From the DAILY EXPRESS February 14, 2005

On display at the Gilbert Collection in London’s Somerset House, this unusual exhibition features 200 pieces of priceless American jewellery, dating from the late 18th century until the 1990’s…“But the exhibition isn’t just about jewels,” says Judy Price, president of America’s National Jewelry Institute. “It’s about celebrating all things American. As a country, we don’t have the history and culture that you Brits have. But we do have an irrepressible sense of ‘in-your-face fun’ which is reflected in this collection.”

Masterpieces of American Jewelry

The city will be decked with thousands of flags next week, but none more spectacular than this Cartier brooch in Masterpieces of American Jewelry at the American Folk Art Museum. Bursting with bands of diamonds, rubies, and sapphires set in platinum, the 1927 piece should put a twinkle in the eye of Tucker Carlson.—Karen Rosenberg

American Folk Art Museum , 45 W. 53rd St.; 212-265-1040
August 20th, 2004 - January 23, 2005

Natural Wonders of the Jewelry World

The exhibition is the first museum retrospective of American jewelry. Each of its 150 pieces was manufactured in the U.S. "What makes up the American spirit?" asks Ralph Esmerian, a fourth-generation collector who curated the show. "There's a whimsy about it and a tremendous appreciation for nature." Buyers beware; one thing these baubles are not is for sale.

HOT THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

DROOL at the Masterpieces of American Jewelry exhibition at
New York's National Jewelry Institute; 125 pieces from Harry Winston,
Tiffany, and Cartier, among others, are on display.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT SOLD
Brook Mason finds out why modern jewelry is finding its
way out of the shops and into the museums.

Baubles and bright shiny things: the retail world right? Wrong. These days jewelry, much of it 20th century, is being given pride of space in the museum.

In New York alone the autumn exhibitions line-up includes the National Jewelry Institute's Masterpieces of American Jewelry, the first-ever museum show devoted to American jewelers (opening August 20th), which will be held at the American Folk Art Museum.