This unprecedented sale features the most significant group of jewels by Belperron ever to appear on the market. This collection includes some of her most celebrated designs and also very intimate items which illustrate her unique style and creative virtuosity.

Belperron learned jewelry design at the House of René Boivin from 1921 to 1931, and when she left, she took not only her design experience, but some say, perhaps a few of Boivin's designs as well.

It is unclear whether Belperron stole Boivin designs or whether Boivin continued making Belperron’s designs after she left but one thing is clear - Belperron developed her own personal jewelry design style in the decades that followed, and built an international reputation that continues to grow.

When the Duchess of Windsor’s jewelry was auctioned in 1987, only 5 of 16 Belperron pieces were tentatively identified. Asked once why she never signed her work, Madame Belperron replied: “My style is my signature.”

Here are some examples of Belperron's work from a recent Christie's auction. Sotheby's does not have the catalog for the upcoming auction yet, but I'm sure it will be on their site very soon.

On May 17, 2011 Sotheby's will have another auction of what they describe as their "Magnificent Jewels" in Geneva. Austria. The highlight of the auction is the magnificent Emerald Tiara featured here. The piece is the most valuable emerald and diamond tiara to have appeared at auction in over 30 years.

For more information on this fabulous piece, the chairman of Sotheby's has prepared an online video which can be accessed on this page of the Sotheby's site. (To those of you who view this blog at your workplacce, be prepared - the video has some music playing.) The video is very informative and worth the time to view it. It discusses the history of the jewels in the crown and other aspects of the piece and previous owner.

To view other listings in the auction, please visit their online e catalogue to get a glimpse of more magnificent jewels.

Jewels that stand the test of time are typically characterized by great stones or great design.

Collectors will find top quality precious gemstones of every color including an exceptional Colombian emerald mounted by Harry Winston, a beautiful Burma ruby set in a 1920's Chaumet brooch, and a lively Burma sapphire certified "royal blue". Complementing such remarkable gems, the sale this April also features beautiful signed jewels made by leading jewelry designers both past and present.

As a whole, the jewelry offered in New York this April will spark the imagination of collectors seeking quality and rarity in diamonds and colored stones, as well as the breadth of period and signed jewels that can only be found at auction.

You can view the online E catalogue of the jewelry to be auctioned on this page of the Sotheby's website.

Karl Eisenberg, grandson of Jonas Eisenberg, of Eisenberg jewelry, recently talked to Collector's weekly. The interview is very information and full of information which will prove interesting to collector's of Eisenberg jewelry.

The interview is full of history about the formation of the Eisenberg jewelry company and tells how the former ladies fashion company came to be one of the foremost vintage jewelry companies in the 1950s.

The article is a must read. You can find it on this page of the Collector's Weekly website.

• 1.  Pin a brooch onto an evening bag. This method looks best when the brooch is pinned onto a clutch or other small evening bag. Pick a brooch that matches a color or detail in your dress, and it will really help tie the bag into the look.

• 2.  Want your outfit to have little French chic? Simply wrap a scarf around your neck and fasten it in place with a brooch. Very simple but effective. For a slightly more modern take on this look, place the scarf around your waist or hips instead to draw the eye downwards and accentuate your figure.

• 3.  Do you have a sweater that is too big? Use a vintage brooch to make it fit better. In the back of your sweater, about where it hits your waist, pull the extra matieral together and fasten it with a brooch. You'll have a better fitting garment and a fancy new detail in the back. This really spices up an outfit.

• 4.  Another neat idea takes a bit more creativity. Use a brooch as a hairpin. Make a bun or french twist extra glamorous by pinning a brooch in your hair. This usually looks best in the back of your hair, but use your judgment depending on the style. You will need bobby pins for this technique, since brooches are decorative but aren't great at holding hair in place by themselves.

• 5.  Do you have a plain belt? Jazz it up with a vintage brooch. You can either pin the brooch directly onto the belt, or for leather or delicate items, use a piece of ribbon to hang the brooch or tie it in place while protecting belt.

Ready to try some of these ideas? Be sure to browse our website for a huge range of vintage brooches. Here are a few choices to whet your appetite.