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The Romance of Jewelry by Tova—featuring Diamonique®

by ‎05-23-2013 03:58 PM - edited ‎06-29-2015 09:34 AM

Hi there,

 

I had the pleasure of once again visiting my friend Tova Borgnine at her home near West Chester, Pennsylvania, to discuss the premiere of Jewelry by Tova—featuring Diamonique® airing May 24 at 11am ET.

 

 

Tova’s stunning Diamonique jewelry is inspired from pieces in her personal collection, designs from the classic Hollywood era, and pieces borrowed from around the world for Red Carpet appearances. She opened her jewelry boxes to me, showing me both the original and Diamonique pieces—even a jeweler would have a hard time telling the difference!

 

 

Her passion and commitment are evident in everything she does, and Tova’s jewelry is no exception. She worked closely with QVC’s jewelry buyers and manufacturer to ensure each piece represented the craftsmanship, settings, and cuts of the originals. “To me, a piece of jewelry has to speak to the wearer as much as the viewer. So I am always watching carefully the color, brilliance, and comfort of each piece. I do this out of my passion for creating and sharing,” Tova told me.

 

“Each piece in my collection has something that is close to my heart, but more important is what they say about you. My jewelry can be worn by women who love to feel special, whether you are a woman who stays at home or are constantly on the run with work and play. My collection will most certainly attract compliments and most importantly you will feel glamorous, beautiful, and very special.

 

“I love sharing the stories of romance and history behind my jewelry because I believe in the romance of life. Here are the stories behind Jewelry by Tova—featuring Diamonique®.”

 

14K Yellow Gold-Clad Sterling Silver Simulated Aquamarine Necklace

 

14K Yellow Gold-Clad Sterling Silver Simulated Aquamarine Ring

 

14K Yellow Gold-Clad Sterling Silver Simulated Aquamarine Earrings

 

“In January of 1972, Ernie and I were in Rome for the premiere of the film The Poseidon Adventure. It was a most romantic and glamorous time... it was part of a seven-country press trip for the film under the pretext that 20th Century Fox Studios were giving us a honeymoon. All that Ernie would have to do was speak to the press in each country before the premiere. As magical as it was for me, Ernie was of course very busy. From London through Rome we had a Cinderella and Prince Charming journey which, by the way, stuck with us throughout our 40-year relationship.

 

“This is just a small background for our honeymoon trip of a lifetime that took us from Istanbul through the magical adventures of shooting on the high seas to the Isle of Capri, the ‘Enchanted Island’ off Naples, Italy. To me, this is the island I could retire on. Walking through the narrow cobblestone streets that go back to Caesar’s time, each step you take has the sense of antiquity, beauty, charm, and lush greenery surrounded on all sides by the Mediterranean waters of blue aqua marine. 

 

“Strolling through Capri’s charming version of Rodeo Drive, I quickly spotted the Gem Boutique and convinced Ernie I was just going in to look. There lay the most beautiful aqua marine ring (that seems to always find its way to my finger to this day). The east/west setting mesmerized me. I tried it on and knew because it fit me it was meant to be mine. Ernie, however, reminded me that I had said I was just going to look. With a bit of fine-tuned negotiating, Ernie was convinced that it was so special because the color was that of the famous Blue Grotto, which is a magical cave lagoon with water the color of the aqua marine gemstone.

 

“Fortunately for me, the story does not stop there. By this time there was a buzz in recognition of Ernie. Our jeweler started speaking Italian to Ernie, and since they knew some of the same people, the jeweler wanted Ernie to see some of his vaulted pieces. There lay the most spectacular Italian bold gold link necklace with a 20-carat emerald-cut aqua marine framed in a rounded bold gold tubing. Holding this masterpiece were two stations embedded with pavé diamonds. My heart was pounding so hard I could actually hear it. Ernie took a look at me and before I knew it I had it on my neck.

 

“Over these many years, whenever I was at a loss of which pieces I wanted to wear, these would be my go-to pieces. The only thing missing were the earrings, so a year later I had our Capri jeweler design a pair of beautiful spinel fluted aqua marine earrings.”

 

 

 

14K Gold-clad Sterling Silver Round & Baguette Ring

 

“Because Ernie had such an insane schedule during our courtship and marriage one thing we had both overlooked was our engagement/wedding ring. During our honeymoon tour, Ernie told the 20th Century Fox PR person assigned to us, ‘I am taking my love, my wife to get her the most beautiful wedding ring this morning, so cancel all meetings.’

 

“Off he took me to the Spanish Steps and onward down to one of the world’s finest jewelry stores. I felt butterflies as we opened the doors. The exquisite showcases dazzled my eyes and brought a flush to my cheeks. As my eyes focused on the most beautiful array of gems showcased as only the Italian jewelry artisans can do, there lay the ring that became our pledge of commitment. We have duplicated my ring to the same beauty and clarity. The classic design is unique and will always be my Vein of Love ring. The ancient Egyptians believed that a ‘vein of love’ ran from the third finger of the left hand direct to the heart. This ring finger remains true to this day.

