Rumanoff's - The LX Magazine Fall/Winter 2014 by LX Publications

from the publisher

Welcome.

It is our pleasure at Rumanoff ’s Fine Jewelry to announce the second annual edition of Rumanoff's-The LX Magazine. It is with great appreciation, as our gift to you, we are publishing this beautiful coffee table piece. Within its pages, you will find unique and captivating stories, artistic photography, lifestyle features and more. Please be sure to note that, this year, the gift guide portion of this magazine is entitled “The Gift Guide That Gives”. We at Rumanoff ’s will be donating a portion of the proceeds from every sale generated from this gift guide between now and December 24th to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition to jewelry, we have comprised this issue to showcase various pursuits and interests. For travel, you’ll find one of the most distinctive and fleeting destinations the planet affords. Each winter, a different group of artists creates Sweden’s ICEHOTEL from ice and snow—by hand. Christopher Hauser’s photographs brilliantly capture the essence of this singularly desirable experience. Working hand-in-hand with this feature is the “Gelé Château” (Frozen Castle) photo essay’s gorgeous collection of handcrafted gowns and fine jewelry. We have an overview about one of the finest cars the world has ever known. On December 23, 1904, Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls founded Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Specifically noted for their hand craftsmanship, these automobiles represent the ultimate vehicles in the automotive world. One of the rewards of becoming a master winemaker is the sensory delight experienced when the results of your handicraft are enjoyed. Further, few possessions more completely express the specific tastes of a fastidious individual than a fine wine collection. We’ll show you how to get one started.

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At Rumanoff ’s, we pride ourselves on being able to provide our customers with the best shopping experience, with friendly, professional customer service. We offer a wide selection of merchandise at great prices, complete jewelry repair and stone setting with a jeweler on site, custom design, computerized engraving, watch repair on all makes and models, pearl and bead stringing, and appraisals. This year, we are proud to announce the addition of Forevermark, the Tacori men’s collection, Michael Kors and Fossil watches. As we enter this holiday season, know that you can count on us to help you choose the perfect gift for that special someone. With our most sincere gratitude for all of our loyal customers to whom we owe our success, and with the hopes of gaining the trust of more, all of us at Rumanoff ’s look forward to seeing you. Warm wishes to you and yours,

Douglas Rumanoff and the team at Rumanoff 's Fine Jewelry

®, and The Diamond. The Promise.™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies.

A TRUE PROMISE WILL NEVER BE BROKEN

4 1 3 3 W H I T N E Y AV E N U E , H A M D E N

WWW.RUMANOFFS.COM

2 0 3 . 2 3 0 .1 1 9 9

DECO DIAMOND, DIAMOND DIAL ON BLUE NIGHTS CRYSTAL

Features

inside

Jewelry 10 Engaging, By Design 15 Michele Watches 35 Gift Guide 60 The Uplifting Qualities of Alex and Ani Jewelry

65 Forevermark

Photography 24 Gelé Château 43 Behind the Lens of Christopher Hauser: ICEHOTEL

Engaging, By Design Photo Feature: Gelé Château

of Caviar

56 Scent of a Man

Starting a Fine Wine Collection

Lifestyle 19 The Story Behind the Rolls Royce 32 The Indisputable Pleasures

Libation 50 Starting a Fine Wine Collection

56 Scent of a Man

The Uplifting Qualities of Alex and Ani Jewelry 7

cover on on thethe cover

Publisher DOUGLAS RUMANOFF Associate Publisher MICHAEL RUMANOFF LESLIE DESTEFANO STEVEN RUMANOFF Editor JON ROBERTS Creative Director ANGIE HALTER L-R: Michael Rumanoff, Douglas Rumanoff, Steven Rumanoff and Leslie DeStefano Photography by David Apuzzo Photography Hamden | davidapuzzo.com Leslie DeStefano's hair by Image Hair Studio North Haven | 203.691.5149 Felicia Rumanoff's hair (p.12-13) by Christine Maturo of Belle Cheveux Cheshire | 203.272.2113 Makeup by Andrea Blair of Two Spa Girls North Haven | twospagirls.com

Project Coordinators COURTNEY DRENTH MANDI HALVERSON

Location: Sleeping Giant State Park | Hamden, CT

LX: a coffee table magazine LX® Magazine is published by LX Publications, LLC, 524 North Main Avenue, Suite 110, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. LX® accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. LX® reserves the right to edit, rewrite, refuse or reuse material, is not responsible for errors or omissions and may feature the same content on lxmagazines.com, as well as other mediums for any and all purposes. Copyright © 2014 LX Publications LLC. All rights reserved. The entire contents of LX® are protected by copyright© and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of LX Publications, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission by any means therefrom without prior written permission is prohibited. LX® and LX® Magazine are trademarks™ of LX Publications, LLC. 8

Our Signature Collection anniversary and wedding bands will last generations, are of the best quality and are made here in the U.S.A. The diamonds, rubies and sapphires are machine cut to ideal proportions producing sensational brilliance.The rings are made with die struck, extruded metal, which offers maximum structural integrity. Available in white, yellow or rose gold, platinum or palladium.

Provided by Nature. Orchestrated by Technology.

Engaging, By Design Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry—In Their Own Words By Douglas Rumanoff

Many thousands of stories have been composed by many an accomplished writer to attempt to convey an individual’s story in a manner both interesting and easy to read. Often though, the person best suited to tell the story is the person to whom the story belongs. This is one of those cases. When asked what makes Rumanoff ’s Fine Jewelry so unique among jewelers, Douglas Rumanoff responded as follows…

We, as a family and staff, know jewelry stores— especially for guys—can be intimidating. Our number one priority is to make everyone who walks in the door feel comfortable and welcomed. This tone is set at the very beginning by the friendliness of our staff and is furthered by the comfort-oriented amenities we offer. We literally have a lounge area in our store, featuring not just beer, wine and coffee, but a fully stocked bar and flat screen TV, all overlooking our repair and custom design shop and engraving department. Sometimes we joke that we are a bar with a jewelry store attached, but in seriousness, this is just an extension of our personality. It serves as an area where a guy can sit and have a beer while watching the game as his wife or girlfriend shops, or where customers can wait for their jewelry

to be polished and have a coffee or look through our photo album showing the evolution of our retail store. Rightfully so, guys can be nervous with big purchases, such as engagement rings. Here, they can have a cocktail or beer to calm themselves, or just make it a more enjoyable, fun experience, than anywhere else they could possibly shop. Sometimes we use the area to celebrate our customers’ milestones and pop a bottle of champagne. Other times, we may be just chatting with our customers as old friends, catching up. You see, of course we want everyone to know Rumanoff ’s as the place for jewelry, but we want to make this feel like their place, somewhere they can go in order to find that special something to commemorate life's most special moments, but also where they feel welcomed, as a friend and a real person, not just a customer.

