The Manhattan Exhibition
Jewelry.com Celebrates A Bejeweled
Manhattan
In 2006, a classic Manhattan moment sparked an idea for a journey that would
immortalize Manhattan in jewelry. In February that year, Jewelry.com hosted a
Manhattan themed party at one of the city's iconic locales, the Carlyle Café.
Against a backdrop of music provided by Woody Allen and his band, executives
from Macy's and Jewelry.com talked about the creativity, the possibilities and
the icons that have made Manhattan the heartbeat of the country.
This casual conversation led to an undertaking that lasted over three years -
an undertaking that would celebrate the beauty and spirit of ten of Manhattan's
best loved monuments and themes, translating them into hand-crafted bejeweled
works of art that synthesize architecture, culture, achievements and
aspirations.
In mid-2006, Ofer Azrielant, Jewelry.com's CEO, assembled the Manhattan
creative team that was charged with capturing the beauty, the aspirations and
the limitless creativity and achievements that define Manhattan. Sagi Haviv, a
renowned trademark designer, redesigned the Manhattan logo to subliminally
reflect the city's iconic skyline and Evert DeGraeve, a prolific jewelry
creator, was brought in as Creative Director to oversee the project. Evert
gathered a group of diverse jewelry designers - including Maria Canale, Lili
Chu, Chris Correia, Lawrence Lo, and Francis Mertens - to partner with him in
the creative journey that would transform 10 New York icons into 10 jewelry
masterpieces.
The Manhattan collection of jewelry comprises of both a 'Museum Collection'
and a 'Couture Collection'. The 10 iconic museum pieces each took between 12 to
18 months to create, with perfection the driving force behind every step of the
process. Each diamond and gem was individually sourced and set ensuring
unsurpassed levels of excellence.
Iconic Inspirations Include:
- Brooklyn Bridge: The diamond bangle inspired by the
intricate designs of criss-crossing cables of the Brooklyn Bridge features over
670 diamonds - each stone meticulously set in an complex design that forms an
architectural waltz.
- Macy's Star: Macy's is far more than a store or the hub of
a retail empire - it's a living landmark celebrating the art, the history, the
accomplishments and the opportunities that New York affords all. In 1837, a
fifteen-year-old apprentice on a whaling ship had a red star tattooed on his
hand - he was Rowland Macy and his tattoo was to become the symbol of not only a
store - but an American institution. The iconic Macy's Star has been translated
into a jewel featuring 465 rubies and diamonds.
- Grand Central Terminal: Inspired by the opal clock inside
the terminal, the pendant featuring 107 freshwater pearls and 14 diamonds,
features an enamel clock face etched with celestial representations reminiscent
of the astronomical painting covering the ceiling of the Terminal's main hall.
- Chrysler Building: Inspired by the Chrysler building, the
diamond ring, featuring 79 baguette diamonds and black onyx trillions, pays
homage to the race to create the world's highest tower which dominated the New
York skyline throughout the latter years of the 1920s. On October 23rd, 1929 the
Chrysler Building officially won the battle to be crowned the 'world's tallest
building', albeit a title it was to hold for just a few months.
- Wall Street: In 1789, George Washington, standing on the
balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street took his oath of office as the first
President of the United States. Today, "Wall Street" is more synonymous with the
hopes and despairs of a financial market. Whether times are bullish or bearish,
Wall Street stands firm as an iconic symbol of American aspirations with a
global reach.
- Fire Escapes: In 1887, Anna Connelly registered a patent
for a steel staircase that could be added to the exterior of any building.
Within years, these emergency egresses were an integral feature that defined the
architecture and urban spirit of turn-of-the century New York.
- Times Square: The magnetic lure of the 'crossroads of the
world' has turned this urban playground into an enchanted city forest pulling in
dreamers and visionaries alike. This necklace inspired by the lights and colors
of Time Square contains 348 precious gems - each stone sourced and set to
reflect the beauty and hues of its neighboring jewel.
- Central Park: It took over 20,000 workers moving 3 million
cubic yards of soil, planting more than 270,000 trees, shrubs and plants,
building 40 bridges and 4 underground roads to create Central Park - a
landscaped marvel of urban nature. Inspired by this pastoral haven, the Central
Park pendant features 890 diamonds and gemstones weighing 66.69cts.
- St Patrick's Cathedral: Famed for its purity of style and
harmony of proportions, St. Patrick's Cathedral is an international icon
signifying how seamless the accord between spiritual respite and urban
perpetuity can be. Over 80 emeralds set in a 22 karat yellow gold pendant pay
tribute to this monument of Manhattan tranquility.
- New York Moments: From the sentinel hope that stands guard
in her dulled green robes to the yellow taxicabs that criss-cross the streets
delivering their human cargo - New York moments are individual, inspired and
unique to each one of us.
The Manhattan Couture Collection features 50 gallery jewels ensuring there's
a Manhattan jewel for everyone. From a dazzling diamond bangle inspired by the
architectural waltzes of the bridges of New York to a collection of glamorous
golden charms based on Manhattan moments.
Return to In The Spotlight: The
Manhattan Collection
