Living in Cambridge UK for the year, I come across the most incredible things – I mean, how can you NOT buy this stuff? While I’ve pursued French and Russian objets d’art in the past, it’s not so prevalent in England, so while I’m here, I can definitely say the English silver and jewelry has cast its spell on me…
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Khlebnikov and Surviving the Melting Pot
When you consider the huge volume of silver and treasures that was melted down by the Bolsheviks in the wake of the Russian revolution of 1917, it’s a wonder any of it survived at all. In that tumultuous time, literally tons of silver faced the melting pot, from large-scale punch bowls, candelabra, commemorative trophies, processional icons, chargers and tea services…
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Gems that Changed My Life
There I was gazing at the finest gems and jewels on the planet. I had landed a plum job as gemologist at Christie’s, the world-renowned auction house in New York. Working behind the scenes, hunched over a microscope, my role was to examine and test the world’s finest precious gems to make certain they passed muster – 20+ carat D…
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10 Days that Shook Our World: Reflections on Our Most Recent Tour of St. Petersburg
I’ve just returned from an amazing journey with our guests to the glorious city of the Russian tsars – St. Petersburg Russia. They accompanied us on our September 2017 Walking Tour of St. Petersburg Jewelers on the Centennial of the Russian Revolution, and it was indeed 10 days that shook our world! Our first stop: a private visit to the…
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What Surprises Await Guests of Our September St. Petersburg Jewelers Walking Tour
In just two days I head to Russia to meet our group of guests for our St. Petersburg Jewelers Walking Tour – some of whom are coming from as far away as California, Colorado and Canada! I’m thrilled as this tour combines two of my greatest passions: Russian jewels and treasures, and sharing them with you. Our exciting line up…
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Russian Gold Fountain Pen by Friedrich KOECHLI, St. Petersburg, 1890s
I bought this pen not knowing who made it. I knew it was Russian and that it was made before the Revolution. It had the right look, feel and heft, with a wonderful rose gold patina. I picked it up, pretended to sign a document with it and I knew one thing: I had to have it. So you can…
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