Angelina Jolie, Robert Procop Unveil Jewelry Collection for Charity

As reported in December, Angelina Jolie and Robert Procop were teaming up to create a jewelry line with statement gemstones. For the Golden Globes in January Jolie wore a pair of emerald earrings from the collection (pictured), which set off a wave of emeralds and other green gemstones worn by the stars and celebrities on the Oscars red carpet.

Now the duo recently unveiled the collection, “Style of Jolie,” during an invitation only museum quality exhibition at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills. All proceeds from the sale of the line will go toward Jolie’s foundation, “Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.”

“What we're showing here is a collection that Angelina and I have been working on for the last nine months or so, building not only a part of her style but real artistic forms using gemstones as a centerpiece,” Procop, the former CEO of Asprey, said in the video below. “But our main mission is helping children in crisis be educating children around the world.”



The collection (individual pieces can be viewed on the Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels website) includes a five-row quartz tablet bracelet, pear-shaped citrine and cushion-cut necklace, and green beryl tablet earrings.

The collection is still available for private viewing at Julien's. Appointments can be made by contacting creativestudio@robertprocop.com.

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Ashley Morgan, Yael Create Jewelry Collection to Benefit Sierra Leone

Earrings from the new line

San Francisco-based fine jewelry designers Ashley Morgan and Yael Designs in the first collaboration are creating a jewelry collection to benefit Sierra Leone. The Leone Collection is expected to debut in the fall of this year.

Designed by Morgan and manufactured by Yael, the Leone Collection includes rings, earrings and necklaces featuring conflict-free custom cut black diamonds set in 18k recycled blackened gold and accented with white diamonds and Japanese seed pearls. Inspired by the royal image of Sierra Leone–or Lion Mountain–the collection refashions regal images of nature found on crowns and royal architecture throughout human history.

“We wanted to create a collection that brings regal beauty to the modern age and speaks to the universal values of our world’s many cultures,” Morgan said.

“As jewelry designers, we wanted to do our part to help rebuild Sierra Leone—a country that has been so negatively impacted by the diamond trade industry,” added Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs CEO.

Two percent of the profits from the Leone Collection will be donated to Schools for Salone, a Seattle-based nonprofit that helps build schools, train teachers and give scholarships in Sierra Leone. The donation from the Leone Collection will be used to help build a primary school in Lungi Village in the southern part of Sierra Leone.

The price for Leone Collection starts at $1,200. The collection will be available online at http://www.ashleymorganyael.com and in select stores.

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Montblanc Honors Princess Grace with a Sparkling Collection

Princess Grace

There may be no greater symbol of royalty, style and fashion than Grace Kelly. The Philadelphia-born actress was thrust into the international spotlight when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and became known throughout the world as Princess Grace. It was a role she was born to play and till this day she is looked upon as one the world’s great fashion icons.

With this in mind, Montblanc, has created the “Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco,” as a tribute to the person and the place. It is a limited-edition collection of jewelry, timepieces and writing instruments, encompassing the specialties of the luxury brand. All of the pieces are embellished with filigree petal cut stones, honoring the Grace de Monaco pink rose, a flower named after Kelly in 1956 for her wedding day. Diamonds and pink sapphires are strong influences in the collection.

The collection comes with a charity partnership between Montblanc and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which assists emerging talents in the performing arts.

The haute joaillerie collection is made up of three one-of-a-kind sets featuring petal cut stones and diamonds. Each set includes a necklace of cascading pink sapphires and diamonds (pictured), long earrings ending with drop cut pink sapphires and a refined matching bracelet.

The timepiece collection consists of a limited edition of eight watches in 18k red gold with 76 baguette cut diamonds on the bezel and the horns (3.30 cts.). The crown is topped with the Montblanc diamond (0.05 ct, F-G color). There’s a three-dimensional pink sapphire drop at 6 o’clock. The flange and dial are set with a cascade of 177 brilliant cut diamonds (0.53 cts.). The dial is made of white mother-of-pearl. A white alligator strap and a buckle are set with 76 brilliant cut diamonds (0.32 cts.).The case back is engraved with the Princesse Grace de Monaco monogram.

