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

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.


Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.