Loren Nicole

THE ANCIENT'S DEFENDER

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Loren Nicole at Work Bench creating handmade jewellery

Jun 14^th

Loren Nicole: The Ancient’s Defender

Jun 07^th

Lily Gabriella Fine Jewellery: Honouring a Gemstone

LATEST UNSIGNED JEWELS

Apr 18^th

Emerald Oiling – The Pursuit of Perfection

Mar 18^th

Serpent Rings, an Entrancing Motif

Mar 15^th

What is Tian-tsui? Unique Kingfisher Jewellery

Apr 18^th

Emerald Oiling – The Pursuit of Perfection

Mar 18^th

Serpent Rings, an Entrancing Motif

Mar 15^th

What is Tian-tsui? Unique Kingfisher Jewellery

Mar 12^th

Victorian Sapphire Brooch Pendant

Coral Ring Side

Mar 11^th

Coral Talon Ring: A Drop of the Ocean

Mar 10^th

Falize: An Unmasked Jewel

Apr 18^th

Emerald Oiling – The Pursuit of Perfection

Mar 18^th

Serpent Rings, an Entrancing Motif

Mar 15^th

What is Tian-tsui? Unique Kingfisher Jewellery

Mar 12^th

Victorian Sapphire Brooch Pendant

MEET THE FOUNDER OF PING PONG RING

MEET THE FOUNDER OF PING PONG RING

INSPIRATION

[Art Smith and Mom Part 2] The continuation from y

[Art Smith and Mom Part 2] The continuation from yesterday’s post - the story behind the Art Smith jewels where offered today as part of @bonhamsjewels California Jewels sale.
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“To me, her choices were sculptural, elegant pieces of art, ahead of their time and timeless statement pieces designed to be worn every day.
The twisted bangle was a gift from my Dad. Mom said money was tight and she was angry with him because they had agreed not to exchange gifts, but he gave her the bangle bracelet that went with the twisted necklace and she loved it.”
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“The gold opal ring was a gift from Art Smith to my mother for her birthday. She told me he had made it for her and that she loved the way the ring wrapped around the stone, suspending it in place. My mother’s birthstone was an opal.”
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“Our parents moved from New York to Palo Alto, CA, in the early 1950s for Dad’s residency, bringing a wonderful collection with them. Mom loved his jewelry and wore it often. She used to talk about how his earrings were so perfectly balanced that they never felt heavy when you wore them, even the hinged silver “crossed” earrings. Smith’s earring reminded me of Calder mobiles in the way they were structured and balanced.”
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“My sister and I have worn the pieces as well. The hinged crescent necklace balances perfectly on you neck. All the pieces would attract attention when we wore them. People now think “well I’ve seen that design before,” but these pieces were made in the late 1940s and they are extraordinary forerunners of modern design you see today.”
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I’d like to thank the collector who made this personal statement through @bonhamsjewels. You have gifted us something greater than you could ever image: the hidden story behind the jewels and an insight into a bygone era of design and culture.
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#jewellery #bonhamsjewels #vintagejewellery #artsmith #midcenturydesign #midcentury #midcenturyjewellery #vintagejewellery

