If, like me, you love jewelry but don’t want to wear what everyone else has, this is for you. Tucked away in a niche right near the door of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in White Plains, this little boutique features one-of-a kind baubles that range from the wildly extravagant to the totally affordable.
Owners Diana Heimann and her husband, George Beck, have been in their current location for three years. Between them, they have thirty years’ worth of experience in the jewelry business. Beck is a delight to talk with; he’s smart, welcoming, and the furthest thing from a high pressure salesmen. Ask a question, and you’ll not only get the right answer, but an interesting story, too.
“Even in tough economic times,” says Beck, “there are plenty of people who appreciate and can afford fine luxury items. Socialism doesn’t work! If gold prices, which have risen so significantly over the past few years, now stay stable, people will become confident again. We believe; we still work in eighteen karat gold, which is very rare these days.”
Rare, and gorgeous. My eye was immediately drawn to a bracelet which is to die for (above). Done in 18k, with two and a half carats of diamonds, this intricately woven hinged beauty fit perfectly on my wrist. It’s heavy to the touch, really a substantial piece. When my husband blanches at the price ($29,500), Beck assures him that they also make it in silver ($1,500), which is dipped in rhodium. “Rhodium means it will stay forever,” he smiles.
There’s an intriguing red-hued tasseled necklace which is made of composite metal and pink tourmaline ($1,450) in the next glass case. Just my style.
“We decided to carry costume jewelry because often times ladies decide they need to wear something nice for dinner,” Beck says, pointing out a smashing necklace of cascading rows of briolette ($250). “Even though our shop is located here in the Ritz, we’re actually wholesalers. We carry watches made for the Secret Service. We work with Harry Winston and Van Cleef. We don’t really reveal the names of our clients, but I can tell you that they include celebrities, sports stars- especially the Knicks- and even Henry Kissinger. We go to craft shows all over the country, and our friends are the jewelry artists we’ve met from around the world.”
Indeed, there are pieces here the like of which is rarely seen these days. The work in hammered 24k gold is breathtaking. Done by a Turkish craftsman whose wife is Australian, there’s an emerald necklace ($2,630) and a pair of chalcedony and black opal earrings ($4,500, below) that are simply breathtaking.
We learn from Beck that “Judith Leiber is starting a museum. She has to buy back all her work, because at one point, she sold it all.” The sparkly black clutch bag ($2,295) and the selection of black rhinestone earrings ($350- $425) could go in my personal museum anytime.
I’d never heard of the manufacturer named Nanis (below). Beck reflects on how much he and Heimann enjoy working with them. “They’re from Texas, and the Texan economy is doing well. These are made in Italy. They’re created in mixed metals, brass, silver, and gold plated ($500 and up).
“Dear, I think I have to have these,” I say to my husband, as I point to a wall of stunning green goblets. “Those are actually a wall sculpture, sold as a 20 piece set. They’re numbered and signed by the artist, and they arrive in a crate. The cost is $8,700,” Beck informs my shell shocked mate.
“What’s the most unusual thing you sell?” I ask. Beck leads us to a glass cabinet which contains earrings in the “Mad Stone Design.” The shepherd hook earrings feature bubbled lemon citrine, patent pending; the surrounding stones are amethyst (price available on request). “These were featured in the Mercedes Runway Show. No one has them but us,” beams Beck.
“Hmmm” says my husband, “ How about these candles?” Turns out that they’re from California, and priced to sell ($150 and up). Also more in our ballpark are sterling silver baseball cufflinks, and those made from subway tokens ($175 and up). For the former, fanatical Yankees and Red Sox fans can find out in which game their cufflinks were originally used when they were part of actual baseballs. “You can go online and see who pitched them,” prompts Beck.
The Diana Heimann Jewelry Salon will soon have its own website, so contact them now to stay ahead of the curve. For the time being, they can be found on Facebook, and reached at info@dianaheimann.com and 914-467-5880. But be warned; shopping for fabulously unique jewelry can be highly addictive.
Diana Heimann Jewelry Salon, The Ritz-Carlton Westchester, 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains NY 10601
Please note: prices subject to change.
Photo credit: John Warner
Michall Jeffers and her husband, photographer John Warner, enjoy chronicling their shopping expeditions together in her words and his images. Michall writes extensively, both in print and online. Her eponymous cable TV show is syndicated throughout the tri-state area, and features celebrity interviews, reviews, and commentary. www.michalljeffers.com
