The World`s your Oyster A Few of our Favourite

Lifestyle Magazine
Spring/Summer 2008
A Few of our
Favourite Things
Some great pieces that
we are sure you’ll love
The World’s
your Oyster
Luxurious travel destinations
Meet the Team
Behind the Name
The key people who make
our business great
Diamonds
Why our diamonds are
better than all the rest
Body & Soul
The art of well-being
and where to find it
...and much
more
08
Welcome
30
to the world of Keanes...
Review with us the very latest jewellery and
watch collections, from the traditionally
elegant to the contemporarily stylish, and
enjoy our features on the irresistible charm
of champagne, the exhilaration of exotic
travel and the thrill of today’s must-have
fashion accessories. It’s all in here,
and more.
And, of course, no matter how you enjoy
your world, some things will always remain
special. Whenever you buy a piece of
jewellery or a watch, you are investing in
luxury. Whether it is to declare your love, to
mark an event, or even to treat yourself, it is
the ultimate expression of how you feel.
Welcome to the first edition of our lifestyle
magazine, an exciting compilation of all
that’s good in life, particularly the luxurious
world of fine jewellery and watches.
This first edition coincides with our 60th
Anniversary – appropriately named
Diamond anniversary – and we are
immensely proud to have reached this
milestone.
This is why it makes sense to buy from
someone you trust, someone with
experience, knowledge, and a reputation for
excellence. We believe we fulfil all of these
attributes and hope you agree.
Please enjoy this magazine, with our
compliments. And we look forward to seeing
you in the near future.
Best wishes
Let us take you on a journey through our
world – the sparkling beauty of a diamond,
the enchanting allure of gold, the precision
of a finely engineered timepiece – and
beyond to the lifestyle pleasures we all love
to enjoy.
2
Produced by
InChannel Communications Ltd
www.inchannel.co.uk
the Team
06 Meet
Behind the Name
Consultant Editor
Mary Brittain
Project Manager
Gillian Barrie
Design
Geo-Graphics
Every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of the material
contained within this magazine.
However, no liability whatsoever
can be accepted for inaccuracies,
howsoever caused. Equally, no
liability can be accepted for any
issues concerning reproduction of
images or advertisements.
All information regarding products
and services, including prices and
availability, is correct at the time
of publication. Images are not
always actual size.
Copyright InChannel
Communications Ltd.
22
A Few of our
Favourite Things
We take a look at some
great pieces that we are
sure you’ll love.
We introduce you to the
key people who make our
business great.
Magazine Consultant
Bill McGowan
Administration
Marie Lochrin
Emma Sunderland
Keanes Jewellers Ltd
93-95 Oliver Street, Cork, Ireland T: 021 42 71256 F: 021 42 71259
10 O’Connell Street, Limerick, Ireland T: 061 48 1080 F: 061 48 1090
2 High Street, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland T: 064 31 515 F: 064 31 515
[email protected] www.keanes.ie
Published by
Keanes Jewellers
Advertising Production
Mike Dunbar
Patrick Keane Snr.
Managing Director
Contents
48
26
A Night at the Opera
16 Diamonds are Forever
30
Keanes in the
Community
19
36
Fashion to Go
40
Treasures of the Ocean
48
Champagne
52
Body & Soul
08
The World’s
your Oyster
We take a look at the most
luxurious travel destinations.
Taking a look at the other
good things we do.
The ultimate gem with a long
and glamorous past.
Diamonds at Keanes
Why our diamonds are
better than all the rest.
The wonderful experience
of Verona.
This season’s must have
stylish accessories.
Exquisite beauty from a
grain of sand.
Another great pleasure that
puts sparkle into your life.
The art of well-being
and where to find it.
3
Meet the Team...
...Behind the Name
We introduce you to the key people
who make our business great!
Accounts and Administration Staff
Cork Branch
W
T
he Cork Branch is a sporty group – and very
adventurous! Penny Keane enjoys bungee jumping
and sky diving while Sarah McEneaney is an avid
rock climber and has even gone wing walking! The boys
like to show their prowess too, with Neal Danby regularly
involved in motor sport, golf, snow boarding and deep
sea angling.
(Left to right) May Downey, Penny Keane, Deirdre Kelleher,
Megan O' Neill, Neal Danby, Yvonne McCormack, Jane Madden,
Liz Byrne, Violeta Crowley, Trisha McSweeney, Mary Waters,
Shane Neville, Sarah O' Sullivan, Lucy Matalova, Mary Looney
and Ann Hogan
Killarney Branch
N
ot to be outdone by the Cork team, the Killarney
Branch is best known for it’s dedication to Gaelic
games. Breda O’Leary’s son played for Kerry on
the minor team which contested the All Ireland. All the
staff at Killarney treat Gaelic games as a religion!
(Front row - left to right) Sile O’Donoghue, Claire Houlihan,
Susan Moriarty (Back row – left to right) Joan Linehan, Paul
Trant (Manager), Breda O’ Leary
(Left to right) - Christine Cummins, Valerie Noonan,
Catherine Heelan, Rebecca Birchall, Peter Bertwistle
hen not watching the pennies, Valerie Noonan, our
Financial Controller, loves nothing more than a good
game of tennis. Catherine Heelan also works in
accounts and has strong links with the agricultural world.
Peter Bertwistle hails from Australia and now, after nine years,
we can just about understand him! Christine Cummins is the
friendly voice of our switchboard and also manages to keep us
all organised at all times. Rebecca Birchall, when not keeping
Keanes at the front of everyone’s mind as our Marketing
Manager, loves nothing more than scuba diving on the
south coast.
Stock and Purchasing staff
S
tock and purchasing are key functions in our business.
However, Pauline O’ Callaghan, our intrepid jewellery buyer,
still finds time to manage a number of our fashion shows.
Rita Burke specialises in the handling of our diamond rings, so she
has a great time trying on many of them. Ashling Forde specialises
in all our watch brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe, while
Lynda O’ Keeffe and Anne Marie Casey oversee our important
stock activities.
(Left to right) - Ashling Forde, Anne Marie Casey, Lynda O' Keeffe,
Rita Burke, Pauline O' Callaghan
Limerick Branch
Service Staff
S
here do they find the time? Our service staff team
have a diverse range of interests. While Martin
Murphy is seriously into sport - including cycling,
running and golf - his most consuming passion is bringing up a
family of two girls and one boy. Fergus Dalton is our resident DJ
and can put together any gathering of melodies you might ask
for. Flying the flag for Argentina, Marcelo Bianchi is constantly
touting for his country on the international scene, whilst Tony,
our resident jeweller, is an avid Arsenal fan.
taff at the Limerick Branch also find time for a wide range of
leisure pursuits. Suzanne O’Keefe is the ‘resident pianist’, while
Elaine Lyons, a gifted singer, provides the vocals on nights out.
On the sporting side, Patrick Keane has spent numerous years rowing
and Derek Dundon, shows his talents with Askeaton FC. Siobhan has
successfully finished her two year Jewellery Diploma and has also
found time to get married.
(Seated – left to right) Suzanne O' Keeffe, Linda Hogan, Elaine Lyons, Hazel
Keane, Angela Vaughan, Helen McNamara (Standing – left to right) Angela
McGinty, Gillian Sheehan, Derek Dundon, Patrick Keane (Director), Aiden
Lyddy (Manager), Siobhan Walsh, Kristine O’Dwyer
6
W
(Left to right) - Fergus Dalton, Martin Murphy,
Marcelo Bianchi, Tony Hannigan
7
Parrot Cay – Turks and Caicos
“Giant tortoises, lush jungles
where vanilla and cinnamon
grow wild, creamily perfect
beaches”
Take it easy in the Maldives
owhere comes close to the Maldives for picture-perfect
waters: they are such a startling turquoise blue you
can barely believe the ocean hasn’t been airbrushed.
Most resorts are little more than a handful of glamorous
thatched cabanas, nestling into a bouquet of swishing palm
trees and wrapped up with ribbons of the silkiest sands. It’s
the definitive no-shoes, no-news, do-nothing destination.
There’s such an abundance of marine life you don’t have
to struggle into a wetsuit, you can see a rainbow of fish
just sitting on the jetty. Days are spent sashaying from
indulgent treatments in six-star spas to romantic candlelit
dinners on pristine shores. The hottest hotel is Reethi Rah,
whose fans include Sienna Miller and Jodie Kidd.
Its Balinese-inspired villas are rumoured to have cost $1m
each, and are suitably lavish with private courtyards and
their own stretch of beach.
www.carrier.co.uk
N
The World’s
your Oyster
Hotel Reethi Ra
h – Maldives
Seychelles
North Island –
of Wilderness
sy
te
ur
co
Image
len
Al
Safaris / Dana
Jet set in the Seychelles
We take a look at the most
luxurious travel destinations
By luxury travel expert SUSAN D’ARCY of The Sunday Times
Set the mood in Turks and Caicos
hen A-list couples are in the mood for some serious
romance, they jet down to the super-trendy Turks
and Caicos islands. This pocket of the Caribbean is a
permanent fashion shoot location, with powder-fine shores
and aquamarine waters such as the stunning 12 mile Grace
Bay providing the ultimate style-statement backdrop. Its
hideaway-heaven status was further endorsed when Eva
Longoria and Tony Parker dodged the paparazzi and
honeymooned undisturbed at its number-one resort,
Parrot Cay.
