Diamonds in the Library

What I’m reading: Vol 34.

April 8, 2015

Nightstand: Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. A good friend of mine gifted me this in college when she realized I loved YA fantasy. It’s been a favorite ever since. I reread it the other night when I couldn’t sleep.

Coffee table: The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas. This central romance has a really interesting dynamic.

On the metro: My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas. Continuing my Sherry Thomas kick. I’m not sure what I think of this one so far.

Internets:

Why feminists are mourning the loss of white male author Terry Pratchett.

21 Style Choices Only a Bride Can Get Away With. Alternate title: an explanation for the current state of my credit card bill.

My fabulous friend Jewelry Nerd wrote a great blog post on the ancient technique of granulation in jewelry (and where to find it in the contemporary market).

The evolution of Cinderella in movies, from 1899 to the present.

JK Rowling, you are never not amazing.

Three Science Fiction and Fantasy Female Authors Who Led the Way. Anne McCaffrey was one of my first favorites. I read my mom’s Dragonriders of Pern box set over and over and over again.

Lulu Frost is now making hair jewelry, because the world is a wonderful place.

Beautiful and interesting jewels for modern royalty: Crown Princess Mary’s Midnight Parure.

More large companies are run by men named “John” than by women. Pop quiz: is this okay? (Answer: NO.)

Glorious long Art Deco dinner ring at Lang Antiques.

April 6, 2015

I have a very important thing to tell you before you read any further, darlings. Do you hear me? DO NOT look at this ring before you read my warning. You’ll end up with a broken heart.

WARNING: the following Art Deco dinner ring of extreme beauty has already been sold. You can’t click through to Lang Antiques and buy it. You’ll want to, but you can’t.

Ready?

Don’t mind that noise, it’s just choirs of angels singing.

As I mentioned above, this magnificent platinum confection of a ring is Art Deco, circa 1920’s. The ring is original, not a converted bar pin. Its glorious filigree is set with 2.35 carats of diamonds and accented with antique synthetic sapphires, all original to the piece.

Oh man. I should have read my own disclaimer more carefully, because I’m feeling a genuine sadness that I’ll never see my hand wearing this spectacular beauty.

Who else is in love?

This beautiful Art Deco dinner ring was sold by Lang Antiques and may be admired in their archive. All images and info are thanks to Lang Antiques.

Treat yourself: the boldest earrings under $300.

April 3, 2015

Few accessories take an outfit from cute to exceptional more effectively than a serious pair of statement earrings. I especially love them for warmer weather…which I dearly hope that the DC area will be experiencing more of soon.

It is for those reasons that today’s edition of Treat Yourself is dedicated to bringing you the boldest earrings under $300. They’re big, they’re bright, they’re weird: they’re amazing.

Lulu Frost Scarab Pair earrings ($275).