Stars and Stripes Forever?

I am at my wit’s end trying to find an appropriate accessory for this year’s July 4th bash. I am a firm believer that one need not sacrifice chic to be patriotic, but one glance around me suggests otherwise. There is a distinct lack of options from the top jewelry and fashion designers – but why?

The Stars and Stripes and the red, white and blue are iconic motifs – just look at Jasper Johns’ Flag. He clearly loves the imagery and has painted, drawn, and printed numerous versions of it since 1954. So you would think there would be more jewelry or fashion options. I am not talking about a flag pin or brooch, even though some are wonderful. I remember years ago, CIRCA had purchased a Tiffany & Co. flag brooch rendered in diamonds, sapphires and rubies – lovely! In fashion, there is always Catherine Malandrino’s iconic flag dress. But these standout exceptions only prove the rule - ultimately, our options are limited.

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Beyond the Sea

Pearls have always been associated with quiet elegance, and are a wardrobe staple of any lady who entertains. Just ask America’s First Ladies – from Jackie Kennedy’s iconic 3-strand necklace to current First Lady Michelle Obama. While Jackie Kennedy’s strand – fake, as it turns out – was made up of the smaller pearls that were typical of the 1960’s, the new Mom-in-Chief favors larger, statement pieces including the oversized South Sea pearls.

All South Sea pearls have a distinctive look that separates them from the rest of the pearl family. They come from the Pinctada maxima oyster, which is found naturally in only a small number of deep ocean habitats near Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Each pearl is the color of its host oyster - shades of white, silver, pink, gold or cream - and has a satin-like shine due to the warm water environment in which it resides. The Pinctada maxima grows up to 12 inches in diameter, and can be nucleated with a much larger bead than any other oyster. Consequently, South Sea pearls are typically 2 to 3 times larger than the average pearl, and are more expensive because their larger size requires more time to grow.

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Guest Blogger - Melanie Fascitelli

Every jewel tells a story. CIRCA asked Melanie Fascitelli about her favorite jewelry piece:

My favorite piece is my diamond ring. It is an estate cushion diamond. Now it sits solitaire in a micro pave diamond basket with a micro pave split shank just as I first received it from my husband. We use a family jeweler named Suzy B who is AMAZING!!!!!

I received the ring as a gift a year after we eloped! The ring went through a transitional period - I changed it basically, three, no make that four times!! That’s what happens when your husband gives you a beautifully set stone and says, get side stones, set it solitaire, do with it what you will…

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What's in a Name - Boucheron

Founded in 1858 by Frédéric Boucheron, The House of Boucheron has seen many styles and eras come and go. Boucheron was the first jeweler to occupy Paris’ Place Vendôme in 1893, and reportedly chose the sunniest corner of the square so that the diamonds in his windows would sparkle more brilliantly.

As you know, we love Art Deco here at CIRCA, and this Boucheron diamond and platinum bracelet is another stunning example of why. The piece is circa 1925. The close-up of the clasp shows the signature, which reads “Boucheron Paris”. Art Deco bracelets are always highly sought-after, but a signature like this one will increase the value significantly. If you have an Art Deco bracelet, examine the clasp and the edges of the bracelet for a signature. At CIRCA, we often hear stories about people selling pieces without realizing that they are signed. We always point out these features to our clients to make sure they know the true value of their jewelry.

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Guest Blogger - Karen Klopp

Every jewel tells a story. CIRCA asked Karen Klopp about her favorite jewelry pieces:

For me, jewelry has to be gold. I love these Joan Hornig “Philantrophy is Beautiful” earrings because they are so versatile and they travel well. Hornig donates the profits from her line to the charity of your choice. They were a gift to me when I stepped down as a board member of Riverkeeper Council after 16 or 17 years. Joan Hornig’s line is currently available at Bergdorf Goodman – where I love to visit to see all my favorite designers in one place. My other go-to pair of earrings are Barry Kieselstein Cord’s iconic alligators. The color of his gold is unique and so flattering. My friends swear that I must sleep in them. Talk about sweet dreams! Aside from earrings, my other latest love is this Alexis Bittar cuff  - a statement piece that adds dazzle to any outfit.  

