Jeff Cooper Unveils Bridal Jewelry App

Bridal jewelry designer, Jeff Cooper, has introduced an app for iPhones and iPads that allows brides-to-be the opportunity to virtually try on the company’s designs. It’s now available through the iTunes App Store.

For those looking for bridal rings, the app allows future brides to go through the inventory of Jeff Cooper to virtually try on rings, allows for photo sharing and connects them with an authorized retailer.

The mirroring function puts the jewelry on the person in real time. While trying on, customers can click on the pricing icon, compare similar and matching items, and watch a product video.

For David Cooper, president of Jeff Cooper, the app brings the company’s jewelry directly to more people.

“We're excited to be bringing our designs to an even wider audience,” he said.

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The Oris Aquis Depth Gauge

The second and final installment of watches I missed at Basleworld but were able to see during Las Vegas Jewelry Week, deals with a specialty watch called the Aquis Depth Gauge from Oris. According to the Swiss watch brand, it is the first dive watch that measures depth by allowing water to enter the timepiece.

The company says it has applied "Boyle Mariotte Law" (which describes how the pressure of a gas tends to decrease as the volume of a gas increases) to the patented timepiece. The watch has a gray-colored channel milled into the side that runs counterclockwise around the dial, stopping between one and two o'clock. At 12 o’clock there’s a small opening. On descent, the air inside the channel is compressed by the surrounding water pressure, allowing water to enter through the opening. The edge, in light grey and dark grey, differentiates between water and compressed air on the scale around the outside of the dial, indicating depth while descending or ascending.

Besides being a cool addition to a diver’s watch, Oris says the depth gauge keeps divers safe as the indicator benefits from no inertia, so actual depth readings are seen instantly, which is useful in decompression breaks in lesser depths. It’s water-resistant to 500 meters/50 bar.

Other features of the watch include an automatic movement with a date window at 6 o’clock. The 46mm watch also comes with a waterproof case that contains interchangeable rubber and metal straps and tools.

The cost is approximately $3,200.

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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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JNA Awards Finalists Announced

Thirty-six entries from 23 companies have been shortlisted across 13 categories for the JNA Awards 2013. Jewellery News Asia, which organizes the awards, announced the finalists during the recently held June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

The Honourees  for the Brand of the Year – Retail, Employer of the Year, E-tailer of the Year, Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Business, Manufacturer of the Year – Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing, Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing, Manufacturer of the Year – Gem-Set Jewellery, Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metal Only Jewellery, Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India, Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Mainland China, Retailer of the Year, Sustainability Initiative of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below) were announced at a news conference attended by industry experts, trade members and the media.

The 23 companies hail from eight countries and regions, namely mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Switzerland and Thailand.

Deliberations are still ongoing for a few remaining categories. The shortlisted Honorees in those categories will be announced at a later date, the organizer said.

This year, close to 90 highly qualified entries was received from 13 countries and regions.

“Our list of Honorees serves as a testament to the fact that Asia’s jewelry industry is full of thriving and innovative businesses and individuals with diverse talents,” said Wolfram Diener, senior vice president of UBM Asia.

The judging panel is composed of five industry experts: Albert Cheng, managing director of the World Gold Council – Far East; James Courage, chief executive of Platinum Guild International; Lin Qiang, president and managing director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange; Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of the Gemological Institute of America in India and the Middle East, and Vichian Veerasaksri, director of the World Jewellery Confederation and advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

The JNA Awards 2013 is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties may submit their request by logging on to http://www.JNAawards.com/.

JNA Awards 2013 Honorees List:

Brand of the Year – Retail
Jewelmer International Corp.
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
PRIMO JAPAN Inc

Employer of the Year
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co. Ltd
Jewelmer International Corporation
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd

E-tailer of the Year
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
Leibish & Co Ltd
Plukka (HK) Ltd

Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Business
China Stone Ltd
Odear Fashion Technology
Sun Sang Jewelry Co

Manufacturer of the Year – Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing
China Stone Ltd

Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing
Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
J. B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd
Kiran Gems Private Limited
Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd

Manufacturer of the Year – Gem-Set Jewellery
ShenZhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd

Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metal Only Jewellery
3D Kaiente Jewellery Limited Company
ShenZhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd
Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd

Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India
Kashi Jewellers
Kiran Gems Private Limited

Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Mainland China
TTF High Jewellery
Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd

Retailer of the Year
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd

Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
Pranda Group
Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below)
Raphael Gubelin – Gubelin Group Ltd
Payal Shah – L’Dezen Jewellery Co Ltd
Zhou Defeng – Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd

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Jewelry Set to Sparkle at Masterpiece London 2013

Attendees at the 2012 Masterpiece London preview.

