Driehaus Museum Displaying Rare Jewels From Chicago Collections
The museum also will host jewelry heist-themed movie nights throughout the run of “Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective.”

The museum, which is focused on art, architecture, and design of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, opened “Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” in May.
It’s made up of more than 200 pieces of “rare and historically significant” jewelry ranging from the late 17th century to today.
The museum said the curation is the first of its kind, featuring jewelry and decorative arts objects from the Richard H. Driehaus Collection and objects from the Chicago History Museum, the Field Museum, and the Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art, as well as loans from other Chicago institutions, collections, and private lenders.
The exhibition is organized by jewelry historian and author Elyse Zorn Karlin, who served as guest curator of the museum’s 2015 exhibition, “Maker and Muse: Women and 20th Century Art Jewelry.”
“Chicago Collects has a broad thesis that allows us to show a variety of jewelry from across centuries, but what all the works have in common are their origins—they all come from Chicago collectors,” Karlin said.
“Many of the pieces have never been shown publicly before and they illustrate a number of periods and styles in jewelry history. In addition, the exhibition showcases the work of noted contemporary Chicago goldsmiths. It's been a delight to work with so many wonderful pieces, all right here in Chicago.”
The exhibition begins with stylistic periods of jewelry history from the last several decades, and from there, items are organized into categories of collecting interest, such as Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Vienna Secession, British Arts & Crafts, Chicago Arts & Crafts, 19th Century Revival, Belle Époque, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Art Deco, Fabergé, Important Makers, Tiaras, and Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary Jewelry.
Jewels and objects made by Chicago artists from the Arts & Crafts Movement, as well as pieces from Chicago’s Kalo Shop, a prominent maker of silver during the movement, will also be featured.
Driehaus Museum Executive Director Lisa Key said, “Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective continues our commitment to presenting new research and ideas around decorative art, and honors the collecting legacy of our founder, Richard H. Driehaus. The exhibition brings audiences closer to a very personal artform—jewelry—to show how history can add new perspectives to our everyday lives.
“Audiences will be thrilled to experience, up close, incredible works of wearable art and revel in the artistry of this universal artform. We are pleased to work again with Elyse Karlin, whose expertise in jewelry remains unparalleled.”
Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective will be on view at the Driehaus Museum, located 40 E. Erie Street, until Sept. 23.
Throughout the run of the exhibition, the museum will host “Heist Night” events featuring screenings of classic heist films and talks with film experts.
On Wednesday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m., the museum will show the 1975 film “Murph the Surf,” which documents the 1964 heist of the J.P. Morgan jewel collection from New York City’s American Museum of Natural History.
Karlin, the exhibition’s guest curator, will introduce the film and provide background on the visuals and story.
The 1964 film “Topkapi,” which centers on the theft of an emerald-encrusted dagger from Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, will screen on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 5:30 p.m.
Bruce Jenkins, a professor at the School of the Art Institute, will give a primer on the creative team behind the film before the showing.
“Ocean’s Eight,” the fictional story of the all-female team of thieves targeting a $150 million diamond necklace, will hit the screen on Monday, Sept. 16, at 5:30 p.m.
It will be introduced by Patricia Erens, a professor at the School of the Art Institute.
Attendees must be 18 or older to attend the screenings. Tickets are $25 and student tickets are $15, and both can be purchased on the museum’s event page.
The Latest

Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.

After experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.

One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.


The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

The nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.

Five dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.

Recently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.






















