#DailyJewel - Happy May Day! ....Bonne Chance!

If we were in Paris today the streets would be lined with people selling small bunches of Muguet (Lily of the Valley)....Muguet are EVERYWHERE - because on this one day each year anyone can sell flowers on the street - no permit required!

People exchange the delicate bundles as porte bonheur (a good luck charm) - a tradition which dates to the 1560's when King Charles the IX of France was gifted a fragrant bouquet! 

...the heady scent fills the the streets, leading one blogger to comment that "the scent of the muguet actually makes the rush-hour metro ride bearable!"

HAPPY MAY DAY!

But - this is a Jewelry Blog so we are celebrating with Michele della Valle’s  stunning ‘Lily of the Valley’ necklace, with delicate bell-shaped blossoms suspended from meandering stems studded with tsavorite garnets from the recent Magnificent Jewels auction at Sotheby's.

Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels - The Emerald Collection

Have you had the opportunity to view the traveling exhibition from Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels?  ...he has put together a collection of never before seen emeralds - booked at several top US retailers. 

Why share this collection now? 

"The unique qualities in each of these emeralds, their intense green colors, remarkable shapes, and sizes, all contribute to my passion for these stones. The rarities in each are a wonder. 

We have faceted some of the finest emeralds from different parts of the world with a few noted rarities that have not yet been seen. The jeweler or private collector will truly be able appreciate the beauty, treasure and value of each stone. 

Therefore, due to these emeralds exceptional individual allurement, this traveling exhibit was created." - Robert Procop

Grab your traveling companions and follow the Yellow Brick Road to...

The Emerald City - A rare and unique 39.01ct natural formation from the mines of Colombia with vivid and intense green hexagonal prisms. Dr. A. Peretti, of the Gem Research Laboratory in Switzerland, personally noted in the certification:“This emerald crystal rough is arranged in an aggregate of a series of prisms that resemble the skyline of skyscrapers in megacities." Thus, this rough crystal has been named ‘The Emerald City’.

The African Kryptonite - One of the rarest emerald specimens found in the world, this 100ct natural form crystal emerald is certified by Dr. A. Peretti as being 106.53cts and having the exceptional quality of containing no oil. The emerald is Nigerian in origin and suspended in a striking kryptonite capsule pendant with 25.33ct tw of round diamonds sculpted around this rare gem.

Tour stops are at a few high end jewelers - and there will be several pieces from the Robert Procop Exceptional Gems Collection included in the exhibition.

The tour has already begun but there are still a couple opportunities to see the collection:

♦  2-3 May 2014: Charles Schwartz & Son, Washington, D.C.

♦  8-10 May 2014: Donoho's, The Woodlands, Texas.

#Prospectors - Amanda - The New Face of American Gemstone Mining Appears On JTV

 Have you been watching The Prospectors on The Weather Channel? ....it is great and one of the boldest Prospectors featured is the feisty Amanda Adkins Anderson...Guest Writer Christine Ford talks about Amanda's appearance on Jewelry Television....

The New Face of American Gemstone Mining on JTVby Christine Ford

Sometimes she feels like the last year has been a whirlwind of change for a self-described loner who spent 80 % of her time prospecting Colorado's Front Range, but now she is stepping up to her latest challenge; television host. Beginning this April 27th, Jewelry Television, or JTV, will be airing their new special on American gem stones, called American Splendor, with segments hosted by none other than Colorado Springs, CO miner and Prospector reality TV show star Amanda Adkins Anderson.

She was a little hesitant at first to make another commitment. "I had spoken to them on the phone a few times, " she said. " I was kind of ducking them because I've been so busy," said the new guest host, who celebrated her one year wedding anniversary with mining partner Travis Anderson on April 24th. " But it did no good. They showed up at my booth in Tucson (at the gem and mineral show in February) and gave me a screen test on the spot."

Amanda at her screen test in Tucson, courtesy JTV

JTV's gemstone manager, Britlee Moates, was thrilled that Anderson came on board. "As the world's largest retailer of loose gemstones, Jewelry Television is a fan of the Weather Channel's Prospector show. We are delighted to have Amanda Adkins Anderson as guest during a few of our gemstone shows to discuss mining in the USA. Amanda brings 22 years of mining experience and a passion for gemstones that we feel would be informative and entertaining to our large customer base of gemstone enthusiasts."

