Rodeo Drive - There Goes The Neighborhood

Look who's moving in next door...or actually a couple of doors down.

Solange Azagury Partridge
They've been setting up for the big opening night party for days now...and borrowing our parking spaces.  The parking lot behind the store is fully tented and decorated with a giant disco ball.
I'm trying to action an invitation to this little shindig...somehow I don't think that I'm on the VIP list.

Now, at almost 7:30 pm the party is in full on happening mode with disco music wafting into our office.
Any minute now I sure that I'm going to hear Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby".

Jewelry Biz - It Takes A Thief...Or Two

Amazing is correct.
In the news
Ring worth nearly $700,000 taken by savvy thieves

Two well-dressed men walk away with Cartier store's most expensive one

ROME — Police are trying to track down two men who stole a Cartier store's most expensive ring, but one thing is clear: the bilingual, elegantly attired thieves were savvy. 

Without pulling a weapon, the two men walked off with a 500,000 euro ($693,000) diamond-encrusted ring Tuesday evening from Cartier's store on Via Condotti, a toney shopping street near Rome's Spanish Steps, police said.

Talk about messing up the 'Know Your Client' rule!

But I truly do feel sorry for the poor saleswoman who got totally bamboozled by these elegantly attired gentlemen I mean cheeky thieves, speaking Arabic and French.  

She probably thought that they were Saudi royals and that she was on to making the big sale of her year.

Jewelry Biz- Newflash on Flash Sales

From Reuters

Cartier is sues flash retailer Hautelook over sales

NEW YORK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Cartier has sued the online "flash sale" retailer HauteLook, accusing it of damaging the luxury goods maker's brand by selling damaged and second-hand Cartier merchandise without permission.
Cartier claimed that HauteLook has sold used Cartier watches despite maintaining on its website that it "never" sells "secondhand merchandise, ever."
It also said HauteLook has sold Cartier goods that were damaged, were shipped in the wrong packaging, or carried defaced authenticity certificates, and sometimes included a Cartier warranty booklet though the warranty did not apply.
Yikes!

Jewelry Biz- Stephen Webster Will Open 1st US Store on Rodeo Drive

 Jewellery brand Stephen Webster is opening a flagship US store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
From Retail Jeweller
The retail space design will mirror the London and European mono-brand boutiques, which incorporate Stephen Webster’s signature style of glamour with a rock and roll edge. The space will combine Webster’s love for traditional craftsmanship with his passion for contemporary music, fashion and art to produce a modern, unconventional retail aesthetic for showcasing his collections.

“The store on Rodeo Drive will be our first flagship in the US,” said founder and creative director Stephen Webster. “Over the past 10 years we have built strong ties with the LA community including the world of entertainment based there. The opening of this store is set to be extremely significant in our development.”

He added: “This project is very exciting to me and my team who feel that the Stephen Webster brand is shifting to become an all encompassing lifestyle experience”.

Well, I'm not going to make my usual snarky 'well there goes the neighborhood' comment about this.  We welcome all retail jewelers to the neighborhood.  The more jewelers on the street, the better for our business.

Besides, I love Stephen Webster's whole glam rock vibe and his crystal haze jewelry.  God knows that Loree Rodkin needs some local competition.
Plus...now that we have the new Tom Ford store about to open a couple of doors away, we might as well have Stephen Webster on the block too. 
And just think, soon we will all be able to go up and down  Rodeo Drive and experience, boutique by boutique, each all encompassing lifestyle experience!

Stephen Webster Tsavorite and Tahitian Pearl Earrings $1450

Or, we could skip all the retail 'lifestyle' hype and just buy our jewelry online from Beladora.com.

Jewelry Biz - Chopard's New Collection At The Frick

From the WSJ

The Celebration for Chopard's 150 year anniversary at the Frick Museum in New York 

with lots of sparkling stuff from their new animal themed collection

Although I'm not quite sure what I think about this diamond kitten necklace in the $700,000 range

or this diamond parrot necklace for $1,000,000 or so.

A couple of years ago it was all about sea themed collections
Now it's all about animals
go figure

Jewelry Biz- Bahia Emerald In Play

There is plenty of news out there in jewelry land this week.

The conflict gold provision in the new Wall Street bill,

The Dodd-Frank gold provision would require that companies using gold as well as the minerals coltan, cassiterite and solframite file annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the source of those materials. According to JA, compliance with the gold provision would likely require that companies hire a third-party firm to audit and validate their gold-sourcing reports.

If a company's gold or minerals did originate from one of the 10 African countries included in the bill, then that company would have to show what steps they took to trace their materials back to their source. The provision also dictates that materials information be placed on a company's Web site for public review.
Jeweler to the Stars, Neil Lane is partnering with Kay Jewelers for a collection of bridal jewelry
The US Federal Court rejected an anti-trust deal for De Beers
In a drive to end antitrust and monopoly claims brought against it, De Beers reached a $250 million settlement over price fixing of gem quality diamonds and in 2005 established a $272.5 million fund for indirect purchasers of its diamonds.
and the story that I'm all over right now is

Tussel over 840 pound emerald back in court
Los Angeles--The long-running dispute over who owns the 840-pound Bahia Emerald rough that was unearthed back in 2001 could be resolved by the end of the month.
Multiple people claim ownership of the gemstone. According to an Associated Press report, it was discovered in Brazil and valued at $400 million and then traveled through New Orleans, Idaho and Las Vegas before being seized by authorities.
Thomas, a gem trader, claimed he is the rightful owner of the emerald because he purchased it for $60,000 from the Brazilians after it was first discovered back in 2001, media reports said.
Can someone please tell me how an object that sold for $60,000 can be valued at $400,000,000 a mere nine years later?
And finally,
Gold Coin Sellers Angry By New Tax Law
Amendment slipped into Health Care Legislation would track, tax coin and bullion transactions
So every time a member of the public sells more than $600 worth of gold to a dealer, Piret said, the transaction will have to be reported to the government by the buyer.

