Frank Adams Jewelers Magazine

LOVE IN VERONA COLLECTION

Dear Friends, Frank Adams Jewelers has had the tremendous privilege of sharing in your most treasured moments since 1922. While we are thankful for many blessings, this year has brought us joy in so many ways. To commemorate our 100 Year Anniversary, we launched a “100 Acts of Kindness” campaign, pledging to complete 100 good deeds to spread goodwill and support throughout the Capital District. In addition, we recently broke ground on the incredible new home of Frank Adams Jewelers, a 7,500 sq/ft freestanding building on Wolf Road in Colonie. We are looking ahead with excitement to the next 100 years while embracing a wonderful and supportive community.

Happy holidays from the entire 'Frank Adams' team. Thank you for both your friendship and continued patronage of our four- generation family business. We couldn't do any single part of what we do best, without you and our amazing team.

With love, Kimberly

CONTENTS

VOL. 3, NO. 1

ON OUR COVER Jewelry shown is from our Kwiat Collection.

We break ground on our exciting new home on Wolf Road in Colonie.

AND THE BRITISH OPEN

Associated with this competition since 1981, Rolex is today a privileged partner of world golf.

COLUMNS 32

GIFT GUIDE

THE FRANK ADAMS TEAM shares personal picks for the best pieces to give the jewelry and watch lovers on your list.

A NEW GENERATION OF PLANET PROBLEM SOLVERS

Three Rolex Laureates tell us how they are tackling some of the world's biggest eco-challenges.

ELEVATING YOUR WATCH GAME

Discover the new Tudor Black Bay novelties for 2022.

The new Tudor Ranger

DIAMOND MASTER

As CEO of a thriving family business, Greg Kwiat grew up with diamonds all around him.

We preview the next generation of Luxury EVs.

ASTRO JEWELRY STYLE

Time to update your ring wardrobe? Check your horoscope to find the perfect piece for you.

David Yurman Cable Edge Rings

Azlee medallion

Rolex & The Open: Golf’s Oldest Major

Traditionally contested in the United Kingdom during the third week of July, The Open is the fourth and final tournament that makes up the men’s annual Majors.

The partnership between Rolex and golf began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer became the sport’s first Testimonee. The brand has since been named Official Timekeeper and is a principal partner of many leading events and stakeholders in the game.

Inaugurated in 1860, The Open is played every year on a historical course in the United Kingdom. The tournament regularly comes to St Andrews, as was the case for the 150th Open Championship.

THE HOME OF GOLF

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. In the late 19th century, it came to be regarded as a governing authority of the sport including in the administration of its rules, in conjunction with the United States Golf Association. St Andrews is considered by many to be “the home of golf”.

STEEPED IN ELEGANCE AND TRADITION

Tradition has it that The Open is always played on a links course, that is, one located by the sea, featuring sandy soil and few water hazards or trees. Given the particularly unpredictable nature of the weather conditions, the 156 players competing in the tournament every year need their fair share of fighting spirit, self-control and humility given the potential for heavy showers, strong gusts of wind and even heatwave conditions.

The winner of The Open is announced as “The Champion Golfer of the Year” and receives the prestigious Claret Jug. This famous silver trophy has appeared on bank notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland twice.

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

With its unique past, the wild beauty of the coastal courses where it is played and its knowledgeable fans, The Open is forever etched in the great history of world sport from the duels of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in the 1920s to the between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977, or the tears of Tiger Woods upon winning his third trophy in 2006.

ROLEX AND GOLF: PARTNERS FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY Rolex enjoys a privileged relationship with golf, one founded on shared values: respect for tradition, responsibility, technical precision, the elegance of movement, the perpetual quest for excellence and a commitment to future generations.

Today, the partnership between Rolex and golf extends to many areas of the sport: with governing bodies and world rankings, with the greatest names in international golf, and with the circuits and Major tournaments both men’s and women’s, professional and amateur, at senior and junior levels.

Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, multible-time winners at The Open.

Jordan Spieth. Winner of The Open in 2017.

Associated with this competition since 1981, Rolex is today a privileged partner of world golf.