Its guest register is a Who’s Who of Hollywood from Barbra
Streisand to Britney Spears, and Bruce Willis loves it so much
he’s built a home here. The hotel epitomises the T&C’s pareddown unpretentiousness. Rooms are simple, white-washed
numbers, with teak floors and endless muslin drapes. It’s also
home to one of the world’s best spas, offering holistic
treatments that leave you spaghetti-limbed and serene.
www.seasonsinstyle.co.uk
W
“The definitive no-shoes,
no-news, do-nothing
destination”
he Seychelles are so upmarket that holidaymakers
don’t just arrive in private jets, they turn up in their own
submarines, and nobody bats an eyelid at paying
£1,000-plus a night for a room. There’s extraordinary wildlife
including giant tortoises that roam freely, lush jungles where
vanilla and cinnamon grow wild, and creamily perfect
beaches, dramatically strewn with Jurassic Park-style boulders
as sensuous as any Henry Moore sculpture. The islands are
French, so the vibe is very sexy and assured, nowhere more so
than at the world’s most expensive resort, North Island, where
the likes of Bill Gates chill out. Its handful of beachside villas
are eco-cool, tables are made from driftwood, and a curve of
granite cliff doubles as a sitting-room wall.
www.seychelles-travel.co.uk
T
Go boho in Phuket
hen jetsetters want to let their hair down, they opt for
the boho charms of this southern Thai retreat.
They love the intricate architecture, the genuine
hospitality of the people and the iconic views of the craggy
limestone karsts that soar from the Andaman Sea. Phuket’s
west coast also offers two of the world’s most exclusive hotels.
Trisara is a stylish sanctuary where rooms have private pools
so large you can take a PADI diving course in them. It is a
favourite of the Royal Family, including Prince Harry.
The discreetly understated Amanpuri is beloved by the rock
fraternity including Bono and Noel Gallagher as well as
supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. The property
is sliced into a coconut grove and served up with a glorious
swimming pool that’s been photographed almost as often as
its celebrity guests.
ww.abercrombiekent.co.uk
W
Be fabulous in Cote D’Azur
his is the playground of blingionaires, with St Tropez
its glitzy epicentre. Out of season it remains a tiny,
chichi fishing village, but from May to September it’s
awash with teeny bikinis and dreamy Hollywood stars. You’ll
find an excess-all-areas fantasy, from the £1,200 magnums of
champagne quaffed at its famous Club 55 bar to the armed
operatives guarding Roman Abramovich’s yachts bobbing in a
bayful of floating palaces. The place to stay is the legendary
Hotel Byblos, where even the massages are designer (the spa
is run by Sisley). Along the coast on Cannes’ famous
Croisette, stiletto-heeled princesses promenade with their
poodles, and the nearby Martinez boasts the world’s most
expensive hotel room, the £20,500-a-night presidential suite.
www.byblos.com
T
Hotel Byblos – Cote D’Azur
8
Amanpuri Beach – Phuket
Grand CARRERA Calibre 8 RS
with Brown Dial
Grand
Jay Kay, Jamiroquai Lead Singer
CARRERA
I
t is the epitome of luxury yet it is also a tool of utter precision.
Its unsurpassed exterior style is matched only by the meticulous
engineering of its interior workings. It draws its lineage from
decades of craftsmanship and artistry, yet it is entirely avant-garde in
its concept.
These are just some of the reasons why the TAG Heuer Grand
CARRERA series of watches and chronographs are already recognised
as some of the most iconic creations of their kind. Even for a company
as committed to sophistication as TAG Heuer, the Grand CARRERA
series has taken the Swiss masters to new heights.
Launched in 2007, the Grand CARRERA is the direct descendant of one
of the world’s most famous watches. In the early 1960s, Jack Heuer,
great-grandson of company founder Edouard Heuer, was busily continuing
his company’s long-cherished links with the sport of motor racing. TAG
Heuer had been in at the
beginning of motorsport,
inventing the ‘Time of Trip’,
the world’s first dashboard
chronograph, in 1911, and
had pioneered many other
innovations in watches and
timers for motor racing. One
of the best known was the
Autavia, the first dashboard
stopwatch for racing cars,
introduced in 1933.
As he acted as official
Grand CARRERA Calibre 17 RS
timekeeper, a role which
with Silver Dial
TAG Heuer has fulfilled for
motorsport for many decades, Jack Heuer learned from two young
Mexican drivers, Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, of the Carrera
10
Nick Mason, Pink Floyd Drummer
Grand CARRERA Calibre 17 RS with Black Dial
Panamericana, the extraordinary 2,000-mile-long road race for sports
cars across their native country. Heuer fell in love with the name Carrera
which, as he said, “was dynamic, elegant, easily pronounced in all
languages and charged with emotion,” and gave it to the company’s
new collection of watches in 1964. Not surprisingly, the Carrera’s
winning combination of precise yet sturdy mechanism and strong yet
elegant casing proved irresistible, particularly to those who needed a
stylish timepiece to accompany them in their sports and GT cars.
The Carrera was an instant and enduring hit. It was a precise timekeeper
in a design of sleek elegance which, with several refinements, has
stayed a best-seller for more than 40 years, and recently helped Jack
Heuer, now honorary chairman of TAG Heuer, earn a Lifetime
Achievement award from his peers in America’s prestigious Jewelry
Information Center.
The Carrera and other TAG Heuer models have been worn with pride
by generations of motor racing greats, and the company’s links to this
and other sports have been cemented by partnerships with the very
best – golfing legend Tiger Woods, tennis superstar Maria Sharapova
and Britain’s Formula One sensation Lewis Hamilton are all current
ambassadors for the company.
When TAG Heuer decided to introduce a new range inspired by the Carrera
and which harked back to its classic design, the company decided to
retain that famous name and express the idea that this was no
substitute, no mere replacement, but a whole new range of watches and
chronographs. Hence Grand CARRERA – and what a suitable name it is.
and dials lies a miracle of modern micro-engineering known as the TAG
Heuer Calibre Rotating System movement.
Inspired by the engines of GT cars, the Rotating System is a completely
new way of displaying the time which allows the wearer to effortlessly
and simultaneously view indicators of small seconds, a second time
zone or chronograph time. In short, the new system provides at-a-glance
access to all the precision timings that anyone might instantly require.
As with the leaders in motorsport, TAG Heuer constantly devises new
technological advances to stay ahead of the field. The Grand CARRERA
is thus the latest example of a masterpiece of timekeeping encompassed
in magnificent styling. It is a stunning timepiece of timeless beauty.
All the Carrera’s style is there, all the glamour, yet as ever with TAG
Heuer, there is remarkable innovation too. Behind the polished edges
11
Fire Raiser
John Russo is a man with a mission, to raise
awareness of ‘Hearts on Fire – the world’s
most perfectly cut diamond’, for which he is
the European Strategic Director. Here he
tells us why his brand is really sparkling.
ccording to John Russo, when a man walks into a jewellery
store he has one mission; to get out as quickly as possible!
While it may be true, it’s a mindset that Russo deplores.
“Diamonds are always given to mark an important emotional
occasion - marriage, a baby, enduring love or an apology. Guys
should be thinking, ‘What do I want her reaction to be when I give
her this diamond?’ not ‘How quickly can I do this?’ or ‘Can I get a
bargain?’ ” he says.
A
He’s right of course; there isn’t a woman in the world who wants to
think that her diamond has been selected in a hurry or, worse still,
on the cheap. She wants something that has a real story to tell, has
been chosen with care and which will please her for years to come.
“Hearts On Fire diamonds simply look bigger, brighter, whiter, more
colourful and have greater sparkle than any other diamond of the
same carat weight,” says Russo. This is quite a claim, so is it
actually true?
Perfect proportions
“You have to see it to believe it,” he says assuredly. Each Hearts
On Fire stockist is supplied with a lens, called a Proportion Scope,
that magnifies the diamond to three times its normal size, allowing
consumers to view the perfectly proportioned dimensions which
make these diamonds special and gives them their memorable
name. “Look into the bottom of any brilliant cut diamond and you
will see some elusive pieces of hearts, but in ordinary diamonds
these are irregularly shaped and often appear broken. Thanks to the
precision of its cut, when you look into a Hearts On Fire diamond,
you will always see eight perfectly-matched hearts. That’s the visual
proof of these diamonds’ superlative craftsmanship. The crisp
Fireburst pattern that you see from the top of our diamonds is
further confirmation that each one is unique and outstanding in
quality,” explains Russo.