The fountain pen, available in a limited edition of three as a tribute to Princess Grace’s three children, is crafted entirely of champagne colored solid gold with diamonds and rubies on the cap and barrel. The Principality of Monaco coat of arms provided the inspiration for a circle of rhomboid-shaped cut rubies arranged on the cap of the writing instrument. The piece is topped with a heart-shaped hole of the gold nib and the finely engraved Princesse Grace de Monaco monogram on the cap-top.

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Prince Albert, Princess Charlene at Montblanc Pre-Oscar Brunch For Grace Kelly Collection

Princess Charlene and Albert II, Prince of Monaco, attend the Montblanc jewelry brunch celebrating Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco at the Hotel Bel-Air. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene were among a full room of celebrities and royalty who attended the Montblanc Champaign Brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles Saturday to get an up close view of the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco. It was a final chance for many of the guests to choose a Montblanc piece to wear on the red carpet at the Oscars, being held Sunday.

It was the first time Montblanc showcased the complete collection, which is intended to honor the style and majesty of one of the 20th century’s most revered leading women. The collection is designed as a tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco, who is regarded by many as the epitome of classic beauty. The collection features fine and high jewelry as well as writing instruments and timepieces in the Swiss watch-making tradition.

A general view of the atmosphere at the Montblanc jewelry brunch celebrating Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco at the Hotel Bel-Air on February 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

Among the guests in attendance were: actresses Rosario Dawson, Teri Hatcher, Nastassja Kinski and Rosanna Arquette; model Petra Nemcova; and socialite Lady Victoria Hervey.

The actress attends the Montblanc jewelry brunch wearing the Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales Entrelaces motif. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

As reported earlier, Montblanc held exclusive viewings of its Princess Grace collection and other offerings during the week at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel “Royal Suite Styling Lounge.”

Petra Nemcova attends the Montblanc jewelry brunch wearing items from the Princesse Grace De Monaco collection. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

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Lily Safra Charity Jewelry Auction Includes Largest JAR Collection; Could Fetch $20 Million

Caption: Left: Lily Safra. Right: A ruby and diamond Camellia flower brooch by JAR created for Safra in 2003. Estimate: $1.2 million to $1.5 million.

The jewelry collection of famed philanthropist, Lily Safra, will be up for auction at Chrisite’s Geneva on Monday May 14, with all proceeds to be donated to 20 different charitable institutions. The collection includes the largest single-owner selection of jewels by JAR ever to be offered at auction.

Regarded as a major philanthropist of our time, Safra is also a discerning connoisseur. This jewelry collection reflects her refined taste and its evolution through five decades, from the 1970s to the present day, the international auction house said. Featuring 70 lots, the sale at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues is estimated to fetch more than $20 million. It includes important diamonds, rubies and sapphires, as well as an array of fine antique and period jewelry.

A special section of the sale will be dedicated to a group of 18 jewels by JAR, the majority of which were created specifically for Safra by the renowned jeweler between the 1980s and 2000s. It is the largest private collection of creations by JAR ever to be offered at auction.

“Only a connoisseur with an eye as refined as that of Mrs. Lily Safra could have collected such an ensemble of jewels, and only someone with her philanthropic conviction could have expressed such powerful support to worthwhile causes in all charitable fields,” said François Curiel, international head of Christie’s Jewellery Department.

Lily Safra has carried on the philanthropic tradition of her husband, Mr. Edmond J. Safra, one of the twentieth century’s most accomplished bankers and founder of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation. Since 2000, she has chaired this foundation, which supports hundreds of projects related to education, science and medicine, religion, culture, and humanitarian relief in over 40 countries.

She is a passionate art and jewelry collector, and has provided assistance to several institutions, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Musée du Louvre, where the “Salle Edmond et Lily Safra” honors the works she and her husband donated.

All the proceeds from the sale of the collection of Lily Safra will benefit the following 20 charitable institutions:

Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, Rwanda
Children Action, Geneva
Claude Pompidou Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease, Nice, France
Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel
Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
Elton John AIDS Foundation (worldwide)
Fight AIDS Monaco
Henry Street Settlement, New York
Hopes and Homes for Children, Romania
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Imperial College, London: Edmond J. Safra Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology & Edmond J. Safra Chair in Radiochemistry
Institute for Brain and Spinal Cord Disorders, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris
Keren Shemesh, Israel
King’s College, London: Edmond and Lily Safra Parkinson’s Research Fellowships
Le ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris
New York University, Parkinson and Movement Disorder Center
Royal Opera House, London
Université Joseph Fourier, Institut des Neurosciences, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra & Institut Clinatec, Centre de Recherche Edmond J. Safra, Grenoble, France
University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, Canada: Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson’s Disease (Dr. Anthony Lang & Dr. Andres Lozano)
Water Treatment Program, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia, Brazil

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Girard-Perregaux Gives Desmond Tutu 1966 Collection Watch

Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in Los Angeles Thursday for a public conversation with author Robert V. Taylor titled, “How to be Happy, Change the World and Embrace a New Way to be Human.”