From its first year, Masterpiece London made its mark as a world-class fair for fine art, antiques and design. The exhibition on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London is set to begin its fourth year with more than 160 exhibitors showing fine art, jewelry, design, yachts, cars and antiques from the world’s leading exhibitors. It opens June 26 with a preview event and runs till July 3.

I'm interested in the jewelry that will be on exhibit and available for sale. Below are some of the highlights: 

Exclusive jewelry and gem dealer, Siegelson, will be exhibiting a Cleef & Arpels Art Deco platinum, carved ruby, and diamond necklace,

 
London society jeweler and craftsman, Theo Fennell, will present a whimsical Marie Antoinette brooch. 

A gold and silver parure with imperial topazes and diamonds, circa 1820, from Veronique Bamps 

Fred Leighton, will have a gold and diamond retro tassel necklace by Mauboussin, circa 1940.
 

Symbolic & Chase will present a pair of sapphire “Branche” brooches by Suzanne Belperron. 

The iconic David Webb Zebra Bracelet comprised of diamonds, rubies, black and white enamel set in 18kt yellow gold and platinum.  

The jeweler to London royalty, Wartski, will present an antique platinum and diamond necklace in the form of an openwork trellis set with and suspending brilliant cut diamonds, connected with curb link chains, in original silk and velvet lined fitted case. Forty seven diamonds weighing in total approximately 38 carats.

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Owner of 75-Carat Briolette Diamond Names it 'Star of China'

Tiffany Chen poses by a picture of the 75-carat Star of China diamond while wearing the gem after purchasing it for $11.15 million.

The new owner of what Christie’s auction house has called the largest and most perfect briolette diamond ever sold at auction has identified herself and picked a name for the 75.36-carat gem.

Tiffany Chen, vice chairman of China Star Entertainment Ltd., has revealed herself to be the owner of the briolette diamond. She named the diamond after her company, “The Star of China.”

Chen purchased the diamond May 28 at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale for $11.15 million, $148,000 per carat, a world record for a briolette diamond sold at auction.

The briolette has been graded by the Gemological Institute of America to be of D color and type IIa, indicating its internally flawless clarity, excellent polish, highest level of chemical purity and exceptional optical transparency. Less than one carat in every 100,000 carats of diamonds is found to be found in this perfect condition.

The diamond is part of a pendant necklace that includes a marquise-cut purplish pink diamond suspended above the briolette.

Tiffany Chen poses by a picture of the 75-carat Star of China diamond while wearing the gem after purchasing it for $11.15 million at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale.

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Jewelry Tradeshows and National Jeweler Acquired By Private Equity Firm

Buyers and exhibitors conduct business at the recently concluded 2013 Couture Show in the Wynn Las Vegas. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Toronto-based private equity firm, Onex Corp., said Tuesday that it has acquired Nielsen Expositions, which includes the jewelry tradeshows Couture Show in Las Vegas, JA New York, JA Special Delivery New York, and the online jewelry publication, National Jeweler.

Onex paid the Nielsen Expositions’ parent firm, an affiliate of Nielsen Holdings N.V., $950 million in cash consideration. With the closing of the acquisition, the company was renamed Emerald Expositions, Inc., based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. It produces more than 65 business-to-business tradeshows and conference events per year across nine markets, including general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, jewelry, photography, decorated apparel, building, healthcare and military.

Onex Partners III made an equity investment of approximately $350 million, of which Onex’ share was $85 million as a Limited Partner in the Fund.

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Laurence Graff Receives Order of the British Empire

Laurence Graff, founder of the one world’s most successful jewelry brands, has received one of the highest honors awarded by the British Monarchy. He has been named to Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honors List, receiving a “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” for his “Services to Jewelry.”

The OBE recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences and public services outside the civil service and work with charitable and welfare organizations.

