The collection included an elaborate diamond necklace which had belonged to Anne of Austria and jewelry pieces which had also belonged to Mary Queen of Scots and Catherine de' Medici. The large collection of gems was valued at approximately 2 million lives. The Dauphin and Marie Antoinette were married, with the bride wearing a dress decorated by large white hoops covered in diamonds and pearls .According to Christie's , owner of Christie's Jewellery in London.Based on circumstantial evidence that the real owner of this pearl was the French Queen not to the Lady of Sutherland, Elizabeth Leveson-Gower. It were reportedly given to Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, wife of the British ambassador to France during the French Revolution, and were intended to help the queen if she managed to flee the country. Lady Sutherland is also believed to have guided the Austrian-born queen, her husband King Louis XVI, and their family in a failed attempt to flee France in 1791.Marie Antoinette, pearls necklace was now on auctioned and made of rubies, diamonds and are expected to raise up to $800,000 when they are sold in December. It is to be auctioned on Dec. 12 with an estimated price of 350,000 to 400,000 pounds sterling (US$705,320 to 806,080 or 499,589 to 570,959 euro).

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Sotheby's: Calvin, Kelly Klein to Sell Pearls, Diamonds from Duchess of Windsor

Source: http://www.diamonds.net
By Jeff Miller

RAPAPORT... Sotheby's New York will offer three lots of magnificent natural pearl and diamond jewels from the collection of Kelly and Calvin Klein on December 4. The auction house calls the offerings of historical importance as the Kleins purchased the pieces during a 1987 Sotheby's Geneva auction of jewels from the Duchess of Windsor collection.

Sotheby's describes the top offerings as a single-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace (est. $1.5 million to $2 million,) a natural pearl and diamond pendant (est. $400,000 to $600,000,) and a pair of black and white natural pearl and diamond earclips (est. $300,000 to $500,000.)

In the 20 years since the Windsor sale, few pieces from that incomparable collection have been re-offered at auction, and none as significant as the iconic natural pearls acquired by the Kleins. The pearls will be featured extensively worldwide in a pre-sale exhibition before the December sale. Duchess of Windsor

The necklace, pendant, and earclips will be offered as three lots in Sotheby’s December sale of Magnificent Jewels and carry a combined estimate of $2.2 million to $3.1 million.

In 1987 Calvin bought the natural pearl jewels from the Duchess of Windsor’s collection for Kelly, because of their extraordinary quality and provenance and classic style, Sotheby's stated. The Duchess of Windsor was often photographed wearing the necklace and pendant. The single-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace by Cartier, Paris, once belonged to Queen Mary, wife of King George V, who gifted it to her son, the Duke of Windsor.

“These pearls hold a very special place in my heart,” Kelly said. “They were a present from Calvin early on in our relationship. They represent passion, tenderness and a promise about the future. Pearls, in my mind, are different from diamonds or gold. They are warm, mysterious, a small miracle created by nature. They should be worn close to the skin, imbued with the essence of the wearer. It is my hope they will be given again, as they have been in the past, as a gesture of love and worn often and proudly.”

Lisa Hubbard, chairman of North and South America's international jewelry department for Sotheby's, said, “The sale of The Jewels of the Duchess of was the definitive iconic auction. Her jewels, in some cases literally with small inscriptions, spoke of the romance they celebrated and the glamorous lifestyle she shared with the Duke of Windsor. We are honored to be able to offer to a new generation of collectors these magnificent pearls on behalf of Kelly and Calvin Klein, with whom they have resided for the past 20 years. The classic style for which the Kleins are known has immeasurably added to the tale these jewels have to tell. Their beauty and rarity, and historic provenance, are a unique combination that will appeal to a worldwide audience of connoisseurs who seek to own the best of the best.”

The single-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace is composed of 28 natural pearls graduating from approximately 16.8 to 9.2 mm., completed by an oval clasp set with 2 emerald-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.00 carats and 2 fancy-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 carat, bordered by 20 small round diamonds weighing approximately 0.70 carat. The length of the necklace is 14 inches, with a clasp signed Cartier, Paris. The necklace was lot 65 in the 1987 sale of The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor.

The natural pearl and diamond pendant, Cartier, Paris, circa 1950, may be worn as a drop on the aforementioned necklace. The large natural pearl drop of slightly baroque form measures approximately 18.4 mm. in diameter, drilled and capped by single-cut and round diamonds, on a detachable stirrup-shaped diamond-set pendant fitting. The pearl is stated to weigh 190.60 grains. This natural pearl pendant was sold to the current owners as lot 67 in the sale of The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor in 1987.

