This bracelet is simple and lovely.
This bracelet is simple and lovely.
I thought this would be an excellent palate-cleanser for the day after Valentine’s day. We’ll never get tired of these pretty, pretty snakes on these pretty, pretty bangles!
(You see what I did there? Eh?)
First up is this beautiful Victorian bangle from 1860. I love the colors and the richness of the contrasting textures of the different elements. The woven mesh bracelet terminates in a serpent head applied with blue enamel, topped and accented by split pearls and garnet eyes, and flanked by a granulated gold ball. The other end of the bracelet is tipped by a blue enamel tail.
Next up is an undated bangle that Doyle New York characterizes as “antique.” This bangle is also rich in texture and color. This bracelet engraved with detailed, stylized scales applied with apple green enamel. The enamel is spaced by gold bands engraved with a leaf motif and five engraved panels centering rose-cut diamonds. The bracelet terminates in a snake head topped with 8 oval and cushion-shaped rubies and 11 rose-cut diamonds, tipped on the other end by a diamond-set gold tail
Also, how cute are both of these snakes’ faces? I think I would spend all day talking to my wrists if I was wearing either of these.
Both of these bangles were listed in Doyle New York’s October 2012 Important Estate Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.
We can mentally put this Art Deco diamond bracelet in the pile of pieces I’ve posted that I would really love to own above all others. (It is a large pile.)
I think the contrast of the clean, geometric lines of the diamond design and the fluid, articulated nature of the bracelet and the tassel is just perfect. I’ve been looking forward to sharing this one with you for a while.
The central circular-cut diamond collets of this Art Deco diamond bracelet alternate with twin hexagonal-cut diamonds, within a tapered, flexible border made up of baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds. Suspended from the main bracelet is a circular-cut diamond tassel, with sliding clasp.
This Art Deco diamond bracelet was made in 1922 and is signed Van Cleef & Arpels Paris, no. 2071.
Unsurprisingly for a Van Cleef & Arpels’ piece, the workmanship and design are thoughtful and careful down to the tiniest detail. I think it is perfect.
This Art Deco diamond bracelet was listed in Christie’s November 2012 Magnificent Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.
Saying this is a diamond bracelet doesn’t do it justice. This Art Deco diamond and ruby bracelet, my friends, is diamond-encrusted.
This gorgeous thing was made by Lacloche in the 1920’s. The tapered bangle with openwork diamond-set scale patterns is enhanced by calibré-cut ruby lines, to the stylized acorn swiveling terminals. It is signed Lacloche.
I imagine it doesn’t fit everyone, since it certainty doesn’t look like it can be sized. Fingers crossed that it’s for a small wrist – in case I’m ever in a room with it, I like to think it would fit me.
This Art Deco diamond and ruby bracelet was listed in Christie’s November 2012 Magnificent Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.
I love bows. Big ones, little ones, especially sparkly ones. But I’m picky. I hate when a bow is too skinny, too fat, too long, or just off in some undefinable way. But Mimi So is a lady who understands bows. She has an entire bow-focused collection and every bow is perfect.
“This romantic collection has a playful attitude, like the designer herself. Mimi created a modern, sculptural bow ring inspired by tying a string around her finger to remind her of special moments.”
Something I love as much as I love bows is tiny things. It will not shock you that I think this bangle is one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever seen. 18 karat white gold, with a row of pave diamonds (1.25 cts) and the two prettiest little rose gold bows that the world has ever known.
Mimi So designs all kinds of fabulous jewelry – with bows and without. I couldn’t fit in all in this post, so I created a Mimi So Pinterest board and I’ll definitely be featuring more of her work here and on my Tumblr. For now: on with the bows!
This stunning cocktail ring is big, bold, pink, and extraordinarily fabulous. Rose gold, white gold, white diamonds, pink sapphires. I love the color combination, the exuberant, dynamic shape, the contrast of the detailing with the white diamonds on the inside of the ribbon.
This is the mini rose gold bow knot necklace – it’s obviously the soul-mate of the bangle above. It is tiny and perfect.
The bow ring also comes in yellow sapphire, with white diamonds and yellow gold.
There are slightly more understated bow rings to, like this “petite” bow ring – it’s smaller and has fewer diamonds than the pink one. It’s yellow gold, 18 karat, with white diamonds. The ring shank appears to have a slight ripple effect, as if it’s supposed to mimic a ribbon tied around the finger. This would be my daytime bow ring. (At least on the days when I wasn’t wearing a different one. There are so very many to choose from.)
All of Mimi So’s collection bow collection is available on her website. All images and info on this post are thanks to Mimi So and her marvelously friendly and helpful team.
This bracelet is on the simple side, but I think it’s very pretty.
Made in 18 karat gold, this bracelet is set with one round-cut ruby; two square-cut emeralds; four pear-shaped sapphires; and 24 round brilliant cut diamonds, VS clarity, G color. Total diamond weight is 1.50 carats. It was made by Cartier Paris in 1994 and is stamped “Cartier.” Comes in original Cartier box.
This lovely bracelet is for sale at Fortrove, listing available via 1stdibs. Thanks to Fortrove and 1stdibs for the images and info.