The 75-year-old chairman of Graff Diamonds began his career in jewelry at the age of 15 working as a jeweler’s apprentice in London’s Hatton Garden. Sixty years later the British-born billionaire leads a global luxury jewelry business with boutiques in UK and Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Also during this time, he has taken ownership of some of the world’s rarest and most precious diamonds and gemstones, including the Wittelsbach-Graff, the Idol’s Eye, the Imperial Blue, the Blue Ice, the Magnificence, the Graff Pink, the Delaire Sunrise, the Graff Constellation, the Flame and the Graff Sweethearts.

“From humble beginnings and a lifetime working in the industry, I am extremely proud to receive such an honor,” Graff said. “I was born to be amongst diamonds, they are my true passion and this passion translates into everything I do.”

A total of 1,180 people were named on the Birthday Honors list, released June 15. The British Honors System is made up of five awards of differing rank. In descending order, they are as follows:

* Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
* Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
* Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
* Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
* Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

The highest two ranks entitle its recipient to become a knight or dame.

The awards are presented twice each year in June (Queen’s Birthday Honors) and on New Year’s Eve.

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From A Diamond-Covered Gun to Royal Adornment at Las Vegas Antique Jewelry Show

Diamond covered six-shooter with matching bullets from Ely & Co.

Between the group of tradeshows under the JCK banner at the Mandalay Bay Resort on the South end of the Las Vegas Strip and the Couture Show at Wynn Las Vegas toward the North end, there were seven jewelry- and watch-related tradeshows going on in what is now known as “Las Vegas Jewelry Week.”

Inside the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show

One of those shows was the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, held May 30 – June 2 at the Paris Las Vegas Convention Center. It’s a low-key event compared to many of the other tradeshows. Decorations are few, exhibitor booths are as simple as can be. But the true excitement and value of this event is in the cases and displays. Everything from a diamond-covered six-shooter with matching bullets to objects belonging to the Sultan of Brunei were on display. Tiaras fit for a queen shared spaces with rare objects of adornment from Bulgari, Boucheron, Tiffany and Graff.

18k yellow gold Victorian Bow Pin with 30 cts. of natural blue sapphires and 5 cts. of rose cut diamonds from Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry.

Rare colored diamonds and gemstones set in platinum and works by some of the world’s best-known independent jewelry designers were in abundance. These are pieces that are not only rare and beautiful but have provenance and stories that add even more value and intrigue to what was already seen as extremely valuable.

Fully Hinged 18k Yellow Gold Bangle by late 19th Century jewelry designer, Carlo Giuliano. The piece is set with square sapphires, rubies and trimmed in diamonds. There’s also a pair of shell like images set with mine cut diamonds and a square ruby curl. White enamel with powder blue enamel Etruscan forms also adorn the bracelet along with a touch of black enamel to remind the wearer of Queen Victoria's loss of her husband, Albert. Giuliano was a personal friend and private jeweler to the Queen. The piece is available through Joden World Resources.

The selected group of images shows just some of the highlights of this event.

Graff Diamond Necklace from Eric Originals & Antiques.

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A 6.23-ct. Fancy Colored Diamond and Platinum Necklace with a 2.04-ct. fancy yellow pear-shaped diamond and a 0.52-ct. fancy intense orangy pink diamond and 3.67 carats of white round brilliant and marquise-shaped diamonds from Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry. This item was sold at the show.

Heart formed hair locket by Carlo Giuliano. The face of the cherub is created with powder blue and pink enamel surrounded by a pattern of complex blue and white enamel in the revival style of the Art of Hans Holbein. Threads of gold run through the hair of the cherub. The piece is available through Joden World Resources.

A 9.89-ct. Diamond and Platinum Bracelet with 5.98 carats of mixed shaped fancy yellow diamonds and 12 pear shaped diamonds (1.92-cts.) surrounded by 1.3 cts. of round brilliant cut diamonds. A 1-ct. fancy brownish orangy pink-shaped diamond is on the center stone of this piece from Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry.

A display case showing various pieces belonging to the former Sultan of Brunei from Ely & Co.

A 7.41-ct. Set of Fancy Colored Diamond Earrings with two pear-shaped fancy deep yellowish orange diamonds weighing 2.75 cts. accented by D S12 Marquise-shaped diamonds weighing 3.12 cts. and 0.50 cts. of round brilliant cut diamonds from Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry.

The Vicenzaoro ‘Italian Club’ Brings 130 Companies to JCK Las Vegas

The Vicenzaoro ‘Italian Club’ Pavilion at JCK Las Vegas.

