Thursday, June 4, 2009

Jewelry News - From Christies London To An LA Quonset Hut

From Idex Online
Christies London Vintage Auction
(June 3, '09, 8:22 IDEX Online Staff Reporter)
A selection of vintage jewels and diamonds will be offered next week at Christie’s Vintage Auction in London. The lots span jewelry from the late 18th century through to the 20th century; consisting of more than 170 rings, bracelets, necklaces, pearls and single stones together with name brand pieces. Estimates range from £1,000 to £250,000 ($1651-$412,775).

Among the jewelry is an Art Deco colored diamond and onyx pendant, circa 1925, containing a 44.14 carat fancy yellow circular-cut diamond, estimated at: £200,000-£250,000 ($330,260-$ 412,825).

Another item of interest will be an antique natural pearl, diamond and ruby necklace with a provenance believed to trace directly back to Marie Antoinette, estimated at £200,000-250,000 ($330,260-$ 412,825).

Buyers will be drawn to the brand names being offered; a Cartier ruby and diamond necklace that converts into a brooch and pair of bracelets. Another highlight is a Cartier, circa 1925 gem-set pendant featuring emerald beads, cabochon sapphires, diamonds and onyx rondelles, estimated at £35,000-£45,000 ($57,795-$74,300).

(Note: if you are looking for natural pearl necklaces...without the questionable Marie Antoinette provenance and the $300k-$400k price, Beladora.com has a nice selection)
The Deep Glamour group is discussing watches
and...

From Idex online
Lone Gunman Robs Chopard in Paris
(May 31, '09, 6:03 Edahn Golan)
A man pulled out a gun in the Chopard store on Place Vendome in Paris and stole jewelry worth millions. The Saturday afternoon heist was over in just minutes, after the well dressed robber pointed at a number of items and then strolled out of the store.

“According to the first set of information we received, it was a man in his fifties, dressed in a chic costume and wearing a Borsalino (fedora) hat,” said Olivier Lebon of the Alliance police, who estimated the value of the loot at €6 - €6.5 million ($8.5 - $9 million.)

“He came in like any other customer, pointed his gun at employees and asked for about fifteen pieces.”

In 2004, a white 47 carat diamond worth an estimated 6 million euros ($7.37 million) and a blue 15.74 carats diamond worth 5.5 million euros ($6.75 million) belonging to Chopard were robbed from the Louvre Museum grounds during an antique dealers show. The two diamonds were left unguarded in a glass display case for 15 minutes.


Moral: Beware of men in fedoras


Danielle, the Gem Gossip blogger has been on a road trip to Southern California. Instead of stopping by the Beladora HQ she visited the Quonset hut, yeah you read that right, of jeweler to the hip, Hoorsenbuhs. Here is what she found.
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3 comments:

Unknown said...

A special visit will be planned my next trip out West...I promise! Besides, you were in Las Vegas! :)

Belle de Ville said...

OK Danielle, next time.

WendyB said...

LOL @ "beware of men in fedoras." Any other hats I should be on the alert for?

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