Jewelry

[scotttie]

On 3/28/2014 Nikalette said: This line is managed by the Kennedy family, I think largely Caroline Kennedy now. There have been news articles critical of her for "selling out" by allowing products such as this. She may be planning on running for political office or it may be a larger family decision. I remember when they pulled the crosses from collection because they were too personal for sale. But Phillip is only a product demonstrator for the line and the company is 100% owned by the Kennedy estate.

Really? The Kennedy family owns Camrose and Kross?

[Logica]

On 3/26/2014 happygal said:

Chrystaltree, people will miss the shows because they admired and remember Jackie fondly, and because Mr. Katz is low-key and informative, hype-free. Doesn't tell viewers, "It's only a dollar a day." Because it's something many have enjoyed over the years, much more than most other presentations. It's an interesting program.

Well said.

[bozismydog]

I am also sad to see this line discontinued. I enjoyed the shows and never bought anything until today. I got the engagement bracelet. I am from MA and along with my generation, we had a fascinating respect of everything Kennedy. Mr Katz was very interesting on these shows. I will miss them.

[mowida]

I am so sad to see these beautiful products being discontinued! I really felt sorry for Phillip Katz when I saw the show! He seemed heartbroken. My first question is why? Who made this decision? They were just coming out with new styles. I had plans to buy several things, as I could, over the next few years. I do hope that Mr. Katz can write a book about the jewelry and the history, complete with pictures. I would love it. Other than that, I wonder who will be next to get the ax? I do want to make one observation: I own a cross that was given to Jacqueline by Jack when she lost her first child. I love it. Not too long ago, I saw that exact same cross in a catalog with only the color of the stone different. Perhaps, the jewelry has become a target for imitators. I could see how that would upset the Kennedy family. I wish I knew for sure.

[issiestorm]

The way I'm understanding it is this:

The Kennedy estate doesn't own Camrose and Kross. They own the line of JBK jewelry of which C&K is the manufacturer/distributor. Philip Katz is a product demonstrator who works for C&K. I also get the impression, from what he has said in past shows, that he is the liaison between the company and the Kennedy family. I remember him saying a while back that the family definitely didn't want any more crosses to be made because they were too personal, but the crosses that were still available in the line could be sold.

If any of this is incorrect I apologize, but this is how I'm seeing it. Mr. Katz did mention that since the factories that manufacture the pearls are now all closed, he didn't really see the line continuing much longer anyway, but the bottom line was that the Kennedy estate did not want to continue the line.

[jetts_mom]

On 3/28/2014 Issiestorm said:

The way I'm understanding it is this:

The Kennedy estate doesn't own Camrose and Kross. They own the line of JBK jewelry of which C&K is the manufacturer/distributor. Philip Katz is a product demonstrator who works for C&K. I also get the impression, from what he has said in past shows, that he is the liaison between the company and the Kennedy family. I remember him saying a while back that the family definitely didn't want any more crosses to be made because they were too personal, but the crosses that were still available in the line could be sold.

If any of this is incorrect I apologize, but this is how I'm seeing it. Mr. Katz did mention that since the factories that manufacture the pearls are now all closed, he didn't really see the line continuing much longer anyway, but the bottom line was that the Kennedy estate did not want to continue the line.

This is how I've more or less understood things to be, too. Although it seems that a lot of pieces were in the "public domain" because they'd been sold at auction years before, so how much rights they had to it may be debatable.

Interesting article from the NY Post from last Sept. about Caroline's seemingly "on again, off again" desire for her family belongings. Of course unless she comes out and says for sure, it's only conjecture, but it wouldn't surprise me that Caroline pulled the plug on the collection.

I found this other article that talks quite a bit about her jewelry. I found it another interesting read. There's actually quite a few hits if you google.

[issiestorm]

Thank you for the links to those articles jetts mom. Very interesting.

I think you're probably right about the public domain issue. I hadn't even thought of that angle.

[scotttie]

I went to the Kennedy Library site. Camrose and Kross is a substantial contributor to the Library. Don't know what that means if anything.

My guess is, as said before, QVC wants a certain volume sold and perhaps the JK line has been run enough that they don't meet that criteria anymore.

[scotttie]

PS I got a reply to my email. The mfgr, C&K, is indeed no longer mfg the jewelry line.

[silkyk]

I thought I'd post this to let all you ladies who love this line that the catalog of Sotheby's auction of JKO's estate is available on Amazon and is a treasure trove of pics and information about all this lovely jewelry and more. I've been looking up items that are being offered to see the originals and....WOW!!!!! If you love this jewelry you MUST have this catalog!