Angelina Jolie to Create Jewelry with Robert Procop for Charity

 Angelina Jolie in a black spinel necklace she designed with Robert Procop. 

Actress, philanthropist, U.N. goodwill ambassador and mother to thousands of children, Angelina Jolie, will be creating jewelry with statement stones with Robert Procop, the former CEO of Asprey, according to Women’s Wear Daily and about a million other publications and blogs.

Procop has been making bespoke jewelry under the Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels brand since he left the luxury house in 2008. He has opened a design studio in Beverly Hills, a laboratory in Geneva and offices in New York and Hong Kong, WWD reports.

The pieces include a “pebble-size, pale green 353-carat beryl pendant, in a rose gold setting and worn on a chain of cushion shape beryl stones, and a graphic, tablet-shape 12.02-carat vivid green emerald ring set in rose gold,” WWD reports. Pieces from the collection will be sold privately through Procop’s network of clients, with all of the proceeds going toward Jolie’s charity, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

They began their collaboration during the past year, WWD reports. The actress wore one of the pieces they created, a faceted black spinel necklace bezel set in rose gold, to the premiere of the film, Salt, in Berlin last summer (pictured above).

New York Jeweler Offers Customers the Chance to Make Three Wishes Come True

Todd Reed’s 36-ct. diamond necklace.

Greenwich Jewelers launched of a special holiday program intended to make three wishes come true for jewelry lovers and their favorite charities. The New York-based jeweler is offering three inspired pieces of statement jewelry for the holiday season. A portion of the sell price for each piece will go to the qualifying charity of the buyer’s choice.

“We were inspired by each of the pieces of jewelry in our ‘3 Wishes campaign,’” said Jennifer Gandia, co-owner of Greenwich Jewelers. “Receiving any of these extraordinary pieces as a gift would make anyone’s dream come true, and so we thought it was a great opportunity to make some dreams come true for worthwhile, charitable organizations that are close to our customer’s hearts.”

The pieces represent the work of some of the most respected jewelry designers today. The designer and pieces are as follows:

* Todd Reed’s 36-ct. diamond necklace (top picture) combines the concept of the grand necklace as created by the finest jewelry houses with ceremonial breastplates used in ancient Mayan rituals. The diamonds originate from the Diavik mine in Canada. The near colorless crystals are cut in half then set into the 18k gold and sterling silver necklace in their natural state. The suite of diamond crystals is so rare the designer says that creating the necklace was a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” It combines dramatic design, rarity of materials and wearability. Priced at $190,000, $10,000 will be donated to a charity of the buyer’s choice.

* Gurhan, jeweler to stars like Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez, created a 24k gold and rose cut sapphire necklace. Totaling 167 carats of midnight blue sapphires, the play on symmetry in this statement-making necklace gives this piece an unpredictable beauty. Each gold frame was hand hammered by the artist, creating a blend of ancient technique and modern design. Priced at $75,000, $7,500 will be donated to a charity of the buyer’s choice.

* Greenwich Jeweler decided to get into the act of giving by creating the Cashmere diamond cuff bracelet for the special sale. A total of 27 cts. of well-matched pale-brown, black and near-colorless diamonds are set in 18k white gold mesh that creates the look and feel of the fabric that provided the name and inspiration for the piece. The bracelet molds to the shape of the wrist, allowing for a truly unique fit in a piece of statement jewelry. The palette of diamond colors gives the bracelet equal parts uptown elegance and downtown attitude. With a retail price of $50,000, $5,000 will be given to a charity of the buyer’s choice.

Greenwich Jewelers, located in downtown Manhattan, is an independently owned jewelry store that specializes in designer, fashion, fine and bridal jewelry.

10.6-Carat Fancy Blue Diamond Has an Asking Price of $9.8 Million

The "Royal Blue" diamond

A 10.6-carat fancy blue diamond known as the “Royal Blue” is available through M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans. The asking price is $9.8 million.
 
Blue diamonds are among the rarest in the world so it seems unusual that this cut-corned, modified brilliant cut gem is the second significant blue diamond to appear on sale in August. A week earlier, Sotheby’s Hong Kong announced that it is offering a 7.59-carat round fancy vivid blue diamond that is estimated to fetch $19 million.