According to Russo, the cut is the single most important element
in creating a spectacularly beautiful diamond. “Hearts On Fire
diamonds are cut by the most expert cutters using 100X
magnification, rather than the global standard of 10X.
This gives the cutters pin-point accuracy and the ability to
fashion diamonds that deliver light return of 98% rather than
the more usual range of 70-90%,” he explains.
“You’re looking for a big, open-mouth, ear-to-ear grin, if not a
literal cascade of tears of joy - which is exactly what Hearts on Fire
promises to deliver,” he says.
For further information and to see the full range of Hearts on Fire
jewellery visit www.heartsonfire.com
Hearts On Fire diamonds are available in all sizes - from .02ct
through to over 10cts - and come at prices that suit any budget.
All stones of 0.30ct and above are independently graded by the
American Gem Society as Zero Ideal and come complete with a
Hearts On Fire Diamond Identity Document as well as a dedicated
serial number. This number is etched onto the very edge of the
stone together with the Hearts On Fire logo in recognition of each
diamond’s uniqueness.
Exclusive
Enter Hearts On Fire, the diamond which Russo is confident provides
the extra edge needed to make it every girl’s best friend, whilst also
appealing to the man in her life. The brand was developed in the
USA in 1996 to empower consumers by taking the fear and
uncertainty out of choosing the very best diamond. It has been
available in the UK for the past four years, but you certainly won’t
find it everywhere. In fact, there are only 700 specially selected
stockists in the world and just 42 in the United Kingdom and
Ireland, providing the brand with immediate exclusivity and
additional pizzazz.
14
Viewed from bottom,
Hearts on Fire diamond
Viewed from bottom,
traditional cut diamond
Viewed from top,
Hearts on Fire diamond
Viewed from top,
traditional cut diamond
The Hearts On Fire brand also offers a wide selection of
inspirational jewellery designs, covering everything from
engagement, eternity and dress rings through to pendants,
bracelets, necklaces and earrings. For those seeking something
truly special, Hearts On Fire stockists can also create one-off
bespoke designs for their customers.
I wondered how a guy can be sure, when he hands over his
diamond purchase to the love of his life, whether or not he has
chosen wisely and well. “Let’s put it this way, if you get a polite
little smile, you’ve failed.
15
Movie Land’s red carpet is a regular setting for stars such as Sarah
Jessica Parker to display their rocks, while the inimitable icon
Marilyn Monroe sang playfully, “a kiss on the hand might be quite
continental but diamonds are
a girl’s best friend”.
Elizabeth Taylor, all five feet
four of her, opined that “big
girls need big diamonds”.
Fortunate it was then that in
1969 she had a besotted
Richard Burton waiting in
the wings to buy her the
magnificent 69-carat Cartier,
pear-shaped diamond for
$1million for her 40th
birthday.
Diamonds
are forever
Taylor wore the renamed
‘Taylor-Burton’ publicly for the
first time at a party for the
late Princess Grace’s 40th
birthday in Monaco. Following
her divorce from Burton it
was sold in 1978, for a
reputed $5million, to build a
hospital in Botswana.
...the ultimate gem with a
long & glamorous past
By Eileen McAuley
eerless as a symbol of love, pride, wealth and power for
thousands of years, diamonds have been cherished from the
earliest of times.
P
The ancient Greeks believed them to be tears of the gods, the
Romans were convinced they were slivers of fallen stars. It is little
wonder that the unparalleled beauty of the diamond beguiled the
ancients and that they have lost none of their bewitching powers
of enchantment today. Their extraordinary beauty simply
transcends time.
They also remain very much a girl’s best friend, a claim borne out
by the New York Times’ assertion that guests at last year’s Oscars
wore more than 50,000 carats of the jewels between them.
What else, therefore, was David Beckham to buy the woman who
purportedly has everything for her 30th birthday but a fabled pink
diamond ring, reportedly paying a cool £1million.
As far as the controversial artist Damien Hirst was concerned there
could be no substitute when he set about creating his £50million
masterpiece – a diamond-encrusted skull entitled ‘For The Love of
God’. The skull comprises 8,601 flawless diamonds, said to be more
than three times the number the Queen wears on state occasions.
Diamonds are found only in some of the most remote and
inaccessible reaches of earth. For millennia their only known source
was in the most remote areas of India. Later discoveries of deposits
in Brazil in the 18th century and South Africa in 1866 were hugely
celebrated but hardly dented the gem’s scarcity value.
More than a ton of rock will grudgingly yield less than half a carat
of rough diamond and it is this painstaking process that necessarily
makes them one of the rarest, most celebrated, cherished and
16
coveted of the world’s gemstones. They have survived an incredible
journey from the centre of the earth, withstanding the very worst
excesses the elements could muster and making their very existence
nothing short of miraculous.
Each diamond is literally as old as time itself, having been
formed over billions of years; a triumph of timeless beauty over
adversity. These most desirable jewels, that symbolise love the
world over, are also the hardest natural substance known to man.
They can be scratched only by one of their own kind, which adds
to their desirability by helping to ensure they maintain their
brilliance.
Whilst the Bond movie theme may have seared the expression
on the collective global conscience, it was the leading diamond
merchant, De Beers, that coined the phrase ‘A diamond is
forever’ in one of the world’s most enduringly successful
advertising campaigns.
But the stones have been given as a symbol of love and betrothal
since long before De Beers first popularised the diamond
engagement ring in 1938. Indeed, the first diamond engagement
ring can be traced to the union of Maximilian l, then Archduke of
Austria, to Mary of Burgundy as far back as 1477.
Today, diamonds are still the most coveted jewel of them all and
remain a favourite of royals and celebrities the world over.
Yet for all their natural beauty
and wonder, the diamond as
we have come to revere it is
dependent on the finely honed
skills of master craftsmen to
release its iridescent, inner
beauty. The quality of a
diamond is measured, on
internationally accepted scales, by its carat, clarity, colour and
cut. While all diamonds are precious, those that possess the best
combination of these properties - commonly known as ‘The 4Cs’ are the rarest and most valuable.
Carat is often confused with size, although it actually measures
weight. One carat is 200 milligrams. A carat can also be divided
into 100 ‘points’. Thus a 0.75 carat diamond is the same as a
75-points or ¾ carat diamond. Naturally occurring features,
known as inclusions, give each diamond its own unique
fingerprint. Invisible to the naked eye, these look like clouds,
crystals or feathers. Few diamonds are completely flawless so
perfect ‘clarity’ adds substantially to the value of those that are.
‘Colour’ refers to the degree to which a ‘white’ diamond is
colourless. These differences in tone are extremely subtle and
difficult to spot for the untutored eye. However, not all diamonds
are white and ‘fancy’ coloured diamonds in pink, yellow, blue,
green, orange and - rarest of all - red are all highly
prized. The cut of a diamond is based on a longestablished scientific formula used by stone cutters
to disperse and reflect the most light. The term ‘cut’
also refers to the shape of the diamond - round,
square, pear or heart for example.
To those in the know, the 4cs are an objective method of
comparing and evaluating diamonds. For the rest of us,
these jewels are simply beyond compare and we remain
now, and doubtless forever, captivated by the power of
their dazzling beauty.
What the
Stars say...
“Diamonds never leave you …
...men do”
Shirley Bassey
*
“Big girls need big diamonds”
Elizabeth Taylor
*
“I don’t work out. If God had
wanted us to bend over,
he would have put diamonds
on the floor”
Joan Rivers
*
“I never worry about diets.
The only carrots that interest
me are the number of carats in
a diamond”
Mae West
*
“I never hated a man enough
to give him his
diamonds back.”
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Diamonds at Keanes
Why our diamonds are better than all the rest
Q
uality is often the most incorrectly-used word in the
English language. Definitions abound, and arguments will
never cease about what exactly is meant by quality. There
can be no doubt, however, about one usage of the word.
A fine diamond from Keanes Jewellers is an irresistible object of
supreme quality. With some 60 years’ experience in the buying and
selling of diamonds, Keanes have been able to develop a unique
range of invaluable contacts in the international diamond trade.
In a world where a diamond sold today in Ireland may be bought in
New York tomorrow, Keanes’ commitment to quality continues to
keep our company at the forefront of this most competitive industry.
We understand that our customers also seek value and so do we.
That is why Keanes are able offer the highest quality diamonds at
the best prices.
“We are always available
to help our customers with
their choices, because we
know that every purchase
is a decision made with both
the head and the heart”
Gerard Keane Jnr
We, ourselves, source all our diamonds, which means we know
where every diamond has originated from, further guaranteeing its
quality to the very highest standards. We ensure that our suppliers
guarantee conflict-free diamonds and that they adhere to the
Kimberley Process standards, thus maintaining Keanes policy of
selling only ethically sourced diamonds.
That guarantee applies to every diamond, whether it’s a five carat
fancy yellow stone, a small ten-pointer to fit in a cocktail dress
ring or the gem of love for an engagement ring. Cared for properly,
diamonds from Keanes will retain their sparkle throughout
your lifetime and may in time be worn with enjoyment by your
children too.
