Very few fine jewelry designs can be considered iconic, but Van Cleef & Arpels’ Zip necklace is assuredly one. The brainchild of the Duchess of Windsor, the design was first conceived in the late 1930s, but was not produced until 1951. This incredible masterpiece takes the form of a zipper closure, just as you would … Continue reading Icons of Design: Zip by Van Cleef and Arpels →

Audemars Piguet was founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland in 1875 and would later take the name Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881. Since its founding in 1875, the company has remained family owned. Both founders came from a strong family lineage of watchmakers. Jules and … Continue reading How was Audemars Piguet founded? →

One of the most quintessential items of jewelry for any wardrobe is a bracelet. Whether it be a minimalist slim bangle, a chunky bedazzled cuff, a delicate diamond encrusted bracelet or a gold cable chain laden with charms, bracelets instantly add polish and chic to any ensemble. Unlike worrying about the size of a ring … Continue reading The Most Famous Designer Bracelets →

Helen Frankenthaler is one of the most well-known artists of the 20th century as a defining member of the American abstract artists. Throughout her career, Frankenthaler’s artistic methods were not only confined within the Abstract Expressionist field. She is credited in the expressionist transition to Color Field painting. Frankenthaler’s first teachings about art came from … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Helen Frankenthaler →

The value of artwork can be defined in several different ways. For example, several factors, such as personal taste and sentimental value, play a large role in determining the intrinsic value of your art. However, there are certain factors that you can take into account to determine the current market value of your artwork. Artist … Continue reading How to Find the Value of Artwork →

As anyone who has shopped for a diamond ring knows, diamond value can be a confusing concept! Because there are many factors that go into diamond quality – think of the famous Four C’s – all of these variables together can affect diamond price and value. Your personal choices about which diamond to buy and … Continue reading How Much Is My Diamond Worth? →

The normal stream of customers heading into EZ Pawn shops has slowed to a trickle. “People assume that pawn shops thrive in times of desperation and that’s just not where we are right now,” said Lauren Kaminsky, President of EZ Pawn Corp. Pawn shops were exempted from Governor Cuomo’s order closing all non-essential businesses to … Continue reading Pawn Shops See New Loans Plummet Amid Pandemic →

The largest luxury watch brand in the world, Rolex, is the most common watch brands used to secure a pawn loan.  Additionally, Rolex, known for its functional, yet stylish references, is also one of the few brands that holds its value over time.  When purchased new from an authorized dealer or Boutique, Rolex watches come … Continue reading Can You Sell a Rolex Watch without Box and Papers? →

New York Loan Company had the distinct privilege of putting legendary funnyman Adam Sandler’s newfound gemological knowledge to the test in the wake of his new movie’s release. In Uncut Gems, Sandler portrays Howard Ratner, an enigmatic New York City diamond dealer with a major gambling addiction, looking for his next win. Sandler spent considerable … Continue reading Adam Sandler Visits New York Diamond District →

The gemologists at New York Loan Company, Manhattan’s luxury pawnshop, work daily with magnificent gemstones and diamonds in their private offices in New York’s Diamond District. Emeralds, especially untreated, are very desirable to gemstone fans and collectors alike. One particular 43.3-carat Colombian emerald, the Stotesbury emerald, is a famous stone that has passed through the hands … Continue reading The Tale of the Stotesbury Emerald →