The Look Book

Nazgol Jahan, Jewelry Specialist

"My family are jewelers, so I grew up in that world."

By Amy Larocca
Published Jan 13, 2008

(Photo: Jake Chessum)

What are you up to today?
I’m on my way to work. I live on the Upper East Side, but I work at Phillips auction house, in Chelsea.

What do you do at Phillips?
I’m the worldwide director of the jewelry department. My family are jewelers, so I grew up in that world. I studied art history at Columbia and went to law school, but in between I did my gemology degree.

You must have loads of jewelry.
I have different kinds of things. A lot of it is signed, like a retro Bulgari necklace. Or it’ll just be a beautiful emerald-and-diamond Art Deco bracelet. But that’s the high end. When it comes to fun jewelry, I’m pretty simple. Around my neck I always wear one marquise diamond on a very fine platinum chain. That’s just for everyday.

Did your husband pick out that engagement ring?
He proposed to me in Greece without a ring. He’s a plastic surgeon, so he didn’t think it would be smart to pick out my ring. When we got home, he spoke to my dad, and I gave some input on the stone. It’s a four-carat flawless emerald-cut diamond.

Tell me about the rest of your outfit.
It’s all Barbara Bui underneath, Miu Miu flats, and a Diane Von Furstenberg coat. My fur stole is something my mom bought for me in London. She also bought me my Hermès Birkin bag. She’s always picking stuff up for her two daughters because we work all the time. She’s a good mommy like that.