Good morning, darlings! I promised you more jewels from the Original Miami Beach Antique show, and I intend to deliver.
But first: last night was the 2016 Oscars, and I was asked to join in with INDESIGN.JEWELRY’s fabulous team to further the discussion of all things #OscarJewelry. Check out my article here, and the whole team’s coverage here.
Now: back to the Original Miami Beach Antique Show jewels! If you follow me on Instagram, you may recognize a couple of these finds…but don’t worry, I saved some really good ones just for this post.
Starting strong with the most wonderful antique English ruby and diamond double heart ring. From Bell and Bird. I can’t really talk about this one because I love it too much.
This is one of the loveliest Georgian foiled-back topaz necklaces I’ve ever seen, anywhere. Look how perfect the condition is, and how lovely the color! The flowers are centered by pearls and set in gold.
One of the coolest fede rings I’ve ever seen! This antique piece from The Spare Room features a carved central turquoise piece flanked by textured gold and other gemstones. So unusual, and in ridiculously good condition.
This magnificent thing from Terry Lucy jewelry is a late Victorian silver-topped gold necklace with rose cut diamonds and 80 carats (!!!) of no-heat Ceylon sapphires.
It is glorious and it has matching earrings. I wore this around the show for a while.
The sweetest little Georgian Lover’s Eye brooch from Lowther Antiques, with a bow on top of the heart-shaped pendant, and the emerald and pearl details. The back has a locket compartment with a lock of hair.
My love for this moss agate bracelet from Maryanntiques will never end. MY LOVE WILL NEVER END.
Speaking of things I would have brought home if I could possibly swing it: how beautiful is this portrait ring?? I’ve never seen one quite like her, with that floral setting and sprinkling of rose-cut diamonds.
This beauty was also at MaryAnntiques, who had lots to love, as always (and who also fed me while I was visiting her booth. Thanks again for the Thin Mints!).
Another showstopper: this beautiful and exquisitely preserved suite of Japanese shakudo jewelry in its own custom-fit lacquer box was at the Hancocks’ booth.
It dates to the late 1800’s and comprises a necklace, earrings, and a brooch.
Here’s a closer look at the level of detail on each of those tiny plaques in the shakudo set above. This is under my zoom lens and it’s still beyond perfect.
I still think this is just the coolest thing. Have you ever seen a camphor glass pendant with a freaking windmill on it?
Neither have I.
Everything about this Georgian acrostic bracelet from Lucy Verity is perfect. The gold links, the clasp detail, the gemstones spelling out “REGARD.” Perfect.
This beautiful thing is a vintage ring by Cartier, for sale by Hancocks. Aquamarine in the center, sapphire on the sides, perfect all around.
Two stunning Stuart crystal slides from Lenore Dailey. The lower is a mourning piece, the upper could be a mourning piece as well or simply a sentimental memento of a loved one or trusted friend.
Some people think mourning jewelry is creepy, but I think it’s a beautiful relic of long ago love made tangible.
Oh man. I really love Victorian snake jewelry. This one from Keyamour is really beautiful, with its textured gold body and gemstone-set nose and eyes.
A glorious Art Nouveau ring from Michael Longmore. This gorgeous piece features a ring shank of two naked women with plique-a-jour enamel bat wings holding an opal in their outstretched arms.
This magnificent thing is a carved emerald, onyx, diamond, and Ethiopian opal necklace by David Webb. It’s hard to accurately get a sense of scale here, but those opals are nearly the size of golf balls. I couldn’t have held more than two of them in my hand.
IT WAS INSANE.
A quartet of Georgian era giardinetti rings at Lowther Antiques! Giardinetti pieces are hard to find; to see this many exquisite ones at the same dealer is remarkable. And they’re so pretty, aren’t they?
A big bling to end on: a Victorian diamond pendant from Prather Beeland. I think it would be really fun to work something like this – which is clearly from a different era, but still so pristine – into a modern wardrobe.
See something you can’t live without? Drop me a line and let me connect you with the dealer.
Thanks for joining me for my photo recap of the 2016 Original Miami Beach Antique show! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I may have a few more pieces to show you in their own posts, so keep an eye out.
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Your taste in jewelry is similar to mine. It 1920s or older. My favorite is Victorian, I find some very interesting French pieces that go for 3 thousand and up. They are beautiful. Wish I could afford them all. Thanks for sharing, I also fell in love with the windmill. Wendy email wendystbird1956@gmail.com keep in touch.
Love your choices, I save many for my pinterest boards. I just adore that gold bangle with tge opals from Maryanntiques. Price is probably waaay pricey?
Thanks so much!! I love that bangle too. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what the price is, but I’m happy to help put you in touch with the dealer if you like! Please just shoot me an email and I’ll connect you.
I have a history question. Why are thees Opal’s featured in the David Webb golf ball sized Opal and Jade with diamonds necklace be called Ethiopian Opal when this GIA course states their discovery much later than the antique neck piece shown “The exciting arrival of gem quality solid opal from the Welo district of Ethiopia is taking the gem world by storm. Some are confusing the Welo opal, discovered circa 2008, with the original Ethiopian opal discovery in 1994 at Yita Ridge in the Shewa province, which is prone to cracking. Contrarily, once cut, the Welo opals have proven to be as stable as Australian opal or Brazilian opal where only a small percentage may craze or crack” GIA course 2015.
Also no need to be alarmed by wearing such a beautiful necklace. I used mine often and unless your a real accident waiting to happen person lol they are quite safe to wear. The earrings are gorgeous, I have thang as well simple marbles though. Lol. Don’t be afraid, that’s what insurance is for. Use, live, dance!
Hahah I like your advice about wearing opals!! I definitely agree that jewelry is made to be loved and worn.
As for your question: I don’t know the date for the David Webb opal necklace. I saw it at an antique show, but certain dealers bring vintage and estate pieces along as well. I think it’s safe to say that this necklace is much newer than a lot of the other pieces I saw that day.
Best,
Becky
Thanks for showing this designs
You’ve shown amazing beautiful jewelry designs.
I want to tell you about my business, we are offering jewelry with different category like rings, pendant & necklace, earrings, bands & more!
Opal golf balls! That’s crazy! I also love dendritic agate. They are all so gorgeous I can never decide on one! But I saw Beth Bernstein decide to buy a Jamie Josephs piece in ten seconds. I was so jealous.
That’s amazing – I don’t think I’ve ever decided on anything in 10 seconds in my life.
And those opals were INSANE. I was legit afraid to touch them. And I think the necklace was 20 inches long. Unreal.
A very attractive and unique collection. Great work.
Thank you!
Beautiful pieces; thank you for posting! The windmill on the camphor glass pendant is so unique – never saw that before. I like the chain on it too.
Re the David Webb necklace – “insane” is right! Is it wearable, with those huge opal beads? I wouldn’t want to be the person drilling those; must’ve been nerve-wracking.
I found it a little nerve-wracking even touching the opals!! The necklace was long – maybe 20 inches – and it definitely would have been a hefty accessory. You could have worn it if you wanted to, but it definitely wouldn’t be a piece you could throw on and forget about.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! It was really fun photographing all of these and knowing I had people to share them with.