Dinosaurs and dioramas took a backseat to beauteous baubles at Thursday’s posh preview in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Elsie and Henry Hillman , our town’s greatest philanthropists and treasures, entertained more than 200 of their friends and admirers at the debut of the new Wertz Gallery: Gems and Jewelry in the spectacularly renovated Hillman Hall of Minerals & Gems. That Henry earned a degree in geology from Princeton explains his interest in creating a world-renowned collection for Pittsburgh. But, “Ron Wertz was really the driving force, the caring parent and, indeed, the soul of the entire effort,” Henry told the crowd at the ribbon-cutting for the magnificent Wertz Gallery. “I was afraid they were going to say at the end of their remarks that this hall is a gem,” he teased. Talk about an Ice Age. The gallery is a big girl’s candy store, and more pieces have been added to the already jaw-dropping collection. The setting exudes elegance. Luscious emerald, sapphire, ruby and diamond designs leap out as the real stars beneath state-of-the-art spotlighting. Taking center stage is “Luxe Life: Masterpieces of American Jewelry,” the dazzling exhibit of viva la diva bijoux and objects on display until Jan. 6. Representing flora, fauna and celestials, what we have here is a glamorama of some 100 masterworks by Van Cleef, Tiffany, David Webb, Paul Flato, Tina Chow and Nicholas Varney. Cafe society and movie star creations that signal conspicuous consumption and a wallet that could block traffic. Like Mae West’s gold cuff bracelet centered by a star sapphire the size of an egg. Yet, the most valuable pieces are a brass (you heard me) tiara and neckpiece by sculptor Alexander Calder, a commission from Sir Kenneth Clark for his wife. Utterly charming guest curator Charlie Scheips of New York delighted guests with fascinating asides on the exhibit. The swelegant quotient was set to high with sprays of white lilies lying atop chunks of black coal on cocktail tables covered in gray satin. Parkhurst’s white-gloved staff proffered trays of luscious hors d’oeuvres as the party hummed to the jazzy beat of Joe Negri’s trio. The ever-modest man of the hour and prez of the Hillman Foundation, Ron Wertz — there with proud Ann , their children and grandkids — was fielding congratulations from such gemophiles as Carnegie Museum prez David Hillenbrand and Georgianna ; CMNH board chair Jack Barbour with Lisa; Deb and Marc Wilson; Otto Chu; Henry Simonds; Nina Fisher; Audrey and Tom Hilliard; Caroline Stewart; Ellen Walton; Mernie Berger; Parie and John Duggan; Hart Hillman; Helen Posner; Barbara Mistick; Rick Johnson; David Miller; Ceci Sommers; Catherine and Mark Loevner; Nancy and Albert Muse; Judy and Dr. Ron Linaburg; Karen and Jim Johnson; Wallis and Marshal Katz ; and Joan and Tom Taylor . As well as Nancy and Jack Henne; Richard Armstrong; Jean and Brooks Robinson; Bill Bodine; Joe Manzinger; Sylvia and Don Robinson; Lou and Henry Gailliot; Jenifer and Mark Evans; Jean McCullough; Marjorie Hughes; Jan Wagner and Jim Dunn; Babs Widdoes and Bob Kilmarx; Claudette and the Rev. Harold Lewis; Bonnie and Vaughn Blaxter; Beth and Michael George; Brenda and Dave Roger; Pete Veeder; Shirley and Ted Arther; Judy and Ron Davenport; Ann Wardrop; Joan and Jerry Apt; Sally and Jim Bregenser; Marian Dietrich and Charlie Schwartz ; and Bruce Crocker with stunning Christine McCrady . Bling it on, Ron. Rev your engines and giddy-up. Jodhpurs and sundresses celebrated the grandeur of yesteryear at Saturday’s Sewickley Heights History Center Riding and Driving Party . Spectacular weather and bucolic grounds created a picture-postcard setting for more than 40 pre-1920 automobiles and carriages, courtesy of Frick Car and Carriage Museum. Then it was tally-ho with the Sewickley Hunt & Hounds. Whitney Snyder Jr. welcomed 300 guests to his father’s dream — a history center that lovingly preserves the legacy of Sewickley Heights for the entire community to enjoy. Guests ate dinner under the tent as Jimmy Sapienza and Five Guys Named Moe took them on a musical ride to the past. Honoring the glory days were Alice Snyder ; SHHC board member Bill Roberts; Lynn and Steve Seay; Jerry Thorpe; Ann and Reed Schroeder; Jackie and Bill Sheerer; Furman South; Melissa Hart and mom; Jamie Wardrop; Robin Richards; Jonathan Gordon; Chris Standish ; and Sean and Amy Sebastian . — Karen Becket Where there’s smoke there’s 45 Pittsburgh scenesters and pols playing