Moreover, the brand has also championed the creation of: the Rolex Series, the finest tournaments on the DP World Tour; the Rolex Player of the Year award which recognizes the best woman golfer on the LPGA circuit; and the Rolex Junior Players of the Year awards, which honour players aged 18 or younger, boy and girl, who perform best in a given season. Undeniably, Rolex has become “the partner watch of world golf”.

TIGER WOODS

A winner of 15 Majors, he has triumphed at The Open on three occasions, including twice at St Andrews.

ROYAL PORTRUSH

The venue in Northern Ireland hosted The Open in 1951 and 2019.

TOM WATSON

Between 1975 and 1983, he won The Open five times, with four victories on Scottish soil and one in England.

ROLEX TESTIMONEES AND THE OPEN

Among the many great names in golf who belong to the prestigious family of Rolex Testimonees, several have won The Open: Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.

ROLEX AND SPORT

Hans Wilsdorf believed in challenging oneself and held a lofty view of sport’s role in society. To test his watches, he entrusted them to those who pushed themselves to the absolute limit. Driven by an unwavering quest for excellence, the founder of Rolex discovered valuable allies in athletes through their exceptional feats.

For many decades, the brand has actively championed culture, architecture, exploration and planetary conservation. And in the sporting world, it has built a diverse range of partnerships across tennis, golf, equestrianism, skiing, sailing and motor sport. Rolex partners governing bodies, competitions and athletes from established champions to promising talents in long-standing engagements that perpetuate the future of these disciplines and promote excellence.

A New Generation of Planet PROBLEM

Three Rolex Laureates tell us how they are tackling some of the world's biggest problems.

In 1976 Rolex’s ground-breaking Oyster watch, the world’s first waterproof watch, celebrated its 50th anniversary. To honor the stellar achievement that changed the world of watchmaking, Rolex launched a new program, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.

The award is as singular as the watch it pays tribute to. It is given to remarkable men and women who are tackling challenges in unique, inventive ways as they attempt to solve problems such as climate change, pollution, health care, or the imperiled state of the ocean. The award winners draw on personal reserves of enterprising and innovative spirit, the same

SOLVERS

qualities that Rolex prides itself on possessing.

The awards stand out for another very important reason as well—they are given to those who would not otherwise have access to traditional fundraising, due in part to the originality and uniqueness of each winners’ pioneering visions. Nearly 1000 hopefuls apply each year to receive the award, out of which only five are chosen.

Since its inception Rolex has awarded 155 exceptional winners. Here are three of the awardees who, with Rolex’s support, are dedicated to making the world a better place.

Rolex Laureates Felix Brooks-church, Miranda Wang and Gina Moseley

FELIX BROOKS-CHURCH

HIS MISSION: SOLVING POOR NUTRITION

One of the saddest statistics of our time is that 15,000 children die worldwide each and every day, largely due to poor nutrition.

Enough, thought Felix Brooks-church. So he came up with a solution to stop the tragic losses of life. He worked out a way to solve the nutrition crisis by adding basic nutrients—Vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, and zinc—to a universal diet staple, flour. He started a program in Tanzania, patenting a “dosifier”, a device that looks like an electronic scale, that releases precise quantities of nutrients as the bags are being filled with flour in small, local flour mills, mills often overlooked by any sort of government assistance.

Brooks-church’s program has taken off and helps nourish two million people a day, and all for a reasonable cost. Less than $1 dollar will fortify food for one person—a child, mother or baby--for an entire year.

Brooks-church was struck with the pervasiveness and devastating

result poor nutrition can have on health and life itself when he volunteered to run a program in Cambodia to get children off the streets and into safe environments. He saw first-hand the toll that poor nutrition took on the youngsters. “These children were often sick. They had weak immune systems, low IQs, learning disabilities and some died from things that you should not die from.”

The program is set to expand to other countries. “What we are doing is not just adding nutrients to food,” Brooks-church said. “What we are doing is ensuring a basic human right, to good nutrition.”