As for the rest of our store, with an interior design both chic and contemporary, yet also warm and inviting, Rumanoff ’s was completely renovated in 2010. I specifically designed the floorplan to make shopping easier, less intimidating and more pleasant. There are boutique setups for our Alex and Ani and Pandora store-in-stores, as well as Tacori, and a complete bridal area. Our main set of showcases displays a wide array of fashion jewelry, from sterling silver basics to pearl, color stone and diamond jewelry, with a separate island of showcases exhibiting our timepieces. The lounge is in the rear of the store, overlooking our in-house jewelry repair and engraving center, so customers can watch their jewelry being worked on with ease. This is just beyond our private room used for diamond viewings and conferences. I can go on, but I’ll conclude with this… So many people see our storefront and are like, "oh, a jewelry store", then they walk inside and think—“WOW!” If you haven’t yet experienced Rumanoff ’s, it’s worth the visit. Another thing; commission sales are not a part of what we do. Yes, we know this is outside the norm of the jewelry industry, but we want the advice of our staff to be open and honest, rather than motivated by the potential for a bigger payday predicated upon a commission. We want our patrons to feel they are being assisted with sincerity, rather than being "sold". Further, this eliminates competition within our staff, which fosters a more relaxed atmosphere. And yet, I confidently say we compete with big box jewelry stores. Our goal is to provide our customers and our community with what they most desire, whether it be an Alex and Ani bangle, a Tacori engagement ring, a Michele watch, a Forevermark or Hearts On Fire diamond, or any other jewelry of the like—without having to drive 45 minutes out of the area to find it. We are the only store in our area with the mix of brands and merchandise we represent. This gives our customers both an extraordinary selection, and the personal care of a small town family business. My sister and I are the fourth generation of the Rumanoff family (working alongside my father and uncle), which is another huge part of what makes our store unique. We offer everything the big boxes offer in the way of jewelry, and yet we carry on the down-to-earth traditions of a neighborhood mom and pop.

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I mentioned community before. Social involvement is a very important aspect of what we do here. We co-sponsored a community Make-A-Wish event, we've donated to the ALS Foundation, the Louis Rho Scholarship, New Haven Symphony, several local schools, the Hamden Police Union, the Jamie Lynn Sullivan Memorial Foundation and countless other charities near and dear to the hearts of our customers, staff and family. We donated a diamond to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and held an event for the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale. We have held breast cancer awareness events to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation, and we hosted an in-store event for the American Diabetes Association. We’ve done these things because we believe when one is in a position to give back, it is important to do so. This year, we’re calling the gift guide in this magazine the “Gift Guide That Gives” because a portion of the proceeds from all gift guide purchases made through December 24th will go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Through you, our customers, we can help children with serious illnesses, as well as fund research dedicated to raising the survival rate of childhood diseases. St. Jude’s treats some 4,300 children a year—at no cost to their families. It is the third largest health care charity in the United States, with over one million volunteers nationwide. We feel there is no better time to help children in need, and look forward to doing so with your help. As you can see, when you ask what makes Rumanoff ’s unique, there’s a lot to tell. As a fourth generation business in the jewelry industry since 1938, their perspective and philosophy is time-honored, yet the shopping experience, selection and value they provide is unmatched. In today’s world, this truly is special.

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MICHELE WATCHES

The Elegance and Beauty of Time

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

If one is to trace it all the way back to the source, the story of Michele watches actually starts in Belgium in 1946. Maurice Barouh, an exceptionally creative watchmaker, founded the brand based upon two guiding tenets—his timepieces would always mirror both quality and refinement. Barouh was of the conviction a watch was more than a timepiece. For him, the Michele watches were an expression of life. To this end, he crafted fashionable timepieces reflective of an ideal of excellence and style. Maurice eventually handed over the brand to his son, Jack. Based in Panama, and working in both the diamond and watch trades, Jack and his wife, Rita, proceeded to build a company around the timepieces. Some 54 years after the founding of Michele, Jack and Rita officially launched the Michele Watches brand in the United States in 2000. Then based in Miami, its first big hit was the MW Collection, of which its most noted piece was the CSX-Diamond Chronograph. The company’s earliest retail partners were Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom. From there, the brand also expanded into a number of fine jewelry retailers. Four years later, the Fossil group came calling and Michele became one of the brands underneath that conglomerate’s umbrella. Barouh stayed on as president of Michele and continues to run the company to this day. Even though it is part of the Fossil group, Michele operates as an independent company, responsible for its own day-to-day operations, product development and public relations. In addition to a fifty million dollar cash infusion, the association with Fossil improved Michele’s distribution network and ultimately served to help make the watches even more popular. Tahitian Jelly Beans

Elegant shapes, colorful bands, diamonds and glowing steel casings characterize today’s Michele watches. Expanding upon Maurice’s original philosophy, Jack has ensured Michele watches are today considered an expression of an individual’s place in life—keeping in mind one’s lifestyle, personality and level of sophistication are all broadcast by the instrument one chooses to measure time. To that end, the Michele timepiece is considered a statement of who one is today and where one will be tomorrow.

Signature CSX-36, Black Diamond Dial

...the Michele timepiece is considered a statement of who one is today and where one will be tomorrow. Currently offered in eight different styles, as well as a number of special and limited collections, Michele watches range in size from 24 to 42 millimeters. Among the hallmarks of the Michele watch are hand-set diamonds, mother of pearl faces, the signature red MW logo on the dial and crown, Swiss movements and a vast array of interchangeable fashion-driven straps and bracelets. Considered to be a limitless expression of accessory; it is said the wearer creates her Michele watch in a unique way—as she makes it her own. Positioned as a unique American luxury brand inspired by, designed by and created for women, the creative director at Michele is Sara Hinojosa. She and her team of designers take inspiration from their own personal experiences and travels, as well as art, fashion, culture and architecture. While fashion is definitely a consideration, quality and accuracy are important as well. To this end, Michele watches employ movements by the Swiss makers ETA, ISA and Ronda.

Signature Deco Diamond Diamond Dial

While Michele’s primary business is based on timepieces for women, there is also a line of men’s straps for Michele’s Large Sport Sail watches. Boldly masculine, it is a 42-millimeter chronograph with five complications, crafted in hearty steel with either a black or a white face and a highly technical appearance. With an array of 10 interchangeable men’s straps, complimented a stainless steel bracelet, the Large Sport Sail, when configured as a men’s watch, makes an exceptionally bold and definitive statement all its own. And yet, it remains recognizable as a member of the Michele family of timepieces.

