Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/123336
STYLE SETTER graff's best friend OAK STREET IS DAZZLING WITH DIAMONDS, AS LEGENDARY JEWELER LAURENCE GRAFF'S LATEST CREATIONS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN HIS WINDY CITY BOUTIQUE. BY LAURIE BROOKINS A s the saying goes, "Where some see problems, others see possibilities." That's particularly true of master jeweler Laurence Graff, who every day looks into rough-hewn stones and sees the shape of a finished, faceted diamond. It's a bit unfair to ask Graff to select a favorite, as he's romanced more than a few significant stones in the 53 years since he founded his eponymous house. "We have so many, it's hard to choose," says the man who started his career in the 1950s as a jeweler's apprentice. "I'm very fortunate to have handled some of the most historic and rare gems of all time." That said, it's clear that one or maybe two gems have risen to top of mind. "One of our more recent pieces, the Graff Sweethearts, [consists of] a perfectly matched pair of exceptional heart-shaped diamonds exceeding 50 carats each," he says. "Cut and polished by Graff's master craftsmen, they are truly stunning stones. We've set them as earrings, accompanied by pear-shaped and round diamonds." 84 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 084-085_MA_SS_StyleSetter_MayJune13.indd 84 4/16/13 10:29 AM