However, there is much more to a diamond than good looks and
long life. Keanes know that every diamond means something
special to those who give and to those who receive. That is why
we give our individual attention to every customer. We can advise
on styles and settings, and alterations if required, so that every
purchase – whether it be a loose diamond or a crafted piece acquires a deeper meaning all of its own for our customers.
“We try to ensure that all the diamonds which leave our care
provide something wonderful to those who buy and receive them,”
says Gerard Keane Jnr. “We are always available to help our
customers with their choices, because we know that every
purchase is a decision made with both the head and the heart.”
Diamonds illustrated under 'Carat Weight' above are shown smaller than actual size.
18
19
A Few of our
Favourite Things!
Ladies steel and 18ct yellow gold
‘Cockpit Lady’ Breitling watch
With a mother-of-pearl diamond dial and
diamond bezel, this is the watch choice of
professionals. This model combines fashion
with flair and will look impressive at all
sporting events and social occasions.
18ct white gold necklet
With 442 diamonds weighing 30 carats, this
beautiful necklet has that extra ‘Wow’ factor.
A perfect accompaniment for that special
black-tie dinner.
€8,060
€46,000
18ct white gold diamond pendant by
Sirena from the ‘Journey’ collection
This themed design is part of a new collection which
is both elegant and clean cut. The diamond drop
pendant will look stunning with any outfit on any
occasion. Also available in yellow gold or platinum.
Waskoll 18ct white gold diamond
bracelet fitted with a concealed snap
€1,975
A beautiful, white gold, diamond bracelet from the
exclusive Waskoll Collection. This bracelet fits like
a glove and will look great from day to night.
€26,750
Also available matching pendant
(€5,975) and earrings (€8,975)
Marquise-shaped diamond
ring set in platinum
This stunning ring is in excess of two
carats and certified F colour. The stone
exudes brilliance. The setting, which is
so simple, shows the diamond to its
best effect. This ring can be worn
anytime and everywhere.
Oval shaped diamond solitaire ring,
with distinctive diamond shoulders
€28,000
Nestled within a platinum setting, this gem is certified
F colour. This is a ring to wear for evermore, happy and
confident in the knowledge that quality is inherent.
€3,775
Ladies steel and 18ct gold
Tag Heuer ‘Aquaracer’ watch
With a mother of pearl diamond dial and
diamond bezel, this eye catching timepiece
is an effortless blend of elegance with a
modern, sporty feel.
Sterling silver by John Rocha Three
strand lariat from the ‘Doma’ range
This necklet and matching bracelet set are the epitome of
contemporary chic. The matt finish is both youthful and
flattering on the skin. Ideal for casual or smart-casual wear.
Necklet €550,
Matching Bracelet €249
€3,675
22
23
Rolex Time
Reflections on a brand that
needs no introduction
fields like early computers, radiography and even the rail networks,”
he says. On the very rare occasions that a Milgauss from the 1950s
comes onto the market today, it changes hands for well above
€15,000.
I
t is our most precious commodity. Impossible to hoard, easy to
squander, it is the measure by which we mark out our lives.
No wonder then that those with a true appreciation of time, that
invisible yet powerful dimension, should turn to Rolex to keep pace
with each fleeting moment. Rolex is one of the world’s finest watch
brands. Since 1908 it has been at the forefront of innovation and
design, setting the standards to which other watchmakers aspire.
Keanes Jewellers, a third-generation family company, are Munster’s
sole Rolex stockists and managing director Pat Keane says that the
brand appeals to those who recognise its intrinsic value.
“A Rolex is timeless,” says Pat. “The designs are true classics.
They evolve gradually rather than changing dramatically, which
ensures that they transcend fashion’s whims.” They also retain their
value in a way that few other watch brands can match, making a
Rolex bought today both an investment and a future heirloom with
an exceptional trade-in value.”
The Oyster Datejust is one of the many fine models which attract
discerning buyers in Cork and Limerick and so too is the recently
re-introduced Oyster Perpetual
Milgauss. As Pat explains, this watch
has unique retro appeal – its original
design forged amidst the white heat of
the technological progress that marked
the atomic era.
Oyster Perpetual Milgauss
“It was introduced in 1954 and
designed for those who worked in
environments where they were they
were subjected to strong magnetic
Amongst today’s best-sellers at Keanes are those mid-sized Rolex
which can be worn by both men and women, in fact, says Pat, it is
not unusual to find a couple sharing one between them. Part of the
appeal of a Rolex in this way is that the palette of industrial and
precious materials used in the execution of each model is as
impressive as the iconic designs. The materials include steel, gold,
platinum, diamonds, ceramic, mother-of-pearl and, astonishingly,
even meteorite. “One option with the white gold Daytona is a
meteorite dial,” says Pat. “And the Oyster Perpetual Datejust ladies’
model comes in a version where gold dust has been sprinkled onto
the mother-of-pearl dial.”
The Oyster GMT-Master II is available in a
steel case featuring a black ceramic bezel,
or in 18ct white or yellow gold versions
where the bezel is set with diamonds,
sapphires and ruby baguettes.
A Rolex is a sign that the wearer has a
profound understanding of the finer
things in life. That is never truer than in
Cork, home of The Royal Cork Yacht Club,
the oldest yacht club in the world, and
also of Adare Manor, where, in 2007,
Padraig Harrington won The Irish Open
and where Keanes operates the Rolex
shop during the competition.
These seafaring and sporting connections
are part of the appeal of a Rolex, but
there’s also something uniquely personal
about each individual watch too. “Because Rolex is an independent
company which not changed hands throughout its 100 year history,
every watch which it has made can still be traced through its serial
number,” says Pat. “This unique provenance is one of the reasons why
Rolex is amongst the most sought-after watch brands in the world.”
Oyster GMT-Master II
25
La Dolce Vita
Founded by the ancient Etruscans and a favourite with Julius
Caesar, Verona is awash with historical mementoes, not to
mention good food, fine wine and second-to-none hospitality.
What to see
To get a real feel for Verona, take a walking tour from the Piazza
d'Erbe, the bustling old market square, to the city’s beating
heart: the Piazza di Signori. Carry on to the grand Scaglieri
palaces, built by the family that ruled here for centuries, and
sigh under the balcony at the 12th-century Casi di Giulietta at
Via Cappello 23, said to be the actual spot where Romeo wooed
his Juliet. Don’t miss out on Verona’s beautiful churches, such
as the San Fermo Maggiore, with its painted ceiling depicting
the faces of over 200 saints.
“Verona is awash with
historical mementoes”
Where to stay
A Night at the Opera
The wonderful
experience of Verona
By Rowena Carr-Allinson
icture a warm summer evening, an enthralled audience and
some of the world’s greatest performers, conductors and
orchestras. Add to that the unusual setting of, a candlelit
2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, and you are in for an
unforgettable experience.
P
Every summer, thousands of people gather under
the stars in Verona’s Roman Arena for the Opera
Festival. Originally built in 30AD as a stadium for
games and circuses, the Arena became home to
the opera on August 10 1913, with a breathtaking
performance of Verdi's Aida to celebrate the
centenary of the composer's birth.
Nearly one century on the atmosphere remains
electrifying. As the moon drops into view, a sea of
candles is lit – a tradition that began in 1980 in homage
to the first performance, when there was no electricity and
the audience brought in their own candles to light up the stage.
Today, the tiny birthday cake-like candles are picked up from an
unmarked box before entering.
Although the amphitheatre’s walls are ruins in places, the acoustics
are still near perfect and with such an enormous set to fill, directors
can put on grand scale, lavish productions. Verdi’s Aida is a
particular favourite, having been performed here over 500 times.
26
In celebration of the Verona Opera Festival’s 80th anniversary in
2002, film director Franco Zeffirelli filled the stage with a cast of
hundreds and an enormous golden pyramid flanked by sphinxes.
The Arena seats 20,000, from unreserved and cheaper
seats in the stone galleries perched on the upper
ramparts (the Gradinata non Numerata), to the better
seats down on the floor (the Poltronissime).
The finest hotel in Verona is incontestably the Due Torri Hotel
Baglioni. Near Piazza dei Signori, it has all you could wish for:
a spa bath, WiFi, valet parking, a personal shopper and the Art
Nouveau style Brunello restaurant where you can sample
delicious fresh pasta stuffed with lobster, sweet tulip with
strawberries and caramel and the region’s best wines.
A double room costs from €400 (approx £250). For more
information visit www.baglionihotels.com.
Or why not book the eight-bedroom Palladian Villa Serenella in
the nearby Valpolicella valley? With helicopter or chauffer-driven
transfers, a private outdoor pool and chartered yacht and cooking
courses, it’s the perfect place to relax in luxury. Just 15 minutes
from Verona, it costs from €2,534 to €4,660 (£1,761 to
£3,239) per week through www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk
(property 79497).
