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

Belle Epoque diamond tiara necklace.

I’ve got another 2-for-1 for you today: a Belle Epoque diamond tiara that converts from a necklace. Usually when you see pieces like this listed, you only get to see it in one form. But S.J. Philips gave us both!

Belle Epoque diamond necklace, circa 1905. Converts to a tiara. Via Diamonds in the Library.This lovely, delicate piece was made in 1905, in the early Belle Epoque/Edwardian era. The necklace  is designed as a graduated row of stylised trumpet-shaped bellflowers. Each stylized bellflower emanates three collet diamond stamen with foliate cluster drops between. These flowers hang from an articulated line of collet diamonds, all millegrain set, the cluster clasp for the necklace of shaped lozenge outline.

How wonderful is the outline of those flowers? So delicate, and yet they have such a presence thanks to the clean sweeps of the edges if the bellflowers and the chubby, perfect little bezel-set diamonds on their tiny stems.

As I already mentioned, this beautiful necklace converts into a tiara:

A Belle Epoque diamond tiara, circa 1905. Converts to a necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Fantastic, yes? I’d wear this on my head or under my head (by which I mean as a necklace) any day.

What do you think, darlings? Does this Belle Epoque diamond beauty float your boat?

This Belle Epoque diamond tiara necklace is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

Belle Epoque diamond necklace that can also convert into a tiara, circa 1905. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Blackened silver, 18k gold, sapphire, and diamond earrings by JAR, Paris.

I just realized, with moderate shock, that we have not yet discussed JAR. This will not do.

JAR stands for Joel Arthur Rosenthal. This New York-born jeweler is considered by many experts to be the finest jeweler working in the world today. His store has no window and no hours – and he reserves the right to refuse to sell pieces he doesn’t think are a good fit for the client.  (On his clientele list: Elle Macpherson, Barbara Walters, Ann Getty, Mary Pinault, Jo Carole Lauder, and, formerly, the late and great Elizabeth Taylor). You can imagine how valuable this makes his jewels at auction.

So that’s the mystique and here’s the more impressive part: the skill. Allow me to show you.

Blackened silver, 18k gold, sapphire, and diamond earrings by JAR, Paris. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Aren’t they insane looking? They’re like two tiny, perfect beings made of jewels. Actually, I shouldn’t call these tiny in any way. They’re centered by two sugarloaf cabochon sapphires weighing approximately 18.29 and 17.21 carats. The sapphires are set within “sculptural surrounds” set with near colorless, gray, and black round diamonds. Even the back of the earrings are set with diamonds.The diamonds and sapphires are set in blackened silver and yellow gold.

I wasn’t sure if I liked them at first, but the longer I looked at them the longer I wanted to look at them, and I realized how much I liked looking at them. I wouldn’t ever call these earrings “pretty” but they’re very beautiful in an unusual way.

These earrings were sold in Sotheby’s December 2012 “Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman” sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Ring roundup: vintage/ antique diamond rings, Vol II.

I couldn’t fit all of the pretties into my first vintage/antique diamond ring roundup, so here are more!

Circular antique diamond ring from the early 1900s. Plantinum over gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This circular antique diamond ring is just so cool. From the first decade of the 1900s, this ring is made of platinum over gold. This beauty showcases five scintillating antique old mine-cut diamonds – the central diamond weighing a half-carat – presented atop glittering concentric circles. Tiny diamonds on the shoulders complete this festival of sparkle.

.94 carat platinum and diamond engagement ring from the early-nineteenth century. It features elements of both Edwardian and Art Deco periods.

This lovely little .94 carat platinum and diamond engagement ring comes from the early-nineteenth century and features elements of both Edwardian and Art Deco periods. The central diamond rests in distinctive, soft shouldered, octagonal setting supported by slightly tapered diamond-set shoulders. I just adore the look of the tapered shoulders –  I think it lends a beautiful delicacy to this antique diamond ring.

Double knot vintage diamond ring. The ring is 10 karat rose gold, with a small Swiss cut diamond in the center. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I really enjoy this sweet little double knot vintage diamond ring. The ring is 10 karat rose gold, with a small Swiss cut diamond in the center.

1.00 carat antique cushion cut diamond engagement ring. The central 1.00 carat cushion-cut is flanked on each side by a flash of custom-cut tapered French-cut diamonds.

I think this 1.00 carat antique diamond ring is stunning. I bet this would catch light really wonderfully.  The central 1.00 carat cushion-cut is flanked on each side by a flash of custom-cut tapered French-cut diamonds. The central cushion and French-cut diamonds are, in turn, outlined by a glistening row of small old mine-cut diamonds.

.51 carat early Art Deco diamond engagement ring from the late 'teens - early 1920s. The central stone is in a hexagonal setting enhanced with fine zig-zag platinum wire work.

This .51 carat early Art Deco diamond engagement ring has some of the most amazing filigree I’ve ever seen. It’s from the late ‘teens – early 1920s. The central stone is in a hexagonal setting enhanced with fine zig-zag platinum wire work. Each shoulder is adorned with three old-mine cut diamonds and the gallery exhibits a variant of a classic Greek key pattern.

All images and info in this post are thanks to Lang Antiques. Please see the links in each individual antique diamond rings’ description for items’ original listings.

A trio of vintage and antique diamond rings. Yes, please.

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