Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
Handmade Bracelet Is Part of Neiman Marcus’ Fantasy
The $25 bauble is one of two items in the “Optimist and Pessimist” gift set in Neiman Marcus’ 2016 Christmas Book, paired with a mattress with a built-in vault.
New York--There is a piece of jewelry included in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book fantasy gifts list this year, though it’s not what might come to mind immediately when one dreams of fantastical jewels.
Rather than some extravagant piece of fine jewelry or a trip with a manufacturer or designer, it is a $25 handmade bracelet that gives back.
The Akola bracelet is part of a fantasy gift that’s a reimagined version of one that appeared in the book in 1970.
The original “Optimist and Pessimist” gift set offered a fully stocked ark--complete with animals, a French chef and a Park Avenue physician--for just $855,000 for the pessimist, and an oak sapling (with the idea that it would eventually grow into something beautiful) for just $10 for the optimist.
While Neiman Marcus didn’t get any takers on the ark, a fact that probably doesn’t surprise most of us, they did sell a lot of the saplings.
This year’s reinterpretation for the book’s 90th anniversary features a bracelet that gives back for the optimist and a king-sized mattress with a camouflaged lockbox for the pessimist.
The optimist can invest in the future with the purchase of an Akola bracelet for $25, featuring hand-rolled paper beads in black or white, a recycled-glass bead and two accent disks plated in 18-karat gold.
With the purchase of an Akola bracelet, Neiman Marcus will donate $25 to the Akola Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers marginalized women to become agents of change in their families and communities around the world.
Meanwhile, for the pessimist who’s always planning for any eventuality, there’s a $25,000 mattress by Gingerich Built/Monterey Mattress with a fire-proof and impenetrable lockbox built inside to store valuables.
While it’s not unusual for jewelry to appear in the Fantasy Gifts section, this year’s selection is very toned down compared to years’ past.
Last year’s fantasy list included a seven-day trip through Florence and Venice with jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno with a $150,000 price tag, and in 2014, the book included a custom-made locket designed in collaboration with Monica Rich Kosann for $100,000.
In addition to the Akola bracelet, there are many other jewelry items in this year’s Christmas Book, including a Tahitian pearl necklace from Assael for $13,200; an 18-karat white gold bracelet with 74 carats of diamonds ($500,000); and a 7.95-carat Paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring ($222,000), both from Diana M. Jewels; an 18-karat gold necklace
There are a number of other cool things on this year’s Fantasy Gifts list.
For the star among us, Neiman Marcus is offering the chance to have a walk-on role in the Broadway musical Waitress. The package, priced at $30,000, also includes four premium show tickets, a meet-and-greet with the show’s cast and a Waitress-themed pie-making lesson with the show’s pie consultant.
Meanwhile, a different gift with a much higher price tag will appeal to the anglophiles among us--a trip for eight to a trio of English country estates for one week for the bargain price of $700,000.
See the entire 2016 Christmas Book on the Neiman Marcus website.
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.