Live from VicenzaOro 2011: Isaac Levy of Yvel

The show is off to a very good start for Isaac Levy. By the
end of the first day, on Saturday, the owner of Yvel, a high-end pearl jewelry maker, told JCK
that he completely sold out of his natural colored sapphire collection
(interestingly enough, not the pearls he’s known for). His buyers were from
Russia, Italy, and from the Middle East. “In the first day, I sold $194,000,”
Levy says. He debuted this collection one year ago at the fair.

Every piece in Yvel’s natural color sapphire collection sold on the first day of the fair.

His Chinese freshwater pearl collection—in coin and stick shapes—has also been in demand, though buyers tell him there’s not been enough of a
selection. Expect to see a lot more new styles at the Baselworld show. “I am
working on a new collection with color in it,” he says. “The color sells very
well.” Besides color accents, the new looks will also feature 18k gold, an addition
to the initial sterling styles; price points will be an astonishing $250–$1,500
(yes, in 18k gold).

Baroque south sea necklace, $790,000

New items for the fair include a massive baroque south sea
necklace with a yellow diamond clasp, a piece with an equally impressive retail
price tag of $790,000.

Tahitian pearls and diamonds in an 18k gold ring; $9,000

Levy also has six events planned stateside in the next 40
days, which is hopefully further indication that the New Year is off to a great
start. “If the rest of 2011 stays like this, it could be our best year ever,”
he says.