Toledo, Ohio — Celebrity jeweler Neil Lane is stepping out of the red carpet spotlight and into the museum world with a new exhibition, “Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane,” opening Oct. 18 at the Toledo Museum of Art. The show promises over 150 pieces of jewelry spanning nearly a century, but insiders are asking: does this showcase reflect timeless artistry—or just romanticized nostalgia?
The exhibition spans three major chapters of jewelry history:
- Paris: The World Stage — Highlights 19th-century world fair designs, featuring influences from Egyptian, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, with intricate goldwork and historic scarab pendants.
- New York: An American Jewelry House — Focuses on Tiffany & Co., showcasing 38 pieces that represent the evolution from Charles C. Tiffany to Louis C. Tiffany’s art-driven legacy.
- Hollywood: Glamour — Explores jewels once worn by Mae West, Joan Crawford, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Hudson, tracing the connection between Hollywood’s golden age and today’s red carpet.
“Jewelry is not just adornment, but sculpture in miniature,” said Diane Wright, senior curator of glass and contemporary craft at the Toledo Museum of Art. Co-curator Emily Stoehrer of the MFA Boston added: “Neil’s collection tells a sweeping story of taste, glamour, and history… It’s a rare opportunity to see these jewels together publicly.”
Lane, known for his engagement rings on ABC’s The Bachelor and his collaborations with Kay Jewelers (owned by Signet Jewelers), is also publishing a companion catalog with Rizzoli Electa. Essays by Marion Fasel and others will dive into American and European jewelry history, Hollywood provenance, and Lane’s career as both designer and jewelry lender to the stars.
But as the jewelry world shifts toward lab-grown diamonds, sustainability, and modern consumer values, questions loom: does showcasing vintage luxury align with today’s forward-looking jewelry industry—or does it risk glorifying a bygone era without addressing the current transformation?
The exhibition runs Oct. 18 to Jan. 18. Tickets are $10.
Discover how modern consumers are reshaping the industry with our Jewelry Guide on sustainability, lab-grown diamonds, and the future of diamond jewelry.