Newport jewelry gala sparkles

Alicia Robinson

All that glitters was on display at Traditional Jewelers in Fashion

Island Thursday evening when it hosted a fete featuring top jewelry

designers from around the world.

Customers laden with shopping bags sipped champagne and browsed

the eye-catching selection of precious metals and stones while

serenaded by Frank Sinatra favorites.

It was the largest such event in the country, with 36 jewelers --

such as Bulgari, Carrera y Carrera, David Yurman, Gucci, William

Goldberg, Faberge, Chopard, Mikimoto and Michael B -- represented,

and several making rare personal appearances, store owner Marion

Halfacre said.

Halfacre and his wife, Lula, were celebrating their 28th year in

the jewelry business, their 24th year in Newport Beach and their 12th

as merchants in Fashion Island.

“This is without a doubt the best event in the country by far,”

said Manuel Martin, U.S. sales representative for Italian designer

Marco Valente. “The surroundings are very, very elegant. ... It’s

just a whole different atmosphere from what you see anywhere else.”

Among the Valente pieces on display was a diamond necklace with

more than 3,000 settings, which took two years to create. The

limited-edition piece goes for $85,000.

Designer Charles Krypell was also in attendance Thursday. He said

he does business with Traditional Jewelers because he’s looking for

customers who appreciate jewelry that’s stylish without being

ostentatious. His work attracts collectors rather than one-time

buyers, he said.

“Men are creatures of habit,” he said. “Men love to buy. Men hate

to search. We will satisfy all those things.”

Halfacre was in his element as he circulated among the designers

and customers, shaking hands and pointing out choice pieces of

jewelry.

Originally from a farming family in Mississippi, Halfacre studied

marketing in college and borrowed money to become a partner in a

friend’s jewelry business. Four years later, he saw an ad in a trade

journal for a jewelry store the owner was selling.

He and his wife came to Newport Beach for the first time to see

the store.

“We moved out here five weeks later,” he said. “I just loved the

lifestyle.”

Since then, business has taken off. After making a success of his

first store in the Newport Hill shopping center, he jumped at the

chance to move to Fashion Island.

Despite the poor economy, sales haven’t suffered lately. In fact,

Halfacre said, he’s surpassed last year’s sales.

Diamonds are the mainstay of his business, but he also carries

fashion jewelry.

“Orange County is a very fashion-conscious area, and it sells,” he

said.

Newport Beach residents Priya Makker and Shaya Sajadi stopped in

as they were passing by.

“We’ve got a passion for diamonds,” Makker said.

Jim Ishii and his family were browsing before heading to dinner.

“We’re Charles Krypell fans,” he said, adding that he and his wife

often shop at the store and bought some jewelry Thursday.

A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the Marconi

Foundation, which supports children’s charities.

“We feel that’s very much a part of what we are supposed to do,

and we love giving back,” Lula Halfacre said.