Anderson will be selling gemstones from across the USA, her own material as well as others, such as Oregon sunstone, Ant Hill garnet from New Mexico, Arizona peridot and Rhodochrosite from the now closed Sweet Home mine in CO. Her material for these segments, which was provided as facet roughs and finished by JTV's own designers and cutters, came from her Rise Above claim in El Paso County, CO, and includes fluorite and smoky quartz. She will provide other gemstones for future segments, which are planned quarterly.

via The Prospectors on The Weather Channel's Facebook

Anderson is happy to be able to speak about her mining experiences, as well as showing what she and Travis have dug recently and how it looks finished. "You'd be surprised how many people ask me if I really mine these stones," she says, laughing. "A lot of people don't understand."

Moates from JTV agrees. "She'll be speaking specifically about her mining experiences-dangerous mining environment, erratic weather, what it feels like to find a pocket, and the backbreaking work that goes into hand mining these beautiful American gemstones."

The Anderson segments will air on Sunday, April 27th, at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday, April 28th at 4:00 p.m. EST and Tuesday, April 29th, at 1:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. EST.

JTV originates from Knoxville, TN and has been broadcasting since 1993, originally as America's Collectables Network. Their website, www.JTV.com, has a channel finder to locate them in your specific market. For those Prospectors fans who have wished for a genuine Anderson piece, or other fine American mined gemstone, tune in for one of these segments.


About Christine:  Christine Ford is a freelance writer and photographer from Lake George, CO, with a long family history of hard rock mining. She has also discovered a direct family link to the German chemist MH Klaproth, who extracted and named the mineral titanium in the 1790's. Ford finds this ironic, as her spine has been re-enforced with titanium plates, rods and screws, thanks to Degenerative Disk Disease, and her ancestor has given her another 15 years of walking ( and rock hounding) as a result. She is an award winning internet marketer for their family run real estate brokerage atwww.OhGetMeaHome.com. Find her on Facebook at Christine Ford in Colorado, and see her photos at www.redbubble.com/people/COmtnmama.

Sotheby’s New York Auction of MAGNIFICENT JEWELS - April 29th

Sotheby’s New York Auction of

MAGNIFICENT JEWELS

Featuring 

Singular Colored Gemstones

&

Jewels from the Estate of Eydie Gorme:

American Entertainment Icon

NEW YORK, 29 APRIL 2014

Sotheby’s annual spring auction of Magnificent Jewels in New York will be held on 29 April 2014. The auction will offer more than 450 lots at a wide range of estimates, together expected to achieve more than $37 million*. Highlights from the sale have traveled to three continents this spring, and will return to New York for exhibition in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning 25 April. The exhibition also will include: highlights from the 13 May sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva; a selection of Important Watches to be sold on 10 June; and pieces from our Sotheby’s Diamonds retail collection.

AN EXCEPTIONAL KASHMIR SAPPHIRE

The April sale will offer one of the finest Kashmir sapphires ever to appear at auction. The Exceptional Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond Ring (est. $4/5 million) features a square emerald-cut Kashmir sapphire weighing 28.18 carats set in a tapered baguette diamond mounting designed by Oscar Heyman & Brothers.

The stone has no indications of heat treatment and is described by the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) as “a gem of singular importance.”   According to the AGL, “It possesses the quintessential, velvety blue color that distinguishes a fine Kashmir sapphire….The pleasing color of this sapphire is further enhanced by a square emerald-cut fashioning which resulting in deep, internal color reflections and brilliance that complement the overall visual appearance of the stone, as well as a high clarity that results in a heightened degree of transparency.” 

Gary Schuler, Senior Vice President and Director of the New York Jewelry Department commented: “The current world record price per carat for a Kashmir sapphire at auction is $175,821, achieved for the Richelieu Sapphires (26.66 and 20.88 carats) at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2013. The exceptional quality of this sapphire has the potential to reach historic heights as well, with proceeds benefiting a charitable foundation.”

MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS 
and COLORED STONES

The selection of colored diamonds on offer in April is led by the Magnificent Fancy Intense Orangy Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring (est. $6/7 million). The beautifully-shaped, cushion-cut diamond of 15.23 carats, VS2 clarity, displays a soft, feminine color reminiscent of pink diamonds in historic and royal collections.

