Cultural gems
Outside of window displays and gem fairs, jewelry is embedded in our cultural mindscape. Here is a selection of works that put jewels center-stage.
GEMS COMPLETE PORTFOLIO Andy Warhol Three precious stones. Four screenprints. In 1978 Andy Warhol interpreted rubies, diamonds and emeralds as bold Pop art images, in kaleidoscopic color with hand-drawn lines. Signed editions can fetch as much as £25,000 at auction. Warhol, who rarely wore jewelry in public, secretly collected loose gems, pieces by Cartier and Tiffany & Co. (among others), and owned close to a hundred watches. /public-objects/a0bc74a3-2d07-4ec9-945b-db9baedc06cc-b5820dc9-de48-42e2-909e-673a042f9225-09_1.webp Image sélectionnée PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ON JEWELRY Edited by Guillaume Glorieux Published by L’École des Arts Joailliers, this informative, highly readable book debunks any number of preconceptions about jewelry and precious stones. For example, sapphire isn’t always blue. A variety of corundum, sapphire occurs in almost every color (when it’s red, it’s ruby). A fascinating book, packed with insights into the secrets and subtleties of the jewelry world. /public-objects/142828bc-69bb-4184-b082-b510bd8ad6fc-e412d44c-3bbc-4960-acf7-4d7d52b5b768-08_1.webp Image sélectionnée CLEOPATRA Joseph L. Mankiewicz This spectacular 1963 production traces the alliances and passions of Cleopatra, played by the magnificent Elizabeth Taylor, first with Julius Caesar then Mark Antony, as she endeavors to protect her kingdom against imperial ambitions. Taylor’s entrance into Rome, draped in gold and jewelry, is one of the most memorable scenes in film history. /public-objects/898efed3-277d-44f8-8e5a-712901ca4601-d4488c2e-e69d-48fc-bdb9-722368a7e381-07_1.webp Image sélectionnée