More than 500 guests attended the event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Bing Auditorium, which was followed by a private reception.

Also in attendance as an event sponsor and supporter of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation was Girard-Perregaux. The luxury Swiss watch brand presented Archbishop Tutu with an engraved 1966 collection watch in honor of his philanthropic accomplishments around the world.

The Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation helps people and societies create cultures of peace by developing programs that focus on young people through the use of new media and traditional methods.

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Reena Ahluwalia Designs Historic Indian Diamond Jewelry Collection

Courageous Spirit necklace

A friend of Jewelry News Network, Toronto-based jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia, has created a jewelry collection that uses diamonds mined and manufactured in India. The first time in more than a century this has happened.

The diamonds came from Rio Tinto’s Bunder Project in Madhya Pradesh province, in the center of the country. Ahluwalia was born in Madhya Pradesh.

“What an amazing honor to give back to my province and country of birth,” Ahluwalia said.

Courageous Spirit earrings

Titled Courageous Spirit, the jewelry features a statement necklace and a set of complementary earrings. The collection incorporates a total of 25.34 carats of polished Bunder diamonds and 2.8 carats of rough Bunder diamonds, including a 5.04 carat round brilliant cut white diamond and a 5.02 carat round brilliant cut cognac diamond.

The diamond-encrusted disc symbolizes the natural abundance of the Bunder diamond deposit.

“Inspired by a compass, the disc rotates on a central axis, while a marker points to the true center of the Bunder story—the earthly origins of the diamonds and the pioneering spirit of the people who are so integral to Bunder's development,” Rio Tinto said in a statement. “The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Bunder diamond deposit are inscribed on the back of the disc.”

The rough diamonds were cut and polished by master craftsmen in Indian cutting and polishing factories, while the design was brought to life by Indian jewelry manufacturer Uni-Design Jewellery Private Ltd. of Mumbai.

The jewelry was unveiled Friday at an event in the province with Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in attendance.

“The Government of Madhya Pradesh has supported us from the very beginning in our quest to develop a new benchmark for mine development in India,” said Nik Senapati, managing director of Rio Tinto India. “I am delighted that seven years after our initial discovery, we can showcase these exquisite pieces of jewelry that provide a window into the enormous potential of the gems contained in the Bunder deposit.”

He added, “The Courageous Spirit jewelry collection holds a very special place in Indian diamond history as it has been at least a century since India has mined, designed and manufactured its own diamond jewelry.”

The Courageous Spirit collection is not available for sale, but will be showcased at a number of events throughout the second half of 2012.

The Bunder project was discovered in 2004 by Rio Tinto who entered into a “State Support Agreement” with Madhya Pradesh in 2010 to develop the project. Diamonds from the mine likely to come into commercial production in 2016, Rio Tinto said.

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Montblanc Celebrates Endless Love With Its Infiniment Vôtre Jewelry Collection

Infiniment Vôtre earrings

Montblanc has released a new collection of delicate, simple and elegant rose gold jewelry based on the variations of the symbol that represents infinity.

Known as Infiniment Vôtre (infinitely yours), the collection celebrates true romantic love or the everlasting bonds of friendship through the graceful intertwining curves that represent variations on the horizontal eight configuration: the universal symbol for infinity.

Infiniment Vôtre bracelet

Created by Susie Otero, Montblanc’s managing director of Jewelry, the collection consists of six crafted pieces: a ring, earrings, necklace, pendant, bracelet and bangle. They are all made of pink gold, which she says “echoes the depth of the emotions evoked.” On each piece, a brilliant diamond is set within a Montblanc star emblem, “at once a discreet signature and a sparkling reminder of the uniqueness of each special relationship,” she adds.

