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Stories of custom designs, high-value sales, exceptional estates, and appraisals.
Blue Topaz Earrings Reimagined
When meeting with a client, we always seem to discover old pieces in their jewelry box. These pieces naturally come up in conversation and clients tell me they are not fully enjoying their entire collection.
Just recently I went to deliver earrings to a client. During our conversation, she mentioned how pleased she was with the finished product and wanted me to do more work for her.
How to Effectively Maximize the Proceeds from Your Estate
Some clients with inherited jewelry come directly to me from an estate manager; some come to me from a referral. My job regardless is to help them sell their estate for the most money.
I recently worked with one client to create a custom ring for her. During our discussions, she mentioned to me she had jewelry listed with a consigner that wasn't selling.
From Antique to Contemporary
You never know what ideas you’ll come up with during a consultation. Recently, a professional came to me for two simple fixes: resizing a wedding band and turning a tie bar into a necklace. While we met and discussed the mechanics of her repair, she noticed the earrings I was wearing and placed a special request…
Organizing Your Collection
Over the past decade or so, I've worked with clients to appraise, sell and redesign their jewelry. When I work with them, they walk me through their pieces and collections. I've noticed lots of tiny boxes with jewelry inside of them, and have some advice on how to better organize your collection.
What's Hot About Watch Sales?
Recently, I was contacted by a professional organizer who had been tasked with clearing out a luxury apartment. He needed to get the most money possible for two watches on behalf of his client - an 18K Solid Gold Rolex and an original Cartier watch with a leather band.
Diamonds are forever, but styles change.
Diamonds and gold don’t spoil, and when styles change to fit the fashions of the time, I help my clients re-imagine their jewelry. Here are three beautiful examples of re-imagined diamonds.
3 pieces in 1: redesigned sapphire diamond ring
One of my clients had jewelry made for her years ago that she never really wore. My challenge was to create one special bespoke ring that combined her taste and lifestyle with all the gold and gemstones she supplied to me.
Creating a Clasp
The clasps made for pins and brooches originated from clasps that held clothing together, which date back as far as 25,000 years. Clasps can also lock a necklace in place. Like clothing clasps, they can be displayed and have become elegant. A beautiful clasp can be worn to the side or even the front of a necklace in order to show off its beauty.
Turquoise For All Seasons
A client had a pair of turquoise, pearl, and gold earrings that she wasn’t wearing. She also had a turquoise necklace she really liked, and wanted to update the design of that piece as well.
Bringing Your Vacation (Jewelry!) Home
A very good client contacted me a while back because her husband’s birthday was coming up, and she wanted to make him a special piece of jewelry. They traveled to Africa, through Tanzania, and fell in love with the tanzanite gemstone without buying any when they were there.
Great Design Through Clear Communication
I've learned through more than a decade of designing highly personal, custom work for my clients that my job is to listen well in order to hear and interpret their vision clearly. Design is never about me.
It's always about my client.
Estate Sales: Three Services In One
Some of you know that I collaborate with many different types of professionals. One such group is professional organizers, to whom I provide appraisal, design and sales resources for their clients. In this blog, learn about how we partnered together to evaluate a client’s jewelry collection.
A Heart Shaped Tradition ❤️
A while back, I met a newly married couple at a community event. We exchanged stories about what we did for a living and the next thing I knew, she was asking me to help her with a special project. In her family, there is a tradition of cutting heart shaped sections out of a single piece of china and making them into necklaces that the women of the family can wear in celebration of a marriage.
One Request, Four Solutions
I was recently engaged by a client who was referred to me by a property and casualty insurance broker who wanted all her documents in order before the end of 2020, which meant updating her insurance. I was called in to appraise her fine jewelry, and from this one request we came up with 4 distinct solutions.
How To Collaborate Well With Your Designer
A critical component of a shared design process is always finding out how my clients will wear their jewelry. Based on my experience, here are three tips for working with a designer on your next design.
Everyone needs a couple of studs in their life (Earrings! 💎💎)
Something small that makes you smile, that puts a little sparkle in your life when you need it most. Stud earrings are easy to put on, easy to wear, and they won't get caught up in your mask!
My Jewelry WishList: Stackables
When one is not enough and you need options, variety and your own personal style ~ welcome the stackables!
Women have always worn jewelry in multiples, loving to mix (for example) pieces from where you come from perhaps with memories of best friends, and gifts from family and loved ones.
Pearl Essence
Pearls evoke classic, nostalgic memories of strong, beautiful women who can handle anything. From Cleopatra on, pearls have been worn by women in positions of power.
Statements of You
Statement jewelry is really bespoke design; one-of-a-kind expressions of the wearer’s taste and lifestyle, custom-made and exclusive to them. I really understand what my clients are looking for because: I listen to them, I ask the right questions, and I personalize each design to their specifications.