[Art Smith and Mom Part 1] Provenance behind jewel

[Art Smith and Mom Part 1] Provenance behind jewels which don’t come from a famous or well known figure is exceptionally rare, and I think these stories are the most precious of all.
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The upcoming pieces by Art Smith which are being sold tomorrow @bonhamsjewels are exceptional, however when coupled with their story they became even more so. Not only is Smith a fascinating and important figure on many levels, the very human story of friendship, struggle, and passion for collecting behind these jewels provide an invaluable context on the collection and what life in Greenwich Village was like during the mid-twentieth century.
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“Art Smith and Mom”
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“My sister and I grew up hearing stories of Art Smith, a bigger than life character from Greenwich Village. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, my parents lived in a cold water flat in New York City while Dad attended medical school and took side jobs in stage lighting, Mom took classes at NYU, and also worked to put Dad through school. All of this jewelry was made in the late 1940s to the early 1950s, a few years after Art Smith opened his shop.”
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"Mom’s memory of him from those early days was that of a tall (to her) openly gay black man with a shaved head wearing an earring. He made an impression on her. He was selling his designs from his own shop on Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village. She explained to us what a rarity all of this was in the 1940s and how much courage it took back then for him to live his life. There was a sense of community and when she ran into him on the streets they would talk. Mom was very fond of him and thought he was so talented.”
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“All of Mom’s pieces were either purchased by her from Art Smith, by my father as a gift for my mother, or were a gift from Art Smith to my mother. Mom was beautiful, not tall, but she had a long neck and arms, so she looked wonderful wearing his jewelry. She said sometimes Art Smith strode up to her on the street and said he had something that would look perfect on the street and said he had something that would look perfect on her, and that’s how she would buy a piece.”
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Check back for part 2
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#jewellery #bonhamsjewels #vintagejewellery #midcenturydesign

[⭐️ Instagram Live with @bonhamsjewels ⭐️]

[⭐️ Instagram Live with @bonhamsjewels ⭐️] A reminder to join me live today at 12:30 EST with @waterfallatauction as we preview their incredible upcoming auction happening July 20th! The sale includes an important collection of Art Smith jewels, a selection of pieces once owned by Sammy Davis Jr., and many more interesting jewels!
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⏰ Find your time zone here ⏰
Toronto / New York: 13:30
Los Angeles: 9:30
London (UK): 17:30
Paris/Brussels: 18:30
UAE: 20:30
Mumbai: 22:00
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We hope to see you there!
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📸: Lot 78, Pr. sterling silver earclips, attributed to Art Smith, C. 1950. [1000USD - 1500USD]
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#jewellery #bonhamsjewels #vintagejewellery #celebrityjewellery #antiquejewellery #midcentury #midcenturyjewellery #instagramlive #jewelry #importantjewels #importantjewelry #jewellerylover #jewelleryaddict #jewelleryauction #sammydavisjr #artsmith @waterfallatauction

[⭐️ Instagram Live with @bonhamsjewels ⭐️]

[⭐️ Instagram Live with @bonhamsjewels ⭐️] Join head of Bonhams Jewellery LA, Emily Waterfall, and I, tomorrow for an exciting preview of their upcoming jewel sale happening next week! The sale features an important collection once owned by Sammy Davis Jr., a rare offering of early mid-century jewels by Art Smith, alongside many other special and unique pieces. We’re very excited to be showcasing these jewels live, and share with you their hidden stories.
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⏰ Find your time zone here ⏰
Toronto / New York: 13:30
Los Angeles: 9:30
London (UK): 17:30
Paris/Brussels: 18:30
UAE: 20:30
Mumbai: 22:00
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We hope to see you there!
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#jewellery #bonhamsjewels #vintagejewellery #celebrityjewellery #antiquejewellery #midcentury #midcenturyjewellery #instagramlive #jewelry #importantjewels #importantjewelry #jewellerylover #jewelleryaddict #jewelleryauction #sammydavisjr #artsmith @waterfallatauction

What ever happened to the “little luxuries” in

What ever happened to the “little luxuries” in the jewellery industry? When you think about it, there’s a huge opportunity contemporary jewellers to reintroduce these object to the market! Lipstick tubes, compacts, lighters, vanity cases, drink swizzles — the list goes on.
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While some may see these things as too opulent for today’s modern world, I think they’re overlooked and the perfect opportunity for any contemporary jeweller to take up.
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Clients today are looking to differentiate themselves, and fill their lives with beautiful things which reflect their personality. What better way to do it than with everyday objects you carry with you, use, and admire? Not to mention the marketing factor of having clients come in frequently for refills, and the green-initiative of reducing packaging and waste.
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Do you think these object are poised to make a comeback? Or are they a thing of the past? I would love to hear your thoughts!
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#jewellery #vintagejewellery #everydayobject #jewellerylover #jewelry #jewelryaddict #jewelrydesigner #jewellerydesign #makeup #beautyproducts