Infiniment Vôtre ring

While the motif may be simple, as with all Otero’s work, the complexity is in the details. In this case the symbol changes from the more basic form on the necklace to more complicated interpretations for the rings and earrings. The other hallmarks of her style are highly polished surfaces and the endless use of subtle curves. All of this adds movement to her pieces when the light hits them and as they move with the woman. The hint of diamonds adds a delicate bit of sparkle to her highly feminine jewelry. 

The collection is now available at Montblanc boutiques worldwide.

Infiniment Vôtre necklace

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Jürgen Abeler Ring Collection Up For Auction

Christie’s South Kensington will be offering more than 500 rings—dating from ancient Egypt and Rome through the 21st century—from the Collection of Jürgen Abeler of Wuppertal, Germany. The majority of the 103 lots, including several groups, will be feature as part of the auction house’s jewelry sale on October 9. More than 40 important ancient rings will be featured in its antiquities sale on October 25.

Estimates for individual rings start at £200. All items on offer from the collection will be on view October 5 till 8 at Christie’s South Kensington saleroom on 85 Old Brompton Road.

Highlights include a 16th Century signet ring of Johann Ernst von Sachsen, Julich, Kleve and Berg the great grandson of Sibylle von Julich, Kleve and Berg, sister of Anne of Kleve (Cleves) (1515-1554) wife of Henry VIII, King England(1491-1547), illustrated above left. Other highlights are mourning rings for Vice Admiral Nelson, killed at the Battle of Trafalgar illustrated above center, and the composer George Frideric Handel illustrated above right. The sale will also include a selection of modern conceptual and design rings.

Born in Wuppertal in 1933 into a family of watchmakers and goldsmiths, Jürgen Abeler continued this tradition. Abeler’s interest in rings stemmed from his grandmother’s Christmas present in 1955 of Heinz Battke’s book on the history of the rings, “Geschichte des Ringes in Beschreibung und Bildern.” Abeler would eventually acquire the author’s own collection of rings. Abeler would collect rings from myriad sources and locations—auctions, antique shops, private hands and foreign lands. The result was a collection ranging from Roman and Egyptian examples to rings highlighting 21st century design. In Jürgen Abeler’s own words he wished to create “a coherent, comprehensive overview about the whole topic up to (the) modern day.”

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Chopard’s 2012-2013 Winter Collection of Jewelry, Watches, Clocks and Games

Luxury house Chopard recently unveiled a collection of jewelry, timepieces and even a backgammon set for the winter season. Items include the following:

L.U.C Quattro Table Clock
The table clock is inspired by the famous Haute Horlogerie L.U.C collection and one of its flagship models. For the very first time, Chopard offers a table clock equipped with a mechanical hand-wound movement with an eight-day power reserve.


Imperiale Jewelry
To accompany the Imperiale watch, Chopard created a new line of jewelry. The motif that adorns the dials of the watches, inspired by the traditional embroideries that once decorated imperial gowns and cushions, is apparent within the design of the pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets. The collection is set in 18k rose gold or white gold, featuring amethyst, pink quartz or chalcedony.


Happy Sport Chrono
The Happy Sport chronograph in diamond-set rose gold remains loyal to the very essence of the Happy Sport collection—with a white mother-of-pearl dial and delicate gem-setting.


Precious Temptations
Chopard creates a banquet of sweet delights, combining precious stones with gems to create an array of pink sapphires, amethysts, rubellites, tsavorites, tourmalines and opals.


L.U.C Quattro
The new L.U.C Quattro is powered by one of the biggest successes of Chopard Manufacture—the four-barrel L.U.C 98.01-L movement. The timepiece adopts the new aesthetic codes of the L.U.C collection that combines Haute Horlogerie with distinguished lines.


Backgammon Set
Chopard’s backgammon set is in black-lacquered sycamore wood featuring red, cream and black sycamore marquetry.


Animal World Collection Seal Lion Necklace
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Chopard has taken on the challenge of signing an Haute Joaillerie collection of 150 unique animal-themed pieces. This year Chopard introduces its Sea Lion Necklace with white south sea cultured pearls and diamonds.


Happy 8
The Happy Diamonds collection explores the symbolism of the figure 8 with a new collection of watches, pendants, rings and earrings. The ideal curves, richness and power of the figure 8 have inspired Chopard to create a collection where the infinity purity of the lines echoes that of the materials in a subtle association between diamonds and gold.


Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2012
The new watch, with its matte grey, vivid colors and racing stripes, is a tribute to 1970s racing cars. Equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC, the timepiece displays the hours, minutes, small seconds and the date, naturally complemented by chronograph functions and a tachometric scale.

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Breguet Celebrates the First Watch With Unveiling of the Reine de Naples Watch and Jewelry Collection

Reine de Naples ladies timepiece

Abraham-Louis Breguet is said to have created and delivered the first wristwatch, for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples on October 5, 1812. To pay tribute to this historical piece and its creator, the Swiss luxury watch brand that bears the creator’s name went off to Naples for a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the event.

The Breguet celebration held on Oct. 5 and 6 on the Gulf of Naples included a tour of Reggia Di Capodimonte, which was the home to Caroline Murat, who occupied the throne of Naples until 1815 and a gala and an historical exhibition, “Reine de Naples,” on the Isle of Capri.

The Swiss luxury watch brand also unveiled the 10th anniversary of its “Reine de Naples” ladies watch and jewelry collection. Launched in 2002, this collection is a tribute to the first wristwatch, ordered by Caroline Murat from Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1810 and delivered in 1812.

Reine de Naples ring in 950 platinum paved with brilliant-cut diamonds (2.48 ct), with baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 7.50 ct), and an oval-cut blue sapphire (9.50 ct).

The “Reine de Naples” anniversary special has a striking mechanism that marks the top of every hour with two chimes repeated three times. A pushpiece at 2 o’clock disables the function. Along with the usual technical imperatives involved in designing an oval movement, this timepiece incorporates the results of fundamental research by Breguet into the acoustics of chiming and repeating watches.

The geometry of the bridges, the oscillating weight and the decoration, displayed through the sapphire crystal back of the watch, form the image of a garden pavilion in the Mediterranean style, identical to the stately residences of Caroline Murat. To do justice to the lavish setting in which the piece is unveiled, the bezel and the snap of the “Reine de Naples” anniversary special are set with 28 brilliant cut diamonds and 27 blue sapphires. The striking hammers appear above the dial at 11 and 1 o’clock, while between them the diamond heart of a rose engraved in gold indicates the engagement of the hour striker. The silvered gold dial and its flange are paved with 233 brilliant cut diamonds and 303 blue sapphires with different nuances, offering a subtle color gradation. A crown placed at 4 o’clock and set with a briolette-cut diamond adds a sublime final touch to this exclusive anniversary watch, mounted on an alligator strap with a folding clasp set with 26 diamonds.

Reine de Naples tiara in 950 platinum paved with brilliant-cut diamonds (12.75 ct), baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 8.00 ct) and an 8.37 ct oval-cut blue sapphire.

The Reine de Naples jewelry set consists of a ring, pair of earrings, necklace and tiara, all in 950 platinum. The central motif of the jewels in the set is an oval-cut blue sapphire. It is surrounded by two ovoid rings paved with baguette-cut diamonds in an elegant and refined echo of the case of the first wristwatch, which had an oblong shape. 

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‘The Shaq’ Designs Men’s Jewelry Collection for Zale Corp. Stores

Shaquille O’Neal has found himself a new job as a jewelry designer for Zale Corp. The former NBA star has partnered with the specialty retail jeweler to create and market a branded collection of men’s jewelry.

The Shaquille O’Neal Collection consists of a variety of men’s pendants, rings and bracelets. The collection will be offered exclusively in select Zale Corp. stores in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and online. Zale Corp. operates approximately 1,780 retail locations under the following brands: Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon’s Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda

The partnership builds on the strengths of both brands as Shaquille O’Neal (known as “The Shaq”) is widely regarded as one of the most gregarious personalities in sports, and Zales, is one of the most recognized North American specialty jewelry brands.

“Since I was in college I have shopped at Zales because I knew I could buy a quality product at an affordable price,” O’Neal said.

“The product is an expression of Mr. O’Neal’s fun-loving personality and his unique sense of style,” said Theo Killion, Zale CEO.

The company made a promotional video of O’Neal working behind the counter at a Zale store in the Shops at Willow Bend, a mall in Plano, Texas. The video is below.



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Cindy Chao’s Masterpiece Royal Butterfly Added to Smithsonian Gem Collection

Masterpiece Royal Butterfly, front view.

Cindy Chao has made a bit of history by becoming the first Taiwanese jewelry designer to have a work included into the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History.

