NY 47th Street Diamond district

Jewellery, gemmology, fieldwork and fun, School... continuous learning....

As Far Back as I remember, in terms of the last ten or so years, with jewellery, there was never a time that I was not attracted to Stones. 

My jewellery studies came about as I have always been artistically inclined from a very young age and went to an Independent Art school  - their jewellery department closed for a number of years due to lack of funding, but I am glad to know that they are again up and running and producing exiting young people that are enthusiastic about the trade.

This Art school was intimately connected to my family, which I only found out after I was accepted. I was quite happily surprised at one of my visits to the Director's office - as I turned around and there was a watercolour signed by my great grand father Groves.

http://www.ruthprowse.co.za/jewellery.aspx

As I walked into the workshop the first time, I saw molten metal in a crucible, being held by a flame in it's liquid state was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. 

I started on my portfolio.  In my interview I had brought some stones along. 
I left and went to another school when they closed.  The next school, I felt the standards were not high enough for myself to go into industry, and I sought out the top school in terms of Technique.  Cape Tech now CPUT. 

I am currently back for more and finishing my BTech.
A few reasons for this.  Most important, a degree in Technology. 


http://info.cput.ac.za/prospectus_3/qual_new.php?q=228&f=4

But subsquent to this I did EGL Diamonds and Tanzanite.  Not enough, I signed up for my GG with GIA, and did Rough Diamonds too.

But then went to the school of Trade and industry and the university of hard knocks.
Checked how some do it and how others dont.

I saw how people treat staff and how staff want to be treated - how staff perform and what they may need to deliver the best job.  I have worked for fairly small businesses in the jewellery trade and industry organisation that sets the global standard for Gemmology.  Representing GIA Johannesburg in Gabarone was great - and I went to Diamond Bootcamp!!!!

More studying diamonds - Flipping Stones!!!

So, I m lucky to have not witnessed but been part of systems that are about production and Quantity and Quality and years and years of development of a strategic system the streamlines production to the point of limited hick ups.

I have also worked in High end jewellers where every task handed to you, is done with the utmost care and consideration for the Design and production of a single piece that will never be replicated again, and where there needs to be constant thought and well considered solutions, so as to prevent futher hick ups in completion of said piece.

 I ve been to the 18th story of a building on Avenue of the Americas - to a fellow countryman - that was alerted by a mutual acquaintance, that there is someone he should meet.  Walking through the door, in a pinstriped suit and Prada Calf skin boots, I was welcomed and after a discussion i was shown a beautiful Type 2a emerald cut diamond - size, I cant recall carat weight, but lets leave it at large.

A few weeks into my time spent in NY, I was a local at two of the Diamond exchanges on 47th street.  When I went passed one afternoon after school - GIA NY - one of my Favourites asked me - How is your school work?  I said "My marks are reflecting well, Sir. thanks for asking. "  He asked if I would like to see Kashmir sapphires.  I said I would appreciate making an appointment and I may come see him when he has time, to which he smiled.  Hassidic jew in his long NY styled Coat open revealing his waist coat, and his hat on his head, with traditional ringlets in front of his ears, turned to me and smiled brightly asking if I have time, I said sure, to which he pulled out two Briefkas.   He must have seen my eyes widening, as it made him laugh a bit as he handed them to me and I pulled out my loupe and tweezers.

I saw my first ever Melo melo pearl at this Exchange on 47th street.  I could not believe my eyes.  never had I seen such a thing in my life. Not in South Africa or in Britain. I d only read about it. _ (it was priced at $50 000)

Britain and Old Bond street brought with it Moussaieff and all its emerald glory.  as I stood outside the Windows displaying what I referred to, in relaying the experience to other gem enthusiasts, as centimeters and thumbs of emeralds, as some of them were so big you could probably have easier measured them in cm, and there was a wonderfully beautiful set of earrings that made me realize that I did not have ever even have a thought that such large gem quality emeralds might be in existence and circulation today. 

Well, it was not only me that may have had these thoughts, as I was standing there awestruck, and dumb found at the displays , a young asian man came and stood diagonally behind me and took a few photographs.  Seems hew must have agreed.

Back in Africa, I headed through Botswana on the Trans Khalahari highway Passing Jwaneng one of the richest diamond deposits globally - to head to Namibia.  Mineral country.

