Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection at the Natural History Museum of LA County

Art of the Jewel:  The Crevoshay Collection

Opening December 7, 2018

Journey through the masterpieces of jewelry designer Paula Crevoshay, as we witness the transformation from mineral to gem to jewel. The Gem and Mineral Vault at NHM will feature over 50 luxurious pieces of jewelry—including earrings, bracelets, and brooches—made of California tourmaline, Montana sapphire, moonstone, pearl, and black diamond, among others. Inspired by Crevoshay's passion for art, science, and the natural world, the jewelry takes the form of plants, animals, and insects, including orchids, butterflies, spiders, and more. Discover the natural process of mineral creation, the characteristics that define a gem, and the art that transforms them into elegant jewels. 

Paula Crevoshay

Known as the "Queen of Color," Paula Crevoshay is a renowned artist and jewelry designer. Her deep understanding of mineralogy, gemology, and the art of carving and cutting stone transforms raw minerals into luxurious jewelry.  

Paula is in town and posing with her banner sign...

Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewelry, Antique Jewels and Diamonds...Bidders Wanted It All At Bonhams' London Fine Jewelry Auction

from a Press Release by Bonham's

Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewelry, Antique Jewels

and Diamonds...Bidders Wanted It All 

At Bonhams' London Fine Jewelry Auction 

The sale achieved £5.16 million, with 87% lots sold by value and 109 lots going to new owners.

The Hope Spinel was the highlight of the sale, smashing its pre-sale estimate of £150,000-£200,000 as a result of competitive bidding on the phones. It sold for £962,500, achieving a new world record price of $30,000 per carat. This exceptional gem was bought by a private telephone bidder.

The second top lot of the auction was another icon: an Art Deco enamel, gem-set and diamond 'Tutti Frutti' bracelet by Cartier. Made in New York in 1929, the bracelet, with a highly articulated geometric strap and vine motifs, was sold for £458,500 to a telephone bidder.

The market for top quality, natural pearls continues to remain strong according to the September sale results. A circular natural pearl ring, measuring 16.71 x 10.94mm, and set between baguette-cut diamonds shoulders sold for four times its pre-sale estimate of £50,000 to £70,000, achieving £206,500.

Signed jewelry also performed extremely well with a rare diamond 'Torsade' bangle, by Suzanne Belperron, circa 1932, capturing the attention of bidders worldwide. The highly desirable collectors' piece was estimated at £40,000-£60,000, but after bidding from the saleroom, online and over the phones, the bangle sold for £164,500.

Other key lots included: 

• A sapphire and diamond ring, by Boucheron. The rectangular step-cut sapphire, weighing 7.54 carats, between tapered baguette and brilliant-cut diamond shoulders outstripped its pre-sale estimate of £40,000-£60,000 and sold for £110,500.

• A Belle Époque diamond single-stone ring, circa 1910. The old hexagonal-cut diamond, weighing 8.18 carats, had a pre-sale estimate of £30,000-£50,000 and sold for £80,500.



Jean Ghika, Bonhams Head of Jewelry for UK and Europe, says: "We had an exceptional sale with a number of very rare items that naturally attracted interest worldwide. Demand for colored gemstones, signed jewelry and period pieces continued to remain strong. The sale represented a great start to the jewelry auction season this autumn and winter."

"Period and art deco earrings were also strong performers at the auction according to Bonhams. Examples included a pair of Art Deco diamond pendent earrings, by Cartier, circa 1925, which sold for more than five times their pre-sale estimate of £20,000-£30,000, being successfully bought by a telephone bidder for £134,500. Further on in the sale, a pair of early 19th century girandole earrings, with a pre-sale estimate of £18,000-£20,000, achieved £86,500."

Jean Ghika of Bonhams says: "These two sets of earrings were wonderful examples of classic period earrings, beautifully designed and in their original condition. These factors make them highly desirable along with the fact that they are extremely wearable today."
Bonhams is now expecting the strong market to be reflected during its next two Fine Jewelry sales in New York on 13th October and Hong Kong on 30th November.