Chao’s Masterpiece Royal Butterfly will be added to the museum’s celebrated gem collection on March 5 in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals. The 2009 creation, part of Chao’s Black Label collection, was gifted to the museum by the artist.

The Royal Butterfly is composed of 2,328 gems, totaling 77 carats. The brooch is set with fancy-colored and color-changing sapphires (16.64cts.), rubies (8.74cts.), diamonds (19.67cts.), rough diamonds (16.63cts.), emerald-cut diamonds (1.64cts.), yellow diamonds (4.75cts.), fancy-colored diamonds (4.75cts.), and tsavorite garnets. The centerpieces of the butterfly’s wings contain four large faceted diamond slices stacked atop a pave layer of faceted diamonds, creating a pattern resembling the microstructure and scale of a living butterfly’s wings.

Masterpiece Royal Butterfly, back view.

When viewed under ultraviolet light, the brooch evokes what the Smithsonian describes as a “surreal quality,” with many of the gemstones appearing fluorescent and animate through an array of bright colors and reflected light. While some gems may appear colorless in daylight, under ultraviolet light they can burn a bright blue or green. Others burn a fiery orange or red.

Since the piece will be viewed by daylight, images of the Royal Butterfly under ultraviolet light will be featured on the museum’s website.

“The awe-inspiring array of colorful and glistening gems are indicative of Cindy Chao’s masterful designs,” said Jeff Post, curator of the museum’s Gems and Minerals collection. “She has artfully combined design, gem and setting to create a unique, exquisite jeweled butterfly.”

Chao’s artistry, her attention to detail and her architectural understanding is gained from her father who is a sculptor and her grandfather who was a noted Taiwanese architect.

She founded her company, Cindy Chao The Art Jewel, in 2004. In 2007, she became the first Taiwanese jewelry artist to take part in a Christie’s New York fine jewelry auction. Chao’s Black Label Masterpieces consist of one-of-kind jewelry artworks, limited to 36 pieces per year. Each Masterpiece is handcrafted over a period of at least two years, working from an original sketch and a wax mold and with rare, fine gemstones, which ultimately forges the three-dimensional works of art. Chao is considered by many to be one of the world’s most outstanding contemporary jewelry artisans, whose collections are pursued globally by influential and expert art connoisseurs.

“I believe that a piece of jewelry can reflect the history of an era, and being inducted into a leading institution like the Smithsonian is a dream for any artist, Chao said. “It is humbling to know that millions of visitors will be able to experience the Black Label Masterpiece Royal Butterfly brooch and be exposed to my art of high jewelry craftsmanship and creativity.”

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Mila Kunis and Jewelry Designers Launch Gemfields Bespoke Colored Gemstone Jewelry Collection

Mila Kunis takes center stage among jewelry designers at Gemfields event.

Actress Mila Kunis joined a group of fine jewelry designers to help launch a bespoke jewelry collection created with emeralds, rubies and amethysts provided by Gemfields, a colored gemstone miner and marketer.

The jewelry collection was unveiled at the Phillips Auction House in London. It was created by 36 jewelry designers that partner with the London-based company and primarily consist of Zambian emeralds, Mozambican rubies and Zambian amethysts. The jewelry ranges in price from $1,130 to $750,000.

Many of the designers who created the jewelry were at the launch, including Theo Fennell, Stephen Webster, Shaun Leane, Dickson Yewn and Alexandra Mor. They shared the spotlight with Kunis and celebrities from the U.K. and India, including Jacquetta Wheeler, Kamika Kapoor and Nina Naustdal.

To coincide with the launch of this project, Gemfields presented its new global advertising campaign featuring Kunis wearing ethically sourced Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies shot by Mario Sorrenti in Los Angeles.

This jewelry showcase will travel to India next and then to Las Vegas where it will be displayed at the Couture show in May. 

Gemfields first announced its relationship with Kunis and the new advertising campaign about a month ago. The company first disclosed its partnership with the jewelry designers in the fall of last year.

The campaign focuses on emerald jewelry, which coincides with Gemfields main business: the mining and marketing of emeralds from the Kagem mine in Zambia, which it has a 75 percent stake in. The same mine also produces amethysts. It is working to produce a mine-to-market strategy for their emeralds that it says will be ethical, transparent and sustainable.

The company also owns a 75 percent stake in the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique and the Kariba amethyst mine in Zambia.

