Gem X NYC Members were invited to a private preview of the former Secretary of State’s, Madeleine Albright, collection of pins and memorabilia that were up for auction at Freemans Auction | Hindman Auctions 🇺🇸 Albright famously donated a collection of her pins to the National Museum of American Diplomacy but for this auction, we discussed the historic meaning behind a few of her pins. We spent a Saturday surrounded by the magical creations of Castro Smith. Castro brought a feast of signet rings, objects, charms, and chains. On display were delicately engraved with fantastical creatures and personal relics. We shared stories and dreams, chatted design process and sketching, and the wonder of personal mythology. Members took a trip to sunny Park Slope, Brooklyn for a wax carving demonstration with Page Sargisson. It was thrilling and inspiring to watch Page effortlessly create a wax carving of one of her signature 3 stone gemmy gemstone rings in real time. In the intimate Madison Avenue showroom, Gem X NYC members gathered to view CADAR’s latest collection titled “HOME”. The collection pays homage to the cherished places we call home and the things we hold most dear.
Members in London were treated to an evening of jewelry storytelling – quite literally – with maker Jeremy May. Jeremy’s approach to design transforms the physical matter of the stories we love into relics that can be worn every day by creating jewelry and miniature sculptures from books. His unique method captures the beauty of printed prose within his designs themselves. Every book used is first read, cover to cover – including the likes of The Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice, even the Oxford dictionary – to gage an idea of shape and scale, then cut, page by page and bonded using a unique layering and lamination process, allowing the printed works of the original story to peep out at exposed surfaces.
Precious The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time by Helen Molesworth
Review by Tricia Topping
If you are besotted and fascinated by gemstones and jewellery, there is only one book to buy this year. Helen Molesworth’s book Precious describes how you can follow her path from a Classics degree to the Senior Jewellery Curator at the V&A, stopping along the way at two of the most prestigious auction houses. Helen’s twenty-five-year journey zips you through the opportunities open to you by following in her footsteps. The book draws you in from the very first page; it could be a novel, a study of gemmology, or learning how our ancestors understood the power of gemstones and the prestige of owning the gemstone of your dreams.
It is also an adventure story and demonstrates how jewellery is now an investment, small enough to be hidden but large in value to buy yourself out of trouble. Helen has selected ten of nature’s most dazzling jewels: diamonds of all hues, emeralds, ruby sapphire, spinel quartz, pearl, and jade. The chapter detailing the misunderstood Garnet and the Spinel, once the Gem of Mughals which could be chemically recreated and became the mainstay of American class or graduation rings are so informative. Hidden in their facets are their secrets, and the glow and sparkle come alive through Helen’s descriptions. It is a perfect synthesis of every subject connected with these objects of adornment.
Helen’s skill at opening the jewellery box and describing how these precious pieces of adornment and the legends behind them have entranced over the centuries is informative and mesmerising.
Purchase Precious The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time by Helen Molesworth
Watch the V&A’s Talk with Helen Molesworth here
Photo: penguin.co.uk
We are thrilled to welcome our new members this month.
Rittika K. Mumbai, India | Elisa F. Boston, MA
Not a Gem X Member? We would love to have you join us on our exclusive adventures. Start your application here.
We were delighted to host a conversation on this enrapturing period of Cartier’s creative growth and within it, explore the secrets and signatures of the period’s elegant hallmarks. Joining us for this fascinating discussion is jewelry historian Olivier Bachet. An internationally recognized authority on Cartier’s Art Deco era, Olivier’s research on Maison Cartier has produced two books over the last 20 years, “Cartier: Exceptional Objects” written in collaboration with Alain Cartier and more recently, “In The Beginning Was The Line” dedicated to Cartier Art Deco designs of 1910-1930s.
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE LINE: CARTIER ART DECO DESIGNS OF 1910-1930S
Take a look back at our Gemflix with Nancy E. Zinn, Ph.D on Madeline Albright’s Brooch Collection. Well known is her innovative use of jewelry as a diplomatic language. She grew a collection of primarily costume jewelry to convey not only her thoughts, mood, and wit, but also as messaging in support of American foreign policy. As Albright put it so beautifully, her pins, elevated through meaning, helped “make foreign policy more human, and less foreign.”
READ MY PINS: STORIES FROM MADELINE ALBRIGHT’S COLLECTION
London | Monday, June 10th
CARVING AN ART JEWEL WITH CHARLOTTE DE SYLLAS IIn collaboration with art jeweller Charlotte De Syllas and curator Claire Phillips, we’re delighted to invite you to an afternoon of craft, process and creation with behind-the-scenes insights at Victoria & Albert Museum. Charlotte will present the rare opportunity to see her inspired use of materials, her pursuit of extremes in shaping them, and the chance to handle some of her working models before seeing finished masterpieces on display. RSVP HERE
London | Thursday, June 13th
MAXIMALIST | MINIMALIST AT LOUISA GUINNESS GALLERY It’s long been said that opposites attract; a sentiment that rings true in jewelry, especially when jewels from different design spheres are showcased side by side, in celebration of their contrasts. We are thrilled to invite you to a Gem X coffee morning and viewing of the new show Maximalist | Minimalist: Silvia Furmanovich and Mr. Lieou. RSVP HERE
London | Sunday, June 23rd
A WORLD CLASS JEWELRY COLLECTION – THE NEWARK MUSEUM OF ART Since its founding in 1909, The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) has sought out unique jewelry to complement its globally-influenced collections and exhibitions and in turn, to celebrate the visions of international design perspectives. We are delighted to invite you to a Gem X tour of NMOA’s jewelry collection, in which we’ll be hosted for a tour and learn the secrets and stories behind key pieces. RSVP HERE
NYC | Thursday, June 27th
FROM LEGACY TO BESPOKE – GYAN JAIPUR AT BERGDORF GOODMAN What do you envision when picturing the global jewelling hub of Jaipur? Perfectly cut, richly coloured stones? Precious metal hewn to the most delicate of settings? Join us to see such incredible craft hallmarks in person with a Gem X private viewing, in celebration of the launch of GYAN Jaipur at Bergdorf Goodman. RSVP HERE
London | Friday, June 28th
THE JEWELS OF TREASURE HOUSE ART FAIR The glorious social season has descended upon London and with it, an invitation to celebrate fine art, craft and design in all its enchanting forms. We are delighted to invite you to see some of the city’s most distinguished jewels up close with a tour of The Treasure House Art Fair 2024. RSVP HERE