Doris Payne, Worlds Oldest Jewel Thief & Jaw Dropping Cartier Exhibit

  In May, world famous Cannes had experienced several unfortunate jewel thefts in the span of  afew months that resulted in the loss of of over a hundred million dollars. And had also left many jewelers nervous about their own high priced goods for sale. Unheard of, especially during the Cannes Film Festival.  It was becoming common place to read about another burglary. There is another story about a jewel thief that I hadn't heard of and was quite fascinated with.  According to reports she ( yes a woman) has been burglarizing for decades! 83 year old Doris Payne ( she even has a page in Wikipedia dedicated to her) was recently arrested for stealing a diamond ring at El Paseo jewelry store in Palm Desert, California worth $21,000! She had entered the store had been looking at items for about 45 minutes. She had told the sales people that she has a check for $40,000 insurance check and wanted to purchase new items. After she had left the store one of the sales associates had noticed that a ring was missing.

Alleged Jewelry Thief 83 y.o Doris Payne

  Raju Metha, manager of El Paseo Jewelers in Palm Desert, Calif.“I have been in retail for years, and never had anything like this happen,” he says. “You don’t suspect because she is elderly. I have to give her credit: She is excellent at what she does.”

The $21,000 stolen diamond ring

 A documentary has been created about her colorful criminal past titled " The life and crimes of Doris Payne". The documentary has already been featured at a few independent film festivals.

 

Doris Payne in the 1960's during her heyday

 She receives short jail terms because of her age, and its very expensive to keep an elderly person in jail or prison. And apparently she has no worries about going to jail. But I can only imagine the stories she has to tell. She must of been a femme fatale in her time~

 Her criminal history is quite long and will make for an interesting movie ( there has been talk that Halle Berry will portray her in a movie about her life) She has been arrested in 2005, and 2011.  She has reportedly stolen$2.0 Million dollars worth of jewels spanning  from Japan to Monte Carlo. She has escaped TWICE from custody in 1968 and in 1987.  She has been charged with burglary and grand theft and is currently in jail on bail for $65,000.  A preliminary hearing is set for December 11th. Since then the ring has been recovered. Doris had sold the ring to a store called " The Exchange" which is 3 miles from the El Paseo jewelry store. The exchange had purchased the ring from her, and now they are out of the money they purchased the ring with. Its truly a no win situation.

 Cartier will be celebrating with a mouth watering exhibit that is featuring 600 items from their greatest creations at the Grand Palais in Paris on December 4th 2013 - February 16th 2014 and is  titled "Cartier, Style & History" ( not a very original title~)  .  Here is a link to the exhibit, if you're fortunate enough to be in Paris~ http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/cartier-style-and-history

Countess of Granard Emerald & Diamond Necklace

Truly stunning 143.23ct Emerald cut emerald cabochon and diamond collar necklace 1932 and once belonged to the Countess of Granard

  The countless jewels, watches, and objects will make any ones head spin!  About 50 items are being borrowed from private collections. Cartier was founded by Alfred Cartier in 1847. His son Pierre Cartier opened the flagship store in the US in New York 1910. 

  Throughout the years he had custom created pieces of jewelry and objects or art for the likes of Grace Kelly, Barbara Hutton, Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor, Vanderbilt, Hearst, Astor, Rothschild. Gloria Swanson, Edsel Ford, Fred Astaire and Mrs. Cole Porter as well as pieces commissioned by the Maharajahs of India. An absolutely stunning piece that was once owned by the Countess Granard will be on display.  The Countess Granard who was formerly known as Beatrice Mills and was an American born heiress who had married the 8th Earl of Granard. And from the looks of it, she had quite the jewelry collection~

 

Countess Granard aka Beatrice Forbes

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Maria Felix, Mexican actress and siren with her crocodile necklace

 Maria Felix was a larger than life  exotic women with a dramatic taste in jewelry.  She had Cartier commission a necklace that was composed of two crocodiles. One was set with 1,023 fancy yellow diamonds and 1,060 circular cut emeralds.  The could be joined together to form a necklace or else worn separately as bracelets.  

She had an affinity for animal pieces as she also had Cartier commission a necklace resembling a snake, set with 178.12cts in diamonds. She had the underside of the snake created in enamel as it was more comfortable against the skin.

