Taffin

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Big, eye-catching, Wollman Rink-sized gems are not exactly scarce in this town. And while a substantial rock is lovely, all those facets can start to look the same after awhile. A piece of jewelry from James de Givenchy, however, will never be mistaken for anything else. He's from an aristocratic, aesthetically advanced French family, and he did his time at venerable houses like Verdura, but de Givenchy also has a healthy disrespect for the conventions of fine jewelry that translates into incredibly inventive and intelligent pieces on par with masters like Jean Schlumberger. He'll mix commonplace with exalted (coral and diamonds) or glorify a gem that other jewelers might consider the runt of the litter. If bling is your thing, go elsewhere; de Givenchy's pieces are meant to flatter the wearer, not put a price tag on her.

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Best of New York Awards

• Best Fantasy Jewelry (2005)