Bonhams sells more jewelry lots each year than any other international house and has more dedicated jewelry auctions annually.

CLICK HERE for the full results of September's Fine Jewelry Sale at Bonham's London

Follow Bonhams on: 

Twitter @bonhams1793 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/bonhams1793

....and on Instagram @bonhamsjewels

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com

Danhov Announces Their Fine Jewelry Collection

Danhov Announces Their Fine Jewelry Collection 

Abbraccio fine jewelry debuts on Theia Couture runway

 during fall 2014 Bridal Showcase 

Making its’ debut on the runway today at the 2014 New York Bridal Showcase, Danhov proudly introduces Abbraccio Fine Jewelry. This new collection of fine jewelry is a natural extension of the unique and handmade Abbraccio collection of engagement rings from the award-winning luxury designer. 

Meaning “to embrace”, the Abbraccio collection is distinguishable by the flowing movement created by the swirls embracing the center stone – symbolizing true love’s perfect embrace. 

Like the Abbraccio collection of engagement rings, the fine jewelry is handmade in the USA and will be available in white, yellow or rose 14k and 18k gold, and platinum. The collection will feature earrings, pendants and bracelets. All pieces will have hand-set pave diamonds and center stones of diamonds or colored gemstones, such as ruby, sapphire, amethyst, blue topaz and green tourmaline.

These pieces will be available November 2013 as finished pieces, but also can be custom-made in any combination of metal and gemstone – perfect for a diamond stud update. Retail of finished pieces will range in price from $2,800 to $33,000. 

The Abbraccio collection of fine jewelry is the perfect complement to any wedding gown, and ideal for daily wear. In addition, the assortment of colored gemstones makes an ideal gift to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or as a treasured bridesmaid gift. For any occasion, a piece from the Abbraccio fine jewelry collection is a handmade heirloom-in-the-making. 

Danhov is an award-winning, luxury designer of unique and handcrafted engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry. Founded in 1984 by Khajag “Jack” Hovsepian, Danhov is known in the luxury jewelry category for its innovative design philosophy. Each ring created by Danhov is either handmade or hand-assembled by the most skilled jewelers at its Los Angeles, California-based offices. This further exemplifies the precision and individuality for which Danhov is known. To experience the collections of Danhov, visit  http://www.danhov.com/

#JWLV - Colored Gems LUXURY Style! #Luxury2013

LUXURY is OPEN!!!  Running Tuesday through Thursday, THIS is the way to do this part of the show.  This invitation only run-up to the main event makes buying not only a calmer and more elegant buying event.  I would imagine that if you are spending on major Designers, you would LOVE the personal attention that these three days allow.  After all, it is one less area that you have to add to your busy weekend schedule.  

So, if this price point appeals to your customer, stop by and talk up some LUXURY designers...

First stop - the Elite Enclave...

I wanted this post to be about Colored Gemstones...Boy did I enter the right door!  Just inside the Elite Enclave (Booth LUXEE 7) at LUXURY - TAKAT!

If COLOR is your thing then TAKAT is a "don't miss" addition to your Exhibitor List.  Since 1955 TAKAT has been a major voice in the Colored Gemstone Industry with offices in all of the important Gem Mining Areas...they are able to work directly at the source.  

TAKAT, literally translates to "Powerful" and this company is a strong brand in the LUXURY market.

This Colombian Emerald is INSANE! 

everything you want - color, size and Jardin 

(translates to the Garden - refers to inclusions commonly found in emeralds). 

Sugarloaf Cut Tanzanite Anyone?

SUTRA Passionate About Mozambique Ruby!

Sutra - you have seen these amazing pieces on your favorite celebrities from TV, Movies, Sports, all the way up to the White House...the consensus is - SUTRA ROCKS!

Evoking the passion of RED, Sutra took the essence of the Mozambique ruby and designed an electrifying collection. From the drawing board to the realization of the piece the cascading earrings and intricately embellished rings reflect the classic designs inspired by the Edwardian era.