Although the performance doesn’t start until after dark,
usually around 9pm, it’s wise to arrive early. For those in
the Gradinata non Numerata, rent a cushion for comfort,
as the sun-baked stone can be unforgiving to
sit on for several hours, and make the most of the
intermissions to stretch your legs and grab some
refreshing ‘gelati’ or Italian wine from the girls in yellow,
who weave through the crowds. For those with tickets in the
Poltronissime, the experience is quite different, with a formal
dress code, more space and better views of the stage.
If you’re unsure which opera is right for you, you can check the
Anteprima Opera, a daily preview put on by the opera’s performers
in the elegant Palazzo della Gran Guardia. It’s the perfect way to get
a little taster of the evening’s performance. Whether you opt for the
majestic Aida, Bizet’s spectacularly dramatic Carmen or even
Puccini’s romantic La Bohème, prepare for a bewitching experience.
Images courtesy of Provincia di Verona-Turismo
27
The Ballon Bleu de
Yet again, Cartier produce a stunning new range
s early as 1888 the first reference to wristwatches can be
found in the Cartier archives. At this time pocket and
chatelaine watches were popular, but for Louis Cartier the
future lay in wristwatches. This was the beginning of a long love
story, and the creation of many magnificent watch models.
A
Recognisable at first glance, Cartier’s watches reflect a simple but
stylish aesthetic. They may be geometric yet soft, they are always
elegant and they are never fussy. They are the embodiment of style.
A Cartier watch is either a man’s or woman’s watch - casual or
sophisticated, depending on the time of day or the way in which
it is worn.
Cartier’s watches: the Tonneau, the Tortue, the Tank, the Baignoire,
the Panthère, the Pasha and La Dona de Cartier. These names refer
to a certain shape, a winding crown, a “rail-track” minute circle,
hands, a dial. All keep Cartier time. Each has its own style, as does
the Ballon Bleu.
Created in 2007, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier isn’t quite round. It is a
complex shape, with a sapphire cabochon winding mechanism that
is encircled by the dial and an arch of precious metal.
With soft curves reminiscent of a pebble and a case that is rounded
on both sides, the style is somewhere between classic and futuristic.
The glass magnifies the numbers and distorts time. The Roman
numerals, displaced by the winding mechanism, stray from their
usual path on the guilloché dial. The latest model from the House
of Cartier deserves its place in horology.
Cork Cancer Research Centre Quiz
Just as fiercely contested as any sport on a pitch or course,
corporate quizzes are always a fun way of raising money for charity
and the quiz organised by Cork Cancer Research Centre is no
different in that respect. What is different are the stunning prizes
donated by Keanes for the 2007 quiz - four superb 18 carat gold
and steel Omega ‘De Ville’ watches.
A relatively new institution, which was formally opened by Health
Minister Mr Michael Martin in 2000, Cork Cancer Research Centre
is the only one of its kind in Ireland specialising in providing better
treatment for cancer patients through techniques such as less
invasive surgical procedures.
“We are always willing to support cancer-related projects and
particularly cancer research,” says Gerard Keane Snr. “That is why
we were delighted to help this event.”
Gerard Keane Jnr. presents a cheque to the Cope Golf Alliance
Patrick Keane & Tony Murphy, Chairman of the
Munster Senior League, with the Keane cup
Patrick Keane Jnr and the Keanes team support
Heart Children Ireland
Keanes in the Community
Taking a look at the other good things we do...
Presentation to Cork Cancer Research Centre
F
rom the outset 60 years ago, in keeping with the quality
service philosophy of founders Patrick and Eileen Keane, our
company has firmly believed in giving something back to the
communities it serves. That is why Keanes is involved in a range of
sporting and charitable activities in Cork, Limerick and elsewhere.
Keane Cup – Munster Senior Soccer League
One of our best-known and longest-running sponsorships is the
Keane Cup, one of the most prestigious trophies in the Munster
Senior Soccer League. From August to November each year, some
30 teams across the six counties of Munster compete for the Keane
Cup, which was first presented by Eileen Keane at Clonmel, Co.
Tipperary, as far back as 1974.
Each year, Keanes presents specially commissioned medals to
members of the winning team, and the cup and the medals are
much sought after by Munsters’ soccer players.
“We are now in the fourth decade of our participation in the
Munster Senior League’s challenge cup,” says Patrick Keane Snr.
“We are delighted to be involved as we have always considered
sport to be of great assistance in character building.”
“We firmly believe in supporting
those who are trying to improve
the health and welfare of the
young, sick and the disabled”
Cope Golf Alliance
Heart Children Ireland – Ladies’ Lunch
Another sporting involvement by Keanes is the annual sponsorship
of the men’s and ladies’ team events in the Cope Golf Alliance.
For more than 30 years, Keanes has been delighted to support the
Cope Foundation, which works throughout Cork city and county to
improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. With more
than 700 staff catering for 1,650 people, the Cope Foundation is
recognised as one of the hardest-working charities in Ireland and
Keanes has been privileged to lend its support to this superb
organisation.
“Organisations and charities working in the field of mental health
perhaps do not get the full support they deserve,” says Gerard
Keane Jnr. “We have long admired the committed work done by
Cope, and again we are in our fourth decade of support for them,
with the golf tournaments being both an enjoyable and rewarding
means of contributing to that support.”
Soccer and golf are sports of a physical kind, but it is gymnastics of
the intellectual sort which are at the heart of another sponsorship
involvement by Keanes.
Health issues of a different kind concern Keanes in Limerick.
The Clarion Hotel, which incidentally is the tallest hotel in Ireland,
was the venue for a magnificent ladies’ lunch in March, 2007,
which raised the astonishing total of 30,000 Euros for Heart
Children Ireland.
Keanes was delighted to be involved at the lunch and to lend
support to an organisation working with children with Congenital
Heart Disease (CHD). “It is not often realised that one in 100
children is born with CHD,” said Patrick Keane Jnr., director of
Keanes. “Heart Children Ireland hopes to raise public awareness of
CHD, which is the most common of all birth defects. The charity’s
aim is to get the best possible treatment and facilities for children
with CHD and their families, and we at Keanes were pleased to give
our support to their work.”
Sponsorship of sport and health charities is just one of the many
ways Keanes tries to play a role in the community we serve. We
firmly believe in supporting those who are trying to improve the
health and welfare of the young, the sick and the disabled.
Keanes supports the Heart Children Ireland Ladies’ Lunch
30
31
150th anniversary Calibre 89, with
1,728 parts and 33 complications
PATEK PHILIPPE
Geneva’s Last Independent Watchmaker
E
stablished in 1839, Patek Philippe boasts an outstanding
reputation as one of the finest watchmakers in the world,
setting the highest technical and aesthetic standards within
the industry. Renowned for making the most highly valued, desirable
timepieces, Patek Philippe is the leader in quality, innovation and
design. With an impressive heritage and over 70 patents, Patek
Philippe is the only manufacturer to ensure that all its mechanical
watches conform with the exacting standards of the Geneva Seal
hallmark. Every component and movement is submitted to
unequalled quality control, precise hand finishing and unbelievable
attention to detail. This meticulous process ensures superlative
performance and timekeeping accuracy.
Patek Philippe is the last privately owned, independent Genevan
watch manufacturer, and Philippe Stern is the man behind these
incredible hand-finished watches. He first joined Patek Philippe,
his family’s business, in 1966, in order to take over the company’s
day-to-day responsibilities. It was his grandfather, Charles Stern,
who bought Patek Philippe in 1932.
Philippe Stern
32
The Stern family previously had
close links with the company as
they were Patek Philippe’s longtime supplier of watch dials.
Philippe Stern, however, is not a
watchmaker, he is a businessman
with a sound background in
business administration and
computers which enables him to
run this exclusive business like
clockwork.
Open-face keyless-winding
patented invention fob-watch
with matching brooch
A graduate of the University of Geneva in Business Administration
and Economics, Stern worked in the computer business in Germany
before joining the Henri Stern Watch Agency in New York,
wholesalers of Patek Philippe watches in the USA, and founded
by his father.
Gents Annual Calendar with date,
day, month, moon phases and
power reserve indication
Stern learned the watch trade from the basics, through stock
control and visiting customers and retailers throughout the US,
during his period in New York between 1963 and 1966. He
continued learning the Patek Philippe business when he returned to
Geneva, the head office of Patek Philippe and his hometown in
1966. He worked through the various departments, co-ordinating
stock supplies, administration, book-keeping and commercial
activities until finally taking over the day-to-day running of the
company from his father.
An important asset of the renowned watch company is the world
famous Patek Philippe Museum which was officially inaugurated in
November 2001. Reflecting the tradition of excellence of the
Genevan watchmaking community, the Patek Philippe Museum
presents about two thousand exceptional timepieces, automata,
miniature portraits on enamel, and rare exhibits which trace a
fantastic journey through five hundred years of European horology;
at the same time, they showcase the 160-year heritage of a
watchmaker which connoisseurs agree is the finest in the world.