This stone has a VVS1 clarity grade, notable for having “very, very slight” inclusions, according to the report from the Gemological Institute of America. It is one step away from being graded as “internally flawless” under the GIA scale. The chemical that creates the blue in diamonds is boron, which this gem has.

The diamond is set on a platinum and rose gold ring surrounded by vivid pink and colorless diamonds.

Fewer than 0.3 percent of all colored diamonds graded by GIA were predominately blue. Gem expert and dealer Robert Procop, also the co-designer of Style of Jolie jewels with Angelina Jolie, knows as much as anyone when it comes to the rarity and historical significance of these gems.

“Blue diamonds are rarely discovered and only a few have been found over centuries of mining, making it one of the rarest gems of the world,” he said. “(They) have also been the most gifted by royalty and historical figures making them the most mysterious and precious of jewels. I rarely see a blue diamond that I do not admire.”

Large fancy blue diamonds have been sold for record-breaking figures at auctions and other sales, several have had illustrious provenance through its mine origins and ownership throughout centuries. The most famous blue is the Hope Diamond, last purchased by famed luxury jeweler, Harry Winston, who donated it to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1958.

The asking price for the “Royal Blue” ring is more than $924,500 per carat, which seems a bit steep, particularly since it has no known provenance. However, it is only about half of the per-carat price of a 5.30 blue diamond purchased by another famed jeweler, Laurence Graff, at a Bonhams auction in London in April 2013. The final price was $9.6 million or $1.8 million per carat.

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Style of Jolie Jewelry Goes Public in the South of France

The "Angelina Jolie Exceptional Emerald Necklace" features 44 cushion cut emeralds with a total weight of 103.48 carats, many of which have attained the exclusive gemstone classification of vivid green. The necklace is sculpted in 18K yellow gold. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The South of France, the renowned playground for the wealthy and well-connected, is going to have a little more sparkle and glitter than usual with the public showing of the Style of Jolie jewelry collection.

The faceted emeralds of the "Jolie Pear Shape Emerald Earrings" are mounted on rolled tubular 18k red gold. It is a piece unique and part of the House of Jolie Exceptional Jewels collection. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The complete collection of jewelry created with emeralds, spinels, citrines, rubellites and quartz by actress and director Angelina Jolie and private jeweler Robert Procop goes on display Sunday at the Grand Hotel in Cap Ferret in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France. The viewing will run till August 15.

The "Premiere Black Faceted Necklace" was the first jeweled necklace created by Angelina Jolie and Robert Procop and was unveiled by Jolie to the premiere of her movie "Salt." The necklace is sculpted in 18k rose gold and has 47 black spinels with a total weight of 74.35 carats. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The collection is usually only available by appointment. The only other time the pieces appeared in public was during its unveiling in Los Angeles in April 2011. Proceeds from any sales made during the current showing of the collection will go toward Jolie’s foundation, “Education Partnership for Children of Conflict,” as always.

The 27 carat emerald used for this ring was discovered in the Kunas mines of Colombia. Faceted in the signature Jolie-Procop tablet shape, the gem is mounted in a floating edge bezel of rose gold. From Style of Jolie Exceptional Jewels collection, this is a piece unique. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

In an exclusive interview with Procop, the designer says that location in the world class hotel near Nice during the summer is an appropriate venue to showcase the jewelry.

A 186.42-carat pear shaped citrine is highlighted by the graduated rounded bezel set of cushion cut gemstones in this Riviera opera length necklace. The natural golden hues of citrine radiate warmth and vitality within a setting of luminous yellow gold. The necklace is sculpted in 18K yellow gold and has a total weight of 186.42 carat of golden citrine. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

“In presenting the collection in its entirety outside of our design studio, it allows for the inspiration, the charitable aspect and style to truly come to life and be more easily visually communicated,” he says. “We are still, essentially, working with private clients, in a more public forum.”

Each rubellite stone in these earring is cut in the form of a tablet and is surrounded by angled bezels of 18K rose gold. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

He continues, “I rarely do public displays, so when we decided to host the viewing, we knew it had to be in a location that would rival the exceptional jewels that will be on display. The Grand Hotel at Cap Ferret is an historical location and one of the most beautiful locations in the world. To visit the collection here, it becomes an even greater destination, one which is familiar to the true connoisseur, who would appreciate the purity and quality of both the locale and these artistic jewels.”

