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

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Happy Michele della Valle jewels at Christie’s

Hello my darlings! Do you want to see an entire auction filled with jewels that will make you smile? I hope so, because that’s today’s agenda.

Colorful Whimsy: Jewels by Michele della Valle opens today at Christie’s and runs through March 17th. The sale includes 65(!!) vivid, beautiful, delightful pieces by this fantastic designer.

Bright, happy jewels by Michele della Valle jewels headed to auction at Christie's

I first discovered Michele della Valle’s work when I was a little baby blogger browsing auction websites from the cubicle of my day job in 2012 and I’ve been a fan of his delightful designs ever since.

The artist is known for his whimsical visions and vibrant use of gemstones and every single piece in this sale delivers. I could feel my spirits lifting with each lot I browsed.

Happy Michele della Valle jewels at Christie’s

This post is going to be light on words and heavy on pictures. Let’s dive in!

Lemon earrings by Michele della Valle, with yellow sapphires, tsavorite garnets and round diamonds in 18k white gold.

Lot 32 is these incredible lemon earrings, which actually caught my eye on IG before I knew this sale was even happening! If you look closely, you’ll see the lemons are articulated so they should move gently when worn.

These Michele della Valle lemon earrings feature round yellow sapphires, tsavorite garnets and round diamonds in 18k white gold. See these beauties on an ear here.

Michele della Valle tanzanite ring with a 17.19 carat cabochon tanzanite, round cabochon rubies, round diamonds, and 18k white and yellow gold

Oh hello, Lot 11. This beauty is a tanzanite ring featuring a glorious 17.19 carat cabochon tanzanite surrounded by juicy round cabochon rubies, round diamonds, and 18k white and yellow gold.

The settings of the round diamonds make them look like stars to me. It’s a lovely touch on a gorgeous and very tactile ring. I want to touch it.

Beautiful Michele della Valle flower earrings with carved pink opal, cabochon green tourmaline, round diamonds and 18k rose gold.

Lot 4 is these extraordinarily pretty floral earrings. Those breathtaking pink tops are carved pink opal, set in 18K rose gold with cabochon tourmaline and diamonds.

This is lot 63. I’m pretty sure it’s my favorite lot in the sale, although I also have a strong weakness for the lemon earrings. I didn’t know that I wanted to see an all-green floral brooch but now that it’s in front of me, it feels perfect.

This floral brooch by Michele della Valle is set with emeralds and cabochon tourmaline in 18K yellow gold.

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Dubin’s Book for a Book: jewels and generosity.

One of the things that I enjoy most about Diamonds in the Library is the way it has of connecting me to people who believe in the same things that I believe in.

Today we’re going to look at a jewelry store that’s combining several of my favorite things into one: jewelry, generosity, and books!

This beautiful thing is the Book for a Book pendant from Dubin’s Fine Jewelry in Houston, Texas. This one is engraved with my own initials, because it is mine (lucky me!). It just arrived and I’ve been wearing it nonstop.

The Book for a Book necklace from Durbin's Fine Jewelry. Each one sold means a donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

This tiny golden book, with its adorable shape and charming cover and spine details, is more than just a pretty pendant: it is the representative of a premise. Each time Dubin’s Fine Jewelry sells a Book for a Book necklace, they also donate a book to Houston area nonprofit Books Between Kids.

The necklace comes in gold, rose gold, and silver and can be engraved (like mine is). It’s a light, comfortable piece to wear; not only is it pretty, it’s a reminder of an an act of giving that helps to get books to kids who need them.

There are two ways to get this beautiful necklace for your very own: you can buy one here, or you can participate in Dubin’s book drive for Books Between Kids by donating books and be entered to win one as a thank-you prize! Details on the book drive here.

The Book for a Book necklace from Durbin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

If you need a gift for a jewelry-loving book enthusiast, this is a fantastic way to go. You’ll be supporting a small business, donating to a charity, and getting a beautiful piece of jewelry all in one shot.

If you’d like to learn more about the Books Between Kids nonprofit, please click here.

My Dubin’s Book for a Book necklace was gifted to me, but my opinions remain my own.

The Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.
The Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each one sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.
The yellow gold Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

Ruby Lane 101: how to buy jewelry on RubyLane.com

Do you ever buy jewelry on RubyLane.com, my darlings?

Ruby Lane is one of my favorite places on the internet to find vintage and antique jewelry. I really think it’s the closest experience to an actual antique jewelry show that a person can have from home, except with no crowds and lots of useful search functions to help you find (and buy!) exactly what you want.

Four antique rings from sellers on Ruby Lane. I love this elongated navette shape!

Rings: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Ruby Lane 101:
how to buy jewelry on RubyLane.com

We’re going to start out with a little introduction to this fantastic resource and then we’ll get to tips and tricks, sprinkled liberally with photos of gorgeous jewelry!

Every piece of jewelry featured in this post is currently for sale on RubyLane.com. Click the numbered links under each photo to take you to the piece’s listing.

What is Ruby Lane?

RubyLane.com is an ecommerce website that allows reputable dealers of antiques and collectables to have online storefronts all on the same well-organized, easily searchable website.

Ruby Lane has a fantastic jewelry section, brimming with interesting and unusual pieces from museum quality antique treasures to quirky, affordable vintage costume jewelry and everything in-between!

I’ve been buying jewelry on Ruby Lane for years.

An exquisite selection of antique lockets from sellers on Ruby Lane.

Lockets: 1, 2, 3.

Why is Ruby Lane different?

Ruby Lane is different from other online shopping portals because, quite simply, RubyLane.com is not full of junk. It’s a thoughtful, well-maintained environment that draws authentic antique dealers offering genuine treasures.

Want to see something very cool? You can actually view the Jewelry Terms & Conditions that Ruby Lane sellers have to agree to when creating a store on RubyLane.com.

It’s wonderfully specific, with clear definitions of “antique” and “vintage” as well as requirements for authenticity testing and my very favorite rule: “No commonly available, mass-produced jewelry.”

Art Deco era gemstone rings from sellers on Ruby Lane.

Ring listings: 1, 2, 3.

One might expect well-maintained online shopping portal to be exclusively for high end pieces, but RubyLane.com welcomes collectibles of a wide price range.

The combination of well-maintained AND open to products of all price ranges means that you might find an exquisite $17,000 diamond ring for that once in a lifetime purchase but you can also find an gorgeous $80 silver bracelet or a $40 midcentury brooch or a $110 Art Nouveau gilt locket for all those still very exciting but less financially stressful treat yourself moments along the way.

Art Deco era necklaces from Ruby Lane.

Necklace listings: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Even better, because sellers are required to write proper descriptions and provide multiple photos of each piece they list, you’ll have an easier time evaluating the offerings and deciding what you want to buy.

How to browse jewelry on Ruby Lane.

If you’re not sure what you want, it’s always fun to just randomly browse jewelry on RubyLane.com.

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