The collection consists of two complementary departments.
One is dedicated to rare timepieces of European (mostly Genevan)
provenance; the other is devoted exclusively to Patek Philippe
watches, spanning the workshops’ history from its beginnings to the
present day. The historic significance, innovative technology and
vast aesthetic breadth of the Patek Philippe timepieces that belong
Patek Philippe Museum
to the collection testify
to the company’s
peerless creativity.
It is the only local
manufacturer that
without interruption
has been active for more
than 160 years and the
only company able to
provide such a complete
and comprehensive
overview of the
accomplishments of
horology in Geneva
during the 19th and
20th centuries.
presented in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe’s 150th anniversary.
This genuine masterpiece took nine years to develop and remains
today the most portable mechanical timepiece in the world with 33
‘complications’ (or functions) and 1,728 parts.
The company also holds the top eleven records for wristwatches sold
at auction including the ‘World Time’ wristwatch from 1939 which
set a new all-time world record, fetching $4million in 2002.
Symbols of discernment and exclusivity, Patek Philippe watches are
made to last, and represent a lifelong statement of excellence and
refinement. Proudly handed down from one generation to the next,
they are a result of latest-generation technology combined with
ancestral watchmaking know-how.
The Patek Philippe collection embodies the highest level of
watchmaking skills with a number of exceptional timepieces having
been created over the years. This includes the Calibre 89 which was
33
It’s a Cinch
1
2
Purple haze
Mulberry has struck fashion
gold with its ultra-slick
Mabel bag. Eye-poppingly
bright colour is the boldest
choice for bags. Add instant glamour
with purple, patent leather.
€995
www.mulberry.com
3
Life
Through
a Lens
From Los Angeles to
London, big shades are
still smoking hot. You may not need
this pair from Tom Ford to block out
the paparazzi glare, but bright
sunlight can be just as hazardous –
especially if you’re rocking those
killer heels.
The waist is back in
vogue, so investing in a
fabulous belt is essential.
Cinch in chunky knits
and spring coats with this slinky
number from LK Bennett.
€113
www.lkbennett.com
€260
www.selfridges.com
5
4
Catwalk
calling
Black always makes a
statement. The Lautner bag
from Anya Hindmarch is big
news this season for grown-up glamour. In
black with bronze, it’s utterly sophisticated.
€868
www.anyahindmarch.com
36
1
Prove yourself organised
and stylish with this elegant
fountain pen from Cartier’s
‘Pasha de Cartier’ collection. In black
composite and platinum finishes, this
must-have accessory is both practical
and luxurious.
€430
www.cartier.com
On the move
2
You punch its keys all day
long and it rarely leaves your
side, so the least your laptop
deserves is to travel in style.
This luxurious leather bag from Mulberry
is worn courier-style across the chest,
giving it a fresh and modern look.
€595
www.mulberry.com
In the fold
Fashion
to
Go!
Fountain
of Style
This season’s must-have
stylish accessories
Scaling the
heights
Fashion’s love of the vertiginous
heel shows no sign of waning.
And this season the must have
shoe from Burberry is one with a fetishistic
edge. Part shoe, part boot, wear these
with wide-leg trousers or the on-trend
midi-skirt.
3
If your wallet still opens to
the sound of Velcro then
you’d better high-tail it to
Dunhill pronto to snap up
one of its leather bill-fold wallets from the
Sentryman range. A decent wallet is far
more impressive than what might or
might not be inside it.
His...
€250
www.dunhill.com
4
Ultra luxe
Thought you’d seen it all,
then the Vertu phone arrived.
Unashamedly luxurious and
outrageously expensive, each
one is made by hand in England and has a
sapphire crystal screen and 18-carat gold
casing. It puts the upwardly back into
mobile.
€24,000
www.selfridges.com
5
Best foot
forward
You can’t go wrong with a
classic brogue. And you can’t
get more classic than Church’s
shoes, hand-crafted in England since 1873.
These Gunthorpe brogues have timeless style
and are a sound investment to boot.
€465
www.church-footwear.com
€780
www.burberry.com
Her’s...
37
How to pick the perfect pearl
The choice of pearls available has never been
greater or more tantalising. So how can you
ensure that you find your ideal string?
Have an open mind
They have been adopted as a classic symbol of femininity and
style for women throughout history, from Cleopatra and Elizabeth I
to Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana. Pearls are also celebrated
in the art world, perhaps most famously in Johannes Vermeer’s
17th century ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’. One way of testing for
imitations is rubbing the pearl against the biting edge of a front
tooth. While imitation pearls feel completely smooth, natural and
cultured pearls are composed of nacre platelets, which feel
slightly gritty.
The demise of the natural pearl began during the early part of the
20th century as pearl beds became over-exploited. It was at this
time in Japan that Kokichi Mikimoto was developing the very first
cultured pearl. He was not the first to have tried, but all previous
attempts failed to capture the essential nature of a pearl: that it
should be round. In 1893, after near bankruptcy, he created his
Treasures of the Ocean
udrey Hepburn understood the allure of pearls. In the
1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s her character Holly
Golightly gazes into the eponymous jeweller’s windows
clutching a cup of coffee. She is wearing a black cocktail dress,
elbow-length black gloves and a decadent five-strand pearl
necklace. It’s an image that has been a byword for style for the
past 40 years. It speaks volumes about the understated yet utterly
captivating effect of pearls. Wear them night or day and they
instantly elevate an outfit.
A
The oldest recorded pearl beds were found in the Persian Gulf in
300BC. But the existence of natural pearls was considered
something of a divine miracle for centuries. In the Middle Ages,
pearls were believed to be the teardrops’ of angels and there has
long been a sense of mystery and awe surrounding them. Natural
pearls peaked in popularity at the beginning of the 20th century
when they were often used to complement other gems such as
diamonds, sapphires and rubies. High-quality natural pearls are
very rare jewels and are treated as such. Their value is determined
40
Is big beautiful?
Pearls come in a range of sizes from around 2-22mm. If your style
is big and bold then the large pearls of Tahiti and the South Seas
will undoubtedly appeal, but if your look is understated elegance,
then a row of fine Akoya, Japanese cultured pearls may be the ones
for you. There is no hard and fast rule, all other factors being equal,
the larger the pearl the more you should expect to pay.
Black, purple,
green or grey?
Time was when pearls were
almost universally cream, but
not anymore. Today’s pearls
come in a multitude of colours;
so don’t just stick to milky
shades - try on blacks and
greens, greys and golds, pinks
and chocolate browns, or mix
and match with spectacular
multi-colour strands.
Trust your jeweller
...Exquisite beauty
from a grain of sand
Photography by Euro Pearls
By Caroline Kamp
You think you want big and black, but do you? Pearls, like clothes,
don’t necessarily suit all skin tones. The advice is very much ‘try it
and see’, because until the pearls are around your neck, or in your
ears, you just can’t tell whether or not they will be the ones for you.
in the same way as other precious gems with the focus being on
size, shape, quality of surface and lustre. Single natural pearls are
so precious they become collector’s items; even more rare are
matched strands of natural pearls. In 1917 Pierre Cartier
purchased the flagship Cartier store on Fifth Avenue in New York
for $100 cash and a double strand of matched natural pearls
valued at $1million.
first semi-spherical pearl. It took him another twelve years to
create a completely spherical pearl that was almost identical to
the best natural pearls. At first his revolutionary technique was
mocked as fake, but was later embraced internationally. With the
element of risk removed, pearl farmers could reliably cultivate
perfectly spherical high quality pearls on a large scale. Japan’s
pearl industry took off and by 1935 was producing 10 million
cultured pearls a year.
Much is made of the difference between natural and cultured
pearls. But the process of actually making a pearl is almost entirely
in the hands of the mollusc. Natural pearls are formed in a
serendipitous act of nature when a microscopic particle penetrates
a bivalve mollusc. In the case of cultured pearls this accident is
engineered by human intervention. The mollusc will then entomb
the particle in concentric layers of nacre, also known as mother of
pearl, and this process eventually forms the pearl. Pearls are the
oldest gem known to man and for centuries have been a symbol of
purity, wisdom, beauty and wealth. Pearls are said to glow and
reflect their beauty on the wearer.
Nowadays cultured pearls grow all over the world. Their great
variety comes from environmental factors. Freshwater pearls are
formed in mussels that live in lakes and rivers, saltwater pearls in
oysters that live in the ocean, often in protected lagoons.
This explains why cultured pearls can include the exotic Black
South Sea pearls from beds in Tahiti, as well as the pink-tinged
Akoya pearls from seas around Japan. They don’t just grow in
tropical waters. Folklore has it that Julius Caesar’s decision to
invade Britain in 55BC wasn’t just down to a megalomaniacal
desire to conquer the world - Scottish pearls were considered to
be some of the finest available!
You’d better believe it: your
jeweller has seen more than a
few girls in pearls and his/her
expert knowledge will undoubtedly be able to guide you
towards the best possible strand for your complexion,
your price range and your lifestyle.