with fire at Benihana in Green Tree. At Tuesday’s Dave Thomas Celebrity Cookoff , these Emerils-come-lately were cooking to their own drummer, and diners were loving the beat. The edible complex that was packed wall-to-wall at two sittings raised $60,000 for the Three Rivers Adoption Council , which helps foster kids growing up without a permanent family. Sure, WQED chef Chris Fennimore pulled it off like he was sinking a two-foot putt. But we’re talking samurai showmanship by Urban League’s Esther Bush , Judge Kim Clark , Marci Cipriani of WTAE, and Johnny Angel & The Halos , who added a doo-wop thrill to their grill. A tip of the toque to such other panhandlers who even auctioned the aprons off their backs for our kids sake: Rick Sebak and Chris Moore of WQED; WTAE’s Stephen Cropper; Scott Hollander of Kids Voice; actress Anji Corley ; WAMO’s GQ; and TRAC’s Jackie Wilson . Nearly 300 black-ties blew off their diets for A White House Dinner at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel, with former White House executive chef Walter Scheib to benefit Life’s Work . Star chef for two first families (Clintons and “W” Bushes) and media darling, Walt served up and introduced four WH favorites from his 11 years at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Dishes that made virtue taste like vice. His new book, imaginatively titled “White House Chef,” also is deliciously laced with recipes and tasty tidbits. Last seen licking their forks were chairs Donna and Vince Delie of First National Bank; awardees Becky and John Surma , former NBA great Norm Nixon, Billy Pivirotto and LaTasha Fowler ; LW chair Brett Randall and prez Everett McElveen with Jacquelin Conyers; Grace Compton; Lou Guarino; Joan and Ed Aiello; Ruth Anne and Ralph Papa; Barbara and Dennis Smith; Gayle and Dan D’Alessandro; Connie Conboy and Dr. Robert Yakulis . She’s whip smart, she nails the bad guys, she’s the first woman in Pennsylvania history to be presidentially appointed to the post of U.S. Attorney and, on Monday in the Omni William Penn ballroom as 350 guests looked on, Mary Beth Buchanan was tapped for the Tree of Life Award, the Jewish National Fund ‘s highest honor. In our town, she’s also greatly admired for throwing the book at those who commit crimes against women and children. And the eve raised $165,000 to help fund JNF youth scholarships in Israel in Mary Beth’s name. Saluting the fairest of them all were co-chairs Jim Roddey (and irresistible emcee); Hoddy Hanna ; Dr. Dick Jewell; Wendy Newton ; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth; Leslie Merrill McCombs; and Roy Powell . As well as Elsie Hillman ; Rabbi Aaron Bisno; Jane and Edward Moravitz; Bonnie and Tom VanKirk; Mary Lou McLaughlin; Bonnie and Dick Anton ; and JNF chair Josh Resnick and director Julie Fink Paris . They’ve perfected their putt, mastered their swing and now it was time to finesse their style. After hitting Allegheny Country Club’s challenging links on Thursday morning, the golfers looked positively tigerish on the runway in scene-stealers from Gals on the Green. Nathalie Lemieux chaired Chicks with Sticks , the yummy luncheon and fashion show that raised funds for the Mario Lemieux Foundation, and included Debbie Nute; Nancy Angus; Shirley Sawyer; Sandy Usher ; Dr. Lissa Hazel; Ruth Darragh; Heather Hillier; Beth Ann Fuhrer; B.J. Leber; Missie Berteotti ; and KDKA’s Sonni Abatta as emcee. Fashion mavens headed to Oakmont’s neighborhood gem, The Oaks Theater, for Thursday’s fabulous, full-on fashion show hosted by Carabella. NYC designer JR Morrissey brought his trunk collection of fall, holiday and glitzy resort looks that any woman, regardless of age or size, could drool over. CMU students opened the show with a dance number that led to the playful pairing of JR’s jackets with colorful tutus. Themed Affair to Remember for the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the $30,000 box office benefited the Alzheimer’s Association and its free services for families coping with the dreaded disease. Standouts at the chi-chi cocktail reception and scrumptious buffet for 300 fashion forwards: Carabella’s Carol Kinkela with hubby Gary and sons Aaron and Christian ; the collection’s Bobby Dilulio; Meg Burkardt; Rebecca Sciullo; Jackie Lioon; Ellen Marcus ; AA prexy Diane Balcom; Nancy and Erica Zappala; Rhodora Barton ; and lucky Kathy Seewald who won the “all-you-can-wear” shopping spree. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.