Pink Panther Strikes Again $136 Million ~ Liz Taylors Finest!

The world will always be fascinated by Elizabeth Taylor, her life, he loves and especially her jewels. Her recording breaking auction at Chrsities in December 2010 ( the auction brought in $137 million dollars, higher than what was expected) sent hearts a flutter at the mere opportunity to own a piece of  history. I have always said if jewelry has a story people are much more inclined to purchase it. She was a force to reckoned with during her many years in Hollywood.

 She lived life to the grandest of proportions. If you've watched cable lately movies about her life seem to be popping up all over. The latest with Helena Bonham Carter. I myself have a hard time seeing her as Dame Elizabeth~ Her jewels, and goodness did she have quite the collection! When a movie finished production ( we're talking early 40's on)  it was customary for the stars and the production to exchange mementos. Everyone knew she had a love for gems, and that's how her collection started to grow. She had a passionate love affair with Richard Burton, marrying him twice out of her 8 marriages. She had once said she was " always in love with love". One of her first great loves was Mike Todd who tragically died in a plane crash that left her devastated. A famous reel of film shows her husband Mike giving her a ruby and diamond suite of jewelry in the sun by the pool. He gently puts the piece on her then she excitedly jumps in the pool! I think gorgeous jewelry has the same affect on all women. Without any makeup and jewels she looked stunning~

  This ruby and diamond set sold for a total of $5.4 million dollars. The breakdown is the necklace for $3,778,500, bracelet $842,500, earrings $782,500.

Her spellbinding 33.19cts diamond ring sold for $8.8 million dollars. So much history is associated with this ring , plus the diamond is out of this world. The original estimated to be from $2.5 - 3.5million

 

One of my favorites from the auction ( the catalog books are sold out!) is Elizabeth's and Richard Burtons wedding bands. I'm not sure the story on how she ended up with both of the rings but they are beautiful and signify so much. That explains the high bid of $1.0million dollars for both of them.

The symbol of both of their marriages set in 18k yellow gold with diamonds

There has been ethically mined diamonds available and becoming more popular since the 2006 movie featuring Leonardo DeCaprio "Blood Diamond". A riveting movie about the living conditions of the people that mine diamonds for a living n Africa. Ethically mined diamonds, which means that the miners have safe conditions to live in and basically don't live in squalor. Now there is a new item that is on the scene, fairmined gold.  This is being brought to the US by the Alliance for Responsible Mining. It is the largest and most well known fairmined company. How it affects the consumer is that it raises the prices about 10%, but the benefits are worth it knowing that you are helping to secure the good living conditions for artisans. Here is the link to the company http://fairsources.com/about-fairsources/. They are in the process of getting their name off the ground in the US. Once they have a strong marketing campaign in place I'm sure we'll be hearing much more from them and that people will jump on the bandwagon.

  Pink Panther was a rather funny movies back in the 60's about a fumbling inspector by the name of Closeau. That name was take to new heights quite literally when a gang of about 40 people began stealing jewelry from wealthy homes and hotels since 1999.  It is estimated that they have stolen in excess of $396 million dollars. That s alot of gems and big bling I'm sure!  Two of the members of the gang escaped a prison in Orbe Switzerland with the help of two armed people. They inmates were exercising in the yard when a car rammed the fence and the two  accomplices using AK 47's whisked the two away with the use of ladders. The Switzerland guard had no guns. How do you have a prison with unarmed guards?? Anyways the two prisoners are Adrian Albrecht, 53, and Milan Poparic, 34, a Bosnian national. Now the interesting part is that Adrian Albrecht escaped from the SAME prison in 1992. According to prison officials the only visitors they had were from their lawyers. Orbe is a town in Switzerland's western Vaud canton, or state, is not far from the French border. With limitless resources and disguises they could be anywhere by now.. think Thomas Crown but with jewelry~

