A diamond day with the head of Christie's -New York- jewelry departmentArchived Message
Posted by Francisco A on April 22, 2012, 12:08 am
A Diamond Day:
Rahul Kadakia, head of the New York Jewelry department, let us accompany him on a recent autumn day to glimpse what it’s like to live the fast-paced, glamorous life of one of the world’s leading jewelry experts…
8:30 AM In a cab, speeding up Park Avenue from his Soho apartment to Christie’s Rockefeller Center offices. “I’m always up early, and like to take cabs to the office so I can make phone calls on the way. The International jewelry team works incredibly closely together—this is one of our great strengths as a department. I check in with my overseas colleagues first thing in the morning because of the time change. This morning I’ve already spoken twice with François Curiel, President of Christie’s Asia and International Head of Christie’s Jewelry department. Next, I’ll email or speak with my colleagues in Geneva, London and Dubai.”
10:00 AM At his desk, working the phones, drinking the second espresso of the day. “In the mornings I connect with my colleagues in the trade, to make sure I am up-to-date on the day’s events in the diamond business—who cut what rough diamond, who is looking to buy what, etc.”
11:00 AM In Christie’s boardroom, with a jewelry editor for a top luxury magazine. “We give top editors an advance preview of the fall jewels highlights, to see what they might wish to feature in their fall issues. The Imperial topaz and diamond ear pendants by JAR that we are offering in the October sale have been a big hit with the editors, especially since we first sold them in the Ellen Barkin Auction in 2006. Joel Rosenthal is among the most talented of contemporary jewelry designers, a Fabergé of modern times. His creations rarely come to market but when they do, it’s always a big event!”
12:00 PM On the phone with a client in the Middle East discussing the sale of the world’s largest marquise-cut D Flawless Diamond through a private treaty sale. “Private sales are a very big part of our business today and alongside the auctions that we put together, we have discreetly sold some major stones over the past few years. These range from a 25ct blue diamond to a 100ct heart-shaped D Flawless gem. This marquise weighs just under 100 carats and is a very impressive diamond. I’m almost there and should close the deal by the end of the week. What a rush that’s going to be!”
“I live, breathe and dream diamonds—it’s who I am.”
"My desk is like my own personal palace--the epicenter of my daily life."
12:45 PM Stepping out to meet a client for lunch at Sushi Den. “I’ll be dining with the consignor of our top lot from the October sale, The BVLGARI Blue, a two stone vivid blue and colorless diamond ring purchased by the client at BVLGARI in 1972 as a gift to his wife for the birth of their first child. It is without doubt one of the most important works to appear on the jewelry market in 2010 and should go on to realize well over $10 million. After lunch we’ll come back to the office so I can show him some of the catalogue plans and marketing initiatives we’ve undertaken for this auction.”
3:00 PM In the photo studio, consulting with the catalogue photographer. “We recently signed an incredible private collection of over 200 lots by Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston, and we’re discussing photography concepts for the catalogue. The pieces range from attractively priced $5,000 Alhambra necklaces to a $1,500,000 D Flawless diamond ring by Winston. All of them are classic and timeless, so I think we’ll see a lot of young, new buyers in addition to our longstanding clients.”
5:45 PM Walking and talking. “I’m walking up Fifth Avenue to meet with a VP at Cartier’s flagship mansion. Keeping abreast of what is happening in retail— even though their market is very different from ours—is vital to our business as it gives me a broader understanding of client tastes and demands.”
“To stay competitive in this business, I have to be many things: a dealer, a jeweler, sometimes a jewelry designer, a gemologist and, when it’s show time, an effective auctioneer.”
7:30 PM Finishing off the day with the department as they put the final touches on the October catalogue. “The upcoming sale promises to be an exciting one. We have an extraordinary selection of works to suit all levels of buyers. We work very late nights when we’re on deadline, and it’s a lot easier to focus on the catalogue once the phones have stopped ringing for the day.”
9:00 PM Home to prepare for an early-morning flight tomorrow. “I’ll be flying to Los Angeles to do a jewelry appraisal for one client and advise another on a collection she has recently inherited.”
ASSORTED GEMS:
Favorite Movie: The Godfather Current Read: Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History by Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell Auction Ritual: The same blue Hermès tie with elephants, and red socks for luck Gadget of Choice: Blackberry Jewelry: Cufflinks from Viren Bhagat jeweler iPod Playlist: Everything from ‘70s and ‘80s Pop, Jazz and Classical Indian to modern day Rock and Hip-Hop Coffee or Tea?: Espresso Neighborhood Restaurant: Mercer Kitchen Necessary Indulgence: Champagne Ideal Getaway; Anyplace by the sea! Best Place to Think: Airplane, until we can start using phones… Motto to Live By: Dream big, costs nothing…!
on April 22, 2012, 12:08 am