Top

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

You are here: Home / Archives for Jewelry / Necklaces

Sparkly gift guide: $25-$50.

Welcome back! In case you missed it, I introduced Diamonds in the Library’s holiday gift guide series yesterday with a collection of jewelry for $25 or less. Today we’re going slightly higher in price. The pretties you’re about to see are all in the  $25-$50 range.

For more gift ideas, please check out my past store profiles, my guide to camphor glass jewelry, and past Ebay and Etsy posts. As always when shopping online, please pay attention to shipping charges, read return policies, and make sure that any bling you buy is the right size. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Minusey's pastel resin bib necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This necklace isn’t really winterish in terms of color scheme,
but it’s so fun I just had to include it.
Carolee Emerald Estates Linear Stone Set Drop Earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I love the color, the shape, the Deco influence.

Gorjana Kennedy Chain Ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Gorjana Kennedy Chain Ring: $35
Delicate and so lovely. I adore the rose gold, the subtle

sparkle, and the articulated chain.

House of Gemmes What a Wonderful Julep Bracelet Teal. Via Diamonds in the Library.

 

House of Gemmes What a Wonderful Julep Bracelet Teal: $32

Fabulous colors. A great statement piece for a night out.

C. Wonder's Square Bling Pave Border Studs. Via Diamonds in the Library.
These deep wine-colored studs with a shining gold border are lovely and very

seasonally-appropriate. They come in a number of colors, but this was my favorite.

Banana Republic's stretch bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Banana Republic’s stretch bracelet: $35
I adore this so much that I may buy it for myself. Pearls, sparkle, and an echo of Deco.

Treasured Guest Necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Colorful and fun, this necklace could do daytime or nighttime.

 

Sequin 'Deco' Friendship Bracelet: $28
An adjustable bracelet with a big bow? Sign me up.

 

Sparkly gift guide: $25 and under.

Welcome to the first edition of Diamonds in the Library’s holiday gift guides! I’m a little late for Hanukkah (or right on time, depending on which night you want to give gifts!) but there’s no bad time of year to give the gift of jewelry.

Jewelry is one of the most dependable gift choices, as long as you understand the taste of the person you’re buying it for. I love receiving jewelry from people I care about – every time I wear it I’m reminded of the person who bought it for me and the fact that I matter to them.

For more gift ideas, please check out my past store profiles, my guide to camphor glass jewelry, and past Ebay and Etsy posts. As always when shopping online, please pay attention to shipping charges, read return policies, and make sure that any bling you buy is the right size. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Beautiful jewelry can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Today we’ll be looking at pretties that cost less than $25.  I’ll be inching upwards in price with each new gift guide – tune in tomorrow for $25-$50.

BaubleBar Azure Hexa Bangle: $24
This BaubleBar bracelet stands out in every way – shape, color, and texture.
It looks far more expensive than it is. Also comes in green.
Simple Glitter Diamond pendant: $11.50

This lovely little necklace would add a pinch of sparkle to any outfit.

14K Gold Fill Stacking Rings - Skinny Minnies (Set of 4): $24
I do love the look of tiny stacking rings, and these gold
“skinny minnies” look like they’d be perfect.
BaubleBar Rainbow ID Bracelet: $22


BaubleBar Rainbow ID Bracelet: $22
What a cute way to add a little pizazz to an outfit.

Sophia Chandelier earrings: $23

Sophia Chandelier earrings: $23
These classic, lacy earrings are destined to become a wardrobe staple.
Turquoise Gold Studs - Tiny Post Earrings: $22

These are simple but beautiful, with their bright color and lacy gold edging.

Jeweliq pave triangles strand: $22

Jeweliq pave triangles strand: $22
How fun is this one? A great staple – I’ve seen similar things for much more money.

 

Moroccan Hoop Earring: $11.50

These are wonderful everyday earrings – they’d be great with business casual outfits.

Blu Bijoux Gold Eye Glass Necklace: $18 

This is very silly but I love it. Kate Spade made a necklace with a pendant like this a while ago,
but that one was rather large and chunky and this one is delicate.
Buy it for your favorite librarian, editor, or bespectacled buddy.

Come back again tomorrow to see the next tier of the Diamonds in the Library gift guide: pretties from $25 to $50!

Monique Pean.

Monique Pean is a fabulous contemporary jeweler who I have so far neglected on this blog. Her aesthetic is unique and also extremely cool. I’ve been admiring her work on various websites for a while, but I had no idea how cool she was until just now when I googled her.

Monique Pean creates environmentally-conscious fine jewelry using conflict-free materials like fossilized woolly mammoth and walrus ivory, antique gems, and hand-cut diamonds.

You may have guessed this by now, but jewelry made of fossilized woolly mammoth and the like is not what I’d call affordable. So for now, these pretties are just-to-admire, at least for me. If you are in a position to buy these lovely things, you can find Ms. Pean’s work at Barney’s and at other fine jewelry retailers.

Made-to-order conflict and devastation free diamond slice bracelet with fossilized woolly mammoth slice and white diamond pavé, 18K recycled oxidized white gold. By Monique Pean.

Made-to-order “conflict and devastation free” diamond slice bracelet with fossilized woolly mammoth slice and white diamond pavé, 18K recycled oxidized white gold. I think this is beautiful, and so interesting. I’ve just never seen anything quite like it.

 Necklace with amazonite, olive grey sunburst fossilized walrus ivory, vivid blue fossilized woolly mammoth tooth root and white diamonds. By Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This striking necklace is made from amazonite, olive grey sunburst fossilized walrus ivory, vivid blue fossilized woolly mammoth tooth root and white diamonds. Just try to tell me that’s not cool.

Earrings are made from fossilized woolly mammoth, opal, jade, and 1.14 carats of diamonds. By Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These earrings are made from fossilized woolly mammoth, opal, jade, and 1.14 carats of diamonds. I think their icy beauty would be perfect for winter events, or any time of year, really.
Monique Pean's Opalina waterfall ring with white diamond sprinkle, set in 18K recycled yellow gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is Monique Pean’s Opalina waterfall ring with white diamond sprinkle, set in 18K recycled yellow gold. Lovely, lovely colors.

Fossilized woolly mammoth cuff with hand carved scrimshaw and white diamond inlay. By Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This stunning piece is a fossilized woolly mammoth cuff with hand carved scrimshaw and white diamond inlay. I hate to keep repeating adjectives…but it’s just so cool. I love the fine lines and the diamond accents.

Pink diamond and champagne diamond ring by Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This pink diamond and champagne diamond ring is subtle, but ooh boy is it pretty. The ring is designed with an interlocking wave band design, with pink and champagne diamonds (conflict and devastation free) set in 18 k recycled rose gold.

I used multiple websites to write this post, so please see the links in each description for the original sources. Images and info are thanks to the original seller of each piece.

Follow along with me on Instagram