Orbe, Switzerland where the prison is located

Adrian Albrecht, 53      Milan Poparic, 34

While writing this blog entry it was reported this morning that a lone masked gunman stole jewels worth an estimated $53 million that occurred at the luxury hotel Carlton in Cannes. After doing an extensive inventory they estimated the loss to be at a heart stopping $136 Million!After the theft happened the gunman walked back into pedestrian traffic, with no one being the wiser! Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev was holding an exhibition for Leviev Diamond House, http://www.leviev.com/jewels. His jewels are amazing and you can see the value in them. It is the THIRD time that a major jewel heist has occurred in Cannes. A briefcase full of gems was taken along with a necklace worth $2.6million dollars. The Carlton hotel is the famous hotel where Cary Grant and Grace Kelly filmed Alfred Hitchcock "To Catch a Thief". Is it coincidence? Or did the newly sprung Pink Panther thieves have anything to do with it?? 

The Carlton Hotel after the theft

Tiffany & Co. is well known for their well heeled clients list and their dedicated sales people. One of their executives are in hot water. Her name is

Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun and she was the former vice president of product development. Ingrid had checked out 165 items of jewelery that cost $2.0 Million dollars. She would check out the items from the store to have them shown to potential manufacturers for cost production estimates. Tiffany conducts a daily inventory on items over $25,000. The items that Ingrid had checked out were under $10,000. She had left Tiffany in February of this year. When asked where the remaining items were she had said they were damaged or missing. She had sold the items to a jewelry reseller for $1.4 Million dollars. That would lead to quite a paper trail and suspicions I would think to as to the person she was selling them too~  She has plead guilty and will be sentenced on December 10th and can face up from 37 - 46 months in prison. No word if she has found new employment in the city.

Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun

Keep sparkling until the next time~

A $118,000 Diamond Phone & Paris Couture Week

  Here we are in the final days of July, already! July is also the month where its that beautiful time of year in Paris also know as Couture week. During this week fashion and jewelry designers worldwide meet in Paris to show their custom created an usually over the top designs. The grander and sometimes the more unusual is normal. Great pouffs on a dress, thigh high slits, extravagant beading and head dresses are all items that you'll see sashay down the catwalk. This is also a time when the great jewelry houses show off their "blingiest designs". Gorgeous array of gemstones, intricate and over the too designs will be shown.  Here's a few of my favorites I've picked out~

Cher Dior Emerald & multi gemstone ring, colorful and decadent!

The detail and millgrain around the BACK of the ring? Surprising and worth every penny!

Emerald and multi gemstone dangle earrings, Cher Dior

Incredible amount of attention is paid to the setting, head and shoulders above other jewelry houses

Pink sapphire diamond emerald cocktail ring, Cher Dior

Love these floral gemstone chandelier earrings, hope this style is making a comeback!

Emerald and diamond sapphire cocktail ring, more decadence by Cher Dior

  Bulgari is known worldwide for their beautiful and colorful designs beloved by Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren and most notably Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Taylor had an extensive collection of jewels from Bulgari. Most of the gifts from her beloved Richard Burton, but also from directors and producers of her many movies. These helped to inspire the jewelry house with a new line debuting at Paris Couture week. This new collection is called "Diva".  These screen sirens were the inspiration, and what a great name!  Bulgari always gets it right. Amazing designs with colorful gems~

Bulgari Diva gemstone necklace (I especially love the diamond set gems, this necklace resembles candy!)

Even though we are in the heat of summer color still plays a part in the designs that you see today. Much time and finding the resources to create a ring or necklace can take weeks, months and sometimes year before the item is completed.  All of the major jewelry houses featured a range of colored gems, in a variety of shapes and in engineering feat settings!  One for example is Chaumet.  Chaumet is one of the oldest and best recognized luxury jewels. Their stunning rings are one of my absolute favorites and worth sharing!

