CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
TrendsJul 05, 2019
Boston’s MFA Acquires René Boivin Starfish Brooch
Purchased from Lee Siegelson, the gold, ruby and amethyst jewel tells a fascinating story of several women.
This gold, ruby and amethyst starfish brooch from Rene Boivin was created under Jeanne Boivin, who took over her husband’s eponymous company after his death in 1917. (Photo credit: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Boston—The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is well known among jewelry lovers for its curation and collections, and the museum is reminding us exactly why with a recent acquisition.
The MFA recently acquired a gold, ruby and amethyst starfish brooch made in 1937 by Parisian house René Boivin. The piece, purchased from gem and jewelry dealer Lee Siegelson, is iconic not only for its workmanship and rarity but also because it
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
tells a fascinating story of several women.
The jewel was actually created under Jeanne Boivin, who took over her husband’s namesake company after his death in 1917, making her the first woman to direct a French jewelry house.
She insisted on being known professionally as Madame René Boivin, according to the museum, and worked with jewelry designers Juliette Moutard and Suzanne Belperron to establish jewelry’s avant-garde side.
Moutard designed the starfish brooch for René Boivin in 1935.
The piece features 71 cabochon rubies, faceted amethysts and 18-karat gold, and is fully articulated on each arm to allow the piece lifelike movement that mimics a starfish crawling along. It is also the same size as a real starfish.
As Hollywood’s highest-paid actress at the time, her sartorial choices—including pinning the Boivin starfish brooch to a coat shoulder or dress collar—were closely followed by both film and fashion publications, as seen in the inset photo.
The piece acquired by the MFA is the first of four known ruby-and-amethyst versions produced under Boivin and Moutard’s direction, according to the museum.
The starfish are also the subject of a 2018 book, “Diving for Starfish: The Jeweler, the Actress, the Heiress, and One of the World's Most Alluring Pieces of Jewelry” by Cherie Burns, chronicling the story of the pieces and the women who wore them.
“We’re thrilled to acquire one of the most important jewels that the house René Boivin ever produced,” said Emily Stoehrer, the MFA’s Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry. “This brooch tells a fascinating story of design in the early 20th century, including the central role played by women designers such as Juliette Moutard.”
The jewel was actually created under Jeanne Boivin, who took over her husband’s namesake company after his death in 1917, making her the first woman to direct a French jewelry house.
She insisted on being known professionally as Madame René Boivin, according to the museum, and worked with jewelry designers Juliette Moutard and Suzanne Belperron to establish jewelry’s avant-garde side.
Moutard designed the starfish brooch for René Boivin in 1935.
The piece features 71 cabochon rubies, faceted amethysts and 18-karat gold, and is fully articulated on each arm to allow the piece lifelike movement that mimics a starfish crawling along. It is also the same size as a real starfish.
As Hollywood’s highest-paid actress at the time, her sartorial choices—including pinning the Boivin starfish brooch to a coat shoulder or dress collar—were closely followed by both film and fashion publications, as seen in the inset photo.
The piece acquired by the MFA is the first of four known ruby-and-amethyst versions produced under Boivin and Moutard’s direction, according to the museum.
The starfish are also the subject of a 2018 book, “Diving for Starfish: The Jeweler, the Actress, the Heiress, and One of the World's Most Alluring Pieces of Jewelry” by Cherie Burns, chronicling the story of the pieces and the women who wore them.
“We’re thrilled to acquire one of the most important jewels that the house René Boivin ever produced,” said Emily Stoehrer, the MFA’s Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry. “This brooch tells a fascinating story of design in the early 20th century, including the central role played by women designers such as Juliette Moutard.”
More on Trends
The Latest
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red CarpetAhead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, CampaignFounded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer DatabaseThose attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual LuncheonThe organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ CollectionScottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD CampaignThe annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities ManagerLongtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Stephen Barnes Is the New Owner of IJOAfter more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.
Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to JewelerSenior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks GlobalThe 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.
AuctionsMar 05, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 51 ‘Alien’ WatchesThe upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Jewelers of America Unveils 3-Year Strategic Plan The trade organization, which will mark 120 years of service next year, has a refined focus and a new mission statement.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2025
92NY Accepting 2025 Jewelry Artist Residency ApplicationsThe application period is now open for established and emerging jewelers and metalsmiths to apply to the month-long residency program.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond SwapsManashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.
ColumnistsMar 04, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Online Events to Supercharge Sales Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
