The Fine Art of Family Magazine

JEWELRY NEWS: For today’s most dazzling display of treasures look no further than auction house, Doyle New York. This week’s sale spans antique, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Deco and modern periods and includes pieces by prominent gem houses including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Verdura, among others. A special piece of the auction is reserved for the collection of a little-known historical figure, Alice Appleton Hay, the daughter-in-law of John Hay, private secretary to President Lincoln.

Tags: alice appleton hay, alice appleton hay jewelry, alice appleton jewelry, antique jewelry auctions, doyle new york, empress eugenie jewelry, french crown jewels, jewelry auctions, rare jewelry auctions

JEWELRY: We always love when a vintage jewelry trend makes a modern-day comeback. Case in point: Onyx and gold rings from the 1920s and ’30s, currently making a cameo on women’s hands everywhere.

Tags: estate jewelry, Jewelry, onyx, rings, vintage jewelry

JEWELRY: When Elizabeth Taylor passed away last week, she left behind a jewelry collection reportedly worth $150 million. (Some of her treasures are currently on display in the Cooper Hewitt’s Van Cleef exhibit). No question that $150 million is a staggering figure reflective of a lifetime of collecting. Taylor, a bonafide jewelry queen, had a love of diamonds that was signature, and which only played into her status as a richly iconic star with a stormy private life marked by seven marriages.

Tags: elizabeth taylor, elizabeth taylor jewelry, elizabeth taylor jewelry collection, Jewelry

JEWELRY: There’s nothing more inspiring to us at MRK than genuine vintage treasures, especially when it comes in the form of a locket. Jewelry that once belonged to an ancestor or even a stranger contains both mysteriousness and a deep nostalgia—qualities that are inherent to lockets. Check out these charming old beauties from one of Brooklyn’s best estate and antique jewelers, Erie Basin, and let us know which you like best.

Tags: antique lockets, brooklyn antique jewelers, brooklyn vintage jewelers, erie basin, lockets, russell whitmore, vintage jewelry, vintage lockets

VINTAGE JEWELRY: Dreamy sapphires mixed with diamonds have a classic and regal look, proud yet mysterious, a combination worthy of an instant heirloom.

Tags: kate middleton engagement ring, kate middleton sapphire ring, kate middleton wedding, prince william engagement, sapphire engagement rings, sapphire rings, vintage sapphire rings

VINTAGE JEWELRY: Every piece of jewelry has its own unique story and, when that jewelry happened to belong to the famous old time singer Lena Horne, its story is literally a part of history, both American and musical. This Wednesday, Horne’s estate will go up for auction at Doyle New York. Highlights of the sale include everything from fine art to furniture, gilt mirrors and silver serving sets. Most exciting, however, is the treasure trove of vintage clothing and jewels worn by the performer. Just some of the elegant relics from Horne’s closet: a reversible mink coat, designs by Giorgio de Sant’Angelo and ornate necklaces, bracelets and brooches.

Tags: chanel necklace, doyle auctions, lena horne, vintage chanel, vintage chanel necklaces, william doyle gallery

ASK MONICA: “What are some unconventional uses for a locket?” Yesterday we discussed using lockets to store vacation photographs, partake in wedding rituals and wrap gifts. Today, I show you how a locket can become a conduit for everything from self-motivation to fashion and style.

Tags: fashion lockets, fine art of family, gold lockets, lockets, monica lockets, monica rich kosann

ASK MONICA: Lockets are mysterious, narrative and deeply personal. You can make a locket a unique resource for gift giving, wedding ceremonies, storing vacation memories, and more.

Tags: fine art of family, gift giving ideas, jasmine star, lockets, monica lockets, monica rich kosann, mother's day jewelry, wedding lockets

GOOD BUY ON YOUR BUDGET As part of the fourth and final installment of our special costume jewelry series (click to read about Part I: refined red glass necklaces, Part II: fabulous faux earring, and Part III: gorgeous gold-tone bangles), we’re bringing you vintage Bakelite.

Tags: Capturing, Collection, Collections, Fashion, Good Buy, Heirloom, Heirlooms, Jewelry

Stories behind the world’s most precious gems It’s not often that you hear the words “diamond” and “radioactivity” in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what makes the Dresden Green Diamond one of the rarest gems in the world.

Tags: Celebrating, Jewelry