MIRANDA WANG

HER MISSION: SOLVING PLASTIC POLLUTION

In 2010 Miranda Wang’s high school environmental club took a field trip to a local landfill in Vancouver. The teenager was appalled by what she saw: mountains of trash representing only two or three days of Vancouver’s municipal waste—and mountains contained mostly plastic. She was even more horrified when she learned that this heap of garbage would soon be carted away to other landfill, or be incinerated or, more likely, dumped in the ocean and replaced with a new monumental collection of polluting plastic waste.

Wang and her fellow student Jeanny Yao knew something had to be done, and decided that they could do it. They came up with a solution: why not utilize a bacteria that would feed on plastic to eliminate the problem. With the help of a professor, they located two such bacterium in a local river.

For more than four decades, through the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, Rolex has supported exceptional individuals who have the courage and conviction to take on major challenges.

Felix Brooks-church

The plan, while brilliant and effective, could not readily be applied on the global scale that Wang and Yao wanted, and that the world needs. So they developed another strategy, using recycling technologies that transform the plastic into quality materials that can be used on a grand scale and tapped to make other products, like perfume.

The program is currently undergoing a pilot run in San Jose, California, before being rolled out on a bigger scale to tackle the worldwide problem of the 340 million metric tons of plastic being produced every year. By 2050, unless something drastic is done, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills. Wang credits the Rolex Award for Enterprise with helping the solution she and Yao developed go global. “Rolex has shone a light on the work we do, and boosted my fundraising to scale up this new technological invention.”

GINA MOSELEY

HER MISSION: SOLVING GLOBAL WARMING

In the north of Greenland there are caves that are so distant and difficult to reach that they have only ever been spotted at a distance, but never entered. Gina Moseley and a team of six explorers are determined to do so for a very important reason; each cave holds a treasure trove of information that could help prevent our earth from literally drowning.

That’s the premise and the promise of Artic explorer Mosely. The caves are believed to hold calcite deposits known as speleothems. “Caves are like time machines,” Mosely told Rolex. “Calcite forms layers, like tree rings. We can analyze each layer to get information about the past climate.” From studying past cooling and warming periods, scientists can gain insight into the impact the current melting of the polar caps will have on everything from rainfall patterns to ocean currents.

And what a past the northern caves will provide. Currently scientists are studying ice cores that are “only” 28,000 years old. The speleothems Mosely plans to reach are anticipated to date back half a million years.

The work is vital and can’t come a moment too soon. Polar regions are heating up twice as fast as other areas on the earth. In 2019 so much of the ice in Greenland melted that it added 12 billion tons of water to the ocean in one day. Said Mosely “The Rolex Awards are pretty much the only program out there that could or would support such an expedition.”

Miranda Wang

Gina Moseley

Elevating yourWATCH GAME

This year’s Tudor Black Bay novelties combine a tradition of the dive watches commissioned by the US Navy with new features and new flair.

The Tudor Watch Company has been producing watches ever since 1946, when Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, decided to create a new brand with outstanding dependability and accuracy—but at a more affordable price point. The original advertising campaign for Tudor demonstrated its toughness. A Tudor watch was strapped to the wrist of a riveter operating a pneumatic jackhammer. After a month of shock treatment, the watch was removed from the riveter’s wrist and tested. It passed with flying colors.

Tudor soon became known for watches that were the height of functionality. That reputation was sealed when, in the late 1950s, the brand started supplying the US Navy with dive watches. In 1967, the US government  requested a tactical diver’s watch that would meet a new set of specifications, and Tudor’s engineers conducted extensive research to fulfill the request.

When Tudor launched its Black Bay collection in 2012, it drew on the advances and performance of those esteemed dive watches, and on its classic aesthetic and vintage appeal. It was an unbeatable combination. Today, after only a decade on the market, the Black Bay stands out as Tudor’s best-selling watch.

Watch expert Elizabeth Doerr, editor in chief of the watch website QuillandPad.com, expressed her thoughts on what makes this timepiece so desirable. “The Tudor Black Bay has without a doubt worked its way into the hearts of every lover of tool watches. That’s not just because it’s the little sibling to Rolex and is infused with the same quality, but also because its design is perhaps a touch more modern—though it still wears its vintage values on its sleeve. Despite all that, I believe the two factors that make the Black Bay so darn popular are its ‘nice price’ and its availability to everyone.”

