Wrapped around her finger

It's no surprise that Yvonne Markowitz was recently named the first jewelry curator at the Museum of Fine Arts. Markowitz, who has worked in the MFA's Art of the Ancient World department since 1998, is editor of Jewelry: Journal of the American Society of Jewelry Historians. We zapped her a few questions to help us understand if, indeed, all that glitters is gold.

GEOFF EDGERS

Q: Do you wear a lot of jewelry?

A: It depends upon the occasion. For festive events, I usually dress up and wear several items; at work, a watch, occasional bracelet, brooch, or neck ornament; none when I'm gardening!

Q: If you're married, how many karat diamond ring?

A: Yes, I am married. Although I own a diamond ring (my engagement ring), I rarely wear it. Years ago, for our anniversary, my husband purchased a small ancient Roman cameo, featuring clasped hands and a Greek inscription invoking the goddess of contentment. It was once in a betrothal ring. I designed a gold mount for it, and it is the ring I typically wear on the fourth finger of my left hand.

Q: What's your favorite personal piece?

A: There's probably not a single piece. Runners-up include an ivory and gold brooch my husband gave me upon the birth of our first child; the silver ``Stars Wars" necklace by Finnish sculptor and metalsmith Borg Weckstrom; and a cloisonné, enameled landscape pendant by enamelist/jeweler Toni Strassler.

Q: What's your favorite piece at the MFA?

A: It's an ancient Nubian jewel excavated by the Harvard University-Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Expedition in the early decades of the 20th century. Titled Hathor- Headed Crystal Pendant, it is made of gold and rock crystal . It features a hollowed-out rock crystal orb surmounted by the golden head of the goddess Hathor who wears a cow-horn and sun-disk headdress. The hollow orb is lined with a gold cylinder that represents an amulet case.

Q: Do people ever do a double take when they hear you're a curator of jewelry?

A: Since the curatorship has just been created, it's difficult to predict how people will respond. I do know that the MFA is and will continue to be a leader in redefining ``fine art," emphasizing craftsmanship, design, and cultural context.

Q: Should I wear gold chains?

A: The wearing of jewelry is a personal preference. There are no ``shoulds" or ``should nots."

Martin Scorsese's first contemporary crime drama in 11 years blew away its rivals at the weekend box office and scored the best opening ever for the director. ``The Departed," a cops versus criminals saga starring Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio , and Matt Damon, sold $27 million worth of tickets in its first three days, distributor Warner Bros. Pictures said yesterday. New at No. 2 was the low-budget horror prelude ``The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" with $19.2 million . Last weekend's champion, the wildlife cartoon ``Open Season," slipped to No. 3 with $16 million. Reviews for ``The Departed" were enthusiastic, and Warner Bros. said the film , which was shot in Boston, played strongly across age and gender lines.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, in India to shoot scenes for a movie about slain journalist Daniel Pearl, went on an autorickshaw ride with their 5-year-old son yesterday. The celebrity couple were chased by photographers, TV cameramen , and reporters , forcing them to turn back after a 20-minute ride that took them past shops and department stores in downtown Pune, in western India. At every red light, security men traveling behind jumped out and surrounded the three-wheeler to prevent the media from snapping pictures.

Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, promoted world peace from a hotel room in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Sunday -- fully clothed this time -- and revealed plans to award two $50,000 peace grants on Lennon's birthday today. Ono, who famously held a ``bed-in" for peace in a Montreal hotel room with Lennon in 1969, said she will give the LennonOno Grant for Peace to the global medical group Doctors Without Borders and the non profit Center for Constitutional Rights.

Family and friends gathered at a church in Mexia, Texas, to mourn Anna Nicole Smith's 20-year-old son , Daniel, who died last month while visiting his mother in the Bahamas after she gave birth to a daughter. About 50 people attended the hourlong memorial service.

This Ain't no Fooling around
"Every night was memorable, except I don't remember 'em."
Legs McNeil, co-author of the punk rock history ``Please Kill Me," talking about the legendary New York rock club CBGB, which is closing next Sunday after 33 years.

FROM WIRE REPORTS