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I am I, Don Quixote, the gold retro bracelet.

First things first: who else is a fan of the classic 1960’s musical, Man of La Mancha? It’s based on Cervantes’ classic Don Quixote. It is delightful (except for one particular very dark scene). My sister and I used to frolic around the house singing the parts of Sancho and Don Quixote.

On that note, if you correctly sang this post’s title to the tune of the titular song of Man of La Mancha, please award yourself a hundred coolness points.

A fabulous bracelet from the 1950's that shows the scenes from the story of Don Quixote.

Isn’t it wonderful? The thick,  highly detailed plates, the textured background, the raised gold figures and the diamond, emerald, and ruby set stars and trees. The piece dates to the 1950’s, so it actually predates the Man of La Mancha musical, which was first produced in 1964.

A fabulous bracelet from the 1950's that shows the scenes from the story of Don Quixote. Detail view of front half.

I have a weakness for the story of Don Quixote. So much of it is about the dedication to your dreams, and sticking with what you believe no matter what. It doesn’t always work out perfectly well, but Don Quixote is unshakable.

A fabulous bracelet from the 1950's that shows the scenes from the story of Don Quixote. Detail view of back half.

So fabulous. I would wear this in a heartbeat. It’s visually appealing, whimsical, and a reference to a work that I enjoy

What do you think? Do I have any other fans of Man of La Mancha out there?

This beauty was listed for sale in a Sotheby’s auction earlier this year.

A fabulous bracelet from the 1950's that shows the scenes from the story of Don Quixote. All views. A fabulous bracelet from the 1950's that shows the scenes from the story of Don Quixote. Vertical view.

2015 gift guide: UNLIMITED budget.

We’ve made it, darlings. Two FULL WEEKS of gift guide posts…all leading up to today.

2015 jewelry gift guide - unlimited budget!Today’s gift guide is filled to the brim with unimaginable treasures, pieces to tempt anyone but accessible only to a lucky few. They’re great daydream material for the rest of us, though.

Without further ado, I present the final chapter of Diamonds in the Library’s 2015 jewelry gift guide:

Antique Bailey, Banks and Biddle diamond scroll tiara, circa 1900.Antique Bailey, Banks and Biddle diamond scroll tiara, circa 1900.

The Wendy Brandes Dragon and Knight Maneater ring with detail shots

The Dragon & Knight Maneater ring from Wendy Brandes.
(Note the real, opening treasure chest and vanquished knight slowly digesting in the dragon’s stomach.)

Antique Victorian ruby and diamond earrings, circa 1880.Antique Victorian ruby and diamond earrings, circa 1880. 

Todd Reed Octahedron diamond bracelet in 18k yellow gold. With 45.86 carats of diamond octahedrons.Todd Reed Octahedron chain bracelet in 18k yellow gold. With 45.86 carats of diamond octahedrons.

The Royal Blue - a 10.06 carat natural Vivid Fancy Blue diamond (VVS1,Type IIb) set in rose gold with vivid pink diamonds.The Royal Blue – a 10.06 carat natural Vivid Fancy Blue diamond (VVS1,Type IIb) set in rose gold with vivid pink diamonds. 

Judy Geib's Colombian emerald Rivière necklace with 66.73 cts of bezel-set Colombian emeralds in 22k gold.

Judy Geib’s Colombian emerald Rivière with 66.73 cts of bezel-set Colombian emeralds in 22k gold.

Glorious 9.46 carat antique cushion cut diamond drop earrings

Glorious 9.46 carat antique cushion cut diamond drop earrings.

Aspen Diamond Company graduated multicolored South Sea pearl and diamond necklace in platinum. 31 cts white diamonds, 5 cts vivid fancy yellow. Aspen Diamond Company graduated multicolored South Sea pearl and diamond necklace in platinum. 31 cts white diamonds, 5 cts vivid fancy yellow. 

Robert Procop ring with a 56.31ct tw cushion rubellite, 13.48 ct pink sapphire, 7.05ct ruby, 0.63ct diamonds set in 18k rose goldRobert Procop ring with a 56.31ct tw cushion rubellite, 13.48 ct pink sapphire, 7.05ct ruby, 0.63ct diamonds set in 18k rose gold.

19th century vari-coloured gem, pearl and gold cluster pendant necklace, English c.1840.19th century vari-colored gem, pearl and gold cluster pendant necklace, English c.1840.

Arunashi conch pearl and diamond earrings.Arunashi conch pearl and diamond earrings. 

An antique Belle Epoque platinum and 18ct gold diamond and ruby cluster ring. Circa 1893. Of Royal provenance.
A Belle Epoque platinum and 18ct gold diamond and ruby cluster ring. Circa 1893. Of Royal provenance.