This incredible ring by Chaumet, one of 12 new designs in the Haute  Joaillierie features a 10.69cts cushion cut sapphire and 224 brilliant cut diamonds


Everyone wants to stand out in a crowd and be recognized. This next beauty will sure do that for you. Freedom of expression is a fabulous thing, especially if it comes in the form of a sophisticated and uber stylish cell phone. Savelli a Geneva based luxury jewelery designer has broken the mold for smart phones. They have created an absolute beautiful smart phone, sleek and modern but designed with the consumer in mind, women (yea!!).  It has gentle curves and is adorned with diamonds, 18k rose gold, ceramic (think Chanel J12), exotic leathers such as blue ostrich, pearly iguana and black alligator. They operate from a Google android platform. And so far they come in 11 different styles, with prices ranging from $9,040 - $9,830. One special model is called Black Insane and features diamond baguettes in the top portion of the phone.  This little beauty will set you back $118,000.  Talk about decadent! And heartbroken if it ever gets lost....   How does that work on your homeowners policy?  Just wondering~

In more jewelry news James Dean was and still is an iconic actor and style figure long after his short life and untimely death.  Very rarely do any of his personal items reach the auction block. His family still lives in the small Indiana farm town Fairmount were he was raised.  Which makes his pocket watch when it went up for auction on June 22 in Hong Kong even more special.

 His favorite pocket watch a very unassuming Elgin Standard with gold plate, his initials engraved in the front sold for 4 times over the pre estimate auction price of $14,000. The buyer is an unnamed European buyer. He used to say it was his lucky watch  and had worn it during many of auditions.

 

James Dean Standard Elgin pocketwatch 

 

So there you have it, all the best in jewelry news... keep sparkling until next time~

231cts Wynn Diamond~ Angelina Jolie Auction, Cheapside Hoard Find

  I cant begin to tell you how excited I was when I read about the huge assortment of jewelry that found 100 years ago also know as the Cheapside Hoard.  This little known discovery happened across the pond in the UK in June 1912, yes 1912.  An area known as Cheapside that was home to a jewelry making hub called Goldsmiths Company. For some reason I am unsure as of why that now all of these items will be on display.  100 years later? What is the reason? Possibly forgotten about again?? 

   From what I understand it is the largest collection of jewelry from this time in history. This unbelievable collection of 500 items include watches, cameos and many other jewelry items. The items were unearthed by workman doing renovations and have been store in a cellar. The items give us great insight into the jewelry from Elizabethan era. These wonderful gems if jewelry will be on view in London from 11/2013 - 4/2014. Its worthwhile to take a peek at these items on pi

                                  Here's a few picture of these extraordinary items~

A Clock that was carved into an Emerald, dating from the 1600's

Emerald and gold caterpillar pin

Emerald carved parrot

Emerald and gold ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carved emerald grape pendant

   Amfar was held in Cannes a few weeks ago and what a party it must of been ! With Cannes being filled with celebrities from all over the world its the time when Amfar hold their Gala to raise money for the awareness of AIDS. This year was no exception as they had raised an incredible 25 million for AIDS research! This year the even was hosted by Sharon Stone as the founder Dame Elizabeth Taylor passed away in 2011. 

Leonardo Di Caprio, very dapper in a tux~

      It's also a good time to be had by the star studded guests. There was many different items auctioned off. One in particular is an out of this world experience, literally!  A winning bidder paid 1.5 million dollars to have the chance to train for three days in New Mexico and then to take a flight into outerspace with Leonardo di Caprio sometime next year. The person who won this auction ( another seat was auctioned for 1.8 million dollars) "Vasily Klyukin, a 37-year-old Russian living in Monaco, eventually offered the highest bid, making him join the first 1,000 people to leave the planet. He told Reuters after the auction, "I want to be a bit daring. I will have to give up smoking now for sure!" At the event, Klyukin also bought a gold and diamond necklace for 400,000 euros ($517,000)" 

  Adrien Brody reportedly took off the Bulgari watch he was actually wearing to be auctioned off, and it's sold for about $116,000. Also going under the hammer for good cause that night were a Damien Hirst painting, Annie Leibovitz family portrait, the chance to star in four movies, and a private performance from Simon Le Bon and John Taylor of Duran Duran.

Tickets to some prestigious Hollywood events were auctioned off as well. They were for a special Oscar weekend that included a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a Chopard watch, tickets to the Weinstein party and VIP access to two star-studded events, Elton John's annual viewing bash and Vanity Fair's legendary after-party soiree. Overall, the event raised 25 million euros ($32.3 million), more than twice last year's total of 11 million euros ($14.2 million). 

