There Will Never Be Another Jacqueline Kennedy Collection

"Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot."

Phil Katz with QVC Host Sandra Bennett

Early Monday morning after I walked the dog, I settled down with a freshly brewed a cup of coffee and my laptop to check the new clearance items on the Q. I was surprised to find row after row of items from the Jacqueline Kennedy Collection. At first, I was thrilled. I love the line, but never purchased anything. Maybe something special would hit the magic price point for me, or—glory be!—have free shipping. And then the realization slowly dawned on me. I've been here before. This line, like so many others before, was coming to an end.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Collection shows have always been some of my favorite home shopping entertainment. I love nothing more than watching a BBC documentary on just about any historical figure or event no matter how seemingly obscure. Clearly, I also love home shopping. If the two ever had a baby, it would be the representative of the collection, Phil Katz. He is passionate about his products without sounding like an obnoxious carnival barker. He weaves tales about each piece that breathes new life into them. Armed with just his storytelling ability, a handful of pictures, and his ever-present pointer stick, he takes an ordinary looking piece and magically transforms it into the most sophisticated jewelry ever created, all with a soft-spoken demeanor and—like Jackie—an understated elegance.

Yes, I know he idolizes Jacqueline Kennedy a bit too much and tends to gloss right over some of the less flattering details of her life, but we all already know more than enough about all the shenanigans that went on during Camelot. Ladies, if your husband ever begins showering you with $50,000 custom-made pieces of jewelry from Tiffany’s and Cartier, I think it’s safe to assume he is probably doing the horizontal hokey-pokey with Marilyn Monroe.

Phil Katz destroying the tooling

I had hoped that QVC was just dropping the line and it would reappear elsewhere. But, sadly, the Camrose & Kross is ending production. And, just to drive the point home, the molds are being smashed live on the air. Phil has stated that the last of Coco Channel’s original Czech glass pearl factories closed its doors and that they weren't able to duplicate the quality at other factories. And what would a Jacqueline Kennedy collection be without her signature pearls?

Or could the line could be ending because of Caroline Kennedy isn't happy with it?

Then, last August, a friend of Caroline’s told The Post that she couldn't believe QVC was selling reproductions of Jackie’s jewelry. “Trust me,” the source said. “Jackie wouldn't have been caught dead wearing this stuff.”  — New York Post

Seems odd to me that she would be fine with auctioning off her mother’s actual things and fine with selling this same line of reproductions at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, but suddenly offended that they are sold on QVC. Perhaps she should be flattered that people still hold her mother in such high esteem. Phil Katz certainly wastes no opportunity to gush over her!

According to the Camrose & Krose Facebook message this is an ending that is long past due:

For the last 10 years, we have had the honor and privilege of sharing a Jacqueline Kennedy story with you through the romance of her jewelry and accessories collections. From the start, we always knew that the product would be limited in availability and duration. Due to the amazing support and loyalty of you, our customers we have extended the time line far beyond our original intentions; and now we feel it is time to bring this fabulous chapter to a close. We have rendered all the pieces in her collection that are currently available to us. We will continue to offer the line only as long as inventory exists. 

Regardless of the reason, with the loss of another unique line from QVC’s ever-shrinking lineup, we can now look forward to even more tiresome infomercial-like hours of expensive vacuum cleaners, blenders, speakers, and mattresses. Supposedly, an Audrey Hepburn collection is in the works and hopefully will be coming soon, but I can’t imagine that the stories will resonate as deeply. As Jacqueline Kennedy once famously said, “There will never be another Camelot.”

And, yes, I finally broke down and ordered a piece for myself—the Castellani bracelet. The piece itself, the history of it, and the meaning behind it are all beautiful to me.

The Hope Diamonique

In an effort to make money educate the public, the Smithsonian sold its soul to the home shopping gods.

This fall, QVC will be selling faux copies of the priceless jewels housed at the Smithsonian. So get ready to buy more and save! The Marie Antoinette Earrings on three easy payments of $29.99 -- that's less than a $1 a day! And you don't even have to get your head chopped off to enjoy them.

Smithsonian curators will have a part in creating about 30 pieces for the QVC collection. However, unlike the Jacqueline Kennedy collection, the pieces won't be exact replicas of the originals, instead they will be interpreted for a more modern aesthetic. In other words, the Hope Diamond won't be 45 carats of faux fabulousness since that would obviously be waaay too flashy for everyday wear. Twenty carats would be so much more understated.

Check out the jewels of the Smithsonian (why is there a Spanish Inquisition Necklace???)

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ShopNBC Exploiting Princess Di?

Princess Diana's former Butler, Paul Burrell, is going to be selling a new jewelry line on ShopNBC "based" on what Di used to wear. Based on? The line will have "regal" and "princess-cut" diamond pieces "designed from Diana's taste." Whatever that's supposed to mean.

In case you've forgotten, the butler worked for the Princess for ten years until her tragic death in 1997. Since then, he has been cashing in to the tune of 10 million by writing three books, appearing on reality TV shows, and launching his own line of furniture. He also recently admitted to lying under oath during his testimony at Diana's inquest. Lucky for him, he will not be prosecuted for perjury.

He reportedly told a friend: "Diana wore big formal pieces for royal events. But privately her taste was much more understated. She liked smaller diamonds and simple designs. My range will stay true to that and to her - understated but beautiful and eye-catching. I am told it will be very popular in America because of the interest in Diana."

At the Diana inquest in January, Burrell claimed the princess didn’t like the diamond and sapphire engagement ring given to her by Prince Charles. “She felt it was a little too big and gaudy.” Of course, he admitted that he was less than truthful, so who really knows.

Butler Burrell is scheduled to be on ShopNBC Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. each night with his Effy Signature Range. The line will feature (although ShopNBC won't post any of the pictures on their website) an 18-carat gold ring with 33 “princess-cut diamonds," a chain and cross featuring 130 gems in 18-carat white and rose gold, and an 18-carat tri-color diamond flower ring.

This just smacks of blatant exploitation. Calling something "regal" or "princess" doesn't make it so. Let me tell you, Queen Bea knows about this first hand!

I know sales at ShopNBC have been tanking lately, but do they have to get in bad with this guy? Are people really going to buy from him because he is "basing" the designs on what he thinks Di would like? Gag me. And, no, I don't think this is the same as the Jacqueline Kennedy Jewelry Collection on QVC. Those are replicas of her actual jewelry--not some schmuck peddling what he thinks Jackie O. would like "based on" her taste.