Designer Arpita Navlakha's continuous love affair with jewelry and making women feel beautiful resonates deep within this collection. Rubies have traditionally been associated with wealth and romance due to its rich red color; Navlakha brings this wearable luxury to life with this new collection. 

Red, a symbol of passion and intense emotion, whether it is lust, love or anger the ruby embodies the fury of each of these emotions.  Whatever RED is to you...SUTRA has it covered in this stunning new RED Carpet Ready Collection!

SUTRA can be found at Fragments and other Fine Jewelry Outlets....

Future Of Design - Semi Finalists - The Bio's

From the recently announced Semi-Finalists of the Future of Design Business Incubator Contest...we wanted more about the Semi-Finalists!

About G&G Creations:

Design Partner Vahé Ghazarian

Vahé Ghazarian has been immersed in the world of jewelry since the age of 10 when, like his father before him, he began realizing his artistic gifts and calling as a jeweler. Having spent much of his childhood working at his family's jewelry store, Vahé learned the business of fine
jewelry. After school Vahé would travel to his father's store and over time he began to realize the hard work his father was impressing upon him fueled his artistic drive, leading him to identify his life's calling as a skilled artisan. Today, having spent decades as a jeweler, he combines his knowledge, artistic talent and appetite for luxury to produce fine jewelry. As a sculptor and painter, Vahé transforms precious metals into elaborate, one-of-a-kind and limited edition designs. He constantly challenges himself to create innovative jewelry masterpieces that have received national design awards. He designs with a keen eye not only for artistry, but also for style and comfort. Vahé's firm belief that jewelry is meant to be an extension of the body is a core theme in all G & G Creations designs.

Design Partner Esin Guler

Esin Guler grew up surrounded by art and creativity, and, not surprisingly, developed a sincere passion for jewelry at a young age. As her creativity progressed, she decided to pursue jewelry design as a career. After completing her training at Academie Istanbul, world-renowned jeweler Sevan Bicakci accepted her as his apprentice because he saw hunger, ambition and most importantly, talent in his new student. Following her apprenticeship with Sevan, Esin brought her creative mind, skillful hands, and dream to open her own business to America. Working diligently under the tutelage of Vahé Ghazarian, Esin honed her talents as she listened to unrefined design explanations by customers and designed her works which left her customers speechless. With the encouragement of her customers, Esin soon realized that there was a greater demand for her talent. She approached Vahé, who regards her as his top protégé, about working together more closely
and the pair decided to partner in March 2010 and form G & G Creations, Inc.

Visit their website to learn more about G&G Creations!

About Lisa Robin Jewelry

Lisa Adkinson, owner of Lisa Robin Jewelry, had a career as an interior designer and then business consultant before launching her jewelry brand. In her various pre-jewelry business roles she won many awards and accolades for her leadership and strategic thinking. So when she decided to launch Lisa Robin Jewelry, she brought a tremendous amount of business experience to the table. This experience, combined with her lifelong interest in design, has helped her launch her jewelry brand with early success. 

Learn more about Lisa Robin Jewelry at her website.

About Suneera Swarup

Suneera aspires to emanate her love and passion for art, architecture and history through her unique designs. Her background includes education in textile design, teaching textile and surface design to college-level art students in India, and a Masters Degree in Business. Her
experience working with private labels, both before and after opening her own retail store in Los Angeles in 2001 catalyzed her to launch her own label Meus Designs, which she recently changed to SUNEERA Fine Jewelry Designs. 

Visit Suneera's website here.

About Lisa Crowder

Lisa Crowder always knew she would be a designer. She received her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a full-time studio jeweler ever since. Lisa’s self-described ‘delicately industrial’ design ethos is very unique, and she has cultivated a strong base of customers and galleries who carry her work. 

Learn more about Lisa and her work at her website.

About Naomi Blumenthal Studio

Many designers refer to their work as organic, but Naomi’s design career actually began in horticulture – as a garden designer and florist. During her years of owning her own garden design company and working with noted interior designer Bunny Williams, Naomi also created porcelain sculpture that was sold through galleries and to collectors, and she was designing and making jewelry for herself. Her garden design clients – largely owners of estates – began to buy her jewelry for themselves, and Naomi quickly found her work on the red carpet. In 2008 she and her husband Ron – who has a background in high-end interiors and manufacturing – decided to concentrate full time on jewelry design and manufacturing. 