It was here that even more was revealed to me, since field work makes one truly aware just how special a gem may be.  Just how rare.  And makes one truly appreciate where that gem may have come from.  Being gratefull for the many that have lost their lives in the process of us needing to find the next Kashmir Sapphire or Ruby from Mogok.  The next Copper rich elbaite from Paraiba, Mozambique, Namibia, or Nigeria.  I wish we would track paperwork more accurately and be kinder to our environment from which we pull these gems.

I loved the dust and the dirt and the African Sun, and my first serious feeling of a fever, they say that this is what happens when you find gold - you get gold fever.  Or when opal gets into your blood
you find an addiction that you cant explain unless the other person also suffers from the same affliction.


It is in suffering this affliction or pleasurable passion gladly that I have met some of my greatest friends.  Some of the people that I hold in highest regard and people that I would share the smallest things with - a photo of an inclusion.  Who still seem to have the deepest appreciation for it, despite it's size.

Working and travelling has certainly given me insight into this world.   This underworld.

But it is in what my Mother and Father taught me that rings truest. 

To be kind and gentle and sincere in all that you do.  To be true and honourable. To work hard. To have faith in your abilities and what you do and to keep on going despite defeat.   And to remind myself and others of how fortunate we are and to try remember daily not to complain.

The Devil wears Diamonds....High end Jewellery and diplomacy....

  When working in jewellery as a sales associate, I was told in my first week by a colleague, that this was no ordinary Sales position. 
These words would soon ring true.

This article is written for those who I may have worked alongside and who have worked in the gem, jewel and diamond industry who understand, just how versatile one has to be at times, as you do everything you have to do to satisfy your customers needs and your Bosses demands.

The role was more like being a foreign diplomat or hostage negotiator.  It was being diplomatic and graceful and whatever tact I lacked, I am most appreciative to those that were working along side me, and who s examples spelled all these qualities and showed me the way to serving an array of customers, clients and people that were often difficult and others that were wonderful to serve.

So, What is a girl to do?  I have worked and been very lucky to work in high end jewellery and enjoyed my time there.  What did I do, well as the youngest member of the team, EVERYTHING!!!!

Everything nobody else did. Wanted to do , everything nobody else had the enthusiasm to tackle, and this included spritzing the Orchids in the very overheated windows for the absolutely exquisite window displays. 

It included - being woken with a phone call from my Boss - very early one morning -  and telling me he needed books on Tortoises ....
- To which I could only reply -" Sir, I have a book on animals of South Africa and there is a very small subsection in there, could I bring this as a start? and ask what would you like more specifically - Tortoises, turtles or Terrapins? and of South Africa or the world?"   

With this role I did however show my dedication to a longstanding brand in South Africa that has without a doubt some of the best jewellery manufacturers in their workshop and exquisite gems and diamonds.  A boss with exquisite taste that over the period that I was there, realised that just as he had taste, mine was fairly often in sync with his, and how I carried out my duties and tasks were not commented on, but a nod acknowledged what words didn't. 

My first Saturday in the store, I should have known that this would be the adventure of a lifetime.  There is a very narrow corridor in the back of the store that leads to a small office which was the switchboard. 
Just before lunch, I heard the lady at switchboard let out a scream so severe, I m surprised I didn t try finding the emergency kit en route down the corridor. My arrival marked a panic strickend Cynthia, clutching a colleague, saying that there is a mouse!!
as I walked in the mouse was the size of a R5 coin.  Tiny.  Just a bit bigger than a Pound coin.  I went to the kitchen and as there were no jars, I ended up having to use a little teacup, shooed the little thing in and headed for the garden outside.  Met in the middle of a narrow passage by my new boss who looked at me, as if to ask, where are you going?  I lifted my hand off a tinny teacup, revealing an even tinier mouse and said to him rather simply " He didn t do anything wrong, he's lost" .  I left and put him outside.

   

I was in a sense the girl in the Devil wears Prada, but I did not get there dressed in a frumpy frock.

I walked in in a suite.  In Black.  Always in Black as I had been told in the initial interview with the Head designer.  Unless of course I was wearing a cream suite, and whatever colour I would wear, I hope would always have been appropriate.  I would wear colour generally in the form of a scarf, Lipstick or on occasion Eyeshadow -  this was tricky as eye makeup has the unfortunate tendency to make you look like a Panda bear by the end of the day if you have been doning Valuations and working on the Microscope from 7am to 8pm....

Think of it as The Devil wears Prada in Diamonds - keep the Fashion.