Two 67.74-ct. pale-green beryls in these earrings are complimented by the bold tapered angles of 18k yellow gold. These earrings were first worn by Jolie to the premiere of her movie, "The Tourist." Part of the Style of Jolie Tablet Collection, the cut of the stone was inspired by ancient carved tablet engravings. The tablet design style began when Jolie and Procop created a special Christmas gift for Brad Pitt. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

In addition, Procop says the setting still provides the type of exclusivity that is appropriate for the collection. He stresses that this is not a jewelry exhibit nor is it a retail setting.

This bracelet is constructed from five rows of white quartz tablet cut stones that stack upon the wrist. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

“We are presenting the collection in an exclusive setting for those who would like to admire without a sense of salesmanship,” he says. “For those who would like to acquire part of this once in a lifetime collection and be part of the mission with Angelina help to educate children in need, and pieces will be available for sale.”

The 28.96-carat pear shape emerald for this ring is from the mines of Colombia and is set on soft round 18k yellow gold bezel. It is a piece unique and part of the House of Jolie Exceptional Jewels collection. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

Robert Procop Designs Engagement Ring for Angelina Jolie

A closeup of what is reported to be Angelina Jolie's engagement ring during an April 11 trip to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with Brad Pitt and their son Pax. Photo credit: Access Hollywood and Credit: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Exclusive jeweler Robert Procop says he designed an engagement ring for Angelina Jolie, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter.

The former CEO of Asprey & Garrard told the publication that Brad Pitt was involved in the design of the ring. She was seen wearing it on April 11 at a private viewing of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Chinese Galleries, the publication reports.

The Style of Jolie ring worn by Brad Pitt

The couple has been collaborating with Procop for about a couple of years. Jolie and Procop released the “Style of Jolie” jewelry collection in April, 2011. More recently, Pitt wore a “Style of Jolie” ring during the 84th Academy Awards in February.

The engagement ring news comes at the same time  that the couple are reported to be starring in a Ridley Scott film together.

Angelina Jolie, Robert Procop Unveil Jewelry Collection for Charity

As reported in December, Angelina Jolie and Robert Procop were teaming up to create a jewelry line with statement gemstones. For the Golden Globes in January Jolie wore a pair of emerald earrings from the collection (pictured), which set off a wave of emeralds and other green gemstones worn by the stars and celebrities on the Oscars red carpet.

Now the duo recently unveiled the collection, “Style of Jolie,” during an invitation only museum quality exhibition at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills. All proceeds from the sale of the line will go toward Jolie’s foundation, “Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.”

“What we're showing here is a collection that Angelina and I have been working on for the last nine months or so, building not only a part of her style but real artistic forms using gemstones as a centerpiece,” Procop, the former CEO of Asprey, said in the video below. “But our main mission is helping children in crisis be educating children around the world.”



The collection (individual pieces can be viewed on the Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels website) includes a five-row quartz tablet bracelet, pear-shaped citrine and cushion-cut necklace, and green beryl tablet earrings.

The collection is still available for private viewing at Julien's. Appointments can be made by contacting creativestudio@robertprocop.com.

Style of Jolie Jewelry Collection Funds Girls School in Afghanistan

Angelina Jolie in a black spinel necklace she designed with Robert Procop.

Angelina Jolie has reportedly said that the all-girls school she is building in Afghanistan funded by her eponymous jewelry collection has opened.

The actress and philanthropist told E! News that the school located outside of Kabul educates from 200 to 300 students. It was funded by the Style of Jolie jewelry line—a collection of jewelry created by Jolie and Robert Procop, a gem expert, private jeweler and jewelry designer. She told E! that the new school will be one of many girls schools that will be built and funded through the jewelry collection.

The "Angelina Jolie Exceptional Emerald Necklace" features 44 cushion cut emeralds with a total weight of 103.48 carats, many of which have attained the exclusive gemstone classification of vivid green. The necklace is sculpted in 18K yellow gold. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The high jewelry pieces for the Style of Jolie collection are known for using statement gemstones cut in the shape of tablet, an exclusive feature. Procop told me in an interview published in January that Jolie wanted something with an historical message and spent a great deal of time studying how a tablet is held. Together they designed the shape. 

View the Style of Jolie jewelry collection.

