Parthenon Jewelry: May 2012

May 31, 2012

OUT OF THIS WORLD: 'MARTIAN PINK' DIAMOND SOLD FOR US$17.4M AT CHRISTIE'S

The "Martian Pink" diamond by Harry Winston fetched a staggering US$17.4 million at auction in Hong Kong this week as it went on sale for the first time in 36 years, more than double the estimated price.

Billed as the largest pink diamond ever to go under the hammer, the stunning round fancy intense pink gem was the pièce de résistance of the Christies' jewellery auction that raised $80 million on Tuesday.

"Having appeared on the market for the first time in 36 years, The Martian Pink sold by Harry Winston in 1976 created a sensation during its worldwide exhibition tour and achieved US$17.4m after a 10-minute bidding war," said Vickie Sek of Christie's Asia.

Hong Kong has emerged as the world's third biggest auction centre after New York and London, thanks largely to the growing luxury market in mainland China

http://www.luxury-insider.com/luxury-news/2012/05/out-of-this-world-martian-pink-diamond-sold-for-us174m-at-christies

May 30, 2012

Peter Carl Faberge

The Faberge family originated in France, but the Protestant family fled after the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. Eventually, some family members settled in Russia. Peter Carl Faberge was born in 1846. His education and goldsmith apprenticeship were in Germany. After establishing himself independently in 1866, Carl continued to refine his skills. By age 24, Faberge had inherited his father's jewelry workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia. For ten years as head of the business, Carl continued to produce goods similar to other jewelry makers. He also volunteered his time to the Hermitage, a treasury which stored all of the precious objects of the Russian czars, including gold artifacts and ancient treasures. All of these pieces Carl helped catalog, appraise and repair. He reorganized the business with the help of his able brother Agathon and forever changed the face of jewelry and art.In 1882 Carl's younger brother Agathon, a trained jeweler full of ideas, appeared on the scene.