Are Diamonds Still a Girl’s Best Friend? December 23, 1999 – Posted in: Press

Guest Author: TOBINA KAHN Published: December 23, 1999 Skyline News In Howard Hawks 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Marilyn Monroe sexily and memorably sings her way to mega stardom with “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Since first seeing the movie and then becoming the vice president of the House of Kahn Estate Jewelers, I have often laughingly remembered that seemingly antiquated refrain so removed from the present. However, with the approach of the spring…

Gold Adds Weight To Its Worth Investors Take Notice Of Spike September 29, 1999 – Posted in: Press

By THOMAS A. FOGARTY Published: September 29, 1999 USA Today Tobina Kahn spent most of her morning Tuesday in Chicago bank vaults, appraising the personal treasures of potential sellers eager to cash in on the spike in gold prices. “We’ve been bombarded. It’s a fascinating phenomenon,” Kahn says of the increase in customers since the dramatic upturn in gold prices over the past two days. The boom in Kahn’s business is one element in the…

Gold Soars on Move By Central Banks September 28, 1999 – Posted in: Press

By PETER A. McKAY and MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS Published: September 28, 1999 Wall Street Journal It has been a long time since the phrase “good as gold” has had a ring of truth. But Monday came close. The metal’s value skyrocketed $14 an ounce to $281.80, hitting a five-month high on news that 15 European central banks won’t unload extra gold onto the market for the next five years. Analysts said the unexpected move virtually…

Latest Plunge In Gold Futures Scares Buyers, Stumps Analysts July 16, 1999 – Posted in: Press

By PETER A. McKAY Published: July 16, 1999 Wall Street Journal A concerned customer called Chicago jeweler Tobina Kahn last week to sell a Tiffany necklace inherited from her late mother and made from six ounces of gold, plus two carats of diamonds. Her worry: Had the 50-year-old heirloom’s worth diminished literally overnight? Ms. Kahn said no — that just doesn’t happen to vintage designer jewelry. But Ms. Kahn received several such calls last week…

Outing the Old can make for a Better New Year February 25, 1999 – Posted in: Press

Guest Author: TOBINA KAHN Published: February 25, 1999 Skyline News Inherited jewels are often sold to pay for a more promising future. When Champagne bottles are uncorked and “Auld Lang Syne” ushers the New Year in, many will pull their loved ones in for the last kiss of the century- and the first of the new millennium. While the turning of every year fosters expectations of and hope for change, this year anticipates a beginning…

Heirlooms Can Be Liquid Assets August 13, 1998 – Posted in: Press

By ELLEN PRITSKER Published: August 13, 1998 Skyline News If you’ve read any national periodicals lately, you’ve probably seen Chicago’s Tobina Kahn, of House of Kahn, quoted in connection with the trend of selling family heirlooms as liquid assets. Here, Kahn explains this emerging financial phenomenon. -Interview by Ellen Pritsker Q: What is the state of the antique and estate-jewelry market now? A: Business is up at least 30 percent in the past four years.…

(No title) – Posted in: Press

Put Family Jewels to Work Guest Author: TOBINA KAHN Published: August 13, 1998 Skyline News Heirlooms finance Ivy League college educations Late on a Friday afternoon, a locate Chicago matron arrives at House of Kahn Estate Jewelers buying office at 919 N. Michigan Ave. She is well dressed and easily recognizable from a number of organizations with which she is associated. She is a woman who owns jeweled heirlooms to rival the Queen of England.…

(No title) April 14, 1997 – Posted in: Press

By DAVID ROEDER Published: April 14, 1997 Chicago Sun-Times It’s the eve of April 15 and business has been brisk the last few weeks for accountants, tax preparers and maybe your local jeweler. From the Gold Coast to the North Shore and points inland, people are cleaning out dresser drawers and safe deposit boxes of family heirlooms. Specialists in antique and estate jewelry said more people have been selling the items in recent years, sometimes…

Dazzling for Dollars: ‘Diamond Necklace Affair’ To Aid Homeless By Rewriting History February 16, 1989 – Posted in: Press

Published: February 16, 1989 Palm Beach Daily News A Palm Beach estate jewelry house is planning a diamond-studded Marie Antoinette gala that would make the infamous queen eat her own words. The House of Kahn, estate jewelers for more than 30 years, is presenting “The Diamond Necklace Affair,” a March 2 extravaganza featuring a dazzling collection of diamond jewelry billed in the name of the 18th century French queen who callously uttered “let them eat…

A Garden of Jewels March 6, 1988 – Posted in: Press

Published: March 6, 1988 Palm Beach Daily News Jewelry lovers may find their enthusiasm blooming this week at The House of Kahn, 231 Peruvian Ave. A camellia-shaped pin displays a center spread of diamond baguettes About 25 estate jewelry pieces with a floral motif will be shown to the public from March 7 to March 12. Champagne, strawberries and tearose sandwiches will be served each afternoon. These pieces have been collected over the years by…