White Bird: A bijoux jewelry box in Paris

White Bird, 7 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Paris (Click photo to enlarge).

Store designers and brands often talk about wanting their shops to look and feel like apartments or homes – witness the ‘Maisons’ of the luxury brands, all of them desperate to tell you that you are at home. But most of us are never going to be living in homes that look like that, although for those of us who are lucky enough though, a smart small modern townhouse may be something to which we aspire.

White Bird, 7 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Paris (Click photo to enlarge).

I love her shop at 38 rue du Mont Thabor, but jeweler Stephanie Roger latest store on the 7 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire in the Marais district of Paris takes the home concept and speaks to those aspirations, no lofty ceilings or grandiose rooms here. The space is like a very modern, very small stylishly lit wall with inserts where the product is displayed and the subtle wood and glass display cases for the jewelry seem incidental to that narrative.

White Bird, 7 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Paris (Click photo to enlarge).

This is Roger’s second White Bird jewelry store in the same neighborhood. It is designed by architect Johanna Etournel in collaboration with interior design specialists En Bande Organisée and its appeal lies in its simplicity and modern good taste.

White Bird, Paris, Karen Liberman ring Ottoman silver and gold 21 ct (Click photo to enlarge).

White Bird, Paris, Cathy Waterman ring (Click photo to enlarge).

White Bird, Paris,sterling earrings (Click photo to enlarge).

White Bird, Paris,  Cathy Waterman Earrings Cut out leaf gold 22 cts, diamonds and sapphires (Click photo to enlarge).

Contact at:

7 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, 75003 Paris, France

+33 1 40 24 27 17

by Jean Amr

My favorite jewelry box: Jumelle

I love jewels and I’m addicted to watches! I love Bvlgari, Chaumet, Boucheron, Mauboussin, Tabbah, Van Cleef & Arpels and of course; Cartier. All very precious. I love jewelry shops. Sometimes I’m (vèry) glad that I’m not a woman! (lol)….

You know the feeling when you pass that shop window seeing ‘that one item’ oh so beautiful! At Jumelle: ring in rose gold with brown diamonds!

(Click on photo to enlarge)

I have some old family pieces’ of old and antique picture frames, like a few Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels sterling frames, some of you will have seen them before in some earlier post as ‘background decoration’. The two Cartier Art Deco Sterling frames here, where a present from Begum Om Habbibeh Aga Khan. Now the frames look really wonderful, but it was not always like that….

Two pictures from Begum Om Habbibeh Aga Khan, framed in antique Cartier picture frames. The picture left was taken at in her garden at Yakymour. The right one at a dinner at Bayreuth Music Fesitval. At Jumelle they did an amazing job to restore these picture frames! (Privat collection)

(Click photo to enlarge).

For a long time they have been in a drawer. They had scratches, dents, and some sadly bad damage. One day I was talking to someone at a local jewelry store nearby, and we had a nice, friendly talk about these frames. She assured me that it would be possible to ‘restore’ them. I brought one of the frames (one at the time), and a talked about the possibilities.

Cartier Art Deco Sterling, Gold, Coral picture frame. With picture from Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan at Bayreuth Music Festival (Prival collection)

(Click photo to enlarge).

Some time later they give me a phonecall, that the frame was ready. And I can only say: They did an amazing job! Yes, I saw in their store some work they had designed and made, like beautiful sterling candles and sushi-sets, but still, seeing your own item fully restored, is a bit different. I was more then happy! Their silversmith did a great job! So, now I bring from time to time a frame to pollish it or for a complete restoration.

Jumelle’s jewelry shop (Click photo to enlarge).

I’ve been told that they all have a jewelry and/or gold/silversmith background. And I found out that they have a lot of expertise. Coming into the ‘friendly’ shop you wouldn’t expect that they have also some famous watches like Breitling, Christian Dior and Vacheron & Constantin in maintenance. But the do….!!

With brands like Silk, Rabinovich, Rodrigues Cohen, Aller Spanninga (and much more) they have a réal beautiful, and affordable collection. But they have also some amazing unique one-off’s, in all price ranges! And not to forget: a great watch collection of Behring, Ice Watch but also Seiko.

Precious pink gold, with brown and white briljant cut diamonds. Great to wear alone, amàzing to wear together

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Because they are só elegant and beautiful! Handmade chains and pendants with Pearls in red, white or yellow gold

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Highly unique: A facet cut pearl!!! They made a pendant of it, with white gold and diamond, like there is a flower on top of it. Here on a Venetian white gold chain

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Jumelle is not only for women. No, the have a nice collection for men too. Like bracelets, rings and watches. Like this new Bering watch, in Rosé with a fantasic ‘Nato’ strap! I love it!

(Click photo to enlarge).

Their friendly shop in the heart of the small village of Bunnik is doing well. Later this year they will move, to another, larger shop in the same street. More space, large windows and an instore ‘atelier’ and an even greater collection!

For more information, visit them at

Jumelle

Dorpstraat 15, 3981 EA, Bunnik, Holland

030 656 77 52

or see: http://www.jumelle.nl/

by Jean Amr

Bold cuffs take center stage.

As this summer statement jewelry continues to trend….