 It's easy to see how they raised so much money this year. With many unique opportunities and experiences, everyone wins!

   

Sharon Stone dripping in Colombian emeralds and diamonds by DeGrisogono

             

    There was unfortunately another theft that occurred in Cannes. This necklace was value at $2.6 million dollars and consists of yellow canary diamonds Colombian emeralds and diamonds. It is a stunning necklace that I'm sure by this point has been dismantled and has been sold in the black market.  What an absolute shame! It occurred at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc with 80 security people and the police. It happened after the Cannes festival when it was noticed the necklace had disappeared.  The second time in a week that a 7 figure piece of jewelry has gone missing. I can only imagine what the insurance must be on all of those pieces~ I saw the necklace in  a video but haven't been able to locate it online...

 And anyone who is anyone or maybe not has heard of hotel magnate Steve Wynn. Billionaire that started the Mirage and also the Bellagio in fabulous Las Vegas. We've all know his penchant for artwork.  Collecting them and having them on display at the Mirage ( nothing better than having dinner surrounded by 8 Picasso, first hand experience!).  Back in September 2002 in the Amazon river in Brazil a 580cts rough diamond was found. 58octs!! That about the size of a softball, massive! 

230.17cts the largest pear shaped diamond in the world

    It took approximate 2 years for the stone cutters in Antwerp to orientate cut and polish this large stone. it is the largest pear cut diamond in the world and was purchased by Steve Wynn in 2011 for 15 million. It is graded H in color and VSL.  It is the largest diamond of that size that is in a private collection. The stone was placed in a 1.5 million dollar Cartier setting. 

   The story gets interesting when the necklace went up for auction in June at JCK with Diane Breitman a diamond dealer that does business as The Queen of Diamonds based in Las Vegas. Diane had told Steve that they would hold a private sale ( I can understand the wanting of exclusivity) There was a private sale and a Texas man by the name of Brett Stettner also a dealer had agreed to purchase the stone for 23.5million and had put up a 20cts diamond valued at $420,00 as collateral.   Heres where things get a little tricky. apparently Steve and Diane are personal friends and somehow Brett tried to renegotiate the deal but it fell thru. In the meantime any other buyers that were interested in purchasing the diamond walked away. Brett claims he owns the diamond since he put down collateral.  All of this confusion cost Diane a commission of 1.4 million dollars and possibly her relationship with Steve. Papers were filed as to who the rue owner of the stone is. The case was dismissed as Steve Wynn as the owner.  As with most large sized gemstones and diamonds there is usually an interesting story attached~

    Robert Procop is a name well known name that has been associated with Angelina Jolie ( also with Brad Pitt he helped him to design the diamond engagement ring for Angelina) with her line of jewelry "Style of Jolie"  to raise money (100 % of proceeds) for Education Partnership for Children in Conflict. There's been alot of buzz about the auction as many exquisite pieces were to raise a large amount f money for a charity that is close to her heart. The auction was held on June 15th. The 27ct Colombian emerald ring was pre estimatded at$140,000 - $220,000. But the bids were to low. In fact they were so low that there werent' ANY buyers. In auctions the the price has to reach a certain  pre estimated amount before it can be sold. So even with her big name in the world of movies and her philanthropic world wide these fabulous items didnt sell.  But the ones who are losing isEducation Partnership for Children in Conflict ( childrens schools in Afghanistan) Shocking to say the least! So what happens now? another auction?? I guess time will tell.

                        Some pictures of the pieces of jewelry that was up for auction

"Elise" platinum and diamond  choker necklace from the movie "The Tourist"  2010

Colombian emerald and gold solitaire ring

Green beryl bezel set earring

27 cts Cushion cut Colombian emerald and gold ring

     

   And lastly the largest diamond briollete ever to go to auction 75.36cts sold at Christies last month for $11 million dollars now has a new name~ the "Star of China".

                                                      Until next time keep sparkling~

Cannes Red Carpet & The Great Gatsby Jewels

  The premiers at Cannes have been going smoothly except for uh hum maybe a wardrobe malfunction and a few raindrops. There have been a few winning looks  that are so fresh and inspiring!