To learn more about Naomi Blumenthal's work visit her website here.

About Ila & I

Vikas Sodhani took an unusual route to jewelry design; after he finished his undergraduate work at MIT, he spent several years building and selling high-tech companies. After his experiences in the world of venture business, he moved to India and took an apprenticeship at Rosy Blue, where he trained in diamond sorting and buying. He was so inspired by his work there that he enrolled in a jewelry design program in Mumbai, then returned to the U.S. and started Ila & I with his sister, Ila Draksharam. 

Visit their website to learn more about them!

Future of Design Business Semi-Finalists Announced

Future of Design Business Incubator Contest 

Announces Semi-Finalists

The 2013 finalists were announced for the 2013 Future of Design Business incubator Contest this week by contest organizers Andrea Hill and Cindy Edelstein.


The Future of Design is an initiative that aims to promote and nurture emerging design talent in the fine jewelry industry and has, in it’s inaugural year helped boost the careers of six American designers including the 2012 winner, Bree Richey.

The 2013 Semi-Finalists are:
• Vahe Ghazarian and Esin Guler of G & G Creations
• Vikas Sodhani and Ila Draksharam of ila & i
• Lisa Crowder
• Lisa Adkinson of Lisa Robin Jewelry
• Naomi Blumenthal of Naomi Blumenthal Studio
• Suneera Swarup of Suneera Jewelry Design

...see the next post for a more detailed look at the Semi Finalists.

The three finalists will make a live presentation to a panel of judges in front of an audience at
the finale on March 12th at the MJSA Expo at the NY Hilton in NYC.

The winner will be chosen then after the presentations by the judging panel that includes Hill
and Edelstein and this year’s guest judges Hedda Schupak, Editor of the Centurion Newsletter
and Ann Arnold of Lieberfarb and Bruce Pucciarello of Novell Studio.

Unlike most competitions for designers, this one puts the business acumen of the designers on
an equal footing with design. Applicants have to supply information about their business plans
as well as submit examples of their design work.

The process is unique

In addition to other prizes, the semi-finalists win a mentoring meeting with one of the Future
of Design's Dream Team, six designers with a high profile in the industry. They are
Gurhan, Erica Courtney, Todd Reed, Penny Preville, Lisa Jenks and Robert Lee Morris.

“The contest has the competitive entrepreneurial feel of TV’s “Shark Tank” coupled with the
industry- nurturing of the fashion world’s CFDA/Vogue Fund,” says Edelstein. “We’ve mixed
together our own recipe by bringing together colleagues from every facet of our business.
Our judges bring expertise in entrepreneurship, manufacturing, marketing, salesmanship and
technology.

Our Dream Team offers hard- earned wisdom learned on the road to success. And our
sponsors provide critically-important industry exposure and credibility. Altogether, this puts the
equivalent of a lifetime of knowledge into the hands of a relative newcomer.”

The Future of Design online application started the entrants off with a rather indepth
questionnaire that gives the designers the chance to examine every corner of their business
and learn more about strategy and analysis. For many, the process of filling it out will likely be
educational and enlightening. Completing the form could greatly help them write a business
marketing plan, or a better one if they already have one.

Prizes

Each judge will provide a key element to the stunning prize package: Andrea Hill and her team
of business analysts will offer counsel on strategic organizational, financial and technology
issues; Bruce Pucciarello will give manufacturing services and/or support while Ann Arnold will
offer financial advice; Cindy Edelstein will showcase the designer in her globalDESIGN show
and a suite of marketing tools and services from JewelersResource.com. All five judges will
also serve as mentors to the winner.