Every morning before I would walk through the very Chic boutique studded mall - I would first go to the ladies - and make sure I looked Flawless.  This is very important - as it makes you feel great and then nobody can say a word about your appearance.  I mean, nothing bad that is.   Then I had to be there at least twenty minutes ahead of my time to start working as I deemed it proper to go greet every member of staff and to see how they were and how their day was going and to lat me know if there was anything they needed help with on that particular day.
There was one that did not greet me back until I managed to crack her after seven moths of friendly good morning greetings.  She finally greeted back.

Then I would proceed to the safe which I lovingly referred to as Wardrobe..
I would select jewellery for the day, appropriate to what I was wearing. 
Advertising.

It took some time but in the end I was entrusted to tasks that made me smile. 
I got to be the assistant to the resident Gemmologist.
After that, to assist also the resident Valuator.
I also had to a number of other tasks some of which most often seemed impossible, but with some effort I managed to pull off well.

I remember having to do private sales at a client who was a host for some delegates from China.  A president of a rather large organisation, walked in after setting up.  My boss and the resident gemmologist along with myself were introduced.  I was asked to advise on a number of items and after the sale went through I truned to the president and the interpreter and introduced myself in Mandarin.  I may have amused they looked at me and burst out laughing and the entourage followed suit.  My boss turned to me rather puzzled and I looked slightly down and said I would tell him later.

I enjoyed them as clients and follow up was the following morning in a hotel restaurant as I had to drop off all valuations and a re sized ring.  Their simple, polite and graceful manner is one that I will never forget, as they were also very respectful of my knowledge and ability to serve them.

My boss along with some of the other staff, also had a good laugh, when I told them I had learned a few introductions in Mandarin and Japanese in my final year of Jewellery as I did my design work on Japanese Beauty - from the Edo period to 2006.  I mentioned I took a moment to introduce myself in Mandarin. 

Other situations included having to select an array of diamond jewellery for a Canadian vocal artist and glad that she liked it as there was a sale.

I knew nothing about watches when I got to the store.  The first week there were upgrades on Rolex catalogs and I was instructed to destroy the old ones.  I went to my Manager, quietly - he was also the resident Gemmologist.  I asked him if I might take the one catalog home.  When he asked why, my reply was simply that I had never worked with watches and felt I needed to learn more.

A week or so later, word must have gotten round to some of my colleagues, as they teased me about my light reading...

There was an incident right at the start though in my first two months.  My Boss had a project in Cape Town - and I had to relocate to Johannesburg for the job.  He was opening a store in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in the Platinum mile, a new development that included store like Mont Blanc, Jimmy Choo and Fendi etc, etc.
The designer had not really spent time in Cape Town, and having to phone her about a particular job,I took the opportunity , as I grew up there, to let her know, that if there was anything she needed to let me know.

She said that she was fine just very busy on the project, but wouldn't mind a decaf skinny cappuccino.  After which she burst out laughing.  Well,
 I laughed as well and wished her luck.  Until moments after hanging up the phone I remembered a friend of mine managed a Restaurant there, I phoned him up - he was managing a different branch, but I was given the name of the person to speak to.  I phoned up - gave the order, location and description of the designer along with instructions to take a menu.

I got a call five minutes later, with laughter on the other side, saying "I knew you would be perfect."

 
I miss you.

In the heart of diamond

When I first started working, I was fortunate to join a small and growing bussiness.  What was interesting about it was that it was two sister companies.  The one was supplying a service to the trade by manufacturing - mostly platinum and diamond jewellery - and the other was a small retail store.  

I would open and close, run the store and design. What was good about this was that I had daily interaction withthe other goldsmiths and as i had the basic principals of jewellery manufacture down, was humble enough to realize that I still knew little, but was ready to learn.  Working with them on different jobs it was illustrated just how different their manufacturing styles were, asif their personalities dictated their manufacturing style.

It also introduced me to my first of a number of long standing relationships to diamond dealers.  Like many of them he was suave, charming and most of all efficient.  NOTHING was a problem.  And if you had one he had the soloution - He would be there smiling brightly while dropping off a briefka. 
Need a 1.5 G/VS1 Princess - Yesterday ?  - he would bring you his best two to choose from -  anything for you....

So, it happened that the store was more easily accessable than the workshop and stones would be dropped off there and signed for by yours truly.

I got to look at every stone and advise. 

I always liked stones.  I remember being nine and going to Top Stones - Mineral world  - Scratch Patch.  Come to think of it I was seven when I went to visist Family in Switzerland and knew that there was a lot of quartz from Switzerland.   So I ended up smuggling Quartzite back home in my little school case.