 Justin Timberlake was out shined by his wife Jessica Biel at the premier of his movie "Inside Ilewelyn Davis"  in a stunning in a Marchesa lace and feather dress. Her neutral make up and the pale shade of her dress only showcased her diamond and emerald snake necklace by Bulgari. A stunning effect!

 Jennifer Lawrence always gets it right when she walks the red carpet this time was no exception. Her black and white strapless dress by Dior shone even more with the added accessory of diamond and emerald earrings by Chopard. She has such a beautiful sense of style or else she has an amazing stylist!

 Chopard sponsors the event and they are also the ones that get to create the winning trope for the film festival. This year the award is so beautiful and simple!  It looks like a large piece of jewelry~

                                          The Festival of Cannes Award created by Chopard

With the movies premiering at Cannes for another few days there has been alot of buzz surrounding the movie "The Great Gatsby". From the actors chosen, the directors way he told the story to he fashion. And how can we forget about the jewels?!

 Artists are inspired by everything around them, including the movies and music scene. Art Deco is all the rage now with the release of Baz Luhrmanns screen adapatation of "The Great Gatsby". I haven't seen the new version but there has been mixed reviews. If you saw the original movie with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford the new movie seems like it shows the true opulence that F. Scott Fitzgerald was trying to achieve.

 Tiffany and Co. held a Blue Book Ball in Rockefeller Center on April 18th to celebrate Jazz Age Glamor.. With a massive 31 foot high blue box covering the 15,000 square foot skating rink. It was a decadent event with 400 celebrities that celebrated with 142 magnums of Moet Chandon. Live music, guests wearing flapper dresses and a finale of glittering confetti it must of been the most beautiful of evenings! The celebrities were adorned with the sparkling goodness of Tiffany and Co jewels.

                                  Bathed in blue light  the 30 foot Blue box on Rockefeller Center

 The jewels that were created for the film was a collaboration with Catherine Martin for Tiffany and Co. and inspired by Baz Luhrmann. were worn by Carey Mulligan including a stunning headdress made with diamonds and the gorgeous feather detail encrusted with diamonds.

           From conception to reality

                                            Carey Mulligan wearing the Savoy Tiffany and Co headdress

 I have a feeling that the Art Deco phase in jewelry is going to be a trend for a while. After of the heavy large gemstones recently fashion regardless of clothes or jewelry usually goes the opposite after a fad.  Vintage styles in jewelry have always been popular but now I'm sure we're going to see custom created Art Deco pieces. the jewelry from that time in history was very stylized and geometric, symmetrical. A beautiful trend that I look forward to seeing! Here's a few of the styles created by Tiffany and Co.

                                      This pearl diamond and platinum hand ornament

  The beautiful diamond pearl and platinum hand ornament is one that broke apart while Carey was filming a scene, reported at 6 figures ( on T& Co it's $75,000). She said everyone moved so quick to retrieve all the pearls. How nerve wracking!

 

So in love with this necklace! A bargain at $1200, sterling silver and freshwater pearls

After seeing the  jewelry that the talented Catherine Martin collaborated with Tiffany and Co ( did anyone mention that she is also MARRIED to Baz Lurhmann? ) I think we are going to see more of a resurgence in pearl jewelry. They're gorgeous come in many colors and can add elegance to any design. A nice change in the world of jewelry~ 

 Here is a link to the jewelry that was created for "The Great Gatsby" http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Categorybrowse.aspx?cid=2605758&mcat=148206&hppromo=THPC292#p+1-n+60-cg+viewAll-c+2605758-s+5-r+-t+-ri+-ni+1-x+-pu+-f+

 Until next time Keep Sparkling~

                                                   

The Met Gala, Cannes & $1.4 Million Chopard Theft

Excitement ran abound in new York City on May 6th when the Met held their famous Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The them was "Punk" from "Chaos to Couture'. Most stars could interpret the them in their own artistic way. And who needs a theme? It's THE MET! The GALA at the Met!  For me that's plenty, but then I digress...