"As I shared our vision for this contest,” commented Cindy Edelstein, “everyone I talked with
was eager to help. The team at MJSA immediately offered space for our event and editorial
support for the contest. Dan Kisch of INDESIGN was an early supporter and generously
offered our winner a three-month ad campaign in INDESIGN. Whitney Seilaff of the Nielsen
Jewelry Group offered online support via NationalJeweler.com and Drew Lawsky offered a gratis booth in the JA Designer Showcase. Ron Saltiel of RSP Media immediately donated his photography and graphic design team to help our winner – the industry’s latest design’preneur -- create an exciting, effective ad campaign.”

The 2013 sponsor list also include: Platinum Guild (which will supply technical and
marketing support), Jewelers of America and the Jewelry Information Center which will give the winner publicity in their national media tours. The winning designer will also receive memberships in several industry organizations including the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group, Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee which is offering a full Compliance Kit in addition to membership.

The application, rules and regulations for 2014 plus info on all the judges, the Dream Team
and the sponsors are available on www.FutureofDesignContest.com.


ABOUT JEWELERS RESOURCE BUREAU

JRB is a niche marketing firm specializing in the designer sector of the jewelry industry. JRB produces globalDESIGN: showcase of exceptional jewelers; JewelryDesignerFinder.com, an online marketing intelligence resource; and various seminars, trade show pavilions and special events. The company’s mission is to "help designers grow and prosper" using whatever means possible in its arsenal of communication tools.

ABOUT STRATEGYWERX

Led by respected business leader and strategist Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx (formerly Hill Management Consulting) helps small business owners gain competitiveness. No business can afford to waste resources, but insufficient staff, lack of cash and poorly organized projects take a toll every day. StrategyWerx can analyze your business, uncover root problems and develop practical solutions, and then either implement them or transfer the knowledge so the company can do it on its own.

Introducing...Madstone - Give In To The Dark!

Madstone fine jewelry delves into designer Kerri Halpern’s dark side. From her black minimalist uniform to her residence above a cemetery, Halpern’s fascination for skulls, superheroes, cowboys and rock & roll culminate in her first jewelry collection. 

Mysteriously eccentric and imaginatively gothic, Madstone mixes cool colors, unusual stone setting and master metalsmithing to create an edgy and evocative collection fit for any wardrobe.

Madstone’s signature Bubble collection boasts hand-cut gemstones that mirror a magnum of champagne and other effervescent cocktails while the designs of the La Cage collection mimic that of a champagne bottle cork encasement. 

Playing with unusual angles and contours, the Octagon collection revisits bangles, hoops and stackable rings through hard angles and octagonal shapes. The Carre collection carefully crafts pieces to mimic the square-shaped parks nestled in New York City’s urban jungle through an array of custom-cut gemstones including amethyst, quartz, citrine and fire opal.

Tongue-in-check sister collections, MadAnimals and MadSkulls, channel Madestone’s sinister side. 

Covet thy gemstone with ruby, tsavorite, blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, garnet and diamond-encrusted skulls, spiders, beetles and bats set in blackened, rose or yellow gold.

Michael O'Connor Predicts Golden Globes Jewelry Trends

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS JEWELRY TREND PREDICTIONS

FROM LEADING STYLE EXPERT

Michael O’Connor Hosts Jewelry Style Event for Show Nominees and Presenters

Los Angeles, CA (January 7, 2013) –This week Michael O’Connor, leading style expert and host of MovieStyle with Michael O’Connor on Reelz Channel,will host StyleLab’s jewelry event for Golden Globe Award nominees, presenters and stylists at a private venue in Los Angeles. O’Connor has curated a selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from world-renowned designers for celebrities to borrow for the red carpet. From ornate cuff bracelets to black diamond cufflinks, O’Connor will accessorize Hollywood’s leading stars with the most exquisite, highest quality jewelry.

