Every April 22nd since the year 1970 has been dedicated to the preservation and love of our earth. read more
Beverly Hills News
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Retro Period Guide – Jewelry Design and Styles
April 19, 2012
After the bold, sleek designs and decadence of the Art Deco period , jewelry took a decidedly softer turn. The Retro Period (1935 to 1960) was characterized by romantic motifs, the heavy use of gold, and “larger than life” sized jewelry. Retro Period jewelry aesthetic and style During the Retro Period, America was reeling from its involvement in World War II. Amid the turmoil overseas and the uncertainty at home, society turned to Hollywood for a romantic, “larger than life” escape from reality. Retro Period jewelry reflects this escapism: mimicking the abundance and glamour of Hollywood, designers crafted enchanting, oversized pieces that created a sense of romance and grace. Settings that featured pleats or drapes were also popular. Charm bracelets , watches and necklaces were particularly vogue during this jewelry period , as were oversized pins, clips and cocktail rings. The Duchess of Windsor’s bold style and fondness for cat motifs also propelled many of the period’s luxury jewelry trends. Popular metals, gems and stones during the Retro Period Gold is the hallmark of Retro Period jewelry. Although platinum was vogue during the Art Deco period, wartime restrictions made it largely unavailable for jewelry making during the Retro years. Thus, yellow gold became the metal of choice in the 1940s and 1950s. Yellow gold was often paired with rose or green alloys to create settings with a soft, romantic luster. Stones such as aquamarine , topaz, amethyst and citrine were extremely popular during the Retro Period, and like most jewelry settings from this period, were magnificent in size. The rectangular cut was one of the period’s most popular cuts, featuring prominently in cocktail rings with oversized stones. Although luxury designers still used rubies , sapphires and diamonds as accents, this period also saw the birth of costume jewelry using synthetic gems and wallet-friendly stones. Popular jewelry motifs during the Retro Period A Retro Period motif is unmistakable. Bows , fans, ribbons and ruffles reinforced this period’s femininity, while nature-inspired images such as flowers also began to grace everything from earrings and rings to brooches . Patriotic motifs were vogue, especially during the wartime periods, as were sculptural or 3-D designs that mimicked the movement of fabric. And although the trends varied from year to year, one thing remained constant: motifs during the Retro Period were almost always oversized, reflecting the grandness of Hollywood. Popular jewelry designers during the Retro Period Designers such as Cartier, Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels shaped the luxury jewelry aesthetic during the Retro Period. With its nature-inspired designs and eye for romance, Van Cleef & Arpels ushered in the period’s emphasis on femininity and glamour more than any other design house. To this day, Van Cleef & Arpels is synonymous with 1940s and 1950s naturalism, an aesthetic just as vogue today as it was a half-century ago. Retro Period jewelry and Diamond & Estate Trust The Retro Period is defined by romance and glamour, a spirit captured meticulously by this 1950s-inspired custom ring in the Diamond & Estate Trust collection . Named the Aurora, this romantic ring features a soft 18K gold setting paired with lustrous yellow and pink colored diamonds. The center stone of this floral ring is a .72 carat GIA certified fancy intense pink diamond . A delicate row of white diamonds and 7 carats of perfectly matched natural fancy yellow pear-shaped diamonds complete this ring’s bouquet motif. This custom ring seamlessly blends the Retro Period’s fondness for oversized jewelry and love of whimsical, nature-inspired images. The Aurora is our tribute to the Van Cleef & Arpels designs that defined 1950s naturalism. Whether you’re looking for a funky cocktail ring or a romantic brooch or pin, you’ll find the perfect Retro Period piece in Diamond & Estate Trust’s luxury jewelry collection . With an unparalleled inventory of loose gems such as sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds , and vintage pieces including watches, rings and signed designer pieces, Diamond & Estate Trust is regarded as the premier luxury jewelry buyer and seller in Southern California. Read the rest here: Retro Period Guide – Jewelry Design and Styles
Huguette Clark Auction – Christie’s Jewelry Sale Results
April 18, 2012
The last known photo of copper heiress Huguette Clark, whose jewelry and gems sold for $21 million at an April 17 Christie's auction. When the head of Christie’s jewelry department discovered gorgeous, mint-condition jewelry and gems in copper heiress Huguette Clark ’s vault last month, he said it was like “chasing a rainbow and finding a big pot of gold at the end of it.” And when those Art Deco jewels went up for auction yesterday, they fetched an unbelievable $18.3 million ($20.8 million with commission) – almost double Christie’s estimate. A pink diamond, left, and a colorless diamond shattered sale estimates at the Christie's auction. It’s no surprise that the 9 carat cushion cut Belle Epoque pink diamond ring that Huguette inherited from her mother was the star of the auction. The gorgeously cut, perfect condition pink diamond sold