Take good care
Pearls, if they are properly treated, will last a lifetime, but
remember the golden rule: ‘Last thing on and first thing off.’
Don’t spray perfume on your pearls and keep them well away
from your cosmetics. If you store them safely in their own
jewellery box and have them restrung regularly, they will
shine for years to come.
Love the pearls you’re in
If a pearl appeals to you, you like
the colour and the size and its
lustre seems to smile at you…
and above all you feel and look
great wearing it...what else do
you need to know?
Tips produced in conjunction
with Euro Pearls
41
His brother Pat was determined to present the largest range of
watch brands in the south of Ireland in the new store. Names such
as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Omega,
Gucci, Longines and Raymond Weil, began to appear in the
windows of Keanes, showing the firm’s commitment to quality.
“At the same time we began travelling around Europe and the Far
East to obtain new styles in jewellery and diamond rings with the
emphasis on better quality and better value,” explains Gerard.
“The business began to get a reputation for quality diamond rings
at competitive prices. Personal recommendation from previous
purchasers was the best form of advertising and this was of
enormous significance.”
Keanes’ growth continued steadily, but the company remained very
much a family concern as it does to this day. In the mid 1990’s a
fourth generation of Keanes arrived in the trade, in the shape of
Gerard Keane Jnr., a chartered accountant who had trained for 12
months with the well known jewellery group, David M. Robinsons
of Liverpool. He was joined by his cousin Patrick, son of Pat, who
had spent a year in corporate banking after graduating with a
degree in Commerce.
The infusion of energy and new skills from this younger generation
helped take the company to greater heights. Keanes expanded to
Limerick, establishing a significant and successful presence on
O’Connell Street which is under the control of Patrick Jnr.
What’s in a Name?
We take a look at the history behind our company
I
t is entirely appropriate that this sparkling publication
celebrates Keanes Jewellers. For this year of 2008 sees the
Diamond Anniversary of our company’s foundation.
Back in 1948, Patrick Keane and his wife
Eileen took the brave step of going into
business on their own. Like his father before
him, Patrick was an accomplished
watchmaker, while Eileen had considerable
experience in retailing.
Around this time, Patrick and Eileen were joined by their sons
Gerard and Pat, who brought new skills to the management of
the growing business. Gerard concentrated on diamonds and
administration while Pat’s speciality was
watches and display. It was an excellent mix
of skills which stood Keanes in good stead at
the next major landmark in the company’s
history.
In 1973, the Fitzwilliam Group headed by
Sir Anthony O’Reilly, decided to sell off its
Keanes began life in a small upstairs room
property portfolio in Cork, which included 93
in Patrick Street in Cork. As with all new
to 95A Oliver Plunkett Street, and substantial
Eileen & Patrick Keane
companies, it was hard work at first, but
adjoining buildings. The family faced a
within two years, Patrick and Eileen were able to rent a small
crucial decision which would prove to be a turning point in the
shop at 94 Oliver Plunkett Street, and over the next 15 years they
Keanes’ fortunes. They decided to buy the property and then
expanded into numbers 93/94/95 and 95A.
spent the next 12 months planning the development of a very
substantial premises.
Jackie Lyne, one of Kerry’s best-known footballers and trainers,
then played his small but vital part in the history of our company.
“This was a most exciting time for us and became a pivotal point in
In 1965, he sold a premises in Killarney, Co. Kerry, to the Keanes
our business,” recalls Gerard Keane. “The vastly increased size, two
and that business has gone from strength to strength and has
and a half thousand square feet, meant that we could now
become one of the leading jewellers in Kerry.
showcase many more brands than before.”
44
Over the past 20 years, Keanes has attained a certain status in the
jewellery industry. Gerard Keane Snr. has been President of the
Retail Jewellers of Ireland and Master Warden of the Company of
Goldsmiths of Dublin (The Irish Assay Office). Keanes has won the
National Competition for window display and is the only company
to have twice won the title ‘Best Retail Jewellers of Year’ awarded
by the Irish jewellery trade.
“My parents had a
remarkable interest in
people and cemented a
wonderful relationship
with so many customers”
Gerard Keane
Sixty years on, Patrick and Eileen Keane’s philosophy of giving
good value and good service remains the key to the success of
the business.
“My parents had a remarkable interest in people and cemented a
wonderful relationship with so many customers. Any request made
of them – no matter how small was given the utmost attention.
Today the children and grandchildren of those customers shop in
Keanes,” says Gerard Keane.
“Over the decades this attention to customers’ needs has ingrained
itself into the wonderful staff with whom we have been so fortunate
to serve. To them, and to our many customers, we offer a huge
‘thank you’ for making Keanes the success it is today,” he finishes.
Left to Right - Gerard Keane Jnr., Patrick Keane,
Gerard Keane, and Patrick Keane Jnr
“Too much of anything
is bad, but too much
champagne is just right”
Mark Twain
Today, there are more than 100 champagne houses and 15,000
smaller vignerons in the Champagne region. Between them, they
manage 32,000 hectares of vineyards, providing employment for
around 10,000. Annual sales by all producers total more than
300 million bottles and there is no indication that sales are in
any danger of falling flat. Champagne is at the heart of most
things joyous in our lives, so sales could be said to be something
of a barometer of the nation’s happiness and prosperity. After all,
without it how could babies be properly christened or nuptials
ever celebrated?
Champagne
...another great pleasure that
puts sparkle into your life
By Jo Hine
S
acrebleu, if his Benedictine superiors had had their way
all those centuries ago, Dom Perignon would have been
compelled to conjure up a method of purging champagne of
its natural effervescence.
Fortunately, the 17th century monk, after whom Moet & Chandon
named their famous champagne, couldn’t or wouldn’t adhere to the
divine instruction to deny the wine its sparkle. It wasn’t that his
French superiors were killjoys per se, they actually had a very
practical motive for wanting champagne’s fizz removed, as the
pressure in the bottles was causing a great many of them to
explode in the cellar at the Abbey of Hautvilliers in the Champagne
region. Indeed, as sparkling wine production increased in the
1700s, cellar workers took to wearing heavy iron masks for their
own protection against spontaneously exploding bottles!
Popular folklore has it that Perignon actually invented champagne,
and while this charming version has considerable romantic appeal,
it is nonetheless now widely regarded as fable. Champagne, in fact,
48
predates Dom Perignon to 1535 when it is thought to have been
created more by happenstance than design. Indeed, the first
sparkling wine is said to have been made in England - not France where wine was imported from across the Channel in casks before
sugar and molasses were added to create fizz.
But Dom Perignon did create and advance many of the processes
still employed in the champagne industry today, all these
centuries later. His inventions include the wire collar that so
deftly holds the cork in place against the bursting enthusiasm of
the bottle’s contents.
It was in the first half of the 19th century that most of the great
champagne houses we recognise today were formed. At this time,
Bollinger, Perrier Jouët, Charles Heidsieck and dozens of others
were acquiring land once owned by the Benedictines and setting
down roots into Champagne’s unique white soil, which reflects
sunshine back onto the ripening fruits and keeps the vines warm
throughout the cold winter months.
Everyone from French
generals to literary greats
have celebrated the heady
elixir. The diminutive, but no
less formidable, Napoleon
Bonaparte had a huge thirst
for champagne declaring:
“In victory, you deserve
champagne; in defeat you need
it”. Cole Porter may have got
“no kick from champagne”, but
as far as the celebrated author
Mark Twain was concerned:
“Too much of anything is bad,
but too much champagne is
just right”.
For many, the pop of the cork is all part of champagne’s
attraction; however, contrary to what television and films would
have us believe, a ‘pop’ is actually regarded as a grand faux pas
in polite society. Corks should be turned slowly and carefully for
removal with barely a hiss.
The young widow, Madame Clicquot, allegedly entertained
Napoleon’s fabled Hussars in her vineyard in the early 1800s
admiring the spectacle of the dashing young cavalry officers’
attempts to perform ‘sabrage’ - that tricky but impressive
technique whereby the cork and neck can be severed by a sabre,
leaving the bottle and its contents intact. Swashbuckling as this
sounds, it is not recommended that you try this at home!
A drink for all seasons, there’s intoxication to be had simply from
watching the veil of condensation form around the outside of a
freshly-poured glass and in recognising that every tiny bubble
which rises from the bottom to burst in a sparkle of droplets on
the surface carries with it something of the fine air and soil of its
origins, a touch perhaps of the history of the drink and an
indefinable quality of romance.
Is it any wonder that we have fallen, head over heels, for its
considerable charms?
Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire
Adare Manor Hotel
the g hotel
Adare Manor Hotel
&
Body
Soul
The art of well-being
and where to find it
By Aoife O’Riordain
The Westin Turnberry Resort
T
he Spa at Turnberry is an oasis of peace and tranquillity.
The holistic philosophy aims to harmonise mind and body
in an environment of pure relaxation.