Now, I find myself smiling at a smooth basalt stone that I found for my Father age five - for his birthday.

I always liked stones.  And now if I needed a stone - this was my solution... A suave dark haired and bright eyed - ready-to-go Diamond Boy!!!
Every few days and sometimes even twice a day, he would pop by and i would feel the briefkain my hand and sign the white slipthat was stamped with a stamp that said that to their knowledge these stones were sourced and adheres to all rules and regulations of the KP.  

What more could a girl want?  A boy dropping in , smiling and dropping me off a diamond!!!  Diamonds and butterflies.
All the pretty with none of the trouble!
Every time I saw him, I knew what was coming. 
Diamonds and butterflies.
Actually I could just see him and - butterflies -  the anticipation was invariably followed by an exchange of my signiture for a little white briefka.

As I sat dont at my desk everytime and felt accross, to locate the diamond before opening it up...
well everytime I had a surprise.  every time i opened a briefka, there was something that left me with a feeling of floating in awe, either at something that came from the earth or how it was handled after it's genesis.

A colleuge of mine at the time who has become a trusted friend and also in the industry turned to me one morning and promptly said - "It's just a diamond.  They re like potatoes, they all come out the ground." 

Needless to say - she didn't know that this was the start of what I anticipate will be a lifelong dedication to a curiosity about what lies in the heart of a diamond or at the heart of my passion.

Years later, we now laugh about diamonds and potatoes.

But it is about this feeling, the anticipation - that I am still not over. 

The crush I thought I had on this guy...

Turned out to last longer than him, it wasn t him.  It was what was hidden in the briefka.
And the realization I ve come to in understanding  that my heart lies in that which is hidden in the heart.

 The heart of the diamond.

God Save the Queen, and so to our trades traditions

In the wake of the Royal wedding and all the surrounding hype, we had headlines around the world anouncing the death of a Terrorist.   

It seems everyone hopes that the wedding to Kate marked a new chapter for the young royals and for the monarchy.
The much speculated about dress turned out to be just as expected Beautiful.

Jewels and accessories,

The jewels were minimal and the tiara toned down as were the earrings. Pretty tiara.  Simple, elegant and it was most fitting.  The earrings were beautiful and a gift from her parents.
 The only other jewellery that was seen really were pearls. 

It seems as though even the royals have scaled down and don't really feel the need to be dripping in diamonds any longer to stand out.  They now opt for hats, shoes, and bags like the average fashion obsessed.  Mind you some of the hats did look rather puzzling and personally I could do with the same amount spent on a few diamonds.  One wouldn't wear the hat again.  

And it is in the wake of this that I came accross an article that was most disconcerting....


http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/assay-office/news/save-the-hallmark!/

If you have read the article, give a few minutes to the following
and give the British government some much needed advice if you will.

http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/hallmarking/

unfortunately today is the last day but I hope it may reach one more person.

It is a good thing to relook at tradition, too make sure that what has become tradition is still right and fitting.  That it may still be the best procedure in the context of today, of times changing.  Times have certainly have changed from 700 years ago. 
Today my niece is ten and doing home work assignments online.
CAD and Rapid prototyping and more than ever before we rely on machines and computers.

Jewellery is one of the oldest occupations.  We have traditions.  A goldsmith doesnt make his own wedding ring.  And in that Jewellers seem quite a traditional tipe in some ways, we almost always have a thing for tradition, whatever it may be, there is always something.  It may be something sentimental or something with a history.   Funny that is.

A goldsmith forges not only a metal alloy but the elements - earth, fire, air and water.
It is from this molten mix of elements, that is poured from the crucible that we also hope  for a generous amount of  pride in craftmanship.   Those who still work at the bench handmaking and keeping the craft alive and all the secrets that we have discovered and then lost , until we may need them again, those are the ones in whose hands it rests.  Those who understand the dicipline of the bench.  Those who very graciously bow their heads at the bench, say nothing and forge on..  Because at a bench anything is possible.  This is the goldsmith.  Old School.     May we aim to work and live through our skill and teach as we were taught by our mentors. 

The old school rules still apply in this trade.


Even though it may be both shrinking and growing. Never before have people seen such a shift, seen so many businesses closing shop - friends and friends of friends, families that have reared their children in the trade, packing up. And moving on.  People in the trade want to get out the trade and as I look at the young expectant students that seem to believe they have a chance tomorrow going out in the trade.  I feel hopeful for them. 