All proceeds from the sales are used to build schools for girls in impoverished countries through the Education Partnerships for Children of Conflicts, co-founded by Jolie.

At the time of the interview in his Beverly Hills studio Procop pointed to the ring and said: “This is a 27-carat emerald. When the stone is sold we give the money to the charity and then we build another school.”

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Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet Jewelry Fashion, Part 4

Angelina Jolie in Robert Procop emerald earrings.

Kelly Osbourne in 18K matching white gold black geode and black diamond ring and earrings designed by Kimberly McDonald.

 

Olivia Wilde wears a Tiffany ring and clutch by Judith Leiber.

Mila Kunis in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, including gold bracelet

Angelina Jolie’s Jewelry Design Partner Talks About Precious Gems and New Book

Robert Procop

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. —Robert Procop has become known to most people as the jewelry design partner of Angelina Jolie. The two are creating high jewelry pieces using statement gemstones under the Style of Jolie brand. It’s a charitable undertaking where all proceeds from the sales are used to build schools for girls in impoverished countries through the Education Partnerships for Children of Conflicts, co-founded by Jolie.

However, Procop’s involvement in the upper tiers of the jewelry and gemstone industry runs a course that has immense depth and breadth. He currently owns and operates, Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels, where he sells his own jewelry creations, and buys and sells statement gemstones in a confidential and secure environment to well-heeled buyers. Before this venture, he was the CEO of the famed jewelry house, Asprey & Garrard, where he led the organization through a difficult period by returning it into the two separate entities they originally were. He then led Garrard for a while. The remarkable thing about this is he had no prior experience running a luxury jewelry house. He has also owned retail stores on Rodeo Drive.

Robert Procop 63.27-ct. cushion blue sapphire ring

But his true skill is being one of the best and most knowledgeable diamond and gemstone dealers in the world. It is something he has done successfully since he was a teenager and is the foundation of his long and varied career as a business leader, retailer, wholesaler and jewelry designer. His contacts range from the workers in remote mines in countries like Colombia and Sri Lanka, to the leaders of haute joaillerie houses in Paris and London. His ultimate skill is buying superb, statement gemstones at less than what it costs to mine them. It’s the result of his network that he is able to discover sources of great “material,” buy it when the price is right and then resell the items as an investment.

“I only buy for value,” he said in the Beverly Hills showroom and studio. “I never buy something where I’m going to make a design. I buy it if I could make an offer competitively and it can be sold in the trade.”

This means he doesn’t get involved with auctions or other competitive bidding situations. He also tends to avoid white diamonds, turning instead toward rarer and more valuable fancy colored diamonds.

Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels Long Emerald Earrings

He says he only deals with gemstones that haven’t undergone heat-treatment or has had very little treatment. Almost all gems these days undergo some kind of heat treatment, which enhances clarity and color. Large, recently mined gems with the most sought after colors (“pigeon-blood” rubies; luminous emeralds; deep, rich blue sapphires) are rare enough. Being able to purchase them without heat enhancements is even more difficult. But Procop says these stones exist if you know where to look.

“It’s just buying them at the right price,” he said. “Since I need to sell them to the wholesale trade and there are customers looking for an investment, you have to buy below the market. So they know you are buying at a competitive market price.”

View pieces from the Style of Jolie Collection.

His knowledge of gemstones and diamonds is so great and he is so respected, that he has become the editor-in-chief for the next edition of Famous Diamonds, considered by many to be the world’s most important book about diamonds. It was first published by Lord Ian Balfour, a noted diamond historian and a longtime employee of diamond mining giant, De Beers.

Procop, who refers to the book as “the bible,” explains that after five editions, Balfour, in his late 80s, can’t continue updating the coffee-table-sized tome—with its lush images and vibrant stories about the world’s most famous diamonds. Balfour personally chose Procop.

“I had been honored by Ian Balfour to pass on his legacy,” Procop said. “(Balfour) is very good at finding these romantic stories. He always says the diamond business is not only full of trading but full of everything from emperors to smugglers.”

With his expertise in colored diamonds, Procop said he will update the book with some of the rarest colored diamonds in the world and will provide explanations of how diamonds get their unusual colors.

“Pumpkin orange, unusual greens … diamonds that come from the Argyle mine (in Australia, famous for its pink diamonds) that are a deep violet, then they get brighter blue,” he said. “We’re going to try to come up with a rainbow of colors because people have never seen some of these.”