Two spectacular diamond rivere necklaces from Doyle and Doyle one Victorian, one contemporary but antique-inspired.Two spectacular diamond riviere necklaces from Doyle and Doyle. Victorian on the left, with 15.60 cts of Old European cut diamonds in cut down collet settings; contemporary on the right, with nine antique fancy yellow Old Mine cut diamonds (8.90ctw) and 45 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing app. 6.51ctw

Irene Neuwirth wide gemstone cuff in 18k gold with emeralds and turquoise cabochons.Irene Neuwirth wide gemstone cuff in 18k gold with emeralds and turquoise cabochons.

Important antique Art Deco pearl and diamond earrings, circa 1920.

Important Art Deco pearl and diamond earrings, circa 1920.

Verdura amethyst and aquamarine necklace in gold.Verdura amethyst and aquamarine necklace in gold.

Naomi Sarna multicolored diamond and sapphire petal brooch in white gold.Naomi Sarna multicolored diamond and sapphire petal brooch in white

Antique graduated diamond necklace; 85.90 carats.

Antique graduated diamond necklace; 85.90 carats. 

Seaman Schepps emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond gold link braceletSeaman Schepps emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond gold link bracelet.

Thanks so much for joining me for my fourth annual jewelry gift guide!! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Here’s what we’ve covered already, in case you’re craving a recap: jewelry under $100; $100 – $200; $200 – $350; $350 – $500, $500 – $1,000, $1,000 – $3,000, $3,000 – $7,000, $7,000 – $15,000, and $15,000 –  $50,000.

Diamonds in the Library's 2015 jewelry gift guide - the most incredible jewelry for the lucky shopper with an unlimited budget.

Judy Geib's Colombian emerald Rivière with 66.73 cts of bezel-set Colombian emeralds in 22k goldAntique diamond scroll tiara, circa 1900. By Bailey, Banks and Biddle.Important Art Deco pearl and diamond earrings, circa 1920.
An antique graduated diamond necklace; 85.90 carats.Todd Reed Octahedron diamond bracelet in 18k yellow gold. With 45.86 of rare diamond octahedrons.
Antique Victorian ruby and diamond earrings, circa 1880. With 9 carats of diamonds and almost 9 carats of rubies.A Belle Epoque platinum and 18ct gold diamond and ruby cluster ring. Circa 1893. Of Royal provenance.
Vintage Verdura amethyst and aquamarine necklace in gold.An antique 19th century vari-coloured gem, pearl and gold cluster pendant necklace, English c.1840.Arunashi's conch pearl and diamond earrings.Aspen Diamond Company graduated multicolored South Sea pearl and diamond necklace in platinum. 31 cts white diamonds, 5 cts vivid fancy yellow. The Naomi Sarna multicolored diamond and sapphire petal brooch in white gold.The Wenddy Brandes Dragon and Knight Maneater ring - back view
The Wendy Brandes Dragon and Knight Maneater ring with open rose gold treasure chest.Glorious pair of 9.46 carat antique cushion cut diamond drop earrings The Wendy Brandes Dragon and Knight Maneater ring with real opening treasure chest and vanquished knight digesting in the dragon's stomach. Wenddy Brandes Dragon and Knight Maneater ringAn antique Victorian riviere necklace featuring 15.60ctw of Old European cut diamonds in cut down collet settings. Fashioned in silver and 10k gold, circa 1880.Antique 19th century vari-coloured gem, pearl and gold cluster pendant necklace, English c.1840. Diamond Riviere Necklace, featuring nine antique fancy yellow, Old Mine cut diamonds weighing app. 8.90ctw and 45 Round Brilliant cut diamonds weighing app. 6.51ctw.A Robert Procop ring with a 56.31ct tw cushion rubellite, 13.48 ct pink sapphire, 7.05ct ruby, 0.63ct diamonds set in 18k rose gold

 

2015 gift guide: $15,000 – $50,000.

Up, up, and up we soar, into the truly luxurious echelons of price point. The more zeros at the end of the price tag, the more possibilities.

Here in $15k – $50k, we see Georgian diamonds, precious opals, slabs of gorgeous malachite, fossilized woolly mammoth bone…almost anything you desire. 2015 jewelry gift guide - jewelry $1500 - $50000Here’s what we’ve covered already, in case you’re craving a recap: jewelry under $100; $100 – $200; $200 – $350; $350 – $500, $500 – $1,000, $1,000 – $3,000, $3,000 – $7,000, and $7,000 – $15,000.

Victorian 15k yellow gold, diamond, and black enamel earrings. Circa 1880. At A Brandt and Son.Victorian 15k yellow gold, diamond, and black enamel earrings. Circa 1880.

Large Kara Ross Cava cuff in malachite with blue topaz insetKara Ross large Cava cuff in malachite with blue topaz inset.