Each year Tudor adds new ideas and updates to its Black Bay collection. Besides the iconic dive watch, there are now Black Bay dress watches, chronographs, and a GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) model that displays both a 24-hour and a 12-hour timescale. This year’s models continue to offer plenty of news. But what remains the same:

Black Bay Pro.

all the new Black Bays come with a five-year transferable guarantee, with no requirement for registration or periodic maintenance checks. Also, the Black Bays sport Tudor’s “Snowflake” hands, a hallmark of its dive watches since 1969, with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova luminescent material for ultimate visibility. Most of the latest novelties also offer a choice of straps, ranging from a rubber-and-leather hybrid to comfortable fabric to a riveted steel bracelet with Tudor’s special “T-fit” clasp system to enable rapid adjustment. And these new Black Bays all contain Tudor’s own in-house manufactured movements.

Tudor’s newest Black Bays are available at authorized jewelers throughout the US.

BLACK BAY PRO The Black Bay Pro drew excited attention when it was unveiled this year in Geneva. It is an entirely new technical model with a fresh aesthetic and a dual time zone feature that displays the local time without losing sight of the time in another time zone. Compact, robust, and sporty, this model has many unique aesthetic details. It celebrates the spirit of the technical watches Tudor has produced for professionals throughout its history,   The details: A 24-hour-graduated, satin-brushed and polished case in stainless steel, 39 mm in diameter, with a 24-hour-graduated fixed bezel in stainless steel. The Black Bay Pro is powered by the Tudor Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with built-in GMT function.

bezel in yellow gold and an insert in black and brown anodized aluminum as a hallmark of the GMT function. The Black Bay GMT S&G has a Manufacture Calibre MT5652, is COSC-certified with a silicon balance spring, and has a 70-hour power reserve.

BLACK BAY CHRONO Steel & Gold Tudor has been producing watches that are closely tied to the world of motor sport since the presentation of its first chronograph, the Oysterdate, in 1970. And since 1954, Tudor has been constantly refining its watches for professional divers. The Black Bay Chrono S&G model combines these traditions in a sport chic chronograph, with contrasting subcounters and a high-performance automatic Manufacture Calibre, with column wheel and vertical clutch. And now the Black Bay Chrono S&G offers a version with an attractive Champagne dial.

The details: A satin-brushed and polished case in 316L steel and yellow gold, 41 mm in diameter, with a fixed bezel in yellow gold and an insert in black anodized aluminum with a tachymetric scale. The Black Bay Chrono S&G sports a Manufacture Calibre MT5813 chronograph, is COSC-certified, and has a silicon balance spring, 70-hour power reserve, a column wheel, and a vertical clutch in the tradition of sporting timepieces.

BLACK BAY GMT Steel & Gold The iconic Black Bay GMT model is now available in an S&G (Steel & Gold) version, with warm colors and a nostalgic touch.

It has multiple time zones, a highly functional complication that establishes local time without losing sight of the time in two other time zones. Recognizable by its 24-hour-graduated rotating bezel with two colors, representing day and night, the Black Bay GMT S&G also gives a subtle aesthetic nod to the history of this watchmaking function.

The details: A satin-brushed and polished case in 316L stainless steel and yellow gold, 41 mm in diameter, with a bidirectional rotating

BLACK BAY 31/36/39/41 Steel & Gold Tudor presents a new version of its Black Bay line in steel and yellow gold with a fixed bezel. The curved case, highlighted with polished yellow-gold sections, and the option of diamond bezel markers bring a new sophistication, versatility, and unisex chic to the iconic tool watch spirit. This model comes in four sizes for utmost wearability. The five-link bracelet’s Tudor “T-fit” clasp allows for rapid adjustment and instant comfort.

The details: A satin-brushed and polished case, 31, 36, 39, or 41 mm in diameter, in 316L steel and yellow gold. Also available with a diamond-set bezel. The Black Bay 31/36/39/41 S&G models are powered by Manufacture Calibres MT5201 (31 mm), MT5400 (36 mm), MT5602 (39 mm), and MT5601 (41 mm), and are COSCcertified with a silicon balance spring.