If that’s not enough, in January Gemfields finalized its ownership of iconic Russian luxury jewelry brand, Fabergé, which receives a supply of the company’s best colored gemstones.

Earlier this month, the company released a bit of bad news in its half-year financial report, saying that core earnings fell 39 percent as it held just one auction during the period compared with two in the prior year. But production climbed by two-thirds.

Production rose about 65 percent to 14.5 million carats in the first half, mainly on higher grades recovered at its Kagem mine in Zambia. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization fell to $19.5 million for the six months to December 31, from $32.2mn a year earlier.

Revenue from rough and finished emerald sales decreased 39 percent to $27.7 million.

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Style of Jolie Jewelry Collection Funds Girls School in Afghanistan

Angelina Jolie in a black spinel necklace she designed with Robert Procop.

Angelina Jolie has reportedly said that the all-girls school she is building in Afghanistan funded by her eponymous jewelry collection has opened.

The actress and philanthropist told E! News that the school located outside of Kabul educates from 200 to 300 students. It was funded by the Style of Jolie jewelry line—a collection of jewelry created by Jolie and Robert Procop, a gem expert, private jeweler and jewelry designer. She told E! that the new school will be one of many girls schools that will be built and funded through the jewelry collection.

The "Angelina Jolie Exceptional Emerald Necklace" features 44 cushion cut emeralds with a total weight of 103.48 carats, many of which have attained the exclusive gemstone classification of vivid green. The necklace is sculpted in 18K yellow gold. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The high jewelry pieces for the Style of Jolie collection are known for using statement gemstones cut in the shape of tablet, an exclusive feature. Procop told me in an interview published in January that Jolie wanted something with an historical message and spent a great deal of time studying how a tablet is held. Together they designed the shape. 

View the Style of Jolie jewelry collection.

All proceeds from the sales are used to build schools for girls in impoverished countries through the Education Partnerships for Children of Conflicts, co-founded by Jolie.

At the time of the interview in his Beverly Hills studio Procop pointed to the ring and said: “This is a 27-carat emerald. When the stone is sold we give the money to the charity and then we build another school.”

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Montblanc Princess Grace of Monaco Collection

Petales Entrelaces Tourbillon Ring

Montblanc has released new pieces to its Princess Grace of Monaco Collection by Susie Otero, managing director of jewelry for the luxury brand. First introduced in 2011 as an homage to the actress and princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, the collection is based on two motifs with the same inspiration: A pink rose that was created and named Grace de Monaco to commemorate her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Petales Entrelaces Ring

The new designs serve as a complement to ones already created. The collection continues to be based on delicate curved petal shapes intertwined by using various jewelry-making techniques with subtle touches of diamond pavé. The polished gold surfaces, curved lines and diamond sparkle create movement when the jewelry meets with light. 
 

Petales de Rose Earrings

The bolder more contemporary of the two motifs is the Pétales Entrelacés (petals intertwined). As the name suggests the line features interlocking petal-shaped 18k pink gold pieces often sprinkled with diamond pavé. The new pieces—which include three rings, a bracelet and a necklace—are based on two themes: 

Petales de Rose Ring

* Petits Pétales (small petals), which as the name suggests are miniature petals in pink gold that interlock to form a floral chain; and

Petales Entrelaces Tourbillon Necklace

* Tourbillon (whirlpool), in which these same interlocking pieces are joined together in a way that forms whirlwind of rose petals in plain or diamond pavé pink gold, often mixed together.

Petales Entrelaces Petits Pétales Bracelet

Meanwhile, the Pétales de Rose motif takes a more subtle approach with the use of white gold and openwork diamond-pavé rose petals to form sinuous, graceful shapes. New pieces in this group include necklace, earrings, bracelet and two rings. 

Petales de Rose Bracelet

 
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Barbara Berger’s Costume Jewelry Collection at MAD Museum

Miriam Haskell Pearl Grape Cluster necklace, circa 1950, was inducted into MAD's permanent collections, June 25, 2013.

Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger opened June 25 and is scheduled to run till Jan. 20, 2014. It features more than 450 pieces of costume jewelry by designers such as Marcel Boucher, Balenciaga, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Gripoix, which is a small portion of the approximate 4,000 items of costume jewelry she owns.

David Mandel glass, metal necklace, circa 2000.