Procop’s studio and workshop is well organized and immaculately clean. Walls are painted white and a row of windows fills the room with light. It’s here where his small staff designs jewelry based on his sketches and specifications that are then sent to master craftsmen to build. It is also where his customers can come to look at his jewelry creations and gems. His clients, which he never reveals, include every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan, other notable politicians and, considering its location, the best known and most powerful names in Hollywood.

On this day several Style of Jolie pieces, including an emerald necklace, bracelet and ring set in rose gold (his metal and color preference) were among the jewelry pieces on a white table. All of the emeralds are cut in the tablet shape (which resembles a cushion cut) created by Jolie and Procop, and a signature part of the Style of Jolie collection. Procop said Jolie wanted something with an historical message. She spent a great deal of time studying how a tablet is held and together they designed the shape.

As mentioned before the idea behind the jewelry is to build girls schools in impoverished areas. The business model is rather simple. They design the jewelry together. She wears the pieces. Then they are sold.

Procop pointed to the ring. “This is a 27-carat emerald,” he said. “When the stone is sold we give the money to the charity and then we build another school.”

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Oscars 2014: What About the Men? A Male Perspective at the 86th Annual Academy Awards

Best Actor Award Winner Matthew McConaughey wearing Chopard's L.U.C. XP Tonneau timepiece in 18k white gold, with white dial and black leather strap. He also wore onyx cufflinks, set in 18k white gold with white diamond pave.

Chopard hit the jackpot at the 2014 Oscars as the luxury brand had its products on both the male and female best actor winners. The only luxury jeweler that may have fared better was Fred Leighton, whose jewelry adorned everyone’s favorite Lupita Nyong’o.

Chopard's L.U.C. XP Tonneau worn by Matthew McConaughey.

Montblanc, one of the most masculine of the luxury brands on the red carpet, helped several male stars look their best Sunday night. Those who saw my piece yesterday on ladies jewelry at the Oscars will notice some familiar names, such as Robert Procop, Lorraine Schwartz, Neil Lane, and, yet again, Fred Leighton. Below is list of what was worn by the men at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Steve McQueen, director of the Best Motion Picture of the Year, “12 Years a Slave,” (pictured with the film's producer, Brad Pitt), wearing a Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Open Home Time timepiece (pictured below) and Montblanc cufflinks.

Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Open Home Time

Jared Leto received his Best Supporting Actor award in a platinum and diamond dress set by Neil Lane.

Brad Pitt (with Angelina Jolie) wearing a men’s diamond dress set, consisting of tablet cut white diamond and yellow gold tuxedo buttons and cufflinks, and Star Sapphire ring all from the Style of Jolie collection, designed by Jolie and Robert Procop, gem expert and private jeweler. 

Style of Jolie cufflinks worn by Brad Pitt., designed by Angelina Jolie and Robert Procop.

The Black Star Sapphire ring worn by Brad Pitt and designed by Angelina Jolie and Robert Procop.

Steve Coogan wearing a Montblanc Star Classique Automatic timepiece and Montblanc cufflinks and studs set.

Montblanc cufflinks worn by Steve Coogan.

Jeremy Renner wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin 41 on the Oscars Red Carpet.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin 41

Bradley Cooper wearing the Chopard L.U.C 1937 Classic timepiece on the red carpet.

Chopard L.U.C 1937 Classic timepiece

Pharrell Williams was “Happy” in his Lorraine Schwartz gold and yellow diamond studs and “Be Happy” gold bracelets with Ofira Jewels gold ball bracelets with multi-colored diamonds.

Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Automatic Date

Ryan Seacrest wearing dressed in white gold with onyx button cufflinks by Gentleman by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills.

Chiwetel Ejiofor wearing a Montblanc Star Roman Date Automatic timepiece and Montblanc cufflinks.

Montblanc Star Roman Date Automatic timepiece

John Legend wearing Gentleman by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills yellow gold and white diamond button cufflinks and yellow gold and white diamond lapel buttonhole.

Joseph Gordon Levitt in a Montblanc Star Watch and Montblanc cufflinks.

Montblanc stainless steel and onyx bar cufflinks worn by Joseph Gordon Levitt.

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