Today, after only a decade on the market, the Black Bay stands out as Tudor’s best-selling watch.

Clockwise from top left: Black Bay Pro, Black Bay Chrono S&G, Black Bay 31, 36, 39, 41 S&G, Black Bay GMT S&G.

FRANK ADAMS

HolidayGIFT Guide

THE FRANK ADAMS TEAM shares their personal picks for the best pieces to give the jewelry and watch lovers on your list.

“This 18K gold Azlee Medallion with diamonds and a 2.85ct emerald center from the new collection is stunning and unique. I love Azlee’s design aesthetic, characterized by a fascination with ancient civilizations. The jewelry is like exquisite little sculptures — wearable art.”

-Kimberly

“Layering jewelry is a smart way to create a fresh look. Mixing different shapes, textures and colors, or adding a little sparkle to pieces people already own, breathes new life into their jewelry wardrobe. I love this Kwiat Yellow Gold Ashoka Pendant for just that reason.” -Jeffrey

“These Roberto Coin 18K Love in Verona Pavé Diamond Bangles are some of my favorites for their stunning sophistication. Beautifully and artfully crafted in highly polished 18K gold, they are a bold reflection of the wearer’s confidence and style. The floral diamond detail adds interest to the architectural design while highlighting their tailored refinement. True statement pieces, perfect for today’s lifestyle!” Marcel

“The 18K Jade Trau Poppy Pendant is a great addition to any jewelry wardrobe. It’s one of my favorite pieces, with its contrast of yellow gold and white diamonds.”

-Matthew

“The David Yurman Madison Chain Thin Necklace is the ideal piece for punching up everyday looks. Worn alone, it can be elegant. Or team it with other pendants and necklaces for a bolder, layered look.”

Betsy

“

This sparkling Todd Reed Necklace is comprised of 16 sustainably sourced raw and fancy-cut diamonds in 18K gold. Todd Reed creations are all one- of-a-kind, hand-forged and finished by this master jeweler.”

-Mary

“I always choose classic styles over trendy. The cornerstone of every woman’s jewelry wardrobe should be a diamond tennis bracelet. This Joshua J Tennis Bracelet can be worn for dress or casually, and is available in all different carat weights and setting styles. Already have one? Opt for another in a different metal color and weight to layer.”

-Tim

“Longines Hydroconquest is a diver’s watch that combines performance and style. Longines has expanded the number of Hydroconquest models with the high-tech ceramic bezel, shown above in military green. In 39, 41 and 43mm case sizes, it’s a tremendous watch and a great value.” -Andy

”I Iove the way the diamonds shine around this Kwiat Partway Necklace like it was a twinkling galaxy. Exceptionally crafted in 18K gold, it’s a classic piece that will dress up any outfit.”

-Sabrina

“If you like to make a bold statement with your jewelry, you can’t do better than the David Yurman Madison Chain Necklace in 18K yellow gold. David Yurman offers an array of necklaces, from signature cable motifs to smoother sculptural designs.” -Billie

Jo

Diamond Master

Igrew up with diamonds all around me,” Greg Kwiat said as he sat at his desk in Kwiat’s offices on Manhattan’s tony Madison Avenue. “On school holidays my brothers and I would go into the office with my father. We were paid to crawl around on the floor and see if one of the jewelers had dropped a 1 or 2 point diamond. If we found one, we’d get $1. ”On a good day, each boy could make $7 or $8, and receive an even more valuable recompense—a feeling they were contributing value to the family business.

Greg Kwiat’s leap from diamond scavenger to CEO of the family diamond firm wasn’t always inevitable. “I joined in 2004, after 5 years at Goldman Sachs,” he explained. His father Lowell is Chairman, his brother Russell the COO and his other brother Cory, the Chief Digital Officer. “In a family business we all collaborate,” Greg said. The secret to working together, he continued, is “having respect for each others’contributions.”

It's a formula that works. The Kwiat diamond business was started 115 years ago by Greg’s great grandfather, Sam Kwiat, a diamond trader. “In the 1930s my grandfather, David, started designing jewelry, making classic things like engagement rings and ear studs.”