Tahitian Jelly Bean Carousel Deco 16 Diamond Blue Diamond

No stranger to innovation, for its product introduction strategy, Michele follows the fashion accessories market and product lifecycle with four seasonal launches. However, evolution is also respected. Much of the Michele product line is built upon reinterpreting its hallmark styles, often through the imaginative use of color and stones. Within those parameters, on average, a brand new Michele watch is introduced once or twice a year, as driven by both inspiration and innovation. Looking to the future, Barouh intends to grow the brand within the United States; largely within his existing distribution network. He wants to be where women shop for themselves and where fashion and style motivate her to accessorize her life. Barouh is also expanding the company’s online business with eCommerce and fashion-based websites. Always looking to build brand awareness, he is additionally working to reach customers digitally through various social platforms and social-based content. As for the international marketplace, Barouh’s goal is to build Michele into a global luxury accessories brand. By all accounts, the company is well on its way to achieving all of these goals. Originally thought of as a “niche” product, the Michele watch is now firmly entrenched within the mainstream.

Serein Diamond Two Tone Gold

Urban Mini Diamond Gold Diamond Dial

live intensely. love intensely. View the entire collection at heartsonfire.com.

4133 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT | 203.230.1199 | rumanoffs.com

the story behind the

Rolls-Royce By Lyndon Conrad Bell On December 23, 1904, two days before Christmas, Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls inked a deal whereby Royce would design and build the cars, which Rolls would market. With the signing of this agreement, the legendary Rolls-Royce marque was born. With highly disparate backgrounds, the two men would create one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious car companies.

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Together, Rolls and Royce established a solid reputation for offering the finest cars the world had ever known.

prep school in Berkshire, followed by Eton College, Trinity College and Cambridge University. His fields of study were mechanical science and applied science. An early automotive enthusiast, Rolls bought the first car to be based in Cambridge—which was also one of the first three in all of Wales—at eighteen years of age. After completing his formal studies at Cambridge, Rolls soon discovered his true professional calling was in salesmanship. With a loan from his father, he started C.S. Rolls and Company—one of the first car dealerships in all of Great Britain.

Charles Rolls & Henry Royce

With but one year of formal education, Royce had to leave school at the age of nine to go to work to help support his family after his father died. His start in engineering came when an aunt helped Royce secure an apprenticeship with England’s Great Northern Railway in 1878. He spent three years working there, honing his mechanical skills. After the railroad, Royce found a situation at a tool making company in Leeds—before ultimately securing a maintenance position with the London Electric Light and Power Company.

Together, Rolls and Royce established a solid reputation for offering the finest cars the world had ever known. Because Royce spared no effort toward building the absolute best cars, in addition to being of very high quality, Rolls-Royce cars were extremely quiet, remarkably smooth running and exceptionally reliable. The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, launched in 1907, became their flagship. Completing a 14,371-mile drive—virtually non-stop—the Silver Ghost cemented its legendary status as being the best car in the world.

Essentially self-made, Royce ultimately saved enough money to go into business with a partner, Ernest Claremont. The two made electric fittings for homes, dynamos and electric cranes. Originally called F.H. Royce and company, the name was changed to Royce, Ltd. when the organization went public in 1899. The business ran nicely until the end of the second Boer War in 1902. Facing new competition from companies in Germany and the United States, Royce decided to build cars to diversify Royce Ltd’s revenue stream. In 1904, he completed the first three Royce 10 automobiles. One he kept for himself, one went to Claremont and the third was sold to Henry Edmunds, a member of the Royce Ltd. board of directors. When Edmunds showed the car to Charles Rolls, the seeds of Rolls-Royce were sown. Charles Stewart Rolls had been born into a wealthy London family. (His father was a Baron.) Rolls attended

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Rolls was also an aviation pioneer. A founding member of England’s Royal Aero Club, he was the second Brit to get a pilot’s license from the organization. On June 2, 1910, he became the first to make a non-stop double-crossing of the English Channel. One month later, on July 12, 1910, Rolls was doing a flying show when the elevator on his airplane broke off in mid-flight. Consequently, Rolls also became the first Brit to be killed in an accident in a powered aircraft.

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To honor his memory, the color of the Rolls-Royce logo was changed from red to black. Rolls-Royce models built before 1910 used red logos, those built after Rolls’ death in 1910 use black. Another change after 1910, was the introduction of “The Spirit of Ecstasy” radiator ornament. Adopted in 1911, the piece was sculpted by Charles Robinson Sykes, who had done a similar piece for Lord John Walter Edward Scott-Montagu to adorn his 1909 Silver Ghost. The model for the ornament is believed to be Eleanor Velasco Thornton, Lord Montagu’s secretary and secret lover for more than a decade. To help England mobilize for World War I, Rolls-Royce began producing aircraft engines. Ironically, Rolls had been trying to get Royce to do so for many years. The engines found tremendous success and eventually became the primary revenue stream for the company.

The Spirit of Ecstasy

Meanwhile, the Silver Ghost was proving so successful it was deemed necessary to open another factory—in the United States. Rolls-Royce of America was created in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1921. Some 1700 “Springfield Ghosts” were constructed before the Great Depression severely constricted demand. This ultimately caused the closure of the factory in 1931. The next significant model was the 1922 Rolls-Royce Twenty. Smaller and more affordable, the Twenty served as a bridge model between the Silver Ghost and the first Rolls-Royce Phantom, which was introduced in 1925. Initially, Rolls-Royce built only chassis, which were then shipped to coachbuilders to be completed to customer specifications. The first Rolls-Royce model to be completely built in house was the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. This was also the first model to come out of the company’s factory at Crewe. The Pressed Steel Company produced Silver Dawn bodies. In 1971, when the aviation side of the company encountered difficulties, the financial stability of the entire concern was jeopardized. Considered a strategic asset, the British government bought the company to preserve the manufacture of Rolls-Royce aircraft engines. In 1973, the government created Rolls-Royce Motors and separated the two concerns. Vickers plc bought Rolls-Royce Motors in 1980, then sold it in 1998. Both BMW and the Volkswagen Group vied for control of the company. Volkswagen ultimately out-bid BMW and won. Well, sort of. The deal Volkswagen made got them the then-current Rolls-Royce model range, the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament, and rights to the classic shape of the grille—but not the Rolls-Royce name, nor the RR logo. RollsRoyce plc, the aircraft engine company, had retained ownership of those elements when the British government broke up the company back in 1973. BMW subsequently worked out a deal with Rolls-Royce plc to use the name and the logo—which cost them considerably less than buying Rolls-Royce Motors would have. BMW then worked out a deal with Volkswagen to get the Flying Lady and the grille, before proceeding to build a whole new range of Rolls-Royce motorcars. Today, these include the Phantom sedan, coupe and drophead (convertible). There is a smaller “entry-level” sedan called the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, and a two-door fastback version of the Ghost Series II, called the Wraith.