Italian jewelry, as always, was showing its strength at the JCK Las Vegas jewelry tradeshow, led by Vicenzaoro with its section of 130 manufacturers and designers. The companies came from the jewelry production centers of Vicenza, Valenza, Arezzo, Naples, Marcianise, Torre del Greco and Milan, with 20 percent of vendors exhibiting at North America’s largest tradeshow for the first time.

Presented by Fiera di Vicenza, Vicenza, Italy, where the collection of Vicenzaoro jewelry tradeshows are held each year, the exhibitors presented high jewelry collections and more accessible items in Las Vegas. It’s the eight year that the organization had its "Italian Club" pavilion at the Las Vegas tradeshow. 

Models wearing jewelry from the Vicenzaoro exhibitors.

About 30 exhibitors were represented during fashions show held throughout the four-day tradeshow. In addition, Trend Area's "Inspirations 2014 – MUTATIONS” - made its debut at JCK Luxury, the showcase for exclusive brands, which took place prior to the JCK Show. With its own exhibition area that explored the directions in which style, materials, working methods and consumer behavior are heading and its significance on the luxury industry. 

The TrendVision stand during JCK Luxury.

Jewelry industry pros were able to preview the new trends for 2014 that the TrendVision Jewellery + Forecasting team, Fiera di Vicenza's independent international forecasting center, has identified. The four moods of jewellery trends for the coming 2014 season—“Experimental Nature,” “Shadow Reality,” “Ethno Pop,” “Visionary Structures”—were unveiled at a keynote breakfast.

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Geo.Graham Tourbillon Orrery: A Watch Built For the Cosmos and for the Centuries

The watch displays the rotations of the Earth, Moon, and Mars with exceptional accuracy.

Nearly all the talk among the nine tradeshows at “Las Vegas Jewelry Week” involved jewelry, which, of course, is natural. However, watch brands of all types and stripes were in the mix in “Sin City.”

The most prominent watch gathering in Vegas is JCK Swiss Watch, which accommodates the discretion of the luxury watch industry by holding the event in private suites in the Mandalay Bay Resort complex. Entrance to the brands is by appointment only. The Couture Show at the Wynn Las Vegas also provides private space for a smaller group of watch brands. In addition, there are two shows in Vegas that deal in the collectibles market for watches: International Watch and Jewelry Guild Show at the Tropicana Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show at Paris Las Vegas.

Many of the new releases in Vegas were actually unveiled at Baselworld in April, which I covered extensively. What’s left is an exceptional timepiece I did not see at Baselworld because it was shown offsite.

It’s more than a timepiece. It is also an orrey, a device that shows the relative positions and motions of bodies in the solar system by balls moved by clockwork. There’s currently only one available and it was on the wrist of Eric Loth, CEO of the watch brand, Graham, who was in a suite at the Wynn Las Vegas, separate from the tradeshows on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Geo.Graham Tourbillon Orrery shows the orbital patterns of the Earth, Moon and Mars rotating around the Sun, represented by 18k fiery pink gold lattice design. Beneath the sun, slightly visible, is the tourbillion. The moon, represented by a steel rhodium ball, rotates around the earth as the earth, represented as a clear blue sapphire ball, rotates around the “sun.” Mars, represented by a round red ruby, circles the sun on the outer edge of the dial.

Graham is a maker of automatic watches, the mechanical movement that powers this timepiece was made exclusively for Graham by independent watchmaker, Christophe Claret. Its accuracy is uncanny. Loth explained that the earth revolves at exactly 365 ¼ days so there is no adjustment for the leap year. Corrections to the orbital patterns are minimal and are planned and indicated on the back of the watch. For the moon it’s every seven years, for Mars it’s every 25 years and for the earth (wait for it) every 1,152 years. The moon and mars have self correcting indicators. Loth said the orrery should be functional for 300 years before needing to be taken to a watchmaker for a minor adjustment to the perpetual calendar.

The dial also contains the months on an outer disc track with the inner track indicating the 12 astrological signs.

There’s an historical aspect to this timepiece. It honors the 300th anniversary of the invention of the orrery by British clock and watchmaker George Graham, the company’s namesake.

When the timepiece goes into production, it will be limited to 20 pieces at a cost of $330,000.  