Because now it is anyones game.  No longer do people really have trade professionals as they used to.  Anyone can become a diamond grader. 
Celebrities now design jewellery, beacuse they Love jewellery!!!
From Paris Hilton through to Ivanka Trump and Kim Kardashian.
Then there is Angelina Jolie that will do the same, with her name, but only if it is for a good cause.

So in this world of growning social networks, we  may realise that people are just people and that we would much rather support a green brand and a brand that is wanting and willing to supprot community growth and upliftment OR a FRIEND, or someone a FRIEND recommends or LIKES.

A friend remarked the other day, that he can achieve thicknesses of tinfoil - with jewellery on CAD and as we compete every day with China and India, who have now become bigger in the game than ever before - We have to - make tin Foil jewellery.

But somehow I have faith in the fact that People are people.  That you and I both just want what is fair.  Just like I want to pay a fair price for bread - you want a fair price for an engadgement ring.  Nothing elaborate.  Just a beautifully crafted handmade ring.

That when I make an agreement with you and you and I shake hands our word is our honour and this stands as a binding contract.

Things may have fallen appart for a while with all the technology and how the world is, but with social networkingg an even  bidorbuy having a rating system in which I may rate you  - the person I am buying from - others may or may not follow suit, so watch your step.  Because I have a right to buy, pay and have a service delivered.  If the service is not right or satisfactory, I am allowed to make my opinion pubic to help others from making the same mistake. 

Our trade has in this country unfortunately suffered for quite some time.  As people are not as educated as they once may have been.  Since we were a British colony, there are stil some lingering traditions.  The apprenticeship system fell through after the 94 elections but there is a movement that wants to rectify this.  How successful it might be may depend on the indiviuals who are chosen to participate, on both sides, the Master and Apprentice - now named the Learner - doing his or her learnership - for two years.

Gemmologists - which ones - where?  Even in some of our Gemological Labs there are very few.  This is a pity as we used to pride ourselves at being some of the top. 
South Africa was the wild west!
South Africa was a little mecca for Gemmologists -  Johannesburg, Rhodesia, Salsbury.  The heart of Africa. 
The majority of them (only a handfull) were trained both by the Gemological Institute of America as well as the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Two schools at least.

I m busy with my second one and hope that I may follow in the footsteps of my Mentor. 

The hallmark is a dear friend of the gemmologist.  The Hallmark is a mark of pride.  It is assurance for the Brit that what he has bought is indeed what he has paid for. 
The piece is made by the goldsmith and sent for independant analasis to one of their assay offices, the metal is checked and hallmarked accordingly. 

Here in Africa we stamp our own.  You may as well stamp a 9ct 18ct and well carry on....
Who checks this?

Gemmologists?
Go find one...
A council of sorts?
You may if you belong to such association - get a little slap on the wrist with a warning to NOT do THAT again.

But very little consiquences will follow. 

I hope the British government listens to those that have delivered their statements on this issue and understand what value there may be in listening to those that are educated and experience in this trade. 

It is a great thing that social networking and the i- net allows us such a global voice.  I hope that those with integrity will speak up and make known that they still exist.

  

The Green, the Gold and the Good...

Gold is a statement. 
It communicates without speech.

Some can.  For the rest, sorry for your loss. 

Like the majority of statements, either you love it or you hate it.
We all have our reasons. 
Very often having made up our minds, it is difficult to change it.

Defficil pero no impossible.

Gold is such an integral part of human history.
 Gold = wealth.
 But it is a symbol for the best.  The champion is worthy of gold.
Go for Gold.


 In childrens stories.
Goldilocks.
Rupunzel who has Golden hair.
And Rumplestilskin who spins straw into gold...

But Gold is in the EVERY DAY.... Childrens songs, "Doe a deer a female dear, Ray a drop of Golden Sun..."

"I had a little nut tree and nothing would it bear, but a silver nutmeg and a Golden Pear..."

Gold is mine in the leaves in autum. 

In every part of our expressing wealth, warmth richness or attraction,gold is ours. We have dubbed Petrolium - Black Gold.  

Gold pirates in Johannesburg that have plundered old mines to leach the last of the gold from the left over ore.

Gold in myth.  The mystery, it tells of fame and fortune.
Is gold perhaps still our way of having a bit of all of that?

Has the word woven itself into our fabrick of Luxury  and this fabrick of luxury glitters with gold?
Has the beauty that capitvated us for so long, like the metal got the qualities of the metal itself?
For this noble metal, Gold, is mutable and changeable, in it s shape.