Also highlighting the important stones in the sale is The El Dorado Emerald (est. $1.8/2.2 million), an emerald-cut Colombian emerald weighing 36.53 carats, set in a platinum, 18 karat gold and diamond ring mounting. A prime example of the finest emerald material, the Classic Colombian emerald combines size, color and clarity without any kind of oil or resin enhancement.

In total, the April auction will offer more than 30 top-quality white diamond rings and diamond ear-studs weighing between 5 and 15 carats, estimated from $50,000 to $900,000.

  

JEWELS FROM THE ESTATE 
OF EYDIE GORME

The April auction will offer a stunning, romantic selection of jewels from the estate of Eydie Gorme, comprising both classic diamonds and decorative pieces. Almost all of the jewels in the collection were given to Gorme by her husband Steve Lawrence – together for more than 55 years, ‘Steve and Eydie’ reigned for decades as America’s most sophisticated and award-winning pop vocal duet.

Highlighting the collection are a Platinum and Diamond Ring, Harry Winston, 17.40 carats (est. $350/450,000) and a Platinum and Diamond Ring, set with a marquise-shape diamond of 7.51 carats, D color, Internally Flawless (est. $350/450,000) that Gorme received from Lawrence on the occasion of their 10^th wedding anniversary.  Also featured is a rivière style Platinum and Diamond Necklace (est. $250/350,000), which Lawrence gave to his wife for their 25^th wedding anniversary.

Lisa Hubbard, Chairman, The Americas, Sotheby’s International Jewelry Division said: “Not only were Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence gifted performers, they were a wonderful love story. Her very personal jewelry collection is a testament to one of the great, enduring romances in show business history. Eydie dreamed of one day owning a diamond in every classic shape, and Steve Lawrence made her dreams come true.”

ICONIC & VINTAGE SIGNED JEWELS

An Art Deco period Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Bracelet, Cartier, France, (est. $700/900,000) from a private collection leads the selection of beautiful signed jewels on offer in April. Also by Cartier is the iconic 18 Karat Gold, Colored Diamond, Diamond, Onyx and Emerald Bangle-Bracelet (est. $600/800,000) designed as twin tigers in repose on the wrist. In the menagerie of bejeweled animals created by Cartier, it is the felines, originally conceived by Jeanne Toussaint – the enlightened director of Haute Joallerie for Cartier during their most innovative years, who leapt into fashion history accessorizing the world’s best-dressed women. From Daisy Fellowes and Princess Nina Aga Khan to Barbara Hutton, Cartier’s ‘big cat’ jewels were much admired by the social elite once the trend-setting Duchess of Windsor was seen sporting their sleek, distinctive silhouettes in the late 1940s and 1950s. The influence of Jeanne Toussaint’s early designs has been ever-present in Cartier’s jewels for more than seventy years, as the cats remain one of the jeweler’s most popular motifs around the world.    

Another highlight of the signed jewels is the Gold, Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond and Emerald Ring, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, signed Tiffany & Co., and made circa 1915-1920 (est. $100/150,000). On offer from a private collection, this rare example of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work with yellow diamonds presents a lovely marquise-shaped diamond of 4.27 carats – potentially Internally Flawless – within an intricate filigree mounting reminiscent of ancient jewelry motifs.

FASHIONABLE DESIGNS

Fashion-forward collectors will love the array of jewels by Tony Duquette, the legendary American artist and designer whose fantastic jewels are distinguished by his bold use of color and volume. Featured from the collection of best-selling author Danielle Steel is Duquette’s Gold and Smoky Quartz Bracelet (est. $15/20,000), designed with nearly 700 carats of emerald-cut smoky quartz links. Collectors will also find bold style and vibrant color in pieces made by René Boivin, David Webb and contemporary designer Michele del la Valle.  

FOR MORE NEWS FROM SOTHEBY’S

Visit: www.sothebys.com/

Follow: www.twitter.com/sothebys

Join: www.facebook.com/sothebys & www.weibo.com/sothebyshongkong

Watch: www.youtube.com/sothebys

Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973) and France (2001), andthe first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in eight different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby’s BidNow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids in real-time from anywhere in the world. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art department, as well as Sotheby’s Diamonds and Sotheby’s Wine. Sotheby’s has aglobal network of 90 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID).

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

#FabergeEaster - #DailyJewel Spotlight on Faberge!!!

