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

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19th century pearl and diamond tiara.

My dears, I am in love.

No, this isn’t another post about my engagement ring, although everything’s still wonderful on that front. I’m in love with this late 19th century pearl and diamond tiara.

Late 19th century pearl and diamond aigrette tiara with circular and rose cut diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Have you ever seen anything more fabulous? It’s just so exuberant. I pretty much hear angels sing when I look at it. It’s like a celebration you can wear on your head.

This fantastic piece dates back to the late 19th century. It sparkles with circular and rose cut diamonds and the luster of natural saltwater pearls. The base is an inverted scroll tiara surmounted with eight five pointed stars.

Aigrette detail: Late 19th century pearl and diamond aigrette tiara with circular and rose cut diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s the center part, which is an amazing spray of diamonds and pearls properly called an “aigrette.” I don’t think I can describe it in any coherent way besides saying that I don’t think it could possibly be any more excellent than it is. It fills me with glee.

Star detail: Late 19th century pearl and diamond aigrette tiara with circular and rose cut diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Each of the stars centers a larger diamond and is set with small diamonds. Do you love this as much as I do, or would you prefer a more sedate topper?

This glorious 19th century pearl and diamond tiara was listed in a December 2013 Sotheby’s auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Rose gold and pink diamond headband.

Happy new year, darlings! I hope you had a fabulous end of 2013. Did anyone wear any fabulous jewels for NYE? I bet you did. I want to hear about them.

Let’s kick things off in style.

This rose gold and pink diamond headband is somewhat twee, but it’s so gloriously Blair Waldorf that I can’t help but love it.

Rose gold and pink diamond headband featuring 18 karat pink gold and pavé-set with 4.5 carats of brilliant-cut pink diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The whole piece – both the hair band and the decorative element – are made of 18 karat rose gold. Sotheby’s calls the decorative element “openwork coil” but I find the design to be very evocative of a row of hearts. (Maybe the color scheme is influencing my perception.) Either way, that openwork coil is pavé-set with 4.5 carats of brilliant-cut pink diamonds.

A closer look at the decorative element. Do you see the hearts, or does it strike you as abstract loops?

A more interesting question: who do you imagine is the intended audience for this piece? Do you picture it on wealthy teenage queen bees like Blair Waldorf, or do you imagine it as part of a hairstyle on a more mature woman? There can’t be too widespread a demand for this kind of thing, because I feel like most of the people who would want to wear it are too young to afford it for themselves. It sold for quite a bit of money – $16,102 – in Hong King three years ago. Maybe I’m underestimating the wealthy tweens of the world.

Detail: Rose gold and pink diamond headband featuring 18 karat pink gold and pavé-set with 4.5 carats of brilliant-cut pink diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

For the record: I would wear this in a heartbeat, and I’m no tween. What do you think of it?

This rose gold and pink diamond headband was sold in a 2010 Sotheby’s auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Art Deco diamond hair combs by Black, Starr & Frost.

Have I mentioned my love of hair bling recently? I am a serious hair bling enthusiast. You wear your hair every day, you might as well adorn it.

Much of the most fabulous hair bling comes to us from the past. Remember the Cartier hair ornament I showed you a while ago, and my roundup of tiaras? Such beauty. These Art Deco diamond hair combs are much subtler and more adaptable than those statement pieces. While you could wear them all together for a seriously sparkly effect, you could also choose to deploy a single comb for less glittering coifs.

Art Deco diamond hair combs featuring a Greek key motif in single-cut diamonds and gold prongs. Circa 1910 by Black, Starr & Frost. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These three Art Deco diamond hair combs date to 1910 are the work of American jewelery manufacturer Black, Starr & Frost. They’re each adorned by an openwork rectangular plaque featuring three Greek key scrolls and millegrain set with single-cut diamonds. These lead to two curving golden prongs on each comb, which are attached to the rectangular panel by an engraved element at the top of each prong.

Detail: Art Deco diamond hair combs featuring a Greek key motif in single-cut diamonds and gold prongs. Circa 1910 by Black, Starr & Frost. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s a close look at the decorative tops. S.J. Philips doesn’t give any metal for the rectangular panels or engraved elements, but I’m guessing it’s platinum given the era and the materials (although it could also be white gold). You can really see the millegraining (the lines of what look like little dots along the edges of the metalwork) in this photo. It’s a subtle touch, but its effect on the overall texture of the piece is just wonderful. Ditto for the engraved element attaching the gold prongs to the rectangular panel. Neither would be noticeable from further away, but close up both are deliberate and lovely.

One from a set of three Art Deco diamond hair combs featuring a Greek key motif in single-cut diamonds and gold prongs. Circa 1910 by Black, Starr & Frost. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The photo quality isn’t quite as excellent as I prefer, but it’s good enough for me to really want to play with these.

Do you ever rock hair bling of your own? How would you wear these combs?

These Art Deco diamond hair combs are currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

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