At its heart is a wonderful 20m swimming pool offering
breathtaking views across the sea towards the Ailsa Craig.
Also at the poolside is a welcoming jacuzzi while close by are
saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy suites and fully equipped
fitness studio.
Awaiting you are 12 luxurious treatment rooms, three specially
designed relaxation areas and a salon. Using the acclaimed
products of ESPA, the spa offers over 25 holistic treatments,
including reflexology, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy, providing
an environment in which to relax and be pampered. Whether you
wish to purify, re-balance, relax or soothe, your personal therapist
will design a programme to suit your individual needs.
The Westin Turnberry Resort, Turnberry, Ayrshire
T: 01655 334 060
www.turnberry.co.uk
Twin/Doubles from £159/€227 B&B.
52
Chewton Glen Hotel, Spa & Country Club
C
hewton Glen is the quintessential English country house hotel.
Tucked away in 130 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside,
this gracious pile, which is still in private hands, has 58
individually decorated guestrooms dotted with antiques and a
charming, intimate feel. The New Forest National Park and the
beaches of the south coast are on its doorstep and there are
swimming pools, tennis courts and countless outdoorsy activities on
offer such as golf, clay-pigeon shooting, mountain biking and hiking.
But for those who would like to indulge in something altogether more
relaxing, the hotel’s spa has an equally impressive reputation too.
An ozone-treated pool complete with gracious trompe l’oeil surrounds
takes centre stage at Chewton Glen’s sprawling spa complex, but
there is also a hydrotherapy pool, saunas, steam rooms, a state-ofthe-art gym, dance studio and a menu of over 60 treatments, some
of which use cult beauty products by Linda Meredith.
the g hotel
O
G
Other activities on the resort include an 18 hole championship golf
course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., which is home to the
Irish Open in 2008 and 2009. Also available on-site is a driving
range, practice putting green, laser clay target shooting, horse riding,
nature trails, historical tours, whiskey tasting and wine tasting.
As well as the rooms, fashionistas will love the g’s spa. Set on the
top two floors of the hotel, the no-expense-spared ESPA at the
g wellness retreat features a series of soothing vitality pools, a
tepidarium, rock sauna and a secret bamboo garden on the roof.
Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, Adare, Co. Limerick
T: 061 396566
www.adaremanor.com
Mythical Manor Nights from £72/€95 per person B&B
the g hotel, Wellpark, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
T: 091 865200
www.theghotel.ie
Twin/Doubles from £164/€230 per night.
ne of Ireland’s leading 5 star castle hotels, Adare Manor
Hotel & Golf Resort is set on a magnificent 840 acre estate
in the heart of the picturesque village of Adare. Presiding
over breathtaking gardens and a majestic parkland golf course,
the Spa has been created as a sanctuary where guests have the
opportunity to escape. The elegant interior of the Spa warmly
welcomes you to indulge in a superb host of health and beauty
treatments. Using Elemis products our team will pamper and care
for your every need in the most relaxed atmosphere.
alway’s slick, metropolitan g hotel would not look out of
place plonked on the streets of Manhattan. Local boyturned-master milliner, Philip Treacy, was given free reign
to design the interiors of the hotel and the results are deeply
glamorous. Its Grand Salon is all soaring ceilings, flanked on one
side by floor-to-ceiling windows and shimmering champagne hues
with open fires and deep, comfortable sofas. The mood continues
in the bedrooms with specially commissioned furniture, such as
bedside lamps with more than a passing resemblance to one of
Treacy’s hats.
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa
Chewton Glen Hotel, Spa & Country Club,
New Milton, Hampshire
T: 01425 275341
www.chewtonglen.com
Twin/Doubles from £295/€415 per night, room only.
The Westin Turnberry Resort
Slieve Donard Resort and Spa
W
ith the Royal County Down Golf course a short stroll away,
the Slieve Donard Resort is one of Northern Ireland’s top
golfing destinations. This imposing Victorian railway hotelturned-luxury retreat has a spectacular setting at the foot of the
Mourne Mountains with views over the Irish Sea and, thanks to a
recent £15m renovation, it’s now just as impressive inside.
Slieve Donard’s new spa is a tranquil space decked out in earthy
natural materials and flickering candles. The hotel has wisely teamed
up with leading spa brand ESPA to offer its holistic range of
treatments with everything from hot stone therapy to energyboosting body wraps, which can be combined with hours spent
wallowing under rain showers and in the vitality pool.
Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle,
Co. Down, Northern Ireland
T: 028 4372 1066
www.hastingshotels.com
Twin/Doubles from £180/€252 B&B.
53
Royal County Down
Fairways to Heaven
Closer to home, competition between clubs has driven spiralling
investment in golf facilities. The aficionado has never been so spoilt
for choice. Courses are buffed and pampered to perfection, the greens
watered, shaved and rolled into natural carpets. Clubhouses compare
to the smartest country clubs, and compete with each other to provide
the best restaurants and high-end add-ons from spas to
accommodation. Meanwhile, easy air travel has brought the most
far-flung courses in Britain and Ireland within two or three hours of
most of us. The weekend golfing break now offers limitless variety.
Adare Manor
Sunningdale
F re-play
Golfers have never
had it so good
By Bruce Millar
G
olf is on a roll. Or rather it has hit a monster 450-yard drive,
followed by a delicate iron with fade and flight and backspin,
before holing out with a pinpoint 35-foot putt.
For the first time since its golden age in the 1920s, the ancient
pastime of Scottish shepherds is at the forefront of professional sport
while simultaneously ticking every box in the fields of style, leisure
and luxury travel. In a word, golf is cool.
The emperor of this new golden age is, of course, Tiger Woods.
He earned $100 million in prize money and endorsements last
year, and is well on the way to becoming professional sport’s first
billionaire – in dollars, euros, pounds, or any other currency you care
to mention.
An icon for the new century
But it is factors beyond pure skill – beyond the 13 major titles by the
age of 31, beyond the money machine and beyond the very confines
58
of sport – that make Woods the world’s first iconic figure of the 21st
century. His multi-national identity – he has Chinese and Thai blood
as well as Native American, Afro-American and Dutch – make him a
truly global identity for the new globalised era.
As such, Woods has caught the imagination of whole generations
in places where golf was once all but irrelevant: among young
urban males across Europe and America, and the emergent
middle class throughout the developing world. Television
audiences, prize money and participation have all multiplied since
he arrived on the scene ten years ago. Courses have sprouted in
every corner of the world, from Morocco to the Middle East to
Madagascar, while the world’s biggest golf resort, boasting 216
holes, is Mission Hills in China.
Hot on Tiger’s heels comes Michelle Wie, a six-foot-something
Hawaiian prodigy who has played against male professionals since
the age of 13, and last year earned $20 million as a 16-year-old.
Her swing has been hailed as perfect – in the words of senior pro
Fred Couples, “It’s the scariest thing you have ever seen.”
Scotland may be the home of the venerable “Old Course” at
St Andrews, but that doesn’t mean there is no room for innovation.
Located just 50 minutes from Glasgow, The Westin Turnberry Resort
is situated in a spectacular coastal setting with breathtaking views of
Arran and the Irish Sea. Play world-class golf on the internationally
renowned Ailsa and Kintyre golf courses and experience the latest
teaching and practice facilities at The Colin Montgomerie Links Golf
Academy. Green fees from £50/€70 (T: 01655 334 032).
A round of golf at some of the grandest courses can be less expensive
than you might think. At Royal County Down, near Newcastle in
Northern Ireland, where the magnificent views of the mountains
match the exhilaration of the golf, green fees start at just £25/€36
(T: 028 4372 3314). Yet this course, which hosted the 2007
Walker Cup, is regularly listed among the world’s top 10.
The Westin Turnberry
“You can tread
in the footsteps of
golfing history”
Across the border on Ireland’s glorious west coast, a round costs as
little as €50/£35 at Galway Golf Club (T: 091 522 033), a historic
course dating from 1895 with a new clubhouse just three miles from
Galway city. The course was designed by the world famous Dr. Alistair
McKenzie who, alongside Bobby Jones, designed Cypress Point and
Augusta National.
The venue for the Irish Open in 2007/8/9 is Adare Manor Castle and
Golf Resort, which opened in 1995. It was the last major course
designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, and is rated one of his best.
Green fees from €80/£56 (T: 061 605 200).
There’s also plenty of stunning golf within easy striking distance of
central London – none more so than at Sunningdale, where two
courses on the Surrey-Berkshire sand belt combine to provide possibly
the best 36 holes in Britain. Visitors are welcome on weekdays, with
green fees from £85/€122 (T: 01344 298 006).
On Sunningdale’s hauntingly beautiful Old Course, you can tread in
the footsteps of golfing history from the first golden age, for it was
here that the great US amateur Bobby Jones shot his most famous
round during qualification for the 1926 Open – a 66 made up of 33
shots and 33 putts. Golf really doesn’t get any better than that.
Galway
59