all photographs courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
The annual editor preview showcasing Tiffany’s haute couture jewelry (sometimes referred to as “unique” pieces, many of which are made on request for clients with spending limits similar to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s) took place this month in the VIP private salon at the Fifth Avenue flagship store. Ironically, the brilliance of the baubles inside rivaled the intense sunshine outside, making it almost impossible to remove my sunglasses!
Upstairs, stepping off the elevator, before beginning the guided tour by a posse of Tiffany publicists, one couldn’t help but notice the exquisite candy bar inside the main salon, fully stocked with colorful sweets and trays artfully arranged with pastel macaroons, mini whoopee pies and cupcakes for nibbling (and taking back to the office in a petite take-away box).
Who says that diamonds are a girl’s best friend? With goodies like these, I felt my heart starting to quiver. Sipping a specialty iced tea, I began what I can only describe as a “tour de force” of costly jewels.
Nothing quite says “Tiffany” like the iconic designs by celebrity jeweler Jean Schlumberger. Classic in every way, Schlumberger’s bold pieces are imaginative and intricate at the same time, and the Conique necklace and bracelet, a symphony of diamonds and red spinels, didn’t disappoint.
Alongside Schlumberger were exquisite diamond pendant necklaces featuring cascading diamond tassels, along with chandelier earrings, diamond mesh bracelets, and large diamond rings, including an articulated diamond flower ring whose center is a very large diamond of 5.25 carats! An absolute show-stopping bangle bracelet featured a mega-carat aquamarine center stone weighing 119.5 carats and surrounded by a web of diamonds.
As we progressed, there were more temptations. Paloma Picasso’s newest collection is inspired by Venice, and her Stella ring features 18K yellow gold decorated with diamonds and blue enamel, shaped to resemble the ducal palace. Architect Frank Gehry’s abstract designs never disappoint and his watercolor Torque bangles in bone china are hand painted.
As the tour came to an end, with my head spinning from all this fabulousness, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps the award for the best in show goes to the diamond tiara. No matter what epoch we’re in, it’s every girl’s (and woman’s) dream to be a princess.
