Diamonds in the Library

Two beautiful Art Nouveau brooches.

July 12, 2013

You get a twofer today, my darlings. Of killer Art Nouveau brooches. Are you ready?

This is a glorious, flower-child goddess of a brooch.

I’m basically at a loss for words with this one. It’s almost too pretty. I can’t imagine anyone wearing it. But I really love to look at it.

This gorgeous thing is a brooch/pendant designed by Georges Fouquet in the late 19th century. It’s designed as a serene-faced lady with flowing hair and an elaborate headdress. Her face and hair are made of carved chalcedony, applied with plique-à-jour enamel and highlighted with cabochon and circular-cut rubies, circular-cut and rose diamonds, suspending a natural pearl. It can be worn as a brooch or a pendant and is signed G. Fouquet.

The lovely thing is listed as a brooch, but what really caught my interest was the fact that it has fittings for use as a hair ornament. How spectacular would this be as hair jewelry? I couldn’t possibly be more on board. I want it on my head.

This piece is the work of Vever and was created in 1900. It’s designed as a stylized fuchsia which, apparently, is actually a kind of flower and not just a brilliant shade of pink. It’s set with with circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds and one marquise-shaped tourmaline, which was added later. The auction description lists this as being hung on a chain (not pictured) even though it isn’t listed as being a pendant. How multi-functional.

These Art Nouveau brooches were both listed in Sotheby’s December 2012 The Jewellery Collection of the Late Michael Wellby: An Eclectic Eye – Jewels Spanning Four Centuries sale. Please see individual descriptions for source links.

All images and info for these Art Nouveau brooches are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Two new lovely Tacori engagement ring collections.

July 11, 2013

I have marvelous news for you, dear readers. The fabulous Tacori – a brand that you know I adore – has released some new designs!

I’ve said it before and I’ll said it again: no matter what your personal ring preferences are, it’s almost impossible not to enjoy looking at Tacori’s rings.

Today we’re going to take a gander at two Tacori engagement ring collections: the Pretty in Pink collection and the Petite Crescent collection. The Pretty in Pink collection – as you may have guessed – offers classic Tacori designs in warm rose gold. The Petite Crescent collection offers the spirit of the elegant Tacori design aesthetic in a streamlined way.

A rose gold and diamond engagement ring from Tacori's pretty in pink collection

This beauty is one of my favorites from the rose gold collection, possibly because it’s one of my favorite Tacori designs in general. But I think the delicate details translate perfectly into rose gold, don’t you?

A lovely diamond engagement ring by Tacori

Here’s one from the Petite Crescent collection that’s somewhat similar, although with a less ornate basket. Which do you prefer, this one or the rose gold one above?

This eye-catching stunner is Pretty in Pink’s answer to the Full Bloom collection. With a floral inspiration, it’s no wonder the rose gold version is so lovely.

Diamond engagement ring by Tacori, with a marquis-cut diamond.

Diamond engagement ring by Tacori, with a princess cut diamond.

These two from the Petite Crescent collection are simpler from the top – no halo, just the center stone with tiny stones twinkling from the band in the background. One marquis, one princess.

How spectacular is this this rose gold ring? Hint: the answer is “very” but I’d also accept “wow.” Look at the detaling just below the diamond – I think it’s just fabulous. Too ornate for some, I’m sure, but wonderful to look at.

Diamond engagement ring by Tacori. Check out that triple-layered diamond band!

Diamond engagement ring by Tacori. This baby brings some serious bling.

The only thing “petite” about these two “Petite Crescent” rings is the name of the collection.

A rose gold and diamond engagement ring and wedding band from Tacori's pretty in pink collection

Here’s an example of one of the Pretty in Pink rose gold engagement rings paired with a matching wedding band. Aren’t the corresponding crescent shapes of the band lovely?

What do you think of the two new Tacori engagement ring collections? Has your heart been stolen, or are you still dreaming of a previous Tacori design?

Please visit Tacori’s excellent website for more information on any of these pieces or to see the rest of these Tacori engagement ring collections. All images and info in this post are thanks to Tacori.

Art Deco diamond and gem-set ladybug sautoir.

July 10, 2013

I’ve actually been avoiding posting this ladybug sautoir because I’m not sure how to do it justice.

This stunning example of Art Deco gorgousness was made sometime in the 1920’s, as you may have suspected, my jewelry sleuths.

As you can see above, this ladybug sautoir features an intricate geometric plaque set with single- and brilliant-cut diamonds, decorated with calibré-cut amethysts, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The plaque may be detached and worn as a brooch. And, although Sotheby’s didn’t mention it in their listing, I think the central element is a diamond, ruby and sapphire ladybug. You see that too, right? I’m not nuts?

It’s a sautoir, so – as we have discused – that means it features a pendant hanging from a (usually long) chain. This is short for a sautoir; it only measures 16 inches from the clasp to the tip of the pendant. But oh, how glorious the chain is.

As you can see here, that fabulous plaque is hanging from a fine chain millegrain set with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires to match the design of the pendant. For me, this gem-set chain is what makes this a truly exceptional piece (that, and the ladybug). I love the pendant, but it’s not particularly usual for the period – although it is remarkably colorful. The chain, though! Spectacular.