Whose Jewelry Box Would You Raid?

RAPAPORT... Oprah Winfrey or Victoria Beckham? Rapaport Magazine asked four industry members to name the celebrity whose bling they would love to access. Here are their answers.Elisabeth Austin Founder, DiamondRunway.comDo I get to "keep" or do I only get to "borrow" from myraid? It raises questions, as I typically see the private citizenry to bericher with inspired collectors than the celebrity world.So if it's the celebrity box I get to raidand keep, I'd have to go with Queen Elizabeth for the historical depth andvalue of the collection, and I am sure I could come away with some amazingpieces. Jennifer Lopez or Oprah[Winfrey] run a tight second because these ladies have acquired some nice,juicy diamonds worth owning.If I only get to borrow as a result of my raid, I'd go forjewelry as worn by Bethenny Frankel [of The Real Housewives of New York City].Her stylist is quite something, and the jewelry looks are fabulously "onpoint." So let me know if I get to peruse Bethenny's jewelry or her stylist'scollection. Rui Galopim de CarvalhoFounder, Portugal Gemas AcademyIf there is a celebrity whose jewel box I would like toraid, it is Joel Arthur Rosenthal. This American-born jewelry artist, known asJAR, is a living legend, a mysterious and fascinating character, and aunanimously respected jeweler among his peers. He has made extraordinary jewels with extraordinary gems forextraordinary people, being a master of perfection and detail. I'm pretty sure that his jewelry box has unique andas-yet-unveiled art pieces that nobody has seen before, surely with fine andunusual colored gemstones, pearls, precious corals, ebony, diamonds... but it's amystery because no one knows exactly what he is up to and what he has producedand kept. Opening his jewelry box would be like the exciting discovery of awhole new world of secret, unseen glittering art pieces. Bebe BakhshiFounder, Champagne Gem; Cofounder, Champagne DiamondsThere are a few celebrities whose jewelry box I would loveto raid, and the first name that comes to mind is Victoria Beckham! Our foreverfavorite Posh Spice, a recognized style icon, successful entrepreneur andfashion designer, is the definition of elegance, with exquisite taste injewelry. As far as the public knows, she has 14 different engagement ringsranging from colorless (white), pink and yellow diamonds, to three major royalgemstones: sapphire, emerald and ruby. The largest and most expensive ring is a17-carat, pear-shaped diamond, and her collection of rings is worthapproximately $11 million. I can't think of any other celebrity who owns such adiverse range of engagement rings, except Elizabeth Taylor. I do hope one day Iget to see all of her rings on a beautiful tray and hear from her whichmilestone each is celebrating.Levi HiggsJewelry and decorative arts historianI would be so bold as to choose the inimitable DanielleSteel. As the best-selling author alive today, it's clear she's got the fundsto invest in good jewelry. Her jewelry choices are cerebral, and from whatwe've seen that crops up at auction from time to time, she has all of thegreats covered: Verdura, Schlumberger, Webb. I can't imagine the level ofthings that she's chosen to keep over the years. And the best part about her isthat it's clear she loves jewelry. She's a little bit campy, with her giganticwriting desk made of Danielle Steel romance novels, but that lends itself wellto making elaborate and statement jewelry choices. Sneaking in one more author's jewelry box I'd love to raid,I have to mention J.K. Rowling. You know there's some magic in there,especially lovely Elizabeth Gage cocktail rings. This article was first published in the July 2019 issue of Rapaport Magazine.Image of Rui Galopim de Carvalho by Jo??o Trindade.