When you think Easter you think Eggs - when you think Eggs you think Faberge!!!!

Faberge has been known for decades as the company that created the bejeweled eggs of the Russian Imperial family.  Faberge is a company whose reputation is based on one man's love of his wife...Tsar Alexander III was so enamored with his wife the Empress Maria Fedorovna that he had an original elaborately jewel encrusted egg made for her by the Faberge workshops each Easter.

FABERGÉ SALON

“Fabergé Easter” saw an exquisite Fabergé salon and exhibition space set up in Harrods, with the famed Brompton Road windows and façade dressed in Fabergé flags, telling the story of the legendary jewellery house.

A luxurious Fabergé salon will house the jewellery collection of one-of-a-kind, collectible pieces designed for Fabergé by Parisian artist jeweller Frédéric Zaavy. The much coveted collection will be showcased in its entirety for the first time since its creation, as a tribute to the late Frédéric Zaavy.

A Fabergé “Egg Bar” will offer customers an opportunity to discover the iconic egg pendants, while a bespoke in-store engraving service will allow clients to personalise precious gold egg pendants with a special message of their choice. A digital space will surprise and delight visitors.

Re-Discover Faberge!!!
Website:      http://www.faberge.com/

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/OfficialFaberge

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Faberge

Pinterest:    http://www.pinterest.com/faberge/

#FabergeatHarrods - Easter at Harrods with the Iconic Faberge

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Have you seen Harrods window dressing for the Easter Holiday?   ...it is all about Faberge!   I know this is kind of late - but being a US based blogger just hasn't put my blog on Faberge's radar...yet!

But I thought it might be fun to share the new Easter tradition - Faberge at Harrods!!!

Harrod's April Magazine reported on it by saying...

"This week we are excited to announce the launch of 'Fabergé Easter' at Harrods.

A creative collaboration to celebrate Easter in-store with the iconic artist jeweller Fabergé. Along with taking over our iconic Bromton Road windows with their spectacular creations we will be exhibiting a rare masterpiece, an original Fabergé Egg – The Apple Blossom Egg, together with other historic Fabergé treasures. This Egg was designed in 1901 and is beautifully crafted in gold, diamonds and nephrite.

Fabergé have also created a luxurious salon which will house the jewellery collection of one-of-a-kind, collectible pieces designed for Fabergé by Parisian artist jeweller Frédéric Zaavy. The much coveted collection will be showcased in its entirety for the first time since its creation, as a tribute to the late Frédéric Zaavy."

HISTORIC FABERGÉ EXHIBITION

Fabergé and Harrods continue to make history this Easter by exhibiting a rare masterpiece, an original Fabergé Egg – The Apple Blossom Egg, together with other historic Fabergé treasures. This Egg was designed in 1901 and is beautifully crafted in gold, diamonds and nephrite. This is the very first time these rare masterpieces will be exhibited in the UK and in a non–museum environment.

FABERGÉ SALON
“Fabergé Easter” saw an exquisite Fabergé salon and exhibition space set up in Harrods, with the famed Brompton Road windows and façade dressed in Fabergé flags, telling the story of the legendary jewellery house.

A luxurious Fabergé salon will house the jewellery collection of one-of-a-kind, collectible pieces designed for Fabergé by Parisian artist jeweller Frédéric Zaavy. The much coveted collection will be showcased in its entirety for the first time since its creation, as a tribute to the late Frédéric Zaavy.

A Fabergé “Egg Bar” will offer customers an opportunity to discover the iconic egg pendants, while a bespoke in-store engraving service will allow clients to personalise precious gold egg pendants with a special message of their choice. A digital space will surprise and delight visitors.

HARRODS EXCLUSIVE

Faberge has been known for decades as the company that created the bejeweled eggs of the Russian Imperial family.  Faberge is a company whose reputation is based on one man's love of his wife...Tsar Alexander III was so enamored with his wife the Empress Maria Fedorovna that he had an elaborately jewel encrusted egg made for her by the Faberge workshops each Easter.

And in the Faberge tradition, they have created an exclusive jewel for Harrods...the Spiral Tassel pendant.

To celebrate the extravaganza, Fabergé has created a limited-edition Spiral Tassel Pendant, available exclusively at Harrods from 1st April 2014. The modern, playful, diamond-set egg comes with a stunning gemstone tassel, finished with amethyst, tsavorite, or spinel.

