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

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Two pairs of antique earrings.

These two pairs of antique earrings are as different as night and day, but I’ve decided they can share a post because, well, it’s my blog and I do what I want.

Antique Burmese sapphire and diamond earrings by Chaumet, circa 1880. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This first pair of antique earrings date to 1880. They’re by Chaumet, and they feature a gorgeous pair of blue Burmese sapphire drops dangling from two diamond cluster surmounts. The overall shape of these beauties actually reminds me of a lot of retro period earrings I’ve seen, except these are nearly 100 years too old to be retro.

Onto antique earrings #2!

Indian “Pratapgarh” gold and glass earrings, circa 1860. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These earrings are slightly earlier than the first pair; they date to 1860. They’re Indian, if you hadn’t guessed. And stunningly gorgeous.

The store’s website calls these beauties “Pratapgarh” earrings. My research suggests that Pratapgarh is the area in India where the technique used to make these earrings – in which a delicately worked sheet of gold is embossed onto glass – developed. The technique itself is called “Thewa.”

I lack the proper words to describe how beautiful these earrings are. The colors are lovely and the details are simply mind-boggling.

These two pairs of antique earrings were sold by Simon Teakle and come from the store’s online gallery. All images and info are thanks to Simon Teakle.

Etsy wishlist: all the antique rings.

There are so many lovely antique rings I want to buy on Etsy right now that I can’t even handle it. My dears, won’t some of you please give these pretties a home before I buy them myself?

Really, the issue is that I’ve discovered some really amazing Etsy stores recently through Instagram, and I should give you store profiles on all of them. It’s possible I’m hoarding knowledge from you, darlings. I’ll try to convince myself to share.

Antique Victorian turquoise and diamond twin heart ring.

I’ve developed the desire for a twin heart ring. I’m not sure where it came from, but apparently that’s another thing to add to my mental jewelry bucket list. This one is glorious. you know how I feel about turquoise and diamonds together.

Side detail - Art Deco aquamarine and diamond ring by Raymond Yard.

This beauty is an Art Deco era piece by Raymond Yard. It actually poses no danger to my wallet because I could never afford it in a million years.

Art Deco aquamarine and diamond ring by Raymond Yard.

It’s gorgeous, though, isn’t it? It dates to the 1920’s. That aquamarine is just under 4 carats, and the side diamonds and engraved platinum are simply divine.

Antique Victorian opal and seed pearl in chased rose gold.

Take a gander at this amazing opal and pearl antique ring. This rose gold beauty is Victorian, with seed pearls and a central opal. The gold work on this one leaves me speechless.

Art Nouveau antique ring with a sapphire and a diamond.

I’ve had a crush on this bizarre Art Nouveau sapphire and diamond ring ever since it appeared on Maejean Vintage’s Instagram a while ago. Look how weird and dainty it is! I just love it.

Carved carnelian and white gold filigree ring.

This carved carnelian ring isn’t actually described as antique, but it looks Art Deco to me; certainly Art Deco-inspired, even if it’s not actually an antique ring. Just look at that luscious white gold filigree! and the carved flowers on the carnelian. Exquisite.

Victorian rose-cut diamond and amethyst ring in 15k gold with millegrain detail.

My desire to own this amethyst and diamond antique ring is really rather severe. I love the shape, the colors, basically everything about it. It’s Victorian, with amethysts and rose-cut diamonds set in 15k gold. A real little beauty.

All images and info in this post are thanks to the Etsy store that is offering each of these antique rings for sale. Please see the links in each individual description for original source. For my beginner’s guide to buying antique jewelry on Etsy, please click here.

Late 19th century flexible diamond snake necklace.

This antique diamond snake necklace has me wanting to speak Parseltongue.*

Antique diamond snake necklace from the late 19th century. Completely flexible with ruby eyes. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Seriously, have you ever seen a sexier slitherer? From the graduated shape of the body to the ruby cabochon eyes and that gasp-worthy pear-shaped drop in the tail, this is one boa that I’d go to serious lengths for.

Detail: Antique diamond snake necklace from the late 19th century. Completely flexible with ruby eyes. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I love the metalwork detail on the head, too; those parallel ridges give extra definition to the ruby cabochon eyes. The head is set with cushion-cut diamonds – many small ones and one larger one right on the top. The body of the snake is graduated towards the nape of the neck and made of articulated arch shaped links each set with brilliant cut diamonds.

This diamond snake necklace is mounted in silver and gold, which makes sense due to its age, but makes it all the more impressive that this large and complex piece is still in such good shape. This piece is circa 1890.

Antique diamond snake necklace from the late 19th century. Completely flexible with ruby eyes. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I think it’s fun and fabulous in a sexy Disney villain kind of way. And so luxurious, with that dangling diamond drop at the end of the tail! This piece measures 17 inches, so that pear-shaped drop would dangle right above a lady’s decolletage when this was worn.

Would you ever wear something like this? What would you pair it with? I’m having trouble imagining it with anything other than a low-cut black dress.

This gorgeous diamond snake necklace is currently for sale at S.J Phillips (listed price: “More than £50,000.”). All images and info are thanks to S.J. Phillips.

* It’s my blog and I’ll make Harry Potter jokes if I want to!

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