We melt it, move it, make it, again and again. Gold is everlasting. Gold is dinamic, like a mashine. But it's not.  It is capable of anything!!  It hides it s own potencial in the distraction of it s beauty. Is this material perhaps intrinsically "Green"?  Through the fire and the crusible metal is tranceformed.  Being able to be adaptable. Shapeshifting, mutable?

How green is the company you keep?
Are these issues also the ones that large companies and corporations and even governments are now facing with Social networking, the internet, media, and tranceparency and accountability?

 It becomes what it needs to be.  Those who comply, those who look at what we need and want, give the society what they want, eventually will rise to the top, like cream.

Creme de la creme of social media go viral within days...

We would like, some of us, the Midas touch, turning everything into Gold.  But Midas, with his special gift of turning everything into Gold that he touched, Prayed to Bacchus Begging to be relieved of this curse that came with the gift, since everything he touched turned to gold, so did his food, and he would have certainly starved.

But somehow this warning is not enough for some.

With skilled labour that produces products from this material dwindling and varying factors that are driving people to other industries, this industry is on the brink of a collaps -  in terms of knowledge and skill and most of all integrity and accountability.  

  The effects have already shown themselves to those who have expertise.  If people dont do something they will find themselves part of a messy excuse for an industry.  Some of us can see what has been happening.

Until then we stil have Gold tequila! And Golden locks of beach hair on golden skin!! We are still young and Golden!!!

Golden Catwalk frocks,
Golden glittery slip dresses with skyskraper stillettos just after you go off the beach,strait for cocktails and dancing to deep beats.
Gold is rich.
Gold is warm 
and precious.
Gold Glows

And so are we. 
We are the Good.
We are Golden.
We are the Green.

Advertising.... Like a diamond in the Sky...

The twinkle twinkle in my eye... for that little diamond...

Why is it that some get it right and when they do they get it,  they just do.
they get everything about it.  Advertising.

Advertising now has taken on as we know a whole new life of it's own.

It used to be only print adds.  In glossy magazines and high street Jewellers like Graff, De Beers,
De Grisogno, Winston, Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier would only print in glossies that would attract the kind of audience that would buy at their stores. 

Enter the WWW - the Wonderful WWW .. and the impact it has had... Websites, web pages, links,
heavens Facebook and friends. Youtube and videos going Viral? 

What has this done to advertising?  or how has it impacted advertising?  how has it aided advertising?

The other question I asked myself  - while working through a few years of W-Magazines and JFWs  and other high end Glossed magazines in Print.... and this after setting up the link lists on this blog, and constanly looking at as much about high end jewellery, design, and diamonds and gems as I possibly could - is this,

Who got it right with their websites? Who got it when it came to print - and were they successfull in the trancelation of their Corporate identity to the WWW?

Do they match up?

And what does it take?  Why do some adds work? 

(Luxury has taken a turn with the global awareness of economics and going Green...(MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC LATER)

Why do we look at certain adds and feel them?  Want what is in them?  What evokes desire in us as human beings?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and different people have different needs and wants, but what makes us want when we see.  When we see a add and it evokes a response immediately. 
Desire.

Some work and others dont.  What is the differences and why?

Why do I want to be in the Louis Voitton add? 
Luxury... Rich Satin is draped in the background, they lay down the model, relaxation, Fur coats ( unsure) but there is a luxury that is associated with furs.  Louis Viutton  Bags, Two ?  just because...

oh a brooch, bejewelled, nailed laquered red, cushions, skin is flawless, slightly dewy like young and fresh , and a warm tone in the light  making it almost a warm environment. 
and there are many Voitton adds.

A champagne brand add with a supermodel had the same elements  - well almost - but somehow, I did not really want to be in the picture.   It seemed overdone,  stylized and did not quite the same effect.

Roberto Cavalli, back stage two models in underwear, black lace, and skin, mirror, something abot it makes you want.  And I was going to say it s not primitive, but perhaps it is,
texture and fabric, with skin in just the righ light and the right way.

There are so many adds out there that ride on skin and sensuality and when it is done all wrong it is just an embarresment, and so unflattering it is just almost unbearable, but when done in a way that works, and when there is just the right feeling you understand why it is done so often, in order to achieve a stellar performance a ring needs to be worn on a well manicured hand, and a necklace will just look it's best when adoring the neck of a woman.

so much to write about on this subject i ll have to write more.

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