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

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Piaget ‘cocktail’ rings.

Bonus post! Happy Friday. This post for everyone out there who enjoys brightly colored beverages and good company).

Piaget has created a line of cocktail rings that actually look like cocktails. I wasn’t sure about them at first, but I’ve decided I think they’re fabulous. Here are a few of them. My favorites are the cosmo and the mojito, although I love the umbrella in the daiquiri. These images and the information with them are thanks to CIJ Jewellery Magazine.

Piaget Cosmopolitan ring; 18-carat white gold ring set with 197 brilliant-cut diamonds,1 cushion-cut pink rubellite, and 1 carved citrine.

Cosmopolitan ring, 18-carat white gold ring set with 197 brilliant-cut diamonds,1 cushion-cut pink rubellite, and 1 carved citrine.

Piaget Blueberry daiquiri ring, 18-carat white gold ring set with 121 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut amethyst, 30 brilliant-cut pink sapphires, 1 cabochon-cut ruby.

Blueberry daiquiri ring, 18-carat white gold ring set with 121 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut amethyst, 30 brilliant-cut pink sapphires, 1 cabochon-cut ruby.

Piaget Whiskey on the rocks ring, 18-carat yellow gold ring set with 100 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut citrine, and 2 carved quartz.

Whiskey on the rocks ring, 18-carat yellow gold ring set with 100 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut citrine, and 2 carved quartz.

Piaget Mojito ring, 18-carat white gold ring set with 182 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut green tourmaline, 1 carved citrine, 16 round-cut tsavorites, and 128 emeralds.

Mojito ring, 18-carat white gold ring set with 182 brilliant-cut diamonds, 1 cushion-cut green tourmaline, 1 carved citrine, 16 round-cut tsavorites, 120 round-cut emeralds, and 8 marquise-cut emeralds.

So you want to buy jewelry on Ebay: a first-timer’s guide.

Ebay is dangerous (and fun). You can never really know what you’re buying or who you’re buying it from. Bidding wars are seductive, especially if you’re as competitive and stubborn as I am. That said, I’ve bought some really beautiful jewelry on Ebay. I’ve also bought some jewelry that was so disappointing and worthless that I ended up throwing it in the trash.

The best advice I can give you about buying jewelry on Ebay is to be skeptical. Keep one eyebrow raised at all times.

Some sellers use words like “Art Deco” or “antique” to attract bidders, regardless of the terms’ applicability to their item. If something is lacking in pictures or information, ask the seller questions. If they won’t answer your questions, don’t do business with them. If a seller doesn’t have positive reviews, don’t do business with them. If you do buy jewelry on Ebay (or anything), pay promptly and leave honest feedback.

I like to search for specific things to help narrow down the huge selection. I often use search terms like “Edwardian” “Art Deco” “filigree” “camphor glass” “ring” “Kate Spade” “Anthropologie” on their own or in combination with each other, depending on what I’m looking for. Then I use the categories (on the left of the screen) to narrow down my results. I usually at least select “Jewelry and Watches” and often go further to “Vintage and Antique Jewelry” if that’s what I’m looking for. From there you can choose eras or types of jewelry, but it can be fun to see a wider selection if you’re not on a specific quest.

Never forget to check shipping costs; the price you bid is the price you’ll pay before shipping. I also recommend deciding the maximum you’re willing to pay for something before you place your first bid – and writing that number down, so you can remind yourself to stick to it.

Know all of your measurements – ring size, wrist circumference, and what necklace lengths you prefer. The only thing sadder than buying crap is buying something beautiful you can never wear.
Here are some thing I’m currently admiring on Ebay.

 
Antique Art Deco 14K Gold Camphor Glass Necklace set with Diamond
I love camphor glass, and this looks like a beautiful piece. If I didn’t own something similar I’d be bidding on this instead of showing you.
 
 
Superb antique amethyst and pearl ring in 9 ct gold.
 Could this be prettier?
 
 
Vintage Art Deco Pierre Bex-style geometric rhinestone brooch.
How cool is this brooch? I want to wear it as a pendant.
 
Edwardian amethyst and pearl lavalier pendant necklace.
 So pretty.
 
Antique Edwardian diamond ring in white and yellow gold.
 
 
All images and info are thanks to the sellers who posted each item. Do you ever buy jewelry on Ebay? Do you think you will in the future?
 

Want more? Here’s How to Buy Jewelry on Ruby Lane and How to Buy Jewelry on Etsy.

Marcus and Co emerald and diamond ring, circa 1910.

Marcus and Co is another one of those names that I know means I should expect to see great jewelry. This ring is no exception.

 An antique Marcus and Co emerald and diamond ring, circa 1910.

Art Deco diamonds and emeralds are a common combination, but this is a really spectacular example. The openwork panel of diamonds and emeralds, centering around a large, emerald-cut diamond, is a really spectacular shape and fairly unique, as far as I’ve seen.

This ring is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

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