Queen Victoria’s Orange Blossom Jewelry

The exhibition includes many photographs and formal portraits by Winterhalter who executed the majority of royal portraits. Victoria was the first monarch to live at Buckingham Palace and the couple loved to host costume balls. The exhibition includes one her most beautiful surviving dresdes designed for her by Eugene Lami for the Stuart Ball in 1851.

Prince Albert loved design which led to his organizing of the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851. At the Exhibition the Directors of the East India Company presented Victoria with a selection of jewels from the Indian section of the exhibition, including the 352.5-carat Timur Ruby and three spinels. Victoria had the firm of Garrad set them into a necklace.

The Royal Order of Victoria and Albert was instituted by the Queen on February 10, 1862 after the Prince Consort’s death.
Victoria & Albert, Art and Love is at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace through October 31.

To view this collection on line please visit The Royal Collection webiste

Provided by Elyse Zorn Karlin, Editor Adornment Magazine, Co-Director Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts (ASJRA). ASJRA’s conference One More Time: Jewelry Fakes, Revivals, Recycling and Reproductions takes place May 15, 2010 in New York City (www.jewelryconference.com).

I know many of us are still reeling from the recent events and devastation which took place in Haiti less than two short months ago. While many countries, organizations and private citizens have rallied to their aid, it will take years and untold financial resources to assist this small country in recovery. At US Antique Shows, we are supportive of any and all efforts to support this worthy cause. The information below has been provided to us by Elyse Zorn Karlin, Association for the Study of Jewelry and the Related Arts (www.asjra.com) and we’re happy to be able to share it with you here.

In its continuing commitment to encourage giving, empower
personal preferences and respond quickly to those in need, Joan
Hornig has created The Tools to Rebuild Collection in sterling silver.
The Tools to Rebuild Collection includes three versions of the” heart
wrenching” necklace. The necklaces have 24-inch chains and can
comfortably be worn by men as well as women. Suspended from
each chain is one or more sterling silver wrench charms. These
pieces are meant to provide financial and symbolic support for the
efforts to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake rebuild their
communities and their lives.

True to the Joan Hornig Philanthropy is Beautiful model, 100% of
the profits on each piece will be donated to the Haitian relief charity
of the purchaser’s choice in his/her honor. At Joan Hornig Jewelry
they believe that giving is as personal as one’s style and so they
encourage purchasers to select the Haitian relief charity that
resonates most personally with her or him.

The needs are great. Supplies, clean water, food, blankets, tents,
medical assistance, homes, orphans, the elderly, all are critical. The
Joan B. Hornig Foundation will let the buyers determine where the
money should go and which non-profits should receive the funds,
not just on the heels of the crisis, but always as there will be great
ongoing needs to address. The same protocol used for all
purchases of Joan Hornig Jewelry will be followed. Registered 501
(c) 3 organizations selected by purchasers are noted at the time of
payment on www.joanhornig.com along with the name of the
person in whose honor the donation should be made.
Joan Hornig Jewelry has made thousands of donations to over 600
different causes worldwide through the sales of its jewelry For
more information look at their websiste www.joanhorning.com or
contact info@joanhornig.com or call 212.427.6216.

Don’t forget! The ASJRA Conference One More Time: Jewelry Fakes, Revivals, Recycling & Reproductions takes place May 15th, 2010. For more information go to www.jewelryconference.com