Beekman New York is the go-to fine jewelry borrowing service giving brides the VIP treatment. Boasting an archive filled with nearly 1,000 pieces acquired at auctions, estate sales, and jewelry houses in London, Rome, Paris, and New York, clients can take their pick from creations by Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Stephen Webster, and Anna Sheffield, to name a few. While brides are among their most popular clientele, their sparkling pieces also attract many a socialite, which is why you are likely to see their jewels at galas, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Parsons Benefit, and more events on the New York social calendar.
Their exceptionally crafted and curated collection is hand-selected by an in-house gemologist with an eye for phenomenal pieces from 1870 to the present. Diamonds! Sapphires! Rubies! Emeralds! The jewelry box of a showroom—which is a townhouse on a tree-lined street located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side—is filled with every stone, color, carat, and shape for your style. Experts will also appreciate the rare gems in the assortment, notably the Bird on a Rock brooches designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Just ask Over The Moon Styling Director Kelly Russell: “Beekman is a stylist’s best-kept secret,” Kelly says. “The event-driven borrowing model not only grants access to jewels that otherwise wouldn’t necessarily be attainable but also takes a more responsible, sustainable approach, providing a second, third, or fourth life to one-of-a-kind, heirloom pieces.”
Take it from Kelly: “The experience in and of itself is exclusive and bespoke to each client, pulling from a dream collection of iconic pieces, the red carpet is truly rolled out to find that perfect item for a bride’s big day.” Which is why Over The Moon—and four brides-to-be—took a trip uptown recently, mixing something borrowed with something new: Beekman New York bijoux and the latest Spring 2023 wedding looks, too.
Tani Greenspan: Antique Enthusiast
“I designed my wedding dress, so I never got to put on a zillion gowns and have that moment where I said, ‘this is the one,’” explains Over The Moon’s Tani Greenspan, who describes her bridal aesthetic as timeless with a nod towards antiquity. “Stepping into the Beekman townhouse—where they pulled pieces based on my sense of style and what would go best with my looks—is the closest thing I ever had to trying on wedding dresses. And the experience couldn’t have been more special.”
“Weddings themselves are already so personal, and the brides and families spend so much time planning this event down to the nittiest of grittiest details,” adds Tani, mere weeks away from walking down the aisle at the New Orleans Botanical Garden. “Finding a vintage piece that speaks to you and is as unique as all of the other elements of your wedding is something I’m so happy (and thankful!) that exists.”
“I love one-of-a-kind estate pieces,” she gushes. “It was so fun trying on various jewels from different stylistic eras that all complemented one another. They went so surprisingly well together that it was hard to pick just one or two items, so I ended up trying on as much as they would allow!”
“Though it’s jewelry for your wedding day, I had trepidation with spending money on a piece that I wouldn’t be wearing beyond 12 hours (if that!). Having such incredible estate pieces at your fingertips to borrow for the events you need is such a brilliant idea—and it’s also nice to know that these pieces are getting all of the love and attention they deserve.”
“Everything I put on was so unique and beautiful; I didn’t want to take any of them off,” quips Tani.
Hana Betts: Eternal Romantic
“I truly felt like a princess with a stunning jewelry collection at my fingertips,” says Hana Betts, who will tie the knot in a secret garden–style wedding at The Goodstone Inn & Estate in Virginia, replete with walls covered in hanging wisteria, rolling hills in the background, and farm-to-table fare. “The townhouse was so intimate, private, and comfortable as if I was borrowing nice jewelry from a close friend or relative.” Adding: “The gorgeous decor and art collection didn’t hurt either!”
Diana Ming: Modern Sophisticate
“Like so many brides, I will forever be obsessed with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wedding-day look and hope to put my spin on it.” Diana Ming says. “But as someone who is usually a minimalist with jewelry, I enjoyed amping up my looks with these luxurious pieces.” Case in point? “I loved bringing in ‘something blue’ with a sapphire and diamond bracelet.”
This June, Diana will be wed in Brooklyn’s Botanical Garden, making this matching Tiffany & Co. 14-karat dogwood flower necklace and studs a natural fit for such an occasion. “The Beekman team is fantastic,” Diana says. “They are dedicated to bringing you an amazing bespoke experience and are truly invested in helping you turn your dream wedding look into a reality.”
“I was seeking heirloom, timeless pieces, and I liked the idea of renting as a sustainable way to achieve the looks I wanted,” she says. “I considered a few bridal jewelry rental services before, but once Over The Moon introduced me to Beekman, I was immediately drawn to their mindful approach. I’m so excited to be wearing Beekman on my wedding day!”
Cortne Bonilla: Fashion Bride
“I keep calling myself an anti-bride, but I’m not totally anti,” says Editorialist Fashion and Beauty Editor Cortne Bonilla. “Working in fashion, I’ve honed in on my sense of style, and I want a wedding that reflects the elegant, fashion-forward yet minimal aesthetic that I’ve come to love.”
This September, hot on the heels of New York Fashion Week, she will say “I do” in a contemporary Dumbo wedding (think: low lights, brick walls, and lofted ceilings with inverted delphiniums). The sculptural dress she plucked off the runway calls for show-stopping jewels. Luckily, Beekman is a hop, skip, and jump away from Brooklyn. Take it from her: “Being able to try on stunning pieces from the comfort of a well-decorated home is a celebrity-worthy experience everyone should be able to enjoy.”
“Every piece made me feel like a Hollywood star,” she says. “The aquamarine style gives me Gatsby vibes and makes me want to go to a cocktail party, while the diamond ring is fit for a bride, like me, who dares to be different.”
“Even the hoops, which are an everyday staple, feel special enough for the wedding day but could also be worn casually post-ceremony . . . or at least until they’re due back at the Beekman vault!”
For more information, visit beekmannyc.com or email [email protected]
