Jewelry Exhibits Sparkle

World-renowned jewelry houses Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. are adding sparkle to Seoul this month, as their dazzling jewels are on display in two separate exhibitions.

Visitors will have the chance to learn about the two companies' long history and appreciate their creative jewelry designs. Among the beautiful jewelry pieces that will fascinate visitors are an exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels tiara worn by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, and the huge yellow diamond in Tiffany's stunning ``Bird on a Rock.''

Van Cleef & Arpels

French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels opened its ``Jewels of Eternal Glamour and Excellence'' exhibit Thursday, at Shinsegae Main Store, Myeong-dong. It runs through Friday, April 4.

The exhibit features 130 pieces illustrating Van Cleef & Arpels creativity and high-quality craftsmanship throughout its 102-year history. The brand's story begins with the marriage between Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels. The first shop was opened at no. 22 Place Vendome in Paris in 1906, where it remains as its flagship store until today.

Van Cleef & Arpels has carefully cultivated its image of luxury and style throughout the decades. It is easy to see why, with the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Maria Callas, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johanssen wearing the jewels.

When Princess Grace married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956, she received wedding jewelry composed of a set of diamond and pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings specially made by Van Cleef & Arpels. The exhibit features an elegant diamond tiara worn by Princess Grace during the wedding day of her daughter Princess Caroline in 1978.

Visitors will also be able to uncover the secret behind Van Cleef & Arpels' legendary ``mystery setting,'' a technique that holds the gems in place without showing the gemstone settings. One example is the ``peony clip,'' (1937) made of 700 square-cut rubies, 6 oval-shaped rubies, 43 baguette-cut diamonds in a platinum setting.

There are numerous pieces that will catch visitors' attention, such as delicate ballerina and fairy brooches, a Picasso clock, diamond-encrusted ribbon clips and exotic Indian and Chinese-inspired necklaces.

The latest Van Cleef collection ``Atlantide,'' inspired by the lost city of Atlantis, is shown in Seoul for the first time.

The value of all the jewels on display to estimated to be more than 20 million euros (approximately US$32 million). The Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit runs through April 4 at the Culture Hall, located on the 10th floor of Shinsegae Main Store (Hoehyeon station Line 4).

Tiffany & Co.

``The Jewels of Tiffany (1837-2007)'' at the Hangaram Design Museum showcases almost 200 pieces of jewelry made by Tiffany & Co. in the last 170 years.

Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the company in 1837, starting out as a stationary store in New York. Its international reputation grew, as it won various prizes at expositions around the world.

In pop culture, the brand is forever linked with Audrey Hepburn, thanks to the classic 1961 film ``Breakfast at Tiffany's,'' which was based on Truman Capote's novel. Today, young women adore the ``Return to Tiffany's'' bracelet, and hope to receive a Tiffany's diamond engagement ring.

The Tiffany exhibit is divided into 10 sections, starting with the company's history and shows its opulent designs throughout the years. There are sections devoted to nature-inspired designs, Art Deco and designs by G. Paulding Farnham and Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of the founder.

Tiffany's has created unique jewelry and accessories such as orchid brooches, crystal scent bottles, sterling silver spurs, cigar cases and watches using silver, gold, pearls, diamonds and other precious gems.

Many of the pieces were owned by famous people such as a pearl necklace and brooch worn by American First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and a diamond brooch worn as a belt decoration by Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Empress Eugenie.

However, the highlight is the ``Bird on a Rock,'' featuring one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world and designed by Jean Schlumberger.

The works of designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso (daughter of Pablo Picasso) and architect Frank Gehry are also on display.

``The Jewels of Tiffany'' runs through June 6 at Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center (Nambu Bus Terminal Line 3, exit 5). Admission is 12,000 won, but discounts available for students and senior citizens.
Source: koreatimes