Kwiat also started supplying diamonds and making jewelry for the top luxury houses, like Harry Winston and Cartier. But in the 1990s that line of the business stopped and Kwiat started focusing on making a name for its own jewelry. Today there is a Kwiat diamond boutique further up Madison Avenue from the company’s offices, and Kwiat jewelry is also available at the country’s top luxury retailers.

One of the stars of retail is the Cluster Collection. “By mixing different shapes and sizes of diamonds we can create an elegant piece that has a larger scale and more texture and drama,” Greg explained. Referring to a floral cluster earring, he said “by grouping five pear shaped diamonds in an earring you create a very important look, but keep the price down.”

As CEO of a growing family business, Greg Kwiat grew up with diamonds all around him.

Rings with Kwiat Cushion™ diamonds

Greg Kwiat

The five diamonds in the cluster can deliver the same impact of one much larger, and much more expensive diamond.

“Cluster styles have a long place in our history,” Greg said. “They were a favorite of my grandfather, he loved a cluster. It’s in our DNA. This year we added a number of new designs to our Cluster Collection including some larger scale styles and some ‘front and back’ designs. In the front and back designs, part of the earring is on the ear as a stud and an additional part appears to float below the earlobe, connected to the top behind the ear. Some new clusters are extensions of our iconic American Beauty collection, which combine marquise and pear shape diamonds to create movement and texture.”

Kwiat is also renowned for its Kwiat Tiara cuts—a collection of exclusive cuts including the Kwiat Round™, Kwiat Cushion™, Fred Leighton Round™ and Ashoka These cuts return more light to the eye, creating a brighter looking stone that sparkles more,” Greg said. “The cut of a diamond is what unlocks its fire and brilliance, and the Kwiat Tiara cuts give the diamond the widest possible diameter to appear larger than other diamonds of comparable carat weight.”

The most recently introduced is the Kwiat Cushion™. “It is our proprietary elongated cushion shape, cut to ‘Kwiat perfection’ with maximum brilliance and beauty,” Greg explained. “It has been a tremendous success immediately from the launch, and we will build on that. “Kwiat diamonds earn the highest accolades possible.

Each round diamond has been awarded the Triple Excellent status from the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America which is the standard bearer of diamond quality. The Triple Excellent status applies to round diamonds that have been graded on cut, polish and symmetry. The grades range from Poor to Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent. Kwiat’s round diamonds earn “Excellent” in all aspects.

It’s crystal clear: Whether creating a dramatic statement earring to ornament an evening gown for a black tie night, or a simple pair of diamond studs to wear every day with jeans and a t-shirt, the Kwiat diamonds used are of the highest quality.

Little wonder demand is growing and Kwiat plans to grow its retail presence. “Our future plans are to grow our partnerships with our local authorized dealers across the United States. The strength of the Kwiat brand is built on the discerning quality and fine reputations of our local partners. These relationships have always been at the core of our business, and growing them is the foundation of our future.”

Another plan for the future might be grooming a fifth generation of Kwiats to join the business. Greg’s and his brothers’ children are all still very young, (the oldest is 12), so it’s too early to predict their future talents and tastes. But just in case they might be headed to the family firm, they do as their fathers did. They visit the office and hunt for dropped diamonds, just like the generation before them— except now they receive $2 for each diamond discovered.

Cluster Collection From the Cluster Collection

ASTRO

JEWELRY STYLE

Time to update your ring wardrobe? Check your horoscope to find the perfect ring for you.

Sagittarius

NOV 22-DEC 21

You are the adventurer of the zodiac, and the end of the year may find you in an exotic locale or with an awakened appetite for new experiences. Remember you are a superstar — so don’t leave home without a unique diamond and gemstone statement ring like this one.

Gemini

MAY 21-JUNE 20

Capricorn

DEC 22-JAN 21

Your ambitions are greater than ever this year. And your patience and perseverance will be on hand, helping you to accomplish as many goals as possible. Be sure to do everything in style wearing this David Yurman Elements ring.

