Look Book

60 | thejewelrybook.com By happenstance – or as it later proved to be, kismet – my rst job out of college was in the art department of Krementz & Co., a large, ne jewelry manufacturer, doing ads, catalogues, copywriting, and large format photography. Flash forward 25 years, I was fully immersed in our glittering industry, and as an extra added bonus, a childhood fascination for gemstones became a signi cant facet of my responsibilities. When Krementz closed in 2013, I was fortunate to have found a second home at Suna Bros. doing exactly the same thing: all things creative and sparkling. To u c h s t o n e s My grandmother had a beautiful Art Deco dressing table with an enormous round mirror in the corner of her spacious sunlit bedroom. Its low, sleek styling was the ideal height for a curious child. I would run my hands over the glossy burl wood surface, marveling at the polished luster of the curved drawers and contoured shelves. On one side of the vanity was a large crystal tray with an array of pretty perfume bottles in all shapes and sizes, but on the other side, sat my real obsession: a large ivory leather jewelry box. It was wondrous to behold. Embellished with a delicate gold leaf design, it boasted an elaborate golden lock and and a tiny key with a red tassel. It was a true treasure chest. On more than one afternoon, Delphine, my maternal grandmother, whose colorful colloquialisms I quote to this very day, would indulge her only grandchild. We huddled before the beveled mirror… she, sitting on the bench with the green velvet cushion, and I, standing closely beside her, lost in reverie studying the glittering contents of each tiered, red velvet-lined compartment and drawer of the jewelry box. Her collection was eclectic, ranging from upscale fashion to fi ne platinum, gold, and gemstone pieces. I realize now just how progressive my grandmother was. Always very smartly dressed, she worked for years at Arnold Constable, a bygone department store. She accessorized each ensemble with a keen, discerning eye and was especially meticulous when selecting jewelry. Whether it was plique-à-jour dragonfl y earrings, a classic strand of pearls, or a vintage marcasite pin, she wore everything with resolute style. e pieces in her jewelry box sprang to life with her stories. We were transported from the dressing table to destinations both faraway and familiar. We stood before the giant globe at the World's Fair where my grandfather gave her the gold bangle that he bought earlier that day in New York City. We visited a tree-lined street in Rome where her mother-in-law, my great grandmother, window-shopped for the gold medallion … a 40th birthday present. We walked crowded stalls of a bustling Cairo market as her best friend chose the scarab bracelet. We heard melodies from summer nights at a swanky supper club as she held up each pin from her eclectic collection. Our journeys inevitably concluded with her most treasured jewels—the very special ones tucked away in their own drawer at the bottom of the jewelry box. Among them were diamond rings, diamond and sapphire earrings, an emerald three-stone ring, and my grandfather's heavy gold ring with a star ruby. I especially loved that one. Its weight and ring size was more like a bracelet in my small hands, but oh, how I marveled at the cherry gumdrop gem in the center. I was fascinated how a tiny star magically danced on the surface whenever a beam of sunlight streamed through the gossamer curtains. Profound emotions are forged in metals and gems. Jewelry is an investment, but its intrinsic value measures far beyond the monetary. A piece of jewelry is, quite literally, a touchstone: it is a time, an emotion, a memory, a family. ose afternoon expeditions with my grandmother sprinkled seeds that took root and blossomed into the love and appreciation for what I do now. Like that star ruby, how very precious and fl eeting were our moments together. Dazzle Dazzle Dazzle Dazzle by Danielle Barber Fall 2022 | Dazzle

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