More on the Singer Estate Collection: Celebrity pieces

Here's some more information for you about the Singer Estate Collection.  As a reminder, we will be hosting this collection and offering their amazing pieces for sale on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

If you haven't read the previous posts on our blog or Facebook, the Singer Estate Collection is comprised of jewelry from the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro eras.  But there are a few other contemporary categories as well and Singer is often able to acquire celebrity pieces.  Below you will find some examples of the celebrity jewelry that can be found in the Singer Collection.  These are representative examples only and may or may not be offered in our sale on Saturday.  (We're excited to see what they arrive with!)

BARBRA STREISAND GIFTED ROLEX TO JON PETERS: A Rolex gifted from Barbra Streisand to then-boyfriend, Jon Peters. Sterling silver and 9K yellow gold wristwatch by Rolex. Circa 1935. It has a white rectangular dial with hour and seconds and 15 ruby movement. The reverse is inscribed “Dear Jon- ‘Time won’t change the meaning of…one love…ageless and ever, evergreen’ 6/2/81 I love You Joan.” Streisand’s middle name is Joan and the name that Peters used for her. The quote is from the song Evergreen.

ROBERT GOULET GOLD HOT DOG. A Robert Goulet-owned hot dog, 14K yellow gold, 3-1/4 by 1-1/4 in., 84 grams. Goulet once visited his aunt while he was still a struggling actor. He and his friends ate an entire home-baked pie and as they were leaving Aunt Alice reached in her pocket and gave Goulet ten dollars. He tried to refuse, but she forced the money into his hand, saying,“I don’t think the apple pie was enough, so go and buy yourself a hotdog.” Goulet had this gold hot dog made for her.

LES PAUL 14K GOLD POCKET WATCH: A hunting case pocket watch made by Non-Magnetic Watch Co. of America with Paillard's opening to reveal a round white dial with black enamel Roman chapters and a subsidiary seconds dial. Interior inscription reading, "Les, I'll never Forget our Friendship Love, Richie." The watch is presumably a gift from friend and guitarist Richie Sambora.

Singer Collection estate sale

On May 4, 2013 Grimball Jewelers will be hosting a Singer Collection estate sale. The Singer Collection was founded in 1982 and employs a team of highly-skilled buyers who travel the country acquiring fabulous jewelry from estates and private collections. Although it is ever-changing, the collection includes Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro pieces as well as other precious heirlooms and contemporary signed jewels. This collection will be on display and its unique pieces for sale in our store this one day only. Over the next few days we'll be posting images from various eras in their singular collection.  Although they may not be offered for purchase during our sale, below you'll find representative examples of Singer's pieces from the Retro era.

A Little about Retro Jewelry

The Retro Era in jewelry begins with World War II. At this time, gems were scarce and platinum was reserved for the military.  Thus you will notice that jewelers crafted pieces set with smaller stones and made efforts to conserve metal.

From the GIA's Jewelry Essentials:

Common themes and styles in Retro jewelry include:

• Floral and bow motifs in colored gems
• Animal figures of enameled gold and gems
• Jeweled brooches, lapel clips
• Bold, sculpted curves of rose gold set with small diamonds and rubies
• Designs inspired by mechanical objects such as bicycle chains, padlocks,
and tank treads
• Stylized natural motifs
• Large motifs fabricated using thin gold sheets to conserve metal while
giving a substantial look
• Gemstones like small diamonds, rubies (often synthetic), and light-colored
sapphires