O’Connor sees an overall fascination with colored gemstones and intricate designs this year – both modern and vintage styles. As the Golden Globe Awards quickly approach, O’Connor offers the following trend predictions:

Emerald Green

It’s the Pantone Color of the Year and gorgeous on red heads like Amy Adams – so expect to see a lot of emerald green on the red carpet. A breathtaking pair of tassel earrings from Abellan New York includes over 71 carats of emeralds that will make everyone green with envy. Beverly Hills designer Dena Kemp will unveil a one-of-a-kind emerald cocktail ring surrounded by diamonds. Trendsetting jewelry brand Just Jules will highlight a pair of rose-cut diamond and emerald slice chandelier earrings that will make a major statement. We will also see emeralds featured in a captivating necklace by Takat. This $145,000 design includes over 85 carats of Zambian emeralds in pear and oval cabochon cuts, and more than 15 carats of diamonds, all set in platinum and 18k yellow gold.

Drop Earrings and Vintage Pendants

While chandelier earrings are a classic, the latest styles are drops in all shapes and sizes. Bellarri’s linear drop earrings include over 26 carats of amethyst and diamonds. Jewelry By Gail’s “Staircase to Royalty” linear drop earrings also feature amethyst, however hers include a long vine-swirl French wire design, making them perfect for the lovely French actress Marion Cotillard. American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) designer Campbellian’s Bella Campbell designed a pair of round drop earrings that feature royal blue moonstones surrounded by diamonds. Since all of these baubles will draw attention to the jawbone, they will look perfect with plum colored lips! Be on the lookout for the return of pendant necklaces. Trendsetting stars like Sienna Miller or Zooey Deschanel will fall in love with AGTA’s My Blue Heaven designer Cara Lichtenstein’s black enamel pendant brooch set in platinum, featuring a 41 carat black opal accented with white diamonds…very vintage-inspired.

Cuff Bracelets

Whether they are worn as the sole piece of jewelry or stacked on both arms, cuffs remain in vogue on the red carpet. We’ll see more intricate metalwork like Canadian designer Mark Lash’s flexible mesh bangle bracelet with a diamond clasp, set in yellow gold. Silver Promotion Service (SPS) designer Slane will feature a sterling silver cuff bracelet with a sequence of ribbed and smooth rows along a diamond studded hinged closure. SPS designer Thistle & Bee’s thick sterling silver cuff looks like a stunning piece of modern art.

Men’s Jewelry

Hollywood’s most stylish men including Hugh Jackman, Bradley Cooper and Leonardo DiCaprio understand the importance of modern men’s jewelry. Traditional square cufflinks and chains are taking a backseat to styles with interesting patterns and materials. Designer Edward Mirell launched a cufflink and bracelet collection featuring black diamonds, textured leather, and cable. 

Jadeite SMOKED Skinner's Recent Fine Jewelry Auction

Skinner, Inc. announced strong results for its recent Fine Jewelry sale held on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. The highly successful sale grossed $3,693,963.00 including buyer's premium, surpassing the pre-auction estimate high.

Jadeite, Art Deco & Colored Stones - The auction's top lot, a stunning double-strand jadeite bead necklace brought $348,000, more than four times its pre-sale estimate high of $80,000.

Art Deco pieces realized excellent prices. Notably, a platinum and diamond long chain necklace brought $162,000, more than double its pre-sale estimate high. The auction's cover lot, an exquisite platinum and diamond pendant by Cartier brought $90,000.

A vibrant platinum, Burma ruby and diamond ring set with an oval-cut ruby weighing 4.66 cts., exceeded its pre-sale estimate high of $60,000, selling for $150,000.

Pearls & Diamonds - Pearls and diamonds performed well, reinforcing their timeless appeal. A natural pearl and diamond necklace by Cartier composed of eighty-eight graduated pearls brought $90,000, and a platinum and solitaire ring, set with a square-cut diamond weighing 4.08 cts., sold for $60,000.

About Skinner - Skinner, Inc. is one of the world's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. 

For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site: www.skinnerinc.com 

Source:  PR Newswire

PLUKKA Announces International Expansion

PLUKKA Announces International Expansion

Groundbreaking social shopping site and online fine jewelry retail brand, 

Plukka.com, extends coverage overseas

New York - Plukka.com, online fine jewelry brand and ecommerce site, announced the expansion of its distribution to include Germany, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia. Following the success of its American site and last month’s award by Jewellery News Asia, owner of the world's largest jewelry show, for The Most Innovative Retailer of 2012, Plukka will officially begin shipping product to customers overseas. 

