Modern Living: Cardboard Carats

"Good taste is available anywhere," says Manhattan Designer Barbara Marsten. "But you have to come to us for something garish." So one does, judging by the brobdingnagian baubles designed by Marsten's firm, appropriately named Caveat Emptor. The latest in nouveau gauche is a collection of oversized diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other jumbo gems made of mug-proof cardboard. The paper jewels, actually collages made from color photographs of real gems, are meant to dangle from the neck on elasticized "platinum-colored" chains. On the back of each cutout is a wry put-on and putdown of the world's most illustrious jewels and jewel collectors.

There...

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