Welcome Back Faberge!

Website:     http://www.faberge.com/

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/OfficialFaberge

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Faberge

Pinterest:     http://www.pinterest.com/faberge/

Golden Celebrities and Golden Statues #OscarJewelry

Lupita Nyong'o layered on the Gold Jewelry from Fred Leighton

Celebrities who wore gold jewelry to the 86^th Academy Awards this year include:

Amy Adams in Gold by Fred Leighton

LUPITA NYONG'O* – Fred Leighton 18k yellow gold and diamond headband., 19^th Century yellow gold and diamond coiled snake bracelet, 18k yellow gold and rose-cut diamond spiked crescent earrings​18k yellow gold Frog ring, 19^th Century yellow gold, pearl and diamond ring, 19^th Century yellow gold and opal ring, 1960's 18k gold, turquoise, and diamond ring. 

 

AMY ADAMS* – Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Collection 18k yellow gold rhodochrosite, lapis and turquoise earrings with diamonds, Blue Book Collection 18k yellow gold square modified brilliant yellow diamond bracelet, Blue Book Collection 18k yellow gold ring with fire opal, pink sapphire, yellow diamond and spessertite beads and gold Tiffany Metro diamond band rings.

ANGELINA JOLIE* – Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels Collection yellow gold round diamond drop earrings.

CAMILLA ALVES* - Lorraine Schwartz rose gold and pink diamond earrings with rose gold and diamond ring.

LADY GAGA* – Lorraine Schwartz rose gold and 20 carat diamond studs, rose gold and diamond bracelet, and a rose gold and fancy grey diamond ring surrounded by pink diamonds.

KELLY OSBOURNE* – Solange Azagury-Partridge 18k yellow gold and diamond Crinoline earrings, 18k yellow gold and diamond Spaghetti Bombe ring, 18k yellow gold Skeleton square ring, and 18k yellow gold and diamond Offering ring.

COCO ROCHA – Azva 22k yellow gold earrings and 22k yellow gold vine cuff.

BRAD PITT – Robert Procop yellow gold and diamond tuxedo buttons and cufflinks.

Goldie Hawn in Gold from Lorraine Schwartz

PHARRELL – Lorraine Schwartz gold and yellow diamond studs and Be Happy gold bracelets with Ofira Jewels gold ball bracelets with multi color diamonds.

GOLDIE HAWN – Lorraine Schwartz rose gold 14 carat rose cut diamond ring, rose gold and diamond chandelier earrings, and rose gold diamond briolette drop necklace.

SALLY HAWKINS – Fred Leighton antique diamond double drop earrings in gold and old mine diamond ring set in gold.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH – Neil Lane yellow gold and diamond pin wheel earrings, yellow gold chain bracelet, and yellow gold and diamond ring.

Pharrell in Gold by Lorraine Schwartz

LOUISE ROE – Chopard 18k rose gold diamond bangle, champagne brown diamond briolette chandelier earrings set in 18k rose gold, and brown bear Animal World Collection 18k rose gold ring with brown diamonds, onyx, and blue sapphires.

JOHN LEGEND – Gentleman by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills yellow gold and white diamond button cufflinks and yellow gold and white diamond lapel buttonhole.

IRELAND BALDWIN – H.Stern Iris 18k noble gold with diamond earrings and Iris 18k noble gold with diamonds ring.

RYAN SEACREST – Gentleman by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills white gold with onyx button cufflinks.

MICHAEL B. JORDAN – Gentleman Collection by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills white gold star collar.

Jaime King in Shaun Leane Gold Earrings

Celebrities who wore gold jewelry to 2014 Oscar parties include:

ALISON BRIE – Dana Rebecca gold jewelry.

AMY POEHLER – Paolo Costagli 18k gold Brillante earrings with L Frank 18k diamond wrap bangles and 18k gold and aquamarine Kings ring.

HELENA CHRISTENSEN – Pamela Love Fine 18k gold and diamond Arch ring, 18k gold and diamond Arch cuff, and 18k gold and diamond five spike earrings.

JAIME KING  - Shaun Leane 18k yellow gold and white diamond hook earrings.

PATRICIA CLARKSON – Lana gold Lumos drop earrings.

Thank you to the group at Love Gold for all the GOLD 

details!    http://www.lovegold.com/