It’s a cliché of invention to want to “build a better mousetrap” and attract a world of customers. For American jeweler Seaman Schepps, the mousetrap became the secret to a better bracelet. It is a design so simple as to be almost obvious, but also instantly recognizable and timelessly chic. Introduced in the 1930s, the … Continue reading Signature Style: Seaman Schepps’ Mousetrap Bracelet
Strong secondary markets, or how the art sells at an auction level, is extremely important when it comes to determining if a piece of art is eligible for a loan. Chicago Loan Company, an upscale pawnshop in Chicago, Illinois, is well-known for making collateral based loans on fine art. While the company makes pawn loans … Continue reading Using your Assets Wisely: Fine Art as Collateral
The world of fine timepieces can seem very daunting, full of fancy functions and jargon. One of the most common complications found in high-end watches in the modern era is the chronograph, a word that sounds familiar even to novices. But what exactly is a chronograph? Simply put, a chronograph is a stopwatch. Modern chronographs … Continue reading What Is a Chronograph?
Nothing is more rare and exciting, in the arena of sports memorabilia, than for an avid fan or serious collector to discover and come to own a famous player’s game-worn jersey. The athlete’s clothing worn during that pivotal last play during a World Series baseball game or the winning touchdown during a Super Bowl is … Continue reading Blood, Sweat and Tears: The Most Expensive Sports Jerseys
At their core, watches are complex, incredible machines whose main purpose is to keep track of time. The minute and second hands take their daily revolutions and with one quick glance, the wearer can know if they are early, late or right on time. Van Cleef & Arpels, the famed jewelry brand, have taken this … Continue reading The Beautiful and Intricate Watches of Van Cleef & Arpels
Very few fine jewelry designs can be considered iconic, but Van Cleef & Arpels’ Zip necklace is assuredly one. The brainchild of the Duchess of Windsor, the design was first conceived in the late 1930s, but was not produced until 1950. This incredible masterpiece takes the form of a zipper closure, just as you would … Continue reading Icons of Design: Zip by Van Cleef and Arpels
A symbol of eternal love – a promise to marry – the engagement ring is a classic of a tradition that dates back to ancient times. Now the standard, diamond engagement rings were not always the go-to gift for brides-to-be. Read along to trace the origins of this thousand-year old custom. Engagement Rings From … Continue reading The Timeless History of the Engagement Ring
Celestial, kaleidoscopic, spectral: Opal’s phenomenal polychromatic character is unlike any other gemstone. The official October birthstone is a phenomenal stone, or a gem that changes its appearance when its elemental, inherent characteristics interact with the physics of light Writers have often compared opals to volcanoes, galaxies, and fireworks. The ancient Romans named it Opalus, a term … Continue reading Opal: A Moody and Magical Gemstone
Imagine being only seven years old and having two phenomenal, massive colored diamonds named after you! The Blue Moon diamond, a 12.03-carat blue diamond, was purchased for a staggering $48.4 million at a Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction back in November 2015. The buyer was Hong Kong billionaire, Joseph Lau, who immediately renamed the gem “Blue … Continue reading Once in a Blue Moon: The Magnificent Blue Diamond
It has to be said that being “cash-poor”—meaning you’ve got a lot of assets, but very little wealth in spendable form—is, despite its negative connotations, a position of incredible privilege. Most often you’ll hear about it in relation to celebrities as the reason for a house flip or sale of a beloved Lamborghini. But surprising … Continue reading Warhols for Fast Cash: Why Collectors are Pawning Expensive Art