The collection also includes a pair of black and white natural pearl and diamond earclips, Van Cleef & Arpels, New York, 1957. According to the archives of Van Cleef & Arpels in New York, these earclips were made in 1957 and purchased the following year. Offered in the sale of The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor as lot 66, the earclips, mounted in white gold, are set with a black pearl measuring approximately 18.2 mm. and a white pearl measuring approximately 18.1 mm., within borders of 32 pear-shaped and 64 round diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 9.25 carats.


The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor, Geneva, 1987

On April 2, 1987, the personal jewelry collection of the late Duchess of Windsor, comprising magnificent examples of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston jewels, was sold for $50.3 million, seven times the presale estimate and a standing world record for any single-owner jewelry sale.

The unique collection brought to life the relationship of the Duke and Duchess, which was hailed the romance of the century. Many of the pieces were collaborative efforts between the jewelers and the Duke, who had an exemplary eye and a taste for creating innovative style. The elegant Duchess was for many years one of the world’s best dressed women, and she selected fashions as backdrops for the jewels loved by both her and the Duke. It was these elements of history, quality, design and romance that drew international buyers such as the Kleins to participate in the auction twenty years ago.

Intense bidding was relayed simultaneously in a tent overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland and in Sotheby’s New York salesroom, and many items sold for up to ten times their expected price.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Pearler of a price

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz
5:00AM Thursday September 13, 2007
By Jessica Wauchop
Photo / Dean Purcell

Photo / Dean Purcell

Usually associated with maiden aunts and royalty, pearls are making a comeback among the fashion-conscious.

And model Zanita Whittington shows why they are now a must-have accessory for young Hollywood celebrities looking for a touch of glamour.

This $400,000 necklace features a rare and perfectly matched 17mm graduated to 14mm strand of pearls.

The necklace was designed by jewellery firm Autore, which provides stars including Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie with pearls for premieres and awards ceremonies.

They are being displayed in Auckland as part of a fundraising fashion show today at The Westin hotel to benefit Breast Cancer Research.

Autore general manager Justin Schwaz said the pearls' lustre increased the value of the necklace.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Winners Named in Pearl Design Competition

Source: http://www.jckonline.com


The Cultured Pearl Association of America representing Pearls de Tahiti in the United States, named the winners of the 2007-2008 “The Song of the Stars” Tahitian Pearl Trophy - North American division.

Judging for the event, in its fifth year, took place at the Terrace Club in New York City on Aug. 22nd 2007. The jury was made up of Laurie Schechter, Stylists & Co., Elena Mauer senior associate editor Bridal Guide, Jean Francois Bibet, Van Cleef and Arpels, Amanda Gizzi, Jewelry Information Center, Kathleen Fritzpatrick freelance editor, Hedda T. Schupak JCK editor –in- chief, and Fran Mastoloni, Frank Mastoloni &Sons.

The following were the winners in each of the ten categories:

*. Ring – Avi Raz - A & Z Pearls 1st place, Adam Neeley - Adam Neeley Designs 2nd place

*. Male Jewelry – Larry C. Y. Ho - Maemura Designs 1st place, Yutao Liu - Yl Consulting Designs 2nd place, Nina Basharova - Albert Asher Pearls 3rd place

*. Necklace – Reena Ahluwalia 1st place, Maggie Davidson - A Thousand Visions Studio 2nd place, Jeong-Seon Han 3 rd place

*. Parure (set of 3) – Lisa Krikawa - Krikawa Designs, Inc. 1st place, Margarette Elie - Elie Design 2nd place

*. Pendant – Erica Courtney Inc. 1st place, Adam Neeley - Adam Neeley Designs 2nd place, Nina Basharova - Albert Asher Pearls 3rd place

*. Brooch – Nina Basharova - Albert Asher Pearls 1st place,Reena Ahluwalia 2nd place, Margarette Elie - Elie Design 3rd place

*. Bracelet – Evelyn Huang - Evelyn H. Jewelry Inc.1st place, Reena Ahluwalia 2nd place, Tara & Sons 3rd place

*. Accessory – Yutao Liu - Yl Consulting Designs 1st place, Larry C.Y. Ho - Maemura Designs 2nd place, Margarette Elie - Elie Design 3rd place

*. Earrings - Celine Boure - Kokass 1st place, Hugh Power - Hugh Power Designs 2nd place

*. Special – Larry C. Y. Ho - Maemura Designs 1st place

The first place winners will now submit their entry to the International jury for judging in the competition. More than 60 countries participated in the 2005-2006 event.