🎥 INSTA LIVE 🎥 . Tomorrow is the day! I’m

🎥 INSTA LIVE 🎥
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Tomorrow is the day! I’m so excited to be sharing my perspective and advice, as well as answering your questions, about starting and curating your jewellery collection with @thecultureofpearls! Read below to find your time zone, hope to see everyone there!
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INSTA LIVE
8th July, 2021
TO/NYC 11 am
LA 8am
London 4 pm
Paris/Brussels 5 pm
UAE 7 pm
Mumbai 8:30 pm
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📸 Lot 198, An Antique Diamond Silver and Gold Brooch, Set with a spectacular 2.95ct principal stone, and 3.60 carats of additional old mine cut diamonds, Circa 1850. Important Jewels Auction, Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers @dupuisauctions.
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#InstagramLive #JewelleryDiscussion #JewelleryTalk #JewelleryCollection #antiquejewellery #antiquejewelry #vintagejewellery #modernjewellery #contemporaryjewelry #pingpongring #gemmologist #jewelrywriter #jewelleryappraiser #jewelryevaluation #jewelrylovers #oldcutdiamond #diamondsandpearls #stylegram #lifestyle #instagood #antiquejewellery #jewelryblog #jewelrycuration #jewellerycollection #finejewellery #highjewellery #highjewelry #finejewelry #thecultureofpearls

Wishing all my friends state side a very happy Ind

Wishing all my friends state side a very happy Independence Day! Celebrating with this stunning Cartier Brooch which was auctioned @doylejewelry.
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#jewellery #brooch #americanflag #flagjewellery #cartier #vintagevbrooch #cartierjewelry #vintagejewelry #vintagejewels

Throw back to this incredible @buccellatimilan rin

Throw back to this incredible @buccellatimilan ring which sold @dupuisauctions recently.
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Buccellati is renowned for their use of texture and metalwork - and this piece was no exception! Cantering on an amazing cabochon emerald weighing approximately 15 carats, it’s elegantly broad and tapering band with its bark texture compliments the visible inclusions in the emerald, embracing the flaws of the stone rather than attempting to distract from them. The work of a true master, and forever in my photo album 🥲
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#emerald #emeraldring #mariobuccellati #gold #emeraldjewellery #vintageemeralds #vintagejewellery #jewellerygram

[Maison Vever Part 2 of 2] Pictured here is one of

[Maison Vever Part 2 of 2] Pictured here is one of Maison Vever’s masterpieces, the ‘Sylvia’ Pendant crafted in 1900.
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A master class in Art Nouveau design, it’s sinuous lines sing with delicate plique-à-jour enamel, accented with its restrained use of diamonds and coloured gemstones which enrobe a carved agate female figure.
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At the beginning of the 20th century, Maison Vever moved to 14 Rue de la Paix into a building designed specifically to house both the shop and workshops under one roof as they had been back in Metz.
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During this time Henri would undertake an immense task of writing a three volume catalog on 19th century jewellery titled “La Bijouterie Française Su XIXe Siècle.” It would become one of the most invaluable references on the history of French jewellery design spanning from the Empire period to their present, Art Nouveau.
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Sadly, Paul would pass away in 1915, and Henri would retire in 1921, leaving the business to his Nephews (Paul’s Sons, André and Pierre Vever.)
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During returement, Henri would devote his time to collecting a broad range of fine art, with a special interest in Japanese art and its influences on western culture.
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When Henri died in 1942, he left behind a legacy of art and design which changed French jewellery forever.
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Information sourced from @hancocks_london.
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#jewellery #artnouveau #antiquejewellery #antiquejewelry #jewelry #jewelrylover #jewellerydesign #thejewellerymovement