Aries

MARCH 21-APRIL 19

Your bold ambition helped you meet the serious deadlines you've been juggling, and now it’s time to schedule in some fun. A ring that easily goes from day to night should be at the top of your shopping list.

You’re spontaneous and playful. And that famous curiosity remains as insatiable as ever. While exploring new opportunities, why not put on an eye-catching diamond ring and get going.

Virgo

AUG 23-SEPT 22

As a logical, practical, and systematic person, you delight in organizing and bringing your loved ones together. This elegant Navarra Ring from Roberto Coin will look great at all your gatherings.

Aquarius

JAN 20-FEB 18

You’re an innovator and an influencer, and you're in the mood to try plucky things. To celebrate the opportunities coming your way, go for a dazzlingly different jewelry look.

Pisces

FEB 19-MARCH 20

Trust your feelings. Your intuitive, sensitive side will open new doors. Walk through showing your confidence by flashing a smile and this gorgeous Ippolita ring.

Taurus

APRIL 20-MAY 20

Patient, serene and centered — that's you. But you're also ready for changes that can spice up your life. May we suggest this sparkling three-stone stunner to symbolize that brave new beginning.

Cancer

JUNE 21-JULY 22

Your intuitive instinct is one of your strong suits. It should be telling you it’s time for a little TLC. Invest in a new wardrobe or a makeover — and add an extra dollop of sparkle with this classic signet ring. You're worth it!

Libra

SEPT 23-OCT 22

With your sense of balance and harmony, you’ll end the year making great strides in all your many projects. Celebrate with David Yurman stacking bands in a harmonious mix of metals.

Leo

JULY 23-AUG 22

Your vivacious, theatrical, and fiery nature is ready to roar! You'll be feeling extra confident as you take the spotlight. Go for the bold. You're sure to shine while rocking this spectacular diamond beauty.

Scorpio

OCT 23-NOV 21

You're a deep and dynamic thinker and at the top of your game. Keep the momentum going and reward yourself with something dazzling and dynamic that will put a big smile on your face.

Gem Platinum Emerald three-stone ring

David Yurman Chatelaine Pavé Bezel Ring

Jack Kelege Half Anniversary Ring

David Yurman Cable Edge Rings

Kwiat Duet Ring

Sethi Multi-Stone Band

Todd Reed Crossover Band

Ippolita Luce Ring

Jade Trau Poppy Open Band

David Yurman Elements Ring

Zoe Chicco Pear Signet Ring

Roberto Coin Navarra Ring

We

preview the

next generation of luxury EVs

Say the words “Aspark Owl.” Just about as fast as you can. In the time it took, you went from zero to 60 in 1.69 seconds in an Aspark Owl, the fastest-accelerating car in the world.

It’s all-electric, costs $3.5 million, and packs 1,985 horsepower with 1,475 pounds of torque.

The rare 2023 Owl is just one of the hot EVs (as electric vehicles are known) available today, as more and more automakers, from plain vanilla to super luxury, are putting out emission-free, lithium-ion-battery offerings.

Ferrari, Bentley, and Lamborghini EVs are not on the market yet, but those elite automakers promise that in the next few years they’ll be joining this green, quite expensive, and very fast trend.

How fast? The Owl, for example, made by the Japanese engineering firm Aspark, hustles up to 186 mph in 10 seconds, with a motor for each wheel. To ensure equally fast stops, the Owl has a carbon-ceramic braking system with ten-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, the equal of most racing cars.

Today, most EV buyers are concerned with range on a full charge. The Owl takes 80 minutes to ramp up with a high-velocity charger.

Still, in that range category the Owl is only middling: you’ll get 280 miles at most before you find yourself immobile and stuck by the side of the road. And you will need a home charging station, which costs about $5,000 with installation. But when you’re spending $3.5 million for your ride, why quibble?

Equally short on range, but the Owl’s opposite in every other respect (including price), is the Chevrolet Bolt hatchback, which gets 247 miles on a charge. The Bolt costs $28,035, has front-wheel-only drive, and pumps out a relatively puny 200 horsepower. It cannot be called luxurious, but here again, at $28K and change, why quibble?

