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

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Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace.

This Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace is both bold and delicately lovely at the same time.

Antique Belle Epoque platinum, diamond and amethyst cameo necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.

It was made in 1910, which you may have already guessed from the distinctive style. The fabulous amethyst cameo pendant hangs from a delicate chain set with 84 collet-set old European-cut diamonds (totaling approx 5 carats). The chain is layered to create a double strand effect for much of the necklace but forms a single strand across the nape. The double-stranded portion of the chain suspends the pendant: a oval amethyst cameo set in pierced fancy-shaped diamond-set panels.

 

Detail: Antique Belle Epoque platinum, diamond and amethyst cameo necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I swoon for this piece. Utterly. The strong colors and dramatic visual statement of the amethyst cameo against the ethereal, almost spiderweb-like diamond chain and framing plaques are precisely my style. My only qualm is that, at just over 14 inches, this necklace is a bit shorter than I would ideally prefer. A 14 inch necklace will lie very close to the neck. I imagine it being a bit longer, perhaps at 17 inches.

This spectacular Belle Époque diamond and amethyst cameo necklace was sold in a Doyle New York auction last month. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

New pieces from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection.

We’ve discussed (and drooled over) the one-of-a-kind opal masterpieces of the  Mimi So ZoZo collection before. If you’ve seen them, I’m sure you remember. Last Friday in my post about meeting Mimi So at JCK Privé NY, I let slip that I had amazing photos of new Mimi So ZoZo pieces to share with you. I won’t make you wait any longer.

Mimi So ZoZo opal collection gold, diamond, and opal rings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

As you may remember from the last time we discussed Mimi So ZoZo, this collection focuses on huge, glorious boulder opals and takes its inspiration from the sea. It is high-wattage glamor at its finest, in my opinion.

 Necklace from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection with opal, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond and blue topaz. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This necklace is my favorite of the bunch. I can’t even pretend otherwise. It’s just spectacular. Here’s a closer look at the stones.

Detail; Necklace from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection with opal, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond and blue topaz. Via Diamonds in the Library.
As you can see, this incredible piece integrates diamonds, amethysts, aquamarines, and blue topaz to pick up and enhance the colors in the opals. It’s to-die-for.
Mimi So ZoZo collection boulder opal and diamond earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.
These earrings are like the little sister of these earrings, which we looked at last time. I’m usually not much of a fan of matchy-matchey, but I think they’d be great with the necklace above.
Mimi So ZoZo collection opal and gemstone bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This fabulous bracelet would be a slightly more subtle way to wear the Mimi So ZoZo collection. It’s beautiful, but somewhat more understated than some of the other pieces.

 Mimi So ZoZo collection opal and diamond necklace with yellow gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Finally, we have this lovely gold, diamond and opal necklace. Another slightly more restrained – but still very beautiful – way to wear ZoZo.

I attempted to photograph these pieces when I saw them in person in New York, but my iPhone snaps were so far from doing the opals justice that I’m not even going to bother showing you those. These beautiful images are courtesy of the Mimi So team, who were kind enough to send them to me for the purposes of sharing them to you. Thank you, Mimi, for designing these and Molly for sending along the photos!

 

Amethyst and diamond parure, Michael Youssoufian.

This is a beautiful amethyst and diamond parure.

This is a contemporary parure by Michael Youssoufian. It contains a necklace, earrings, and a ring. All of the pieces are designed with oval amethysts, within brilliant-cut diamonds borders and rose-cut stone swags, interspersed with pear-shaped amethyst drops.

Earrings: Amethyst and diamond parure, Michael Youssoufian.

I think it’s just lovely. The diamonds and the open space are a lovely foil to those beautiful amethysts, and the dripping diamonds make the pieces lively and interesting.

Necklace detail: Amethyst and diamond parure, Michael Youssoufian.

This amethyst and diamond parure was listed in Sotheby’s May 2008 Magnificent Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

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