Phantom Coupe

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Wraith

Phantom Interior

Phantom 22

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One of the most exclusive lines of cars in existence, the Rolls-Royce Phantom family is characterized by outsized presence, overarching prestige, discerning craftsmanship and incomparable comfort. Comprised of four models: Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase, Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead; Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase are designed to be chauffeur-driven, while the other two Phantom models are personal luxury cars with a driver orientation. Hand-built at Goodwood in England, it takes some 60 people to construct each Phantom motorcar. Powering the Phantom models is a 6.75-liter V12 engine producing 453 horsepower and 531 ft-lbs of torque. Top speed is limited to 150 miles per hour, while acceleration from zero to 60 is accomplished in just over five seconds. Ghost Series II is offered in two specifications, with two wheelbases (standard and extended). While some aspects of constructing the Ghost models are mechanized, the interior is crafted by hand. The leather for the seats is pre-shrunk and drum-dyed to ensure it never squeaks or cracks. Nine specially-selected hides go into upholstering each Ghost interior. Each Ghost’s hand polished wood veneers comes from one single tree to ensure the continuity of the grain pattern throughout the automobile. An eighteen-speaker audio system promises a reality of sound unrivalled by any other automobile. Power comes from a 6.6-liter V12 capable of producing 563 horsepower and 575 ft-lbs of torque. Top speed is limited to 155 miles per hour, while acceleration from zero to 60 is accomplished in just under five seconds. There is also a more performance-oriented version of the Ghost Series II, called the Ghost V-Specification. Also available in standard and long wheelbase iterations, Ghost V-Specification enjoys 593 horsepower and 575 ft-lbs of torque from the 6.6-liter V12. It also features a more performance oriented suspension calibration, which, while maintaining the smoothness of ride all Rolls-Royce models are known for, improves the cornering abilities of the V-Spec cars.

Ghost Interior

Wraith is the newest addition to the Rolls-Royce family lineage. The most powerful Rolls-Royce automobile ever offered; Wraith’s 6.6-liter V12 creamily generates an aweinspiring 624 horsepower and 590 ft-lbs of torque. With a curb weight of 5,380 pounds, the Wraith nonetheless accelerates to 60 from zero in just over four seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. As graciously luxurious as it is powerful, Wraith is lavished with all of the amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail as the rest of its stablemates. This is evident in details like the chrome bullet tips on the recessed piping in the seats, as well as the fiber optic headliner designed to mimic the night sky.

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Photographer: Jon Roberts Photographer/Set Design: Jim Brummond Hair & Make Up: Angelique Verver Photo Retouching: Chelsie Roberts Models: Kristen Swan, Alyssa Anthony, Kasey Wamsher, Arquette & Associates, LLC Gowns by: The French Door

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The Indisputable Pleasures of

CAVIAR

By Linda I. Rogers

To those most familiar with the delicacy, the only true caviar is the saltcured eggs (roe) of wild sturgeon from the Caspian and Black seas. Neither red “caviar” nor Salmon roe is true caviar. Just as all cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac, all caviar is roe, but not all roe is caviar. To be precise, there is a delicacy similar to caviar (decreed as substitutes of caviar by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Operation), which comes from other fish—including salmon, trout, whitefish and other species of sturgeon. There are four primary varieties of what is considered true caviar; these are Beluga, Sterlet, Osserta and Sevruga. By far, the most rare, most highly coveted, and the most expensive is derived from the prehistoric Beluga sturgeon native to the Caspian Sea. Large, soft eggs about the size of a pea characterize Beluga caviar, which ranges in color from silver to black. An extremely large fish, Sturgeon can take up to 20 years to mature and can weigh as much as 2000 pounds. The older the fish, the lighter the color of its caviar and the more prized it is. Best enjoyed alone on toast, the preferred method of handling caviar is with a spoon made of mother of pearl, bone, any other non-metallic material. Metallic flatware imparts an undesirable flavor to the delicacy. Thus, many

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epicureans will only eat caviar alone, from the nook of their hands between the index finger and thumb. When serving, it is very important to keep in mind caviar’s affinity for both cold and crystal. Keeping caviar cold is key to maintaining its freshness and flavor. A crystal serving dish will contain the eggs without imparting an untoward taste to the delicacy. Thus, a cold crystal dish will ensure the absolute optimal flavor from the precious eggs. And, while most fish will benefit from the juice of a lemon, you’ll never want to expose caviar to lemon. Further, caviar should always be served raw. The delicacy, when fresh, should smell faintly of seaweed. If it smells fishy, something is; and the caviar shouldn’t be consumed. Also, while many people say caviar tastes salty, fine caviar should taste clean, buttery, and only mildly salty. If it’s heavily salted, there’s something wrong. In your mouth, the eggs should be fairly crisp, with a satisfying “pop” to them. Soupy or sticky caviar should be avoided as it is probably going bad. Caviar doesn’t like sticking around too long, once a tin is opened, you should consume it right away. At best, three days in the refrigerator after opening is as far as you should push it.

The most expensive Beluga should always be eaten alone. If you’re making appetizers and feel a need to pair caviar with something, use one of the more inexpensive varieties. These pair well with blini, plain bread or unsalted table water crackers. If you’re going with crackers, it might be a good idea to spread a small amount of sour cream on the bread or cracker to hold the eggs in place. Other pairing suggestions include a few crumbs of onion, and a hint of chopped egg. For libations, dry crisp cold champagne is ideal (think Brut). A nice dry vodka works well too. Once reserved only for the world’s most wealthy individuals, caviar today can be enjoyed by anyone of better than modest means. Further, a number of online purveyors will deliver it fresh, right to your doorstep. These include Petrossian Caviar at Petrossian.com; Seattle Caviar Company at Caviar.com; and The House of Caviar and Fine Foods at HouseOfCaviarAndFineFoods.com.

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A portion of the proceeds from all gift guide purchases made through December 24th will go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

ELLE Sterling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;LOVEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Necklace $80

ELLE Sterling Amazonite Blue Lace, Agate and Created Blue & Green Quartz Bracelet $260

ELLE Sterling Rose Quartz Adjustable Necklace $85

PANDORA Sterling Enamel Jolly Santa Charm $50 Sterling & C.Z. Ornament Dangle Charm $60 Sterling & C.Z. Sparkling Surprise Charm $65