Nak Armstrong earrings with black spinel, dark aquamarine, and brown sapphire in 18k rose gold.Nak Armstrong earrings in 18k rose gold with black spinel, dark aquamarine, and brown sapphire.

Enamel serpent ring by Juan daSilva in gold with blue enamel and fancy-cut diamonds.Enamel serpent ring by Juan daSilva in gold with blue enamel and fancy-cut diamonds.

Stone and Strand Estate Collection diamond wing earrings from the 1940’s. With 10 carats of diamonds.Stone and Strand Estate Collection diamond wing earrings from the 1940’s. With 10 carats of diamonds.

Arunashi ring in black rhodium with 8.66cts of tanzanite and 2.97cts of diamonds.
Arunashi ring in black rhodium with 8.66cts of tanzanite and 2.97cts of diamonds.

Monique Péan's sapphire slice and diamond earrings.
Monique Péan sapphire slice and diamond earrings.

Antique 2.12 carat oval diamond ring with amazing emerald halo. Antique 2.12 carat oval diamond ring with amazing emerald halo.
(This is one of my favorite currently available pieces of jewelry anywhere, at any price.)

Arunashi black opal egg drop earrings with diamonds.Arunashi black opal egg drop earrings with diamonds. 

Monique Pean hand-carved fossilized jet necklace with fossilized woolly mammoth and diamond inlay.Monique Pean hand-carved fossilized jet necklace with fossilized woolly mammoth and diamond inlay.

Sharon Khazzam's Sateem drop earrings with citrine, pink-green tourmaline, white diamonds, black diamonds, pink sapphires.Sharon Khazzam Sateem drop earrings with citrine, pink-green tourmaline, white diamonds, black diamonds, pink sapphires.

Amethyst Opening Night necklace from Katherine Jetter, with an amethyst pendant on a moonstone and rose gold chain.Amethyst Opening Night necklace from Katherine Jetter, with a moonstone and rose gold chain.

Spanish diamond and emerald earrings in silver. Circa 1780.Antique diamond and emerald earrings in silver. Spanish in origin, circa 1780.

Naomi Sarna multicolored diamond and sapphire petal ring in white gold.Naomi Sarna multicolored diamond and sapphire petal ring in white gold. 

Miseno's Ventaglio Diamond and Pearl Earrings - 6.71cts white diamonds and 4.57cts pearls set in 18K white gold.Miseno’s Ventaglio Diamond and Pearl Earrings – 6.71cts white diamonds and 4.57cts pearls set in 18K white gold.

Edwardian Old Mine Diamond Necklace in platinum topped 18k gold. 10cts of Old Mine cut diamonds, with knife wire links. French, circa 1915.Edwardian Old Mine Diamond Necklace in platinum topped 18k gold. Seventeen buttercup set Old Mine cut diamonds and sixteen bezel set Old Mine cut diamonds all weighing app. 10ctw, with knife wire links. French, circa 1915.

Diamonds in the Library's 2015 jewelry gift guide - jewelry $15,000 - $50,000Kara Ross large Cava cuff in malachite with blue topaz insetMiseno Ventaglio Diamond and Pearl Earrings - 6.71cts white diamonds and 4.57cts pearls set in 18K white gold.Naomi Sarna's multicolored diamond and sapphire petal ring in white gold.
An Arunashi ring in black rhodium with 8.66cts of tanzanite and 2.97cts of diamonds.

Sharon Khazzam Sateem drop earrings with citrine, pink-green tourmaline, white diamonds, black diamonds, pink sapphires.The Monique Pean hand-carved fossilized jet necklace with fossilized woolly mammoth and diamond inlay.A pair of Nak Armstrong earrings with black spinel, dark aquamarine, and brown sapphire in 18k rose gold.Georgian 15k yellow gold, diamond, and black enamel earrings. Paisley style. Circa 1880An enamel serpent ring by Juan daSilva in yellow gold with blue enamel and fancy-cut diamonds.The Amethyst Opening Night necklace from Katherine Jetter, with an amethyst pendant on a moonstone and rose gold chain. An enamel serpent ring by Juan daSilva in gold with blue enamel and fancy-cut diamonds.

Stone and Strand Estate Collection diamond wing earrings from the 1940's. With 10 carats of diamonds.Monique Péan sapphire slice and diamond earrings.Arunashi black opal egg drop earrings with diamonds with model view.Arunashi ring in black rhodium with 8.66cts of tanzanite and 2.97cts of diamonds.

 

Antique 2.12 carat oval diamond ring with amazing emerald halo. In its box. Antique 2.12 carat oval diamond ring with amazing emerald halo. In box.Edwardian Old Mine Diamond Necklace in platinum topped 18k gold. French, circa 1915.Georgian diamond and emerald earrings in silver. Spanish in origin, circa 1780.

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