for an astonishing $15.7 million including commission ($14 million base price). It’s the latest indication that the world is still enamored with colored diamonds (and especially pink diamonds ). Another spectacular diamond up for auction was a GIA certified 19.86 carat rectangular cut white diamond with the best color grade (D color) and internally flawless clarity. The colorless diamond, cut in the 1930s by famed jeweler Cartier , sold for $3.1 million. Two Cartier Art Deco bracelets auctioned on April 17. Two signed Cartier diamond bracelets circa 1920 also commanded high prices at the Huguette Clark auction . The first, a geometric link diamond bracelet circa 1925 bearing the Cartier signature, sold for $578,500. The second, a sleek Art Deco Cartier diamond bracelet with rectangular emerald accent stones, was snatched up for $90,000. Huguette was wearing these two Cartier Art Deco bracelets in her last known photograph. A ruby , sapphire, emerald and gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet took in more than $260,000, and onyx photo frames sold for a surprising $60,000 each. Two Art Deco bracelets from the Diamond & Estate Trust collection. Huguette Clark’s jewelry and gems showcase the best of Art Deco jewelry design from the most chic designers of the era. Want to own a piece of vintage 1920s? Diamond & Estate Trust has a stunning collection of Art Deco bracelets, including sapphire and diamond bracelets , brooches , and rings that will add antique flair to your jewelry box. The 1920s have been roaring back into vogue lately, making there no better time than now to indulge in Art Deco jewelry. Diamond & Estate Trust is Southern California’s premier buyer and seller of vintage estate jewelry, loose gems such as diamonds , sapphires and rubies , and luxury watches from Rolex , Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe . We work with an elite international clientele to ensure each piece embodies luxury. Original post: Huguette Clark Auction – Christie’s Jewelry Sale Results
It’s Time to Retire in Cuenca, Ecuador
April 18, 2012
Americans are cutting back every day in order to prepare for retirement. But what if there was another way around this? read more See the original post: It’s Time to Retire in Cuenca, Ecuador
Discovery Shuttle Makes Final Flight
April 18, 2012
Before being permanently brought down to Earth, the space shuttle Discovery hitched a final ride on Tuesday to its new home at the Smithsonian on the back of a 747. read more
Henny Youngman
April 18, 2012
“When I told my doctor I couldn’t afford an operation, he offered to touch-up my X-rays.” See the rest here: Henny Youngman
Samuel Goldwyn
April 18, 2012
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.” See original here: Samuel Goldwyn
September Birthstone – Sapphire Information
April 17, 2012
The sapphire has a colorful, storied history unlike any other gem. A symbol of faith, nobility and truth, and long believed to have healing and protective powers, the sapphire’s dark blue hue has been coveted for thousands of years. Designated as September’s birthstone since the early 1900s, the sapphire brings depth and grace to the first month of autumn. The sapphire has been one of the biggest luxury jewelry trends ever since Kate Middleton began wearing Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring last fall. And with fashion icons such as Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé Knowles wearing sapphire jewelry both on and off the Red Carpet, the deep blue gem has never been more vogue. September is months away, but given the sapphire’s recent surge in popularity, now is the perfect time to invest in a piece of sapphire jewelry — especially a classic sapphire ring . Diamond & Estate Trust is especially smitten with this 10.16 carat Burma no-heat sapphire ring . At 10.16 carats, this certified no-heat Burma sapphire is one of the largest we’ve ever seen. Couple that magnificent size with two shield-cut diamonds and a classic setting, and you have a ring with unmistakable luxury and vibrancy. For an Art Deco take on the sapphire, we offer two vintage diamond and sapphire platinum Art Deco bracelets. The first, a 1950s French Art Deco bracelet , features a sleek setting and 10 carats each of white diamonds and blue sapphires. The second bracelet features a chic link design accented by 9 carats of diamonds and 2 carats of sapphires. The extremely rare Kashmir sapphire has been the most celebrated, valuable and coveted sapphire variety since the first Kashmir sapphire was discovered in India in the 1870s. Considering the world’s love affair with the Kashmir sapphire, we consider this spectacular Kashmir sapphire the prize of our luxury gem collection . At between 7 and 9 carats of luxurious, deep cornflower blue, this Kashmir sapphire in a highly-coveted cushion cut is a gem hunter’s dream. The facets in its classic cushion cut shine from every angle. For the ultimate symbol of luxury, look no further: Few gems in the world match the caliber of this Kashmir sapphire . Let Diamond & Estate Trust help you find the perfect loose sapphire or piece of vintage sapphire jewelry for your style. With a luxury collection filled with hand-picked estate jewelry , signed designer pieces, custom pieces , luxury watches (Rolex, Audemars, Patek Philippe) and rare Art Deco jewelry, our experts provide unparalleled pieces for an elite international clientele . Link: September Birthstone – Sapphire Information
