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Whose Jewelry Box Would You Raid?
Jul 24, 2019 11:43 AM
By Leah Meirovich
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RAPAPORT... Oprah Winfrey or Victoria Beckham? Rapaport Magazine asked four industry members to name the celebrity whose bling they would love to access. Here are their answers.
Elisabeth Austin
Founder, DiamondRunway.com
Do I get to “keep” or do I only get to “borrow” from my
raid? It raises questions, as I typically see the private citizenry to be
richer with inspired collectors than the celebrity world.So if it’s the celebrity box I get to raid
and keep, I’d have to go with Queen Elizabeth for the historical depth and
value of the collection, and I am sure I could come away with some amazing
pieces. Jennifer Lopez or Oprah
[Winfrey] run a tight second because these ladies have acquired some nice,
juicy diamonds worth owning.
If I only get to borrow as a result of my raid, I’d go for
jewelry as worn by Bethenny Frankel [of The Real Housewives of New York City].
Her stylist is quite something, and the jewelry looks are fabulously “on
point.” So let me know if I get to peruse Bethenny’s jewelry or her stylist’s
collection.
Rui Galopim de Carvalho
Founder, Portugal Gemas Academy
If there is a celebrity whose jewel box I would like to
raid, it is Joel Arthur Rosenthal. This American-born jewelry artist, known as
JAR, is a living legend, a mysterious and fascinating character, and a
unanimously respected jeweler among his peers.
He has made extraordinary jewels with extraordinary gems for
extraordinary people, being a master of perfection and detail.
I’m pretty sure that his jewelry box has unique and
as-yet-unveiled art pieces that nobody has seen before, surely with fine and
unusual colored gemstones, pearls, precious corals, ebony, diamonds… but it’s a
mystery because no one knows exactly what he is up to and what he has produced
and kept. Opening his jewelry box would be like the exciting discovery of a
whole new world of secret, unseen glittering art pieces.
Bebe Bakhshi
Founder, Champagne Gem; Cofounder, Champagne Diamonds
There are a few celebrities whose jewelry box I would love
to raid, and the first name that comes to mind is Victoria Beckham! Our forever
favorite Posh Spice, a recognized style icon, successful entrepreneur and
fashion designer, is the definition of elegance, with exquisite taste in
jewelry. As far as the public knows, she has 14 different engagement rings
ranging from colorless (white), pink and yellow diamonds, to three major royal
gemstones: sapphire, emerald and ruby. The largest and most expensive ring is a
17-carat, pear-shaped diamond, and her collection of rings is worth
approximately $11 million. I can’t think of any other celebrity who owns such a
diverse range of engagement rings, except Elizabeth Taylor. I do hope one day I
get to see all of her rings on a beautiful tray and hear from her which
milestone each is celebrating.
Levi Higgs
Jewelry and decorative arts historian
I would be so bold as to choose the inimitable Danielle
Steel. As the best-selling author alive today, it’s clear she’s got the funds
to invest in good jewelry. Her jewelry choices are cerebral, and from what
we’ve seen that crops up at auction from time to time, she has all of the
greats covered: Verdura, Schlumberger, Webb. I can’t imagine the level of
things that she’s chosen to keep over the years. And the best part about her is
that it’s clear she loves jewelry. She’s a little bit campy, with her gigantic
writing desk made of Danielle Steel romance novels, but that lends itself well
to making elaborate and statement jewelry choices.
Sneaking in one more author’s jewelry box I’d love to raid,
I have to mention J.K. Rowling. You know there’s some magic in there,
especially lovely Elizabeth Gage cocktail rings.
This article was first published in the July 2019 issue of Rapaport Magazine.
Image of Rui Galopim de Carvalho by João Trindade.
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Tags:
Bebe Bakhshi, Bethenny Frankel, Champagne Diamonds, Champagne Gem, Danielle Steel, DiamondRunway.com, Elisabeth Austin, Elizabeth Gage, Jennifer Lopez, Leah Meirovich, Levi Higgs, Oprah Winfrey, Portugal Gemas Academy, Queen Elizabeth, Rui Galopim de Carvalho, Victoria Beckham
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