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.