-Karen Klopp is the founder of What2WearWhere.com

Iconic Jewelry - Verdura's Maltese Cross Cuff

Verdura is a favorite of ours at CIRCA, and there is no piece more identified with this celebrated designer than his signature Maltese Cross Cuff. According to jewelry lore, Verdura created the cuff when Coco Chanel asked him to make “something beautiful” out of the jewelry that she had collected from ex-lovers.

At the beginning of their collaboration in the 1920’s, Fulco di Verdura and Coco Chanel traveled throughout Europe in search of inspiration, and were quite taken by the Byzantine artwork they saw, in particular the Maltese Cross (below right). The cross was the symbol of the Knights of Malta, a Christian military order charged with the defense of the Holy Land after the First Crusade. The original version of the cross has eight points, and looks like four arrowheads joined at their tips. The eight points symbolize the eight obligations, or vows, of the Knights. After their trip, the Maltese Cross not only adorned the iconic cuffs, but became an important motif in both Verdura and Chanel couture creations.

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A Sea Change in Swimwear?

As I ramp up the frequency of my Pilates sessions in time for summer, I sense a possible reprieve. I’m delighted to see vintage-style swimsuits being shown! Even Kate Moss is wearing a maillot on the cover of Paris Vogue, looking every inch the classic pin-up girl. Still, one doesn’t have to go completely retro with the look, as Michael Kors demonstrates with his cutout versions (below), or JCrew with their mix & match bikini.

This is a welcome change in so many ways – we can now incorporate some “Spanx” type tailoring into the pieces and accentuate our waistlines. Better yet, since these are substantial outfits, as opposed to two tiny pieces of cloth, we can coordinate with more jewelry.

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Watch This - Omega

Omega, the final or “ultimate” letter in the Greek alphabet, was the name selected for this heavyweight watch company to symbolize the importance of its place in the market. With its roots tracing back to the first half of the 19th century, Omega presented the first minute repeater in 1892, and was one of the first to promote wristwatches over pocket watches at the start of the 20th century. A Chronograph, along with several other wristwatches for men, was listed in the company’s printed catalog as early as World War I.

The Omega Speedmaster was introduced in 1957 and replaced in 1966 by the Omega Speedmaster Professional, pictured here. The Professional incorporated a chronograph, and the outside of the dial was fitted with a fixed bezel increment to work with the chronograph to measure miles (traveled) per hour. This function is called Tachymeter. This particular watch, circa 1974, is made of steel with a rubber strap.

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Guest Blogger - Wendy Hirschberg Clurman

Every jewel tells a story. CIRCA asked Wendy Hirschberg Clurman about her favorite jewelry pieces:

My favorite jewelry right now is a Lanvin silver chain necklace that has what looks like an old brooch in crystals and faux emeralds attached to it.  I tied a grosgrain ribbon to the closure so that it hangs lower like a pendant.  I also love these YSL earrings that I got recently on sale - they are very deco looking and have clear, black and pale yellow crystals in them. One of my favorite things that I wear everyday is a silver Hermès ring that is lined in an orange enamel - no one sees the orange accept for me, but I love the fact that it is there.

-Wendy Hirschberg Clurman is a fashion branding consultant and former Fashion Director, Vogue

Image: Lanvin has a variety of chain necklaces, like this embellished antique-gold-tone-brass double chain necklace. Source: Net-a-Porter

Man in the Moon

There are certain stones that are believed to hold mystical powers, chief among them is moonstone. Moonstone is credited with everything from aligning vertebrae to balancing yin and yang. The Romans thought it was formed from moonlight, and therefore possessing the properties associated with the moon – romance, femininity, intuition and dreams. In India, it is still regarded as a sacred stone believed to bring good fortune.

Moonstone comes in a range of colors, but is most commonly a light gray, blue or white. It is known for its mysterious color play – a silvery or bluish iridescence known as adularescence, from the root adularia, which is another name for precious moonstone. In order to capture the full adularescence, the moonstone should be cut into a cabochon, which only adds to the moon-like appearance.

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