 Where to start? Beyonce was named the honorary chair and looked fabulous in a Givenchy gown with decorative boots.  I was kind of disappointed that she wasn't wearing any jewels but her dress did impress! The boots with the matching material was a great accessory!Congrats to Beyonce and Jay Z on the recent announcement of baby No2! She looked incredible and with the print on her dress her stomach is not noticeable. That could of been the effect she was going for.

 Sarah Jessica Parker had a feathered ornate Mohawk head dress and tartan boots with her dress by Giles. She was wearing a beautiful diamond Riviera necklace that was out of this world! The combination of colors in her dress with the velvet tartan boots along with the headdress made it a  Her escort was Hamish Bowles was wearing more jewelry than most of  the women were!They looked incredible together~ His custom tux took 5 weeks to complete and was created out of100 pieces of gold safety pins set with diamonds and emeralds.

                               

Jennifer Lawrence in classic black with Sarah Jessica Park 

"Stylist and Jewelry Designer David Thomas created an entire look for Hamish Bowles to the Met Gala on May 6th 2013.  Taking 5 weeks from concept to completion this specially commissioned piece by "Gentleman - David Thomas xJBH" is worth $250,000.00!  The outfit is comprised of 100 pieces of white gold and white diamonds and emeralds made especially for this project in the Jason of Beverly Hills factory in downtown LA."

The 100 pieces are made up as follows:

• 1 pair of white gold and emerald cufflinks
• 1 set of white gold and emerald shirt studs
• 30 small safety pins in white gold and diamonds
• 20 medium safety pins in white gold and diamonds
• 14 medium safety pins with chain in white gold and emeralds
• 30 large safety pins in white gold and diamonds
• 2 kilt pins in white gold and emeralds
• 2 fleur de lys pins in white gold and diamonds

                                                      Mock up of the tux without the jewels

After the jewelry was created all the pieces were then hand stitched onto the lapels. What says Punk more than safety pins? Bejeweled is a glamorous spin on the theme. That must of been quite a task for the jeweler to create all the safety pins in gold then to set the stones! But it is the most clever of ideas! When i think of the 90's and the fashion safety pins definitely comes to mind~

  Award season may be over but there still another exciting every that happens every year at a little fabulous place on the French Riviera called Cannes! 

 The Festival de Cannes is from May 15th - May 26th. Cannes previews films from all genres from all over the world. It is always in the spotlight with the actresses and their numerous outfit changes, directors vying for the spotlight with their film. The first night on the red carpet is always a favorite and that is when you see spectacular gowns, big jewelry and perfectly coiffed hair. The looks along with the celebrities that walked the red carpet were different to say the least. The next week can be a little more casual as some of the previews are held during the daytime and a casual look is more favored.

  Here's a few of my favorite looks from the red carpet:

                   Model Cara Delevingne looking fierce for 'The Great Gatsby" Jewels by Chopard

Even with pouring rain she still smolders!

 

Marion Cotillard looking tres chic in Chopard Jewels in her hair~ 

 

Singer Lana Del Rey in a romantic dress

After seeing all of these breath taking jewels its hard to imagine that they'll never be sen again! At approximately 2:30am on Friday when Chopard was having a party at the 5 star Martiniez Hotel across town. The jewels were stored at the Novotel Hotel and where in a Chopard Representatives room safe. According to reports the whole safe wad ripped OUT of the wall!  Some estimates are saying the figure could be closer to 1.4 million. But still a huge shame~ Jewelers work for many months and sometimes years to assemble all the stones that are needed for a suite of jewels. Still waiting on reports as to how the thieves gained access to the room. Chopard traveled to Cannes with an entourage of 40 people to ensure the celebrities safety with the jewelry. Obviously this was an inside job, knowing when people wouldn't be in the room and well aware of the celebration still going on at another hotel across town. I'm sure that for next year they will be changing their protocol and also to whom they tell of their travel plans. I'm sure in the days and weeks to come more information will be coming out as to what pieces were stolen and the actual value. 

Theres still a few more days left til the cannes festival comes to an end. I'm hoping there's not any more drama! Just beautiful designed clothes and jewels! 

Keep Sparkling until next time~