ELLE Sterling Blue Lace Agate Adjustable Necklace $85 35

TACORI Sterling Lilac Blossoms Amethyst Necklace with 18K Seal $250

TACORI Sterling City Lights Multi Color Bracelet with 18K Seal $410

TACORI Sterling Lilac Blossoms Amethyst Stud Earrings with 18K Seal $230

TACORI TACORI Sterling Lilac Blossoms Amethyst Ring with 18K Seal $290

TACORI

Sterling Island Rains Sky Blue Topaz Ring with 18K Seal $290

Sterling Island Rains London Blue Topaz Ring with 18K Seal $390

TACORI Ivy Lane Sterling & Diamond Ring .33cttw $790

TACORI Sterling Sonoma Mist Diamond Bracelet with 18K Seal $1,380

TACORI Platinum Adoration RoyalT 3.13cttw Diamond Eternity Ring $22,190 36

TACORI 18K White & Rose Gold Adoration RoyalT 1.43cttw Diamond Ring $11,690

TACORI 18K Yellow Gold Golden Bay Blue Topaz over Hematite & Diamond Ring $2,160

TACORI

Sterling & Diamond Promise Bracelet 1.50cttw $3,990

Sterling Sonoma Mist Diamond Earrings with 18K Seal $1,060

TACORI 18K Yellow Gold Sonoma Mist Diamond Bracelet $2,450

TACORI 18K Yellow Gold Sonoma Mist Diamond Ring $2,390

TACORI Sterling Truffle Smokey Quartz Necklace with 18K Seal, available in three sizes $350, $400, $470

TACORI Sterling Truffle Smokey Quartz Ring with 18K Seal $470

TACORI Gent’s Collection Retro Classic Sterling Tie Bar $300

TACORI Gent’s Collection Retro Classic Silver & Black Onyx Cuff Links $340

TACORI Gent’s Collection Retro Classic Silver & Black Onyx Ring $490

TACORI Silver & 18K Yellow Gold Gent’s Collection Retro Classic Tiger Iron Cuff Links $1,570

COLORE | SG Sterling Hematite Ring $225

HEARTS ON FIRE 18K White Gold Beloved Diamond Necklace Available in three sizes See store for pricing

COLORE | SG HEARTS ON FIRE 18K White Gold Lorelei Diamond Necklace .45cttw $2,250

Sterling Hematite Earrings $250

COLORE | SG Sterling Hematite Necklace $275

HEARTS ON FIRE 18K White Gold Aerial Diamond Drop Earrings 1.30cttw $5,990

SYLVIE 14K White & Rose Gold .44cttw Diamond Remount $2,295

FOREVERMARK Center Of My Universe Diamond Collection Price Varies Depending On Diamond Weight & Quality 38

GABRIEL & CO 14K White Gold .57cttw Diamond Necklace $1,395

COLORE | SG Sterling Created Pink Sapphire Necklace $200

GABRIEL & CO 14K White Gold .62cttw Diamond Earrings $1,695

CHATHAM 14K White Gold Blue Sapphire & Diamond Pendant, SA:3.00ct, D:0.18ct $1,595

COLORE | SG Sterling Created Pink Sapphire Ring $150

CHATHAM 14K White Gold Blue Sapphire & Diamond Earrings, SA:4.17ct,D:0.27ct $1,950

CHATHAM 14K White Gold Emerald & Diamond Ring, EM:2.27ct,D:0.19ct $1,895

CHATHAM 14K White Gold Ruby & Diamond Ring, RU:2.90ct,D:0.20ct $1,495

RUMANOFFS SIGNATURE COLLECTION

MICHAEL KORS MICHAEL KORS

Lady’s Yellow Gold-Tone Blair Glitz Chronograph Watch, 39mm $275

Lady’s Rose Gold-Tone Runway Chronograph Watch, 37mm $250

MICHAEL KORS MICHAEL KORS

Lady’s Stainless Steel Catlin Watch, 38mm $250

Lady’s Rose Gold-Tone Slim Runway Watch, 42mm $195

HONORA Freshwater Cultured Pearl Pop Star Stackable Bracelets $70 each

DABAKAROV 14K Yellow Gold .28cttw Diamond Necklace $895 40

MICHELE Signature Deco Two-tone Diamond Watch $2,195

MICHELE Urban Mini Diamond Watch $995

ELLE Sterling Two-tone Necklace $180

MICHELE Serein Diamond Watch $1,995

ELLE Sterling Two-tone Cuff Bracelet $295 41

behind the lens of christopher hauser

photographing

ICEHOTEL

By Lyndon Conrad Bell photos ÂŠ Christopher Hauser

Frosty Forest Artists: Lilya Pobornikova & Viktor Tsarski www.lxmagazines.com

Every winter for the past 24 years there has existed in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden a singularly unique travel experience. Back in 1989, entrepreneur, Yngve Bergqvist, was looking for an intriguing way to use the most abundant resource in his town—ice. Inspired by Japanese ice sculpting, he invited two professional ice sculptors from that country to help him put on a workshop for a group of artists.

Pole Dancing Artists: Christine Close & Natalie Close

That workshop gave birth to ARTic Hall, an especially designed igloo, based on techniques the artists learned during the workshop. Originally intended to be a gallery of ice art, Bergqvist happily discovered people wanted to use it for other purposes as well. He and some associates opened a bar inside, ARTic Hall, and then tried sleeping in the gallery one night as well (no word on whether the two events were somewhat related—but we digress). Here, it is useful to understand the temperature inside the hall was a consistent 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The first party of overnight guests was a team of survival experts from the Swedish armed forces. The first commercial party was a corporate retreat for a group from the Versatel Corporation. Their exhilarated response to the experience was the catalyst for the founding of ICEHOTEL. Today some 50,000 people annually queue to spend the night in this remarkable place between December and April. Each year, ICEHOTEL is built from scratch, with each of its public spaces designed by a different ice-sculpting artist. Based in Munich, photographer Christopher Hauser visited ICEHOTEL as a 12-year old boy with his family. He still has images from that visit shot with his first digital camera. Fascinated by the idea of a hotel created from ice and snow, the memory stuck with him. When he grew up, he returned as a professional photographer to shoot for his portfolio. The ICEHOTEL management team liked his work and Hauser has photographed the hotel every subsequent year for the past four years.

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Whitewater Artists: Elin Julin & Ida M책ngsbo

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Main Hall – Secret Garden Artists: AnnaSofia Mååg & Alessandro Falca

Because ICEHOTEL is built differently every time—based upon the inspiration of the artists chosen to design each suite—the experience is different every time. In a recent interview, we spoke with Hauser about his work at ICEHOTEL. LX: What made you want to go back to the ICEHOTEL to shoot?

Christopher Hauser: I think it is

something extraordinary to design and build a new hotel, bar and church every year from scratch. The ICEHOTEL is a piece of art in itself. It’s an amazing experience to walk through the finished hotel for the first time. It is such a rich pool of creativity. Sometimes I think, WOW, what a room, there can’t be anything better than this and a year later I find something even more beautiful. For me, the ICEHOTEL is a fantastic mix of architecture, art and creativity. It is always an honor, lots of fun and it is very challenging.

Frozty Flower Artists: Shingo Saito & Natsuki Saito

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“For me, the ICEHOTEL is a fantastic mix of architecture, art and creativity.” - Christopher Hauser

Up There Artists: Luc Voisin & Mathieu Brison

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Tributary Tribute Artists: Arne Bergh, Åke Larsson, Sofi Ruotsalainen, Mikael “Nille” Nilsson, Janne Haglöf & Peter Sörwing 48

LX: What are some of the unique challenges of shooting in this environment?