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Earliest Known Patek Philippe Grand Complication Sells For A Record $2.25 Million

The earliest and most significant example of a Patek Philippe Grand Complication sold for more than $2.25 million Tuesday at Christie’s New York Important Watches auction—well above its $1.5 million high estimate. The price represents a world auction record for a Patek Philippe Grand Complication.

The Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 97912 is a minute repeating perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph clockwatch with grande and petite sonnerie and moon phases, manufactured in 1898. It has never been seen in public and it was the first time it ever appeared on the auction block. 

The definition of Grand Complication is often debated among watch experts and collectors, but it is generally agreed that it features the following: Grand and Petite Sonnerie, Perpetual Calendar and Moon Phases, and Split-Seconds Chronograph.

Until the appearance of the 18k pink gold Palmer watch, it was broadly accepted that Patek Philippe did not make its first Grand Complication until 1910 and that the second ever made was reserved before World War I for James W. Packard in 1916, Christie’s said recently.

With all of the avid collectors of important watches, the historical watch experts, and the way that luxury watch companies maintain their historical data—how could such a rare and valuable watch be unknown? Last night I attended a panel presentation on Grand Complications at the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York and was told by two of the panelists that this type of thing does occasionally happen. Michael Friedman, an historical watch expert, explained to me that being in a private collection the watch was unknown. In addition, even if Patek Philippe has the information in its archives it would not have released it unless asked.

The watch was purchased on Oct. 3, 1900, for 6,500 Swiss francs by Stephen S. Palmer. The original certificate and presentation box were included in the sale.

The sale of 361 lots totaled nearly $8 million. 

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Chopard and Patek Modern Watches Were Top Sellers at Sotheby’s

18K white gold and diamond Chopard tourbillon watch

An 18K white gold and diamond Chopard limited edition tourbillon watch and a Patek Philippe platinum automatic minute repeating perpetual calendar tonneau both sold for $461,000 at Sotheby’s final watch and clock auction of the spring season in New York. 

Patek Philippe platinum automatic minute repeating perpetual calendar tonneau.

The Chopard piece, released circa 2007, has a dial covered with baguette-cut diamonds and a power reserve at 12 o'clock. The Patek Philippe circa 1997 watch has a retrograde date and moon-phases compilations. Sotheby’s Important Watches & Clocks auction held Monday opened and closed with these two modern complicated wristwatches.

The auction took in more than $7.1 million, besting its pre-sale high estimate of $6.5 million and selling 89.1% by lot.

Other pieces of significance that sold included a circa 1915 Cartier desk timepiece that fetched $100,000 and a prototype sports model made by Rolex in 1967 that achieved $383,000—nearly five times its high estimate. A limited edition tourbillon by A. Lange & Söhne from 2011 brought in $197,000.

Pieces made for the Chinese, Indian and South American export markets owned by inventor and businessman Robert Howard brought in approximately $1.4 million, while all ten lots from the estate of golf course designer Jaime Ortiz-Patiño sold and were led by a Patek Philippe Ref 5004R that sold for $185,000.

“We are thrilled to finish it with an auction that performed so well across the full diversity of makers and time periods represented,” said Katharine Thomas, head of Sotheby's Watches department in New York.

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Gold, Diamonds and Crystals Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine at Las Vegas Jewelry Week

The World Gold Council's LoveGold exhibit at Couture.

Not everything was for sale at the jewelry shows in Las Vegas this past week although I suppose someone could have purchased the 27-pound gold bar valued at more than $500,000 from the LoveGold Exhibit at the Couture jewelry show.

Gold jewelry from Couture Show jewelry exhibitors.

Up on a stage above the tradeshow exhibitors at Wynn Las Vegas, the World Gold Council’s exhibition included art creations, curated gold jewelry used at red carpet events and selected gold pieces from the vendors at the tradeshow. LoveGold is the fashion jewelry initiative of the WGC, the marketing development organization of the gold industry.

One of the gold fashion displays at the LoveGold exhibit.

Many of the pieces were from the catwalk at Cannes where they were part of a special fashion show that was curated by Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, to benefit amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research.

“We want to showcase the best that gold can be regardless of origin or price point,” said Sally Morrison of the World Gold Council. “The exhibition at Couture was a way of introducing the beginning of this activity to the brands and press at the show.”

A display at the "Diamonds with a Story" Rio Tinto Diamonds exhibition that highlights diamond origins.