A major portion of the exhibition is dedicated to the works of Miriam Haskell, an American costume jewelry brand that produces hand-crafted, made-to-order pieces in New York. One of the works, a gilded metal and pearl grape cluster necklace, has been donated to MAD as part of its permanent collection. The vintage piece was said to be designed by Frank Hess in the 1950s, and exhibits classical Miriam Haskell workmanship and materials of Russian gold plated brass, baroque glass pearls and crystal rose montées, completed by a torsade of glass seed pearls.

Miriam Haskell bib necklace with glass beads, rhinestones, gold plated, 1950.

The daughter of an American diamond merchant, Berger began her collection when she purchased a pair of Chanel earrings at a French flea market as a teenager.

Chanel glass, simulated pearls, enameled metal wristlet, circa 2000.

Many of the works in exhibition were expressly made to be worn with haute couture clothing by fashion designers that range from Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior to Dolce & Gabbana. The exhibition also underscores the popularity of couture jewelry.

Miriam Haskell tassel necklace, circa late 1950s.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication on the Barbara Berger collection published by Assouline. It will also include lectures and panel discussions, designer-led exhibition tours, and hands-on jewelry workshops and demonstrations in MAD’s 6th floor Open Studios.

The exhibition was organized by McFadden, William and Mildred Lasdon, in collaboration with jewelry historian Harrice Simons Miller, as guest curator.

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Glashütte Original Uses $35 Million Mansion To Introduce Ladies Watch Collection

The Waterfall Mansion in New York was the setting for the Glashütte Original unveiling of the Pavonina Collection. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

German watch manufacturer Glashütte Original presented its Pavonina Collection of ladies watches during a 1920’s theme party at the Waterfall Mansion in New York City.

Cushion-shaped 18k red gold case and white mother-of-pearl dial and guilloche finished. The settings and date window enhanced with red gold; rhodium and red gold plated feuille hands. 18k red gold metal bracelet design mirrors the cushion shape of the case.

A total of 20 new models of the watch line were presented in an exhibit setting on the second and third floors of the townhouse mansion, which has a listing price of $35 million. The multi-story waterfall, the signature highlight of the building on New York’s Upper East Side, was backlit in the Pavonina color of “royal purple” with the design theme of petals containing the names of the guests in attendance.

The Waterfall Mansion signature waterfall backlit with the "Royal Purple" and petal display of the Pavonina Collection. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Dieter Pachner, Glashütte Original Global VP of Sales, explained that the cushion-shaped case design of the watches is the same design of popular ladies watches in the 1920s. The period is important for women as time of liberation and independence from the constraints of society, he said. The case comes in stainless steel, 18k red gold, and in a stainless steel and red gold combination.

Cushion-shaped stainless steel case with a dial made of galvanized ruthenium with guilloche finish; set with 12 diamonds. Settings and date window enhanced with red gold; rhodium and white gold plated feuille hands. Anthracite satin strap attached to lugs set with 42 diamonds.

As part of the 1920s theme of the event, several rooms contained portraits of women pioneers from the 20th Century and furnishings represented the period. One case contained vintage Glashütte Original ladies watches.

One of the Glashütte Original's 1920s-era watches on display. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The dials for the quartz-powered watches were created in house in a range of designs that include mother of pearl and diamond motifs. The stainless steel models are offered with dials in either galvanized silver or ruthenium (a platinum group metal); with cabochon or diamond indexes as hour markers. bi-color models are available in mother of pearl or galvanized ruthenium dials. There are other options.

18k red gold case, galvanized black dial with guilloche finish and 12 diamonds as hour markers. Settings and date window enhanced with red gold; rhodium and red gold plated feuille hands. Fine black Louisiana alligator bracelet attached to flexible lugs set with 42 diamonds.

The collection also includes several choices of metal bracelets and colorful satin straps along with a “quick-change” pin that makes it easy to replace straps and bracelets. The metal bracelets are available in stainless steel, red gold and bi-color versions—the latter with alternating stainless steel and red gold links. The satin straps are offered in petrol green, violet or rich anthracite, or high-gloss patent leather in mocca brown and violet.

A couple of the new watches on display. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

 
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Cushion-shaped 18k red gold case and white enamel dial set with 98 diamonds. The settings and date window are enhanced with red gold; rhodium and red gold plated feuille hands. Violet satin strap nattached to lug decorated with 21 diamonds.

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