CH: First, the most obvious one: It is cold, really cold. In addition to being hard on myself, it puts a lot of stress on my equipment, too. Batteries are not holding up very well when it’s that cold, so I carry around twice as many batteries as I would carry under normal temperatures.

Arktikos Artist: AnnaSofia Mååg

From a photographic standpoint, there is the space issue. Everything is quite small, so it is hard to get a good picture of a whole room or area. Ideally, you want to include as many details as possible in one photograph. I have tailored my gear to these special needs so I can work with these limitations very well. Still, it is always a challenge to find the best angle for every room.

Another challenge is the light, or rather the darkness. LED lighting is used to create mood lighting for the ICEHOTEL. You don’t want to bring in external lights, as this would destroy the mood and feeling of the hotel. Some rooms have a romantic feeling (more white, red, orange lights) others are more towards the cool tones. It is important to analyze the light to decide in each room specifically what mood is to be conveyed in the final photograph. LX: What is the foundation of your approach to your ICEHOTEL shoots?

CH: Rather than record a one hundred percent perfect replica of the actual scene in every geometric form and shape, I want to give the viewer the same feeling I had the moment I stood in that spot taking the photograph. I try to convey the stillness, the cold, and the beauty; but especially the effort every artist put into creating his or her unique room. LX: What gear do you use?

CH: For ICEHOTEL I have two different cameras. Most of the images are done in digital medium format. I use a Phase One

IQ180 back on an Arca Swiss Rm3Di. Combined with high quality lenses from Rodenstock and Schneider, this combination gives me great quality and all the options I need to realize my imagination. As a second camera, I use a Nikon D800 on a Roundshot VR Drive tripod head from Seitz. I use this when I have very limited space and can’t take the image with my other equipment. It helps me create very wide panoramic images. LX: Would you ever actually sleep in ICEHOTEL?

CH: (Laughs) Well, yes and no. When I’m working there, I’m already spending eight to 10 hours in the cold, so I do not fancy sleeping in the cold as well. There is nothing better than a hot shower and a cozy room after so much time in the cold. However, when I visited ICEHOTEL with my parents as a child, I did sleep in one of the rooms. It was quite a nice experience. I hope in one of the following years I will be able to stay a few extra days and spend a night in the cold once again.

130 Arctic Sunsets Elin Julin, Marjolein Von & Marinus Vroom

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STARTING A

Fine Wine Collection BUY WHAT YOU LIKE

By Lyndon Conrad Bell Despite the implied sophistication of the endeavor, starting a fine wine collection can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. Yes, there are some truly impressive multi-thousand-bottle collections out there, however there are more than a few 50 to 100-bottle collections in existence as well. It’s largely a function of personal preference. With that said, yes, of course there are fundamentals to keep in mind to ensure success. The very first thing to do is make sure you have the proper conditions on hand for storing wine for long periods of time. Depending upon how involved you want to get, it might make sense to construct a purpose-built cellar. In most cases though, a cool basement works quite well. Justin Lorenz, wine and beverage director at the New York Palace Hotel says; “Generally speaking, you want low temperature, low light, high humidity and security. Try to keep the wine at around 55 degrees F. Keep it dark, keep it humid (50 to 80 percent humidity so your corks don’t dry out) and above all, keep the wine’s temperature consistent.”

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“To start your ideal collection, just buy a few bottles of what you like— it’s that simple.” - Herb Karlitz Your next consideration should be figuring out what you like enough to collect. According to Heather Hillman, fine wine consultant at Baroness Wines in Denver, “The best place to start is with what you enjoy. For example, if your passion is French wines, explore all of the wine regions of France to find wines fitting the profile of what you are looking for. Whatever your goals, start by building upon what you already like.” One of the nice things about having a collection is the opportunity it presents to “lay down” some bottles for aging. However, this brings up another important consideration. Jessica Certo, head sommelier at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in New York City says; “If I were building a cellar primarily to age, I’d make sure at least 25 percent of my collection would be made up of younger “free game” wines in order to avoid the temptation of drinking bottles I wanted to age. If you often host events, or drink wine on a regular basis, you might want to devote as much as 50 percent of your collection to things you want to drink now in order to avoid the possibility of impulsively breaking into your future investment. If you do get into aging wines, keep in mind some varietals age better than others. Matt Kaner, 2013 Food and Wine sommelier of the year, and wine director at Bar Covell in Los Angeles says the three determinants for aging well are; acid, tannin and sweetness. As for specific regions, Kaner suggests Barolo (Italy), Barbaresco (Italy), Burgundy (France), Bordeaux (France), Loire Valley (France), Rioja (Spain), Clare Valley (Australia), Barossa Valley (Australia), McLaren Vale (Australia), Hunter Valley (Australia), Mosel-Saar-Rwar (Germany), Rheingau (Germany), Rheinhessen (Germany), Nahe (Germany), Wachau (Austria), Kremstal (Austria), Napa Valley (California), Porto (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), Jerez (Spain), Chateauneuf-du-Pape (France) and Champagne (France). Regarding varietals best suited for aging, Kaner recommends Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Viura, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Ultimately though, whether you’re collecting for enjoyment, aging or investing, it really comes down to your personal preferences. Says Herb Karlitz, an avid wine collector with over 2,000 bottles in his cellar; “There is no right and wrong. Forget the rules of what to drink with what foods. It’s all up to you. To start your ideal collection, just buy a few bottles of what you like—it’s that simple.”

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Of course, if you have only a rudimentary idea of what you like, you’d do well to befriend a wine retailer to help you broaden your tastes. Each of the experts we consulted recommended learning as much as possible on your own—with the help of someone in the know.

“With so much to discover, the beauty of wine is...there is something for everyone.” - Heather Hillman

Hillman advises; “Some great books to help you get started include: Wine for Dummies, The Wine Bible, Wine Basics, Discovering Wine and my favorite book of all; The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia. Wine magazines such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate and Wine & Spirits, usually focus on different regions, varietals and wine makers from around the world. These publications offer great tips on wines for collecting and wines for investment.” Hillman also suggests getting out and tasting as much as you can. While it seems obvious, it remains very valuable advice. She says; “There are many classes one can take at a local level, as well as tasting groups. Restaurants are also offering wine tastings/pairings. The best way to understand wine is to taste many different types, step out of your comfort zone, and discover new varietals by expanding upon what you already enjoy.”