As previously noted, Rio Tinto Diamonds presented an exhibition at the JCK Luxury and JCK Las Vegas tradeshows titled “Diamonds with a Story.” It featured jewelry created for the US market by eight North American designers based on the following four topics: “Origin,” “Cutting Impact,” “Mixed Medium” and “Color My World.” The designers created their works using Rio Tinto's colored diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia and white diamonds from its Diavik mine in Northwestern Canada.

Varieties of Rio Tinto diamonds.

The exhibit is part of a marketing program by the mining company for the jewelry trade based on its own consumer research. The jewelry collections based on the four stories identify consumers' desire for the following attributes:

• Identifying the place of origin of the diamond they buy;
• Knowing that their diamond purchase is having a positive impact;
• Differentiating designs and concepts; and
• Access to natural colored diamonds

“We are excited by how well the 'Diamonds with a Story' platform is resonating," said Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds US Representative Office. “This appetite for innovation is good news for miners, manufacturers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.”

Elaborate and colorful jewelry design by David Mandel, part of the Swarovski Elements exhibit at JCL Las Vegas.

Swarovski Elements, the premium brand division of the world-renowned crystal company, Swarovski, provided a fashion-forward jewelry exhibition at JCK Las Vegas called “World Jewelry Facets,” featuring collaborations with designers and artists representing several mediums who created colorful designs using Swarovski crystal.

A necklace by Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson.

The creations ranged from elaborate, fanciful designs to more wearable pieces. Designers included Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson, known for their home accessories designs, to entertainment industry designer David Mandel.

Jewelry by American artists at the Swarovski Elements exhibit

There is also a charitable element with designs created by Senhoa, a non-profit organization and fashion brand that produces jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking. The Senhoa line on display was designed by Canadian model, Coco Rocha, and handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia.

Jewelry by the non-profit organization and fashion brand, Senhoa, handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia,

 
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Rare Gems, Fine Diamonds and Shimmering Gold on Display at JCK Las Vegas

Outside the entrance of JCK Las Vegas on opening day.

The first day of JCK Las Vegas, the largest of the nine jewelry tradeshows that set up camp at Sin City, started off slow on May 31 but quickly picked up as buyers filled the aisles of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center during the next two days.

On display was everything under the sun for the jewelry industry, from jewelry-making equipment to finished jewelry from well-known brands and less-familiar names whose pieces fill jewelry store shelves throughout the country.

Below are several examples of some of the jewelry that was available at five-day event. The first nine examples were from a grouping of exhibitors known as the Prestige Promenade—international designers and manufacturers who mostly specialize in high-end jewelry and deal directly with the trade. You may not know their names but you have seen their jewelry. The remaining companies consist of more familiar brand names.

Alexandrite and diamond ring handcrafted with a 2.69 carat oval alexandrite center stone accented with 0.52 carats of round alexandrites and 0.62 carats of brilliant diamond rounds set in platinum by Omi Prive.

A cross of a peacock feather and a fishbone in 18k White gold earrings with round brilliant-cut diamonds and ruby stone studded in and engraved yellow gold by Bapalal Keshavlal.
 

Blue sapphire pave drop and blue sapphire tassel earrings by Mariani 1878.

18k yellow gold link necklace by Old World Chain.

Emerald hoop earrings in 18k white gold and diamonds by Facet Barcelona.

Earrings featuring a central round diamond surrounded by emeralds and diamond-covered petals in 18k gold by Picchiotti.

Diamonds and white gold petal earrings and ring by Universal Jewellery Design Centre.

Yellow 14k hand-crafted pendant necklace by I. Reiss.

 
Yellow gold ring covered in colored gemstones by Ramon.

Le Vian Chocolate Cravings ring in rose gold with its trademarked “chocolate” and “vanilla” diamonds set in “strawberry” gold. 

From Galatea’s new "Pearlfection" collection, a hand-carved, tear-drop shaped Tahitian pearl set in 14k yellow gold. This piece is one of 20 new styles created by Chi Huynh, founder of Galatea. The pearls take the form of acorns, lotus buds and tulips.

An elaborate yellow and white diamond necklace and matching earrings by L’Dezen.

The iconic Effy Panther in diamonds and emeralds set in 14k rose gold from the brand’s Signature collection.

Love Beads bracelet made of Swarovski crystals by Chamilia.

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