Fabergé Lands on Madison Avenue

With a history rooted in luxury, nobility, and tragedy, the Russian jewelry firm Fabergé, famous for its imperial Easter eggs, has a story that could have been written by Tolstoy. But it’s what’s happening now with the company that has us excited. It just opened its first U.S. store in New York, in an 850-square-foot space on Madison Avenue.

Instantly in the running for sparkliest shop on the Upper East Side, the Fabergé boutique houses the company’s new high and fine jewelry collections, as well as timepieces, cuff links, and silver objets. On the very high end, a serpent egg pendant is mesmerizing, with enamel set in yellow gold, white diamonds, moonstone, and amethyst. The $375,000 piece is exclusive to the New York store and is based on a 1902 egg that Peter Carl Fabergé designed for New York socialite Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Les Précieuses de Fabergé is another New York collection, this one of cocktail rings with colorful oversize gems in spinel, emerald, and aquamarine. These styles are based on pieces that Vladimir Stepanovich Averkiev, the manager of Fabergé Moscow, left in a tin during the 1917 Russian Revolution when he fled the country.

References to the brand’s fabled history are around every turn in the store. Original sketches by Peter Carl line the walls, and a giant coffee-table book showcasing his most iconic pieces sits in the back lounge. For the customer who wants a piece of Fabergé’s signature egg design, opening prices start at around $8,000 for small pendants.

The New York store joins those in London and Geneva in helping the company set a new course. In 2007, a London private equity group bought the firm and set out to revive its place in the jewelry market. Vogue Russia editor Katharina Flohr took the helm as creative and managing director and reinstated precious jewelry as a focal point for the collections. Peter Carl Fabergé’s great granddaughters, Tatiana and Sarah, sit on the company’s Heritage Council and see to it that the iconic brand remains intact. Doubtless many an Upper East Sider will be happy to help with that cause.

Faberge: 694 Madison Avenue, 646.559.8848

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