Lorenz agrees; “Learn as much as you can on your own first if possible, it’s more fun that way. Taste wine often and figure out what moves you. Along the way, you’ll find some very helpful people at wine shops, restaurants and formal tasting events who can help you identify the things you like about the wines you gravitate toward.” Laughing, Lorenz says; “Some of those people might even be fun to talk to! I’d start by asking them for their advice.” Of equal importance is the stemware from which you enjoy your wines. While there are makers who offer a different type of glass for each varietal, all of our experts agree the main thing someone just starting out needs to focus on is the shape of the glass. For still wines, Kaner advises investing in two types of stems to get started—Burgundy and Bordeaux. The Burgundy shaped glass accentuates the femininity of a wine. The wines you’ll pour into this glass are more delicate and need help bringing the purity of the wine to the drinker’s nose and mouth. The Bordeaux glass focuses on wine. The kinds of wines you’ll pour into this glass are more masculine and bulky; wines requiring only flush delivery to the drinker’s mouth and nose. They also work quite well for white wines. Of course, if you enjoy sparkling wines, you’ll also need a set of champagne flutes. Regarding stemware, Lorenz goes on to offer a piece of what might at first be unintuitive advice which, actually makes a great deal of sense once you give it some thought. He says, “Leave your stemware dirty overnight: always clean it the next day. Never try to clean your stemware the night you’ve been drinking—you’ll find yourself having to re-invest in stemware more often.” Wine glasses are fragile, and if you’ve been enjoying your wines all evening, well…

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flute

CHAMPAGNE

wine glass BORDEAUX

wine glass BURGUNDY

Depending upon the size of your collection, and the amount of wine you drink on a regular basis, buying by the case can make sense for a number of reasons. First is price; most retailers offer a discount of 10 to 15 percent when you purchase by the case. Second, buying cases may help ensure the wine was stored properly (although it isn’t a guarantee). The third reason is you can take advantage of the case discount while still introducing variety to your collection. Karlitz says; “Most retailers offer case discounts, regardless of whether the case is all the same or mixed.” Of course, before you buy a case of anything, always try one or two bottles to make sure you like it first. The worst thing you can do is rush to fill your cellar by indiscriminately purchasing cases of wine just so your collection “shows” well. If you’re into aging the wines in your collection, you can employ Karlitz’s tip to buy four different wines simultaneously, and benefit from another piece of Kaner’s advice. If you’re buying bottles to lay down, get at least three bottles at a time. People, by nature, are impatient. Everyone wants to know how the wine tastes right away. If you buy three, you can commit wine infanticide on one to see when it would best make sense to open the second and third bottles. Finally, make enjoyment your primary consideration. Hillman says, “Wine collecting should be fun, it should reflect who you are. As you learn more and explore different regions and varietals, your tastes and your palette will evolve. Just keep it fun and remain true to yourself. With so much to discover, the beauty of wine is...there is something for everyone.”

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SCENT OF A MAN By Linda I. Rogers

While we as a species rely primarily upon our visual acuities, our olfactory glands have a substantial impact upon our emotional responses. Because of this, fragrances have played a significant role in our lives throughout history. Even as far back as 200 years before the birth of Christ, it is said the sixth Babylonian king Hammurabi decreed everyone in his kingdom wash in perfume. While Napoleon Bonaparte is reputed to have gone through an average of 54 bottles of cologne a month, silent film star Rudolph Valentino is credited with the proliferation of menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fragrances in contemporary American society.

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Comprised primarily of alcohol, water and essential oils; colognes are distinguished by their “notes” of which there are basically three to each fragrance. The alcohol and water carry the oils to your skin and evaporate immediately. The oils then interact with your body heat and the air to emit the fragrance of the cologne. “Top notes” are typically citrus in nature, and diminish within ten minutes of application. The middle notes last up to an hour and are generally comprised of floral scents. The spicy base notes stick with you throughout the day. And yes, your individual body chemistry does come into play. The way a cologne smells can indeed vary on different people. One of the oldest fragrances around is Acqua di Parma’s Colonia. Introduced in 1916 to perfume the handkerchiefs of Italian men, Colonia is today worn by both women and men. Colonia’s top notes are evocative of warm citrus fruits, which then give way to lavender and rose middle notes. Base notes of vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli follow. Another classic fragrance is Guerlain’s Vetiver. Introduced back in 1959, Vetiver places the oil of its namesake root at its heart. Vetiver is also one of the key essential oils found in a number of fragrances. Guerlain’s Vetiver starts with top notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, neroli and coriander. It then transitions to vetiver and cedar before settling into tobacco, nutmeg, tonka bean and capsicum.

“Guerlain’s Vétiver” is a fresh woody accord for a fragrance with authentic elegance.

Designer Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille is described as being reminiscent of an English gentlemen’s club—with spice. Middle notes of tonka bean, tobacco flower, vanilla and cacao follow top notes of tobacco leaf and aromatic spices. The fragrance finishes with a dry fruit accord enriched with sweet wood sap.

The Colonia formula has remained unchanged for nearly a hundred years. The elegant Art Deco bottle, with its distinct bakelite stopper has been an undisputed style icon since 1930.

Tom’s Ford’s affection for London, inspired “Tobacco Vanille”. A modern take on an old-world men’s club.

Drawing upon the exclusivity of Bentley motorcars, Bentley fragrances capture the essence of the brand. Lalique for Bentley Crystal Edition is delivered in a crystal flacon featuring the winged Bentley hood ornament. The fragrance leads with top notes of white cedar wood and ores butter, followed by patchouli and papyrus, before finishing with musk and dry amber. Proudly proclaiming itself the world’s most expensive perfume—right on the bottle— Clive Christian No.1 for Men is the flagship fragrance from the Crown Perfumery, which dates back to 1872. With a price of $865 for a 1.6 ounce bottle, its top notes are bergamot, lime, Sicilian mandarin and cardamon; followed by lily of the valley, rose, jasmine and ylang ylang, before finishing with cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver and ambery woods.

The “Lalique for Bentley Crystal Edition” is a limited special edition (a series of 999 pieces) available only through a small selection of Lalique retailers.

“No1” perfumes were created to be the absolute best in class and have been recognized by the Guinness World Records as The World’s Most Expensive Perfume.

