This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.Gems of Wisdom: My Dinner with Mariah Carey

Stellene VolandesThu, April 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

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Gems of Wisdom: Tiffany High Jewelry MarvelsGetty Images

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Everyone wants to know about Mariah Carey, and I’ll get to that. But there were also cocktails in the Louis Comfort Tiffany-commissioned Veterans Room of the Park Avenue Armory. The decorative details surrounding us at the Tiffany High Jewelry event—especially the wild turquoise blue of the fireplace—put the whole evening into exquisite historical context. Connecting that daring decorative choice to the decisions ablaze in the Bird of Paradise Tiffany brooch I spotted on a man’s satin lapel moments later is the kind of moment I look for at high jewelry events like this one. It all clicks. And that’s what you remember. Also: Mariah Carey singing steps away from me, the trellis that ran down the entire Drill Hall, the Montana sapphires, the kunzites.

Dinner and a show, courtesy of Tiffany.Stellene Volandes

Those aforementioned Birds of Paradise.Stellene Volandes

-The dinner celebrating the collection was excellent. What about the collection? My story on the Tiffany 2026 Blue Book here. Plus: where you will always find me at the Met.

-Someone on a theater blog called it Miller Time, and it does seem as if Arthur Miller’s themes of the American Dream and our lives trying desperately to live it are especially relevant. Are we all Willy Loman now? Go see the excellent and devastating Death of a Salesman now on Broadway for answers (and first-rate theater). It’s at the Winter Garden so pre-theater choices are a bit broader. Avra Rock Center is great. I did early dinner at Polo Bar and then walked a few blocks. Could have used that martini after as well.

Death of a Salesman is a must-see.Thea Traff

-Speaking of the American Dream (I hear my old American Lit students at LaGuardia High groaning), this emerald may have been Gatsby’s real green light.

Christie's

-I’m writing this from Milan (my fourth trip here this year). I’m still telling everyone to see the Kiefer show at the Palazzo Reale, but also until June (and maybe beyond) there is a flower shop on the ground floor of the newly renovated Fornasetti store. (And the vase to put them in).

-The Calder show is now open at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Will go in July during Couture.

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-There is at least one Calder not there. The new LACMA reopened with a mobile in pride of place. Can’t wait to see it when I’m there in June. I heard the time to go is sunset!

-The Zurbarán show opens May 2 at London’s National Gallery.

-Briony Raymond designs her own jewelry and sources excellent vintage but also can remake something you haven’t worn in years into something you love. She just set an old coin we’ve had forever into an excellent necklace. I’ll show you!

-As soon as it gets warm I want an ouzo on the rocks. My choice is Barbayanni Blue. It’s strong, and an acquired taste. But I love it.

-The Athens Hilton is reopening as the Conrad this month. Word is that pool—one of the best in all of Greece—is back. Also before it closes for restoration, go see a concert at the Herodion this June. Maybe we will see each other there.

P.S. If you want to chat about any of the above, email me at [email protected].

X Stellene

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