Rare Jewels Wow the River Oaks Crowd: Inside a Night of Gem Gazing With Wayne Smith

What: Wayne Smith Holiday Bash Featuring Rare Vintage and Antique Jewels Exhibition

Where: Wayne Smith Jewels at The St. Regis Hotel

PC Moment: A night of fine cocktails and cheerful holiday wishes in the presence of some fine bijoux was in store as Wayne Smith Jewels toasted to the season in a ritzy, intimate evening inside its jewel-box boutique at The St. Regis Hotel. The merry bash also doubled as a special exhibition showcasing rare vintage and antique jewels for the well-heeled set, who looked to do some gem gazing and acquiring among a crowd of the city’s upper crust.

Guests noshed on catering provided by The St. Regis and imbibed Laurent-Perrier bubbly.

The display of jewelry for the night featured some of Smith’s own designs, including a fire opal torsade necklace with a hand-cast toggle closure, in addition to Cartier timepieces, and a trove of classic and impressive creations by jewelry houses including David Webb, Tiffany & Co., and Loreedubois, alongside Art Deco and mid-century masterpieces.

Social Gems: Headlining jewel-man Wayne Smith himself (who’s also a gemologist, celebrating 28 years as a purveyor in Houston); Lady Lorraine Palmer; John B. Connally IV, grandson of former Governor John B. Connally Jr.; Tracy and David Livingston;  designer John Kidd; David Lemier; Denny Lyons; Carrington Weems with Gabrielle Girard; Terry Wayne Jones, eyeing a pair of Cartier cuff links; Roberta Rude; Ewan Dinsdale; landscape architect Richard Dawson; designer Renea Abbott and Greg Manteris; Don Mafrige Jr.; Jana Giammalva; Cindy Kratz; Gail and Bobby Stillwell; Houston Children’s Charity’s Laura Ward, leaving with a Wayne Smith Jewels bag; Edna Meyer-Nelson; Suzy Simons; Annie Cater; Chari and Bob Hust (she told us she’s Wayne Smith Jewels’ very first customer); Virginia and Dan Steppe; Lynne Belt; Jean Edwards; Scott Diamond; Nancy Hargrove; John Michael; Stephanie Stoyanoff; and Karen and Terry Henderson.

Additional reporting by Catherine D. Anspon.