Sentimental value

Rapaport Magazine asks three women from the industry to share the most significant piece hiding in their jewelry boxes, and what each one’s story is.

By Leah Meirovich

Jennifer Markas
Executive director,
Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA)
“My mother gifted me a 24-karat gold, handcrafted necklace with a Libra zodiac symbol that my father used to wear when they were together. My mother and father split up when I was very young, and I did not know him well over the course of his life. I’ve always been interested in his astrology, as we are both air signs. I’ve learned that we are very much alike. Libras and Geminis are usually the most free to express their emotions, and we are both very communicative and assimilate different ideas and have the ability to see things from the point of view of others. I like knowing that I have a piece of my father tucked away. The chain is broken, so I have never actually worn it. Maybe it’s time I got it fixed!”

Federica Levato
Partner at Bain & Co.,
co-author of the Global Luxury Study
“I love all my jewelry...but there’s one piece that is most special to me. It’s a solid gold Bulgari Tubogas necklace that my parents gave me when I turned 18. It was originally a birthday gift from my father to my mother — Tubogas was one of Bulgari’s core product lines in the early ’80s — for her 30th birthday, shortly before they found out they were expecting me. My mother wore the necklace often: I remember admiring it as a young child and trying to play with it when I was in her arms. I always thought it was so beautiful, so I was touched and thrilled when she decided to pass it on to me. I have cherished it ever since, and every time I wear it, it takes me back many years. I like to think of it as my own ‘madeleine de Proust,’ flooding me with memories of special times with those I love.”

Michelle Orman
President, Last Word Communications
(PR for Couture show)“I wouldn’t say it’s hiding, but one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, which I bring out whenever I need to feel empowered, is a necklace my grandmother (who I called Sitto, which is a Lebanese dialect for grandmother) gave me on my 30th birthday. It’s from Monet, a brand that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. When she gave it to me, she told me she’d spotted it in the jewelry store case when she was there getting my grandfather’s watch battery replaced. She ended up putting it on layaway (which she cutely called ‘layover’), bringing in a little bit of money each week until she was finally able to take it home. It’s a gold-toned collar necklace with a teardrop featuring a small sprinkling of diamonds. I just love it!”

Images: Jennifer Markas; Federica Levato; Michelle Orman

Article from the Rapaport Magazine - July 2020. To subscribe click here.

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