 

“Worn as a pinky ring, this becomes an almost magical piece. Somehow a woman’s pinky is always getting in the act. You hold your cup of tea and your pinky always goes out. The light catches the Diamonique simulated gemstone and it’s flashing and mesmerizing.”

 

Sterling Silver Pavé Round & Baguette Ring

 

“During our beautiful and enduring love affair, Ernie and I renewed our vows five times. When our 25th anniversary came, Ernie asked me what I would love to have to celebrate this milestone and auspicious occasion (remember, I was Ernie’s 5th wife). We asked a friend who was also a fine jeweler, and he came back with a design of diamonds that took (and is still taking) my breath away.”

 

Tova wore the original spinel earrings and emerald-cut aquamarine necklace when she had her portrait painted by Ulisse Sartini, one of the finest portrait painters in the world. (Sartini has portrayed two extraordinary individuals: Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.) In this portrait, Tova is also wearing her 25th anniversary ring.

 

 

Sterling Silver Simulated Sapphire Enhancer with Chain (J281134)

 

Sterling Silver Simulated Sapphire Earrings (J281135)

 

Sterling Silver Simulated Sapphire Ring (J281139)

 

“There are few designs that inspire different expressions. I am always on the lookout for estate sales. I had been looking for a pair of cufflinks for Ernie to celebrate one of our anniversaries. At one particular estate sale was the most beautiful pair I had ever seen.

 

“A perfect circle of channel-set simulated sapphires maximizes the center brilliant-cut Diamonique simulated diamond. These settings were mostly done during the Deco period, and as many different designs as I have seen in my life I truly believe these are magnificent. Each simulated sapphire baguette has to be perfectly matched and ‘blind set’ (also known as channel set) to create the illumination. It is pure fluidity.

 

“I was so inspired by this design I had it recreated for us in a magnificent pendant that acts also as an enhancer, the most precious ring that is the exact dimension of Ernie’s cufflinks, and the perfect earrings that dazzle as they bring enchantment to your face and light up when you move.”

 

 

14K Yellow Gold-Clad Sterling Silver Simulated Emerald Ring

 

Sterling Silver Simulated Emerald Necklace

 

14K Yellow Gold-Clad Sterling Silver Simulated Emerald and Diamond Earrings

 

“In 1971 Ernest was doing a film in Columbia, South America. He was taken to an emerald mine by a very well-known jeweler, and because this jeweler loved Ernie so much he picked out three flawless emeralds as a gift to Ernie for all the entertainment he had given to the people of Columbia. Ernie brought them back to the USA and gifted them to me. I had them set into one magnificent ring and classic earrings. They are as special to me today as they were when Ernie first surprised me.

 

 

“Columbian Emeralds are considered the most precious in the World and when the cut is Emerald the depth and Color come dancing through.

 

“One of my precious earrings was lost on one of my frequent flights returning from London. I was heartbroken. No one can wear just one earring and these were always with me. What to do? I discussed this with a friend who is an estate jeweler and at his suggestion I had the single earring made into an enchanting pendant, recreated here with bezel-set stations on the chain.”

 

Sterling Silver Vintage-Style Cultured Freshwater Pearl Earrings

 

“These earrings were inspired by Grace Kelly. In 1955 Grace presented Ernie with the Best Actor Academy Award for Marty. This was the last professional appearance she made in the USA as a commoner before sailing off to become her Highness Princess Grace of Monaco.

 

“Every one of us should have a pair of princess-like Diamonique and cultured freshwater pearl earrings in our jewelry wardrobe.”

 

 

Sterling Silver Simulated Pear-shaped Aquamarine and Diamond Ring

 

“The fourth time Ernie and I renewed our vows, I invited 25 couples for a wonderful cruise on the Sea Goddess to renew their vows as well. The morning of the ceremony we were rehearsing and Ernie said, ‘Give me your ring.’ I asked, ‘What do you mean?’ and he told me, ‘I’ve got to have something to put on your finger.’ So I gave him what I had on. That night, as we were renewing our vows, he replaced the ring I gave him with a pear-shaped aquamarine and diamond ring, recreated as seen below.”

 

 

Do you have a cherished piece of jewelry with a romantic story behind it? Send it to QVCInsider@QVC.com and I’ll post it in a future blog. And be sure to check out Tova’s Facebook page.

 

Be sure to tune in to Beauty by Tova® May 24 at midnight, 10am, and 6pm ET and the premiere of Jewelry by Tova—featuring Diamonique®, May 24 at 11am ET.

 

Happy trails!

 

Troy

 

Editor, InsideQ magazine