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A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

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Art Deco diamond tiara /necklace/ bracelet, circa 1935

What could possibly be better than a gorgeous Art Deco diamond tiara? If your guess was “a gorgeous Art Deco diamond tiara that converts into both a necklace and a bracelet,” you are in luck. If that wasn’t your guess, you’re still in luck because you get to look at it too.

I think convertible jewelry is a genius idea. If you’re going to spend major $ on a serious piece of jewelry, you might as well get a 3-for-1. Plus, with one as pretty as this, you’re going to want to wear it every day in every way.

Art Deco diamond tiara necklace bracelet, circa 1935. Almost 39 carats of diamonds wearable in 3 different ways. Via Diamonds in the Library. This beautiful Art Deco diamond tiara (/necklace/bracelet) is listed in Bonhams’ 19 September 2012 Fine Jewellery auction in London. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day than scooping up some major booty like this. Arrr.Thanks to Bonhams for the images and information.

Bonhams description: “The tiara designed as a highly articulated garland, with meandering baguette-cut diamond stems issuing brilliant, baguette and single-cut diamond leaves and buds and a series of trumpet-shaped flowers, culminating at the centre with a full bloom mounted en tremblant, surmounted by a pear-shaped diamond, weighing 2.21 carats, remaining diamonds approximately 36.60 carats total, convertible to a collar necklace with the supplied floral and foliate diamond backchain, backchain may be worn separately as a bracelet, necklace length 39.0cm, bracelet length 16.1cm, fitted case by Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd, Diamond Merchants, Bradford.” Detail shots below.

Detail view; Art Deco diamond tiara necklace bracelet, circa 1935. Almost 39 carats of diamonds wearable in 3 different ways. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Zoom view; Art Deco diamond tiara necklace bracelet, circa 1935. Almost 39 carats of diamonds wearable in 3 different ways. Via Diamonds in the Library.

A fine enameled gold armband bazuband, North India, 19th century and later.

This piece is really amazing. It’s an antique (19th century) North Indian armband that’s been modified with the addition of hinges so that it can be worn as a bracelet. It is gold, embellished with enamel in a floral motif and seed pearls. It’s breathtaking.

A fine enameled gold armband bazuband, North India, 19th century and later.
This extraordinary piece is listed in Christie’s 1 October 2012 Arts of India auction. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

Some detail shots:
Detail; a fine enameled gold armband bazuband, North India, 19th century and later.

Center detail; a fine enameled gold armband bazuband, North India, 19th century and later.

Cartier diamond, emerald, and sapphire bird bracelet.

This one’s for my mom (hi, mom!).

This bird bracelet is by Cartier and it is fabulous. I don’t always like jewelery that’s shaped like animals – it can be corny, vulgar, stupid. It can be a waste of diamonds. But not this one. The birds, which definitely look like cockatoos to me, despite what Christie’s says, are lovely. They’re delicately designed, not cartoonish, not overly stylized. This bracelet gives the impression that it just happens to be shaped like birds.

Cartier diamond, emerald, and sapphire bird bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I think part of this piece’s success is due to the use of color. The birds are white diamonds with onyx beaks and and emerald eyes. The birds are accented by carved emerald leaves and sapphire and diamond flowers. It’s these details that tie it all together and make it look like a work of art, not a toy or a Lisa Frank sticker recreated in gems. Just look at them – they’re each a tiny statue.

Zoom view - Cartier diamond, emerald, and sapphire bird bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.This spectacular Cartier bird bracelet was sold as part of the Christie’s Hong Kong Jewels auction on 29 November 2010 for a very respectable $196,690.  All information about and pictures of this piece are thanks to Christie’s.

Christie’s description:

AN EXCLUSIVE DIAMOND, EMERALD AND SAPPHIRE ‘PARROT’ BRACELET, BY CARTIER
Designed as a series of eight pavé-set diamond parrots with emerald eyes and onyx beaks, enhanced by carved emerald leaves and sapphire flowers with brilliant-cut diamond detail, mounted in 18k white gold, 18.0 cm long, with French assay mark for gold, in red leather Cartier case.  Signed and with maker’s mark for Cartier, No. 829428. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Cartier.

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