Plukka’s expansion into these markets is reflective of the company’s mission to innovate and enrich the consumer’s overall fine jewelry shopping experience. 

Plukka CEO Joanne Ooi said, “Since the site’s inception at the end of 2011, it’s been obvious to us that there is a major demand for our products in overseas markets. We have fulfilled lots of foreign orders manually and knew it was imperative to launch an international store, streamline logistics, and improve efficiency. We’re thrilled that the launch could occur before Christmas 2012.”

With Plukka’s expertise, history and network in the jewelry industry, they aim to be the world's best destination for fine designer jewelry by bringing the industry to the doorsteps of consumers all around the world. With Plukka, high creativity, exquisite quality and a breathtaking variety of choice can be enjoyed at very accessible price points. “It's a revolutionary value proposition and the reaction from the industry has shown us that they see our platform as the future of the industry's success," added Ooi. 

About Plukka:
Plukka offers reverse auction pricing and edgy, creative fine jewelry designs in diamonds, gemstones, 18K gold and sterling silver. In order to keep creativity high and prices unbeatably low, Plukka cuts out all intermediaries in the conventional retail supply chain and manufactures on demand. The result is an online catalogue of over 550 fine jewelry products all available at enormous savings (on average, 80%). Although some of its products are kept in stock, the majority of the catalogue is custom-manufactured. Since its launch, Plukka has garnered major attention and kudos from the tech, fashion and jewelry industries.

Sotheby's Important Jewels Brings in Over $16 Million

Today’s auction of Important Jewels at Sotheby’s New York totaled $16,383,856 – well above its $14 million low estimate – and was 79.3% sold by lot. This marks another strong total for our jewelry sales in New York, coming just $100,000 shy of last year’s record for a September jewelry auction at Sotheby’s.

“We were very pleased with the solid results of today’s sale,” commented Gary Schuler, Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry department in New York. “We saw particularly strong prices for unique color diamonds, led by the fancy light pink diamond that soared to $1,426,500 above a high estimate of $700,000. While many of our top ten prices came from American trade buyers, both signed jewels and stones under 10 carats brought spirited bidding from collectors worldwide. Jewels from the estate of Kitty Carlisle Hart, which we were delighted to offer, doubled their overall low estimate and were led by her beautiful art deco diamond sautoir that achieved $146,500 (est. $60/80,000). And in a continuation of a trend we have observed in recent years, natural pearls remain a strong segment of today’s market.”

“We now look forward with great excitement to next week’s sale of Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor, which will offer a wonderful selection of the icon’s personal jewels in the Tuesday afternoon session.”

Lot 490:  Round Brilliant-cut Fancy Light Pink Diamond, 5.08 carats, VVS2 clarity ($280,807 per carat)

Price:  $1,426,500 (£881,971) 

Estimate:  $500,000 - 700,000 

Buyer: American Trade

Lot 471 - Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 13.22 carats ($43,759 per carat)

Price: $578,500 (£357,673) 

Estimate: $350,000 - 450,000 
Buyer: American Trade









Lot 466 -  Pear-shaped Diamond Ring, 9.22 carats, F color, VVS2 clarity ($45,824)



Price: $422,500 (£261,222)

Estimate: $350,000 - 450,000

Buyer: American Trade

Lot 487 - Emerald-cut Diamond Ring, J.E. Caldwell, 20.37 carats, L color, VVS2 clarity ($23,687 per carat)

Price: $482,500 (£298,318) 

Estimate: $300,000 - 400,000 

Buyer: Anonymous

Lot 391 - Pear-Shaped Fancy Intense Orangy-Pink Diamond Pendant, 3.09 carats, VS1 clarity ($249,353 per carat)

Price: $770,500 (£476,382) 

Estimate:  $350,000 - 450,000 

Buyer:  Anonymous

Lot 204 -  Pair of Diamond Pendant-Earclips, Harry Winston

Price:  $362,500 (£224,125) 

Estimate: $275,000 - 325,000 

Buyer:  American Trade