I first saw this Edwardian aquamarine set quite a while ago and I still think it’s some of the prettiest jewelry around. It wasn’t actually sold as a set in this auction, but it clearly goes together so I’m posting it together.
Aren’t they beautiful? The delicate details, the perfect color contrast, the stunning aquamarines. I have a love for these and it is a big love. These lovely, lovely things were made in 1915, a year that produced many things that I pine for.
Each of these gorgeous. flexibly-set aquamarine briolettes dangles within a scalloped, diamond-set frame accented by black onyx and edged by seed pearls. Each lovely frame hangs from a navette-shaped diamond-set panel topped by an old European-cut diamond.
Now, let’s take a look at the necklace:
The Edwardian aquamarine necklace, as I probably don’t need to tell you, matches the earrings. It is also from 1915.
To adapt the design to a necklace form, the jeweler used a larger aquamarine briolette in a larger setting, and topped it with two navette-shaped diamond-set panels and 2 old European-cut diamonds, instead of just one of each. The pendant is suspended from a delicate chain spaced by 7 pearls.
If anyone has not been taking notes (maybe I’ll give you all a Gilderoy Lockhart-style quiz on what you should have learned about me from reading my blog) aquamarine is March’s birthstone and therefore my birthstone. In related news, I do accept gifts.
These Edwardian aquamarine earrings and necklace were both sold in Doyle New York’s December 2011 Important Estate Jewelry Sale. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.
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Love how the artist who made these split the difference between the old Edwardian and the newer art deco, appealing to a wider customer base. Do you think the lady who wore them had an Edwardian mind or was she of the faster set? Perhaps both, depending on the circumstances? Their versatility almost makes these a frugal purchase!
I definitely agree – these are remarkable. And I love any idea that makes them a frugal purchase!