Pat Heller, who owns Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Mich., deals with around 1,000 customers every week. Many are individuals looking to protect wealth in an uncertain economy, he said, while others are dealers like him.
With spot market prices for gold at nearly $1,200 an ounce, Heller estimates that he'll be filling out between 10,000 and 20,000 tax forms per year after the new law takes effect.
Well it's certainly good to know that the Federal Government is getting their hands on yet another thing to tax!

Jewelry Biz - We Get Quoted...Sometimes

Just to let you know that occasionally someone does take our opinion seriously...

as this is the second article in Rapaport where we've been quoted.

Sorry, but we can't let you know what we actually said...because you have to have an account

with the top secret 'to the trade only' Diamonds.net.

We just want to know when the Wall Street Journal is going to call us for a quote....

We are patiently waiting.....

Jewelry Biz - All Things Webb and Wonderful

Here at Beladora.com we are big fans of all things Webb and Wonderful

although we prefer the fabulous vintage jewelry to the newly manufactured pieces

Here are a couple of our favorite vintage Webb wonders

Vintage David Webb Emerald and Diamond Ring $5850

Vintage David Webb Carved Emerald and Diamond Necklace $19,550
(Why the hefty price you ask...a 90 plus carat emerald!)

So now we have some big news in the Jewelry Biz -

We are just hoping that now that company has been bought by a group consisting of three well known estate jewelers, that the Webb brand can thrive in the way that the Verdura brand has endured.

From National Jeweler

David Webb bought for $11M, exits Chapter 11

Founded in 1948 by David Webb and Nina
Silberstein, and owned since 1975 by the Silberstein family, David Webb operates
two retail locations--with one being the flagship store on Madison Avenue in
Manhattan and the other a company affiliate at the upscale Regent Beverly
Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The company also owns a factory where it
manufactures its own jewelry.David Webb filed for bankruptcy in June 2009,
citing substantial cash flow difficulties and a drop-off in sales brought on by
the economic downturn. At the time of the filing, the company reported that its
sales fell to less than $5 million for the year to date, as compared to $13.25
million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, court papers show.

"For decades, David Webb jewelry has been covered and highly collectible," a release announcing the sale said. "The challenge of maintaining continuity while engaging in renewal involves honoring the essential lexicon of this legendary American designer and projecting it with a 21st century blueprint."The brand has said that it will attempt to reach a broader audience, one that includes the next generation of young shoppers and that it will elevate the brand to "a global position appealing to women who are looking for modern jewelry with bold and expressive style and design."

Strict, Sotto Voce or Just Plain Anti Diva Armor

Considering the Duchesse's post today on "Sotto Voce" style and her previous post on "Strict" style, I thought that I would show you what shoes I am wearing today. Purchased at Barney's many years ago these Italian fatta a mano shoes are a little bit beat up... but they are finally worn in and comfortable. I also have matching pairs in camel and black suede.

I don't know if these fall into the "Sotto Voce" or the "Strict" category in terms of style.

But I will say that my environment is fraught with Divas and I don't deal well with the whole Diva thing. So I just consider these shoes as part of my "Anti-Diva Don't F**k With Me" style.

Someday we can have a further discussion on the semiotics of shoes...

Jewelry Biz - Melania Trump For QVC

In a world where every celebrity/socialite is transformed miraculously into a designer I guess that it was only a matter of time until Melania Trump introduced her own line of jewelry.
From National Jeweler
According to a press release, Trump is launching her own line of costume jewelry, "Melania Timepieces and Fashion Jewelry," designed exclusively for multimedia retailer QVC.Each piece in the Melania menagerie will retail for $30 to $200 and the line is set to hit QVC's airwaves on April 30 at 9 p.m., and will be available while supplies last, according to QVC.

From the New York Times we get a glowing report on Melania and The Donald's new venture
Another Trump Hopes What Glitters Will Be Gold
Mrs. Trump, who has been married to Mr. Trump for five years and is his third wife, said that she alone designed the jewelry line, without outside help. yeah whatever
Not surprisingly, Mr. Trump sings her praises.
“She’s got an amazing sense of design and an amazing level of intelligence,” he said in a telephone interview. “She’s got great ability, and I want her to run with it.”
Several questions come to mind.
Do we really need another celebrity designer?
Do we really need another brand of cheesy costume jewelry?
and
Whatever happened to that breed of NY grand dame socialites, like Pat Buckley, Jane Wrightsman and Mary Astor who spent their time and energy raising money for great institutions and great causes?
With a world of Tinsley Mortimers and Melania Trumps I'm afraid that the days of the old guard of grand dames has finally expired.