CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
TrendsJul 29, 2016
Coffee-Table Book Delves into the Jewelry of 13 Icons
20th Century Jewelry & The Icons of Style from Thames & Hudson looks at the jewels owned by the famous and the infamous.
This new coffee-table book about jewelry gives readers a glimpse inside the jewelry boxes of 13 famous women including opera singer Maria Callas, pictured here on the cover. (Courtesy Thames & Hudson)
New York--Make room on your coffee table.
On Sept. 13, Thames & Hudson is releasing a tome profiling the jewelry collections of 13 stylish women of the last century.
Stefano Papi and Alexandra Rhodes’ 20th Century Jewelry & The Icons of Style uses incredible pieces of jewelry as entry points into the lives of some of history’s most exciting and notorious females.
For instance, take The Duchess of Windsor, formerly Wallis Warfield Simpson, whose jewelry went to auction a year after her death in 1987. Her collection charts the course of the twice-divorced American socialite’s romance with King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry Simpson (therefore losing his title to become the Duke of Windsor).
Before the couple was married, the lovers kept their romance discreet. Edward loved to send Simpson jewelry, often with inscriptions alluding to their romance, such as the dates of trips taken together.
Simpson returned the favor, with gifts like a gold cigarette case by Cartier, featuring a map with the routes of their trips marked in enamel and gemstones marking the destinations.
The Duchess of Windsor’s flamingo brooch created by Jeanne Toussaint at Cartier, Paris 1940. The stones were reused from other pieces owned by the duchess. (Courtesy Sotheby’s)
The Duchess of Windsor wearing the Prince of Wales brooch on her egret feather at the Baron Alexis de Redé’s Bal des Têtes in 1957. She is with the Duke of Windsor, Princesse Ghislaine de Polignac and the couturier Elsa Schiaparelli. The Duchess also wears her Cartier double-leaf diamond necklace and Harry Winston diamond ear clips. (Courtesy Sotheby’s)
A ruby, emerald and diamond necklace created by Van Cleef & Arpels for Sita Devi in 1954. The gems were from her collection. (Courtesy Sotheby’s)
Sita Devi with her son at Van Cleef & Arpels in 1960 admiring the “Princie” diamond that was named after him. She is wearing her favorite pearl jewels, including a black pearl and diamond bracelet by Cartier, London. (Courtesy Van Cleef & Arpels Archives)
Even in the inscriptions, the couple often communicated in code, sending each other presents during the tumultuous times they were kept apart, until Simpson’s second divorce was finalized and Edward abdicated the throne so the two could be married in France.
Another of the book’s stars is the Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda, the wife of a Maharaja. Like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sita Devi and her husband were star-crossed lovers.
Devi and the Maharaja fell in love at first sight, but both already were married with children. To rectify this, Devi converted to Islam so she could divorce her Hindu husband, then reverted back to Hinduism to marry the Maharaja. At one point, Devi was referred to as the Wallis Simpson of India.
The couple settled in Monaco and the Maharani began her long relationship with Van Cleef & Arpels.
Devi loved to bring pieces from the royal treasury to the jewelry house to be re-set, though this later became an issue when her husband lost power, and many of the treasury’s jewels couldn’t be found in their second life as Van Cleef designs.
20th Century Style utilizes more than 475 images to illustrate its subjects and the jewelry that was so embedded in their lives and affairs.
The books subjects also include opera singer Maria Callas, actress Merle Obleron
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