178.12cts Diamond Snake Necklace

Maria Felix wearing some of her extensive collection of jewelry

Grace Kellys Diamond Engagement Ring

                

Gloria Swanson wearing her rock crystal and diamond bangle bracelets

Elizabeth Taylor wearing her ruby and diamond necklace

The Lila Vanderbilt Sloan diamond tiara was created to match the exact waves in Lilas hair

Duchess of Windsor 152cts + Sapphire and diamond brooch

   

20cm diamond bird brooch, 2nd time it's been on public display

  These pieces have traveled the world in many exhibits and as many as 1457 items are on display at Cartiers main showroom in New York.  I would believe that they have much more value as in the history of the item.  As in case with the Duchess of Windsor's 152cts + plus sapphire cabochon pin.  The items are as historic and interesting as the women who owned and wore them. How incredible! Seems like they are truly museum worth items~

 

Cartier Mystery Clock with diamonds and gemstones

  Being so close to the Holidays some early birds are thinking of their Christmas lists now. And for whom they need to shop for. Watches tend to be a favorite gift for any gender. The jewelry houses have designed some whimsical and terribly decadent glittering versions. Giving the gift of watches has been a long practice dating back to the early 1900's. Mens watches have always been in the spotlight as it is one piece of jewelry that all men have and can relate too.  Designers have been busy created exquisite diamond and gem encrusted time pieces just in time for the Holidays. now granted the trend towards watches has been that the faces are larger, and could possibly be worn by both sexes.  Here's a few sparkly examples..

Jacob & Co Pink Sapphire Mystery Set watch

 

Bulgari 7 gems

Diamond encrusted Chopard

  Along with watches jewelry has been given to commemorate different milestones  in someones life. First communion, Sweet 16, graduation, weddings... A company called "Break Up Gems" based in Plattsburgh, New York creates jewelry for mens and women who have experience a break up or a divorce. They carry a line of jewelry including rings, bracelets and pendants, earrings.  so0me of the tongue in cheek designs show a heart that is broken in half but is decorated with pave diamonds.  Their items are created in 10k, 14k  gold, platinum, sterling silver and stainless steel. Their prices are moderate and range from $85 to over $10,000.  One of the most extravagant items is a ring created with 119 diamonds that are pave set and feature three diamonds that are channel set.  Its titled the "Liberta Diva" ring. It is an eye catcher~

Liberta Diva Ring with 119 diamonds set in platinum

Joyful heart necklace in white gold with black diamonds

  Here is a link to their website, http://www.breakupgems.com/default.asp Im sure many people will take advantage of an unfortunate experience and get a piece of jewelry to celebrate their new status.


The big news from this past week is that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got engaged at AT&T Baseball field with a proposal that showed on the JumboTron that simply stated "WILLL YOU MARRY MEEEE? .  The ring is a 15 carat cushion cut diamond set in platinum and is a D flawless stone type II A. After she had said "yes" to a 15 carat cushion cut diamond set in platinum (designed by her favorite jeweler Lorraine Schwartz) her family came from the dug out and celebrated with champagne. Early reports are that the diamond is to be worth an estimate $4 - $5 Million dollars.

The happy couple

A close up the 15 carat cushion cut diamond by Lorraine Schwartz

  And speaking of Kim K and diamond rings~ Christies had an auction on October 15th and lot 194 looked familiar along with a confirmation prior to the sale sealed it!  The 20ct Emerald cut diamond ring , by you guessed it~ Lorraine Schwartz was owned by drum roll please...Kim Kardashian! Kim had quietly given the ring back once there relationship had ended. The ring at the time of their engagement was said to be worth $2 Million. Christies stated pre sale estimate to be between $300,000 - $400,000. But in actuality the ring sold for $749,000.  With a portion of the proceeds going to charity. No mention as to which charities (or as to who the new owner is), but Kris is deciding that now.

Kim's previous 20ct diamond engagement ring

           

AN IMPRESSIVE DIAMOND RING, BY LORRAINE SCHWARTZ
Set with a rectangular-cut diamond, weighing approximately 16.21 carats, flanked on either side by a trapeze-cut diamond, each weighing approximately 1.80 carats, mounted in platinum, in a Lorraine Schwartz pink wood case Signed L.S. for Lorraine Schwartz With report 2155599544 dated 8 August 2013 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is I color, VS1 clarity

                                                Keep Sparkling until next time~