Famous jewelry collections
are locked away in all corners of the world. Most are also the crown jewels of
the nation wherein they reside...
Other famous jewelry collections
may be on display in secure museums. National treasures, royal regalia, dynastic
antiquities... these collections go by a variety of names.
Many countries that were (are) ruled by
monarchs over the past thousand years have amassed significant treasures
of gems and ornately worked precious metals.
Most of these countries are
in Europe, Asia, and what is now referred to as the Middle East. Many treasures
have been captured, looted, or lost in wars waged by and against these
countries.
Many of the crown jewels of France were
looted during the French Revolution (1789 - 1799).
Much of the Romanov collection was lost
during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
Famous jewelry collections
have been lost and acquired in this way. In some instances parts of collections
have been lost forever, but extensive collections are known to exist in Russia,
Austria, United Kingdom,
India, Burma (Myanmar), Denmark, Sweden, and Iran
(Persia).
The
Persian treasure includes a 60
carat brilliant cut yellow diamond
and the world’s largest
known spinel,.
the Samarian Spinel. This fine gem is a 500 carat, noble red spinel currently
housed at the National Jewelry Museum in Tehran(The fabulous crown shown below is also Persian.)
Famous jewelry collections
must surely exist in Middle Eastern countries and Emirates... but little is
known of what are speculated to be fabulous collections.
Likewise, little is known about most private
collectors. We do know that some individuals and some jewelry-related companies
acquire pieces through auctions and private sales.
Harry
Winston was possibly
the best known American private collector. Winston built a fortune in the
diamond and jewelry fields. From diamond mining, to cutting, to jewelry design
and fabrication, to top-dollar retail jewelry sales, Winston was a leader.
Among
famous jewelry
collections, Winston’s was superb. He began building his collection by
acquiring the prestigious collection of Arabella Huntington, wife of Henry
Huntington (Railroads, businesses, beaches). Winston redesigned the pieces and
reset the stones. He went on to acquire many famous diamonds.
Winston
may be best known for his donation of the deep blue Hope Diamond to the
Smithsonian.
Famous jewelry collections
also exist in relatively young countries, including the USA. Almost all of the
USA collection has been donated to the Smithsonian, and is housed in the Janet
Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals.
A Google search using the search box below
and the keyword phrase crown jewels (or similar keywords) will show you a number
of links and ads.
Gem Industry News...
Jewelry Industry Slowdown
Economic slowdown is the dominant story in the entire jewelry industry...
just as it seems to be in other fields.
The dramatic slowdown in retail jewelry sales seems to have spread upstream
to all segments of the fine jewelry and gem industries.
Jewelry manufacturers, gem dealers, gem cutters and miners, supply houses,
and jewelry industry-related real estate are being impacted.
I'm confident there are other segments of the jewelry industry I have not
talked with... but I'm equally sure they are feeling the pinch also.
To me, there seems to be a Chicken and Egg question here... Are the
politicians telling it like it is, or scaring people into not spending?
Jewelry
Dealers
From a supply perspective, now is the time to replenish your depleted inventory.
If you have some money to invest in inventory - there are deals to be had.
And you should have some cash. After all, that depleted inventory was sales.
From a sales perspective, gift giving occasions have not disappeared. Birthdays,
anniversaries, and many other reasons to give nice jewelry at a great price just
keep on coming. Your customers (and their friends) need what you offer!
A market where people perceive they should spend less fits right into your
marketing strategy...
Want to change the e-mail address
at which you receive this newsletter?
Want to (gulp) unsubscribe?
and let me know
what you want to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The AZGem Gems Newsletter is now distributed
through RSS, as well as by e-mail. Use the appropriate button below to
add the azgem.com feed to your RSS service.