The Aspark Owl

The The Lucid Air is the champion in the range department, at 516 miles on a full charge if you don’t stomp on it. And when you buy any Lucid model, you get three years of complimentary charging on the Electrify America charging network.

As for cost, the Air is the mean between the extremes. The Sapphire model, at $250,000, jumps to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds if you do push that pedal to the metal. Like other high-end EVs, the Lucid has several big touch screens, including one that folds into the dashboard.

It also has an array of safety features, like blind-spot alert, forwardcollision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, cruise control, and a rear camera.

Mercedes Benz also offers a high standard of luxury in its three EVs: two sedan models, the ESQ 580 and ESQ 450, and a SUV with a third row for three, where someone who’s 5’11’’ will feel comfortable without bending over. Pretty unusual for a third row.

For any of the Benz models, 30 minutes plugged in provides a boost from 10 percent of charge to 80 percent, and about a 350-mile range for all three.

The SUV has enough off-road gears to plow through sand. Fold down the seats in the second and third rows and you have 31 cubic feet of space.

Not to be outdone is the rear-wheel-drive Lyriq, Cadillac’s first EV ever, at a base price of $59,990. It has fast charging in 70 minutes, and a zero to 100 mph time of 14.4 seconds—hardly the cumbersome King Turtle among cars.

The Lyriq takes infotainment seriously, with a curved screen up front that measures two feet, six inches wide. No speedster, the Lyriq has a top end of 118 mph, but comfort and quiet are the premium here. Just like those Cadillacs of 70 years ago.

Meanwhile, perhaps the most unusual EV on the market is a truck. Yup. It’s the Rivian R1T, with all-wheel drive, 835 horsepower, and strong enough to tow 11,000 pounds. The very base price is $79,000, but cough up $150,000 for the Adventure model and you’ll get a Meridian sound system, a cabin with leather and wood panels, and big trunks in the front and back where you can lock up 12 cubic feet of storage.

From the top: Lucid Air, Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach E, Jaguar IPace.

Perhaps the most unusual EV on the market is a truck. Yup. It’s the Rivian R1T, with all-wheel drive, 835 horsepower, and strong enough to tow 11,000 pounds

It also has three 110-volt outlets.

The R1T’s safety features include automated braking and lane-departure warning. And even though it’s a truck, it can jet to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds with the optional large battery pack. The 2023 model with that “Max” battery will provide more than 400 miles with a full charge, according to Rivian, an American company that sells its EVs directly to buyers. But what would the American field look like without a Ford Mustang EV? Well, it’s here already ¬-— the Mach E, with several models to choose from, starting at $44,995. Power up to more than $66,000 for the Premium model, with a panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a power liftgate because the Mach E is really sort of a crossover. You can order a Ford charging station, available online and connected to certified electricians for installation. It can charge fully overnight with household current, and the GT and GT Performance models with 480 horsepower both hit 60 in 3.7 seconds.

That US favorite aside, there are several foreign big-name luxury EVs out there, such as the BMW i4M50, crossing 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and costing $76,760. Like other EVs, it has optional one-pedal driving, called regenerative braking: when you take your foot off the accelerator, the BMW slows down nicely, not abruptly. You still have a standard brake, though.

The Jaguar IPace SUV has a modest-for-a-Jaguar base price of $71,300. For that you get a vehicle with all-wheel drive and a reasonably robust 394 of horsepower to take you from zip to 60 in 4.5 seconds. Leather seating is standard, as are heated and ventilated front seats and ventilated rear seats. Also standard is traffic-sign recognition, so you’ll never hear that “Didn’t you see that stop sign?” shout from the passenger side again.

But the big advantage for the Jag, and for all SUVs, is the charging cost: not $4.60 a gallon for premium, but rather with batteries, at an annual charging cost of $850 based on an average of 15,000 miles driving per year, which is typical of American drivers.

Numerous other overseas-manufactured EVs are also available, including offerings from Kia, Audi, Hyundai, and others. The lithium-ion future is here and now. Jump in.

From the top: Mercedes Benz ESQ, BMW i4M50, Rivian R1T