In a famous photo taken in 1977 at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan, the perennially stylish Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis can be seen arm-wrestling Muhammad Ali.  But it’s not the fashion icon’s toothy grin, or her off-the-shoulder gown, or her embellished earrings that stand out the most, it’s the hammered yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels cuff on her wrist. The quintessential first lady so favored the piece of jewelry that she wore it throughout the 1970s and 1980s, igniting an unprecedented fervor for cuffs among fashion’s glitterati. It was not only Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis that made the sales raise, also Princess Caroline of Monaco and other celebs did. When the Princess showed up with her Cartier Love Bracelet, sales went up…..

I Love: Rabinovich, black leather, steel bracelet (Click photo to enlarge).

Rabinovich, purple leather, steel bracelet, availble in a lot of colors (Click photo to enlarge).

Bvlgari, Sterling silver, Leather bracelet, availble in many colors (Click photo to enlarge).

A true timeless classic. Not only for horse lovers! Albanu bracelet made of horse hair and sterling silver. Availble in many colors, models and 18k gold (Click photo to enlarge).

Prince Bernard had one. Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan had one. Albanu, loved by many Royals and movie stars since 1928! Albanu bracelet made of elephant hair and 18k yellow gold. They are availble in a vèry large range of models (Click photo to enlarge).

Today cuffs are making a comeback in a variety of shapes and unique materials. Sometimes simple, sometimes precious. Basic wide styles can be worn on their own to create a more tailored, minimalistic look for work, while those with an experimental bent can mix and match skinnier versions. Add some instant edge to an outfit by rocking a double wrap leather cuff with oversized rivets and studded hardware, or up the ante by donning multiple metal bands in alternating widths on each wrist.

What some friends of mine have with shoes, I’ve got t with watches and bracelets! I realy love my Bvlgari Alveare and Parentesi, but my Cartier Love bracelet is my daily wear, that I many times combine with one of my Rabinovich leather bracelets. I’ve got many of them! They are vèry affordable, and vèry stong! Taking a shower with my Albanu, is no problem at all! I’ve got one that’s over 40 years old, and its still as new! Taking a shower with a leather bracelet is not the advice you would give someone, but my Rabinovich bracelets are still doing great, after 2 years of showering. And that for that price!

Tory Burch double wrap logo stud bracelet in blood orange, other colors availble (Click photo to enlarge).

A true Tiffany & Co classic! Elsa Peretti’s Sterling Silver Bone Cuff bracelet. It’s also availble in 18k gold (Click photo to enlarge).

Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso’s knot bracelet in leather and sterling silver (Click photo to enlarge).

Hermès Black Leather Wide Bracelets with 18K Pink Gold Turn Buckle (Click photo to enlarge).

 

Bvlgari Alveare 18k Yellow and White Gold Bracelet (Click photo to enlarge).Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Ludo’ Art Deco bracelet, Paris, 1939, yellow 18k gold, rubies and star rubies in mystery setting (Click photo to enlarge).

Cartier ‘Juste un Clou’ 18ct pink-gold bracelet, also availble in white and yellow gold, with or without diamonds or other precious stones (Click photo to enlarge).

Just remember to stick to the cardinal rule of accessorizing: Don’t overdo it. And, whether you select a classic leather cuff, bejeweled medallion or retro-inspired resin style, be sure to make a selection that speaks to you or evokes an emotion when you wear it.

For more information:

Albanu at selected stores. See http://http://www.albanu.mc

Bvlgari at Bvlgari Boutiques, online and at selected stores See: http://http://www.bulgari.com

Cartier at Cartier Boutiques, online and at selected stores. See: http://http://www.cartier.com

Van Cleef & Arpels at Van Cleef & Arpels Boutiques. See: http://http://www.vancleefarpels.com

Hermès at Hermès Boutiques, online and selected stores. See: http://http://www.hermes.com

Rabinovich at Jumelle Juwelier and other selected stores. See: http://www.jumelle.nl/

Tiffany & Co at Tiffany & Co Boutiques and selected stores. See: http://http://www.tiffany.com

Tory Burch at Tory Burch Boutiques. See: http://http://www.toryburch.com

by Jean Amr

Cartier Tea Caddy

People who know me a bit, they know that I am a real tea addict. I have màny different kinds off… Question is always: where to keep them? Well, you can keep your tea (bags) in their original package or put them together in a wooden box, it’s great to have them al together, for yourself, and for your visitors. But what to do with your loose tea? Loose tea, that you can buy in several specialist shops, like ‘Simon Levelt’ or one of the many small privat shops. Where do you keep it after buying? Do you keep it in its little bag where they put it in in the shop? It’s better to keep your tea in a so called ‘Tea Caddy’. It keeps your tea real dry and dark, so it can’t lose it’s taste. Tea Caddy’s are made in countles shapes and materials. Even now, because loose tea is vèry populair.

Cartier Tea Caddy (Private collection)(Click photo to enlarge).

Cartier Tea Caddy (Private collection)(Click photo to enlarge).

Cartier Tea Caddy (Private collection)(Click photo to enlarge).

I have several Tea Caddy’s. Some from precious handpainted Herend porcelain, one from Rosenthal porcelain designed by Versace, and this one, an antique Cartier Tea Caddy with sterling stopper. Once a present from Begum Om Habibeh, after using it herself for a long time, to store my most favorit tea….. and I still do, ’till today…..

I love green and white tea (Royal Jasmin Snowflock Tea!), but I réaly love ‘my’ Lapsang tea. A ‘bit strange’ (for some people), dark tea with a smokey flovor, but I love it, especially, after dinner. This antique Cartier Tea Caddy is réal perfect to storage my Lapsang

by Jean Amr