Sunset Affair

Natural diamonds formed over billions of years have gone through an extraordinary journey to become one of the earth’s greatest gifts.

Delicate and dazzling, this Kwiat Starry Night Three-Row Diamond Ring in 18K white gold is a celestial masterpiece. Round brilliant diamonds, totaling 1.3 carats, orbit the finger in an open, airy design—reminiscent of a miniature galaxy twinkling in motion. The effect is both ethereal and striking, with each diamond artfully placed to create a sense of effortless sparkle.

True to Kwiat’s signature craftsmanship, the ring is engineered with minimal metal to allow maximum light flow, making the diamonds appear to float weightlessly against the skin. This refined design highlights Kwiats’ dedication to exceptional quality, timeless beauty, and elegant innovation—making it a stunning statement piece for any jewelry lover. Gunderson’s Jewelers

Historic and hip, welcoming and haunting, laid back and bustling, Savannah is a city filled with experiences for all types of travelers.

Enjoy timeless luxury and modern amenities during a four-night stay at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah’s historic district, bursting with 22 park squares, 100 restaurants, and numerous museums and boutiques. Take a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool before heading to dinner using a $150 gift card for the Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market.

In addition to a stay at Travel + Leisure’s #1 ranked Savannah hotel, this package comes with all the extras so you can explore the richness and vibrancy of this charming Georgia city with ease. Included are tickets for the Old Town Trolley for zipping around town, a garden or ghost tour, river cruise, a visit to Tybee Island, $100 gift card to The Olde Pink House restaurant, $250 VISA gift card, and $600 in Delta gift cards for airfare. Read about Savannah’s spooky past in Haunted Savannah by Georgia Byrd. Como Friends will help coordinate your trip, too!

Experience a moment of zen on the night of Sunset Affair with this magical experience in the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden.

During the dessert reception, your group can explore one of Como’s most beautiful corners during the golden hour of a summer night, as you enjoy sweet treats, coffee, and libations in the sansui splendor of the Japanese Garden.

Enjoy a Q & A with an experienced member of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s horticultural team and learn some of the secrets of this natural beauty, now celebrating the 70-year sister city relationship between Saint Paul and Nagasaki, Japan.

Bid on this auction item and support ongoing beautification of Como’s lush and vibrant outdoor gardens. This auction item will close early at 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. The winner must be present. The experience is good for up to 8 people the night of Sunset Affair.

The Greater Palm Springs Valley is Southern California’s most renowned resort oasis, famed for stunning scenery, blue skies, lush golf courses, cool pools, and a vibrant arts community.

Escape your daily demands and relax in style with a four-night stay at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California, where island living meets desert luxury. The expansive resort sits on 11 acres of olive tree and fragrant citrus groves and boasts stunning views of the Santa Rosa mountains. Lounge by the pool, book spa services, or take advantage of this golf paradise and tee off at the adjacent Indian Wells Golf Resort featuring Clive Clark’s Celebrity Course, the famed Players Course, and a Putting Course.

This premier getaway includes a $250 resort gift card, a $250 VISA gift card, a special experience at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and $600 in Delta gift cards for airfare.

Understated but extraordinary, this diamond journey necklace and matching hoop earrings are a meaningful way to mark the major milestones. Symbolizing the journey of life, the necklace is 14K white gold with five .30 CTTW round natural diamonds on a 16–18″ chain. Classic 14K white gold diamond hoops are 16 mm with 12 round diamonds totaling .97 CTTW.

Sunset Affair Honorary Chair Jane Gerber captured this magnificent sunrise in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park in February, creating a framed print exclusively for Sunset Affair guests. One of the world’s largest game sanctuaries, Tsavo is Kenya’s largest park, known for its large herds of elephants.

A Como tradition for nearly 70 years, Sparky the Sea Lion has helped teach generations of Minnesotans about the wild and precious marine mammals that depend on our stewardship of the ocean. Now you can raise a glass to everyone’s favorite sea lion with this hand-blown goblet created by glass artist Isaac Theobald of Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts. An exceptional keepsake and conversation starter, this gorgeous goblet features an elongated stem showcasing Sparky in her iconic beach ball balancing position. Thank you to our friends at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts for creating this one-of-a-kind goblet exclusively for the guests of Sunset Affair.

Artist KFox describes Melting, this original painting donated in support of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s mission, as “both a portrait and a plea…[that] captures the haunting presence of a polar bear caught between two worlds—one vibrant and familiar, the other dissolving beneath it. Through layers of color and drips that bleed like time running out, I sought to express both the majesty and the fragility of an apex predator now pushed to the edge by a warming world.”

Celebrate nature’s palette with two unique resin plexi paperweights created by Susannah Baudhuin, Como Friends’ creative director. Featuring the natural beauty of Como’s Water Gardens, and the colorful design of this year’s Sunset Affair event, these pieces are a beautiful way to commemorate the community of support that makes Como Friends’ summer gala a success.

Did you know that zebra stripes are as individual as human fingerprints, helping to identify each animal within a herd? Artist Candace Liddy captures one of nature’s most distinctive patterns in this framed original watercolor of a zebra foal. Also included, two zebra figurines in traditional and rainbow stripes.

Make packing a whole lot prettier with these two embroidered lemon print organic cotton pouches from Elizabeth Scarlett, the luxury handbag brand that donates 2 percent of sales to support wildlife conservation charities.

Make a floral fashion statement with this designer jean jacket embroidered by nationally recognized auctioneer Karen Sorbo. In pale pink denim with hot pink flowers across the back, it’s perfect for your next garden party.

Savor the sun-ripened flavors of summer with this tomato lover’s basket featuring a tomato-shaped cutting board, serving platter, napkins, tomato corer, dish towel, Swedish sponge cloth, soup mix, and San Marzano-themed art. Also included, a Vera Bradley makeup bag and Nick Wroblewski woodcut print cards.

Set an elegant and artistic table with this distinctive hand-thrown and glazed pottery set from artist Rick Moser which includes a pitcher and four mugs.

Set out a stylish summer spread with this flamingo-themed basket, complete with pitcher, two tumblers, cocktail picks, flamingo tea towel, flamingo stir sticks, Swedish dishcloth, and Nora Fleming 8” maple cracker round with glass flamingo topper. Trust us, flamingos just never go out of fashion.

Start appreciating the beauty of bugs with this LEGO Ideas collection featuring the Chinese Mantis, the Hercules Beetle, and the Blue Morpho butterfly. (Ages 18 and up.)

Starting in 1999, Blanton’s Bourbon began producing eight different versions of their distinctive horse and jockey stoppers, spurring collectors around the globe. Each stopper has a different pose meant to capture a horse race from start to finish and is marked with a single letter. Build your collection with this collectible bottle, marked by the letter S.

Dial the heat index up with this collection of chili-pepper infused gift items, including Coastal Caliente Hot Sauce, Two Ghost Chili-Pepper Flavored Vodka, and chili-themed snack dishes, bowls, and napkins.