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THERE IS POWER IN POSITIVITY The Uplifting Qualities of Alex and Ani Jewelry By Lyndon Conrad Bell

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As many philosophers and students of human nature have noted, positive things happen to positive people. Those observing the success of Carolyn Rafaelian’s Alex and Ani brand and wondering how she did it would do well to witness her eternally sunny, almost infinite sense of joy. One of the most positive people you’ll ever meet, Rafaelian’s spiritual philosophies are vividly reflected in her jewelry line. Rafaelian sincerely believes every individual has a positive message to share with the world. By incorporating powerful symbolism and designs into each Alex and Ani (+) ENERGY piece, Rafaelian’s jewelry lines provide a vehicle for the wearer to express their individuality in an organic, spiritual way— while being simultaneously enlightened and uplifted by the experience. Remarkably, it all begins before the jewelry is even created. One of Rafaelian’s guiding qualities is her devotion to her local roots. The company’s tagline “Made in America—with Love” is actually short for “Made in Rhode Island, my home state and where my family has always done business, because I believe in doing right by my roots. Which is also why I source all of the materials I use locally, and employ as many Rhode Island vendors as possible to support my endeavors.” But that would take up way too much room on the packages. Seriously though, Rafaelian based her company in Cranston, Rhode Island, where her father also established the Cinerama jewelry manufacturing concern back in 1966. In those days, Rhode Island was known as the “Jewelry Capital Of The World” because so many jewelry manufacturers were located in the state. Over time, with the rise of outsourcing, the vast majority of those companies were driven out of business—along with the ancillary enterprises supporting them. With Alex and Ani, it is Rafaelian’s intention to bring as much jewelry work as possible back home to Rhode Island. What’s more, even when she was designing and manufacturing jewelry for large retailers like Bebe, Express, Victoria’s Secret and Chico’s, Rafaelian always insisted upon having all of the work done in America. And, as much as possible, in her home state of Rhode Island. Because of Alex and Ani’s success, the vendors she currently works with have had to hire additional people, as well as add more shifts to their operations. In essence, Rafaelian is responsible, in a very big way, for bringing positive energy back to the industry her state once owned lock, stock and barrel. Alex and Ani’s signature product is its collection of bangle bracelets. Produced with an innovative expandable design, they adjust to fit every wrist. Adorned with charms promoting consciousness and unity, and built in an environment of love, trust and joy, Alex and Ani bracelets are said to infuse a spirit of positivity into their wearers. Walking through the Alex and

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Ani manufacturing facility, you’ll see ladies who have been working there practically forever, happily crafting the pieces and taking immense pride in their work. The atmosphere is one of joyous serenity, and all of that love goes directly into the jewelry. Further, the vast majority of the bracelets are fitted with charms and inspirational words reflecting spiritual undertones, all of which are designed to give the wearer a spiritual lift. In addition to being infused with love and positive energy, Alex and Ani products are also highly eco-conscious. All of the Alex and Ani jewelry is made from sustainable recycled materials from Rhode Island mills. Named for Rafaelian’s two oldest daughters, Alex and Ani the company is enjoying spectacular growth. Under the stewardship of CEO Giovanni Feroce, a former U.S. Army major and a former Rhode Island state senator, Alex and Ani has evolved from a reasonably successful jewelry manufacturer into a lifestyle juggernaut. Feroce’s long-term goal is to see Alex and Ani become a total lifestyle brand like Ralph Lauren. To that end, a number of loosely related companies have been brought into the Alex and Ani fold, all of which serve to promote one another through cross marketing.

Teas and Javas is the coffee bar concept, each of which can typically be found near one of the Alex and Ani boutique locations. By the way, the company plans to have 57 boutiques open from Massachusetts to California by the beginning of 2014. The Seven Swords media company was brought into the Alex and Ani portfolio of companies to produce the organization’s media, as well as do work for other companies—including an innovative Alex and Ani Super Bowl ad for local TV markets. Alex and Ani University, originally founded for Alex and Ani employees, is now taking on individuals from other companies— essentially turning the firm’s training department into a profit center. And then there’s Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards, producing some 13 varietals of wines. In the works are lines of cosmetics, home furnishings, and apparel. If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of Alex and Ani, rest assured, you’ll be hearing a lot more about the company very soon. Offered alongside the standard line of Alex and Ani (+) ENERGY jewelry, Rafaelian also has a jewelry line called Charity by Design, which produces exclusive pieces for specific philanthropic causes in support of their efforts. Charity by Design enables non-profit organizations to reach their goals with innovative, creative designs. Proceeds from the Charity by Design Line are donated directly to each organization, empowering them to contribute to the lives of others, and make the world a better place. Underlying all of this is Carolyn Rafaelian’s deep belief in spirituality, positivity, and responsible business practices. She has made it her life’s work to support communities and organizations, while inspiring her customers to relish what is unique and authentic about themselves—and in turn revealing the beauty residing within themselves. It is said simply wearing a piece of Alex and Ani jewelry makes you feel better. Carolyn Rafaelian is living proof of the power in positivity.

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Light up THE NIGHT.

Sterling silver charms from $25

Introducing the new 2014 Winter Collection from PANDORA

4133 Whitney Avenue • Hamden, CT 203.230.1199 • rumanoffs.com

Look up the word rare in a thesaurus and you will find the following synonyms: extraordinary, few and far between, limited, unique and more. Combine those with all of the synonyms for the word beauty and the word responsible and you’ll come up with a whole treasury of words that when all put together define a Forevermark Diamond. In 2009, Forevermark launched internationally and in 2011 Forevermark was officially launched in the United States. For a diamond to be chosen as a Forevermark diamond, it goes through what can almost be described as a “diamond odyssey.” Ultimately the splendor of the jewelry and the story that goes with it is what makes Forevermark so very exceptional. From the time the diamonds are raised up from the earth to the time they are placed on someone’s finger or into a velvet box the process has been socially and financially responsible. The process of acquiring a Forevermark diamond meet international and local financial regulations, fair and good employment practices, conflict and oppression free source standards and more. These standards mean that the countries, communities and employees that mine, sort and cut the diamonds etc. have good jobs and quality of life that they may not have otherwise. In addition, the consumer can footmark the journey of his or her own personal diamond. Mining is just the beginning of the venture that the diamonds take. Not all diamonds are the same. They vary in quality and color and many have dark spots, cracks and other imperfections. A Forevermark diamond, even in the rough, needs to be beyond compare in clarity, shape and color. In effect, less that 1% of the diamonds in the world actually qualify to be a Forevermark diamond. After sorting the diamond from the cast asides, it is then set to be polished. The diamond needs to be perfectly symmetrical and have intense sparkle. Mastering the craft of polishing takes incredible talent, a good eye and expertise. Perfection and attention to detail in the cutting and polishing phase is essential to the quality of the finished/refined stone. From polishing, the diamonds are then marked with the Forevermark signature inscription. They are then graded at the Forevermark Diamond Institute. Diamond grading is when experts evaluate and rate the diamonds based on the four C’s: cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The standards are so high for Forevermark that expert diamond assessor Theo Roelans says, “you won’t be able to see any imperfection on a Forevermark diamond with the naked eye.” Everything that goes into the jewelry from beginning to end is meaningful, but at the end of the “odyssey of the diamond,” what’s momentous is how it makes its possessor feel. According to Adelaide, “Forevermark diamonds are something you can be proud to wear forever. A diamond will last a lifetime and with Forevermark diamonds, you know you are getting the best of the best. You can confidently wear your diamond knowing that it is beautiful, rare and only comes from sources that are committed to the highest business, social and environmental standards.” This is something to wear with pride and adoration knowing that for every sparkle that you see from your diamond’s gleam, there is someone else across the world who is just as grateful for Forevermark’s brilliance as you are.