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

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Sparkly gift guide: $25 and under.

Welcome to the first edition of Diamonds in the Library’s holiday gift guides! I’m a little late for Hanukkah (or right on time, depending on which night you want to give gifts!) but there’s no bad time of year to give the gift of jewelry.

Jewelry is one of the most dependable gift choices, as long as you understand the taste of the person you’re buying it for. I love receiving jewelry from people I care about – every time I wear it I’m reminded of the person who bought it for me and the fact that I matter to them.

For more gift ideas, please check out my past store profiles, my guide to camphor glass jewelry, and past Ebay and Etsy posts. As always when shopping online, please pay attention to shipping charges, read return policies, and make sure that any bling you buy is the right size. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Beautiful jewelry can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Today we’ll be looking at pretties that cost less than $25.  I’ll be inching upwards in price with each new gift guide – tune in tomorrow for $25-$50.

BaubleBar Azure Hexa Bangle: $24
This BaubleBar bracelet stands out in every way – shape, color, and texture.
It looks far more expensive than it is. Also comes in green.
Simple Glitter Diamond pendant: $11.50

This lovely little necklace would add a pinch of sparkle to any outfit.

14K Gold Fill Stacking Rings - Skinny Minnies (Set of 4): $24
I do love the look of tiny stacking rings, and these gold
“skinny minnies” look like they’d be perfect.
BaubleBar Rainbow ID Bracelet: $22


BaubleBar Rainbow ID Bracelet: $22
What a cute way to add a little pizazz to an outfit.

Sophia Chandelier earrings: $23

Sophia Chandelier earrings: $23
These classic, lacy earrings are destined to become a wardrobe staple.
Turquoise Gold Studs - Tiny Post Earrings: $22

These are simple but beautiful, with their bright color and lacy gold edging.

Jeweliq pave triangles strand: $22

Jeweliq pave triangles strand: $22
How fun is this one? A great staple – I’ve seen similar things for much more money.

 

Moroccan Hoop Earring: $11.50

These are wonderful everyday earrings – they’d be great with business casual outfits.

Blu Bijoux Gold Eye Glass Necklace: $18 

This is very silly but I love it. Kate Spade made a necklace with a pendant like this a while ago,
but that one was rather large and chunky and this one is delicate.
Buy it for your favorite librarian, editor, or bespectacled buddy.

Come back again tomorrow to see the next tier of the Diamonds in the Library gift guide: pretties from $25 to $50!

Elephant Family brooch by Cartier.

I’ve decided that my general dislike of animal-shaped jewelry has three main exceptions: total absurdity, elephants, and Cartier.

"Elephant Family" brooch, Cartier. Gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This brooch, which was made by Cartier in the 1990’s, features a tiny elephant family out for a tiny walk. Please note how they are adorably holding each others’ tiny tails with their tiny trunks. Each elephant has a tiny emerald eye and the central elephant (which looks like the mama, to me) is encrusted with diamonds. Also, one of them is a baby. An itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, baby elephant made of gold! I have no words.

"Elephant Family" brooch, Cartier. Gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The brooch is made of 18 k yellow gold and set with 2 carats of diamonds as well as several tiny emeralds. I want to hold it in my hand and make the elephants walk around my desk. Let’s look at more baby elephants.

This brooch is for sale at Fortrove, listing available via 1stdibs. Thanks to Fortrove and 1stdibs for the images and info.

 

Vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet.

Usually I’m a little disdainful of jewelry that’s meant to be “cute,” especially fine jewelry. Jewelry shaped like animals is the most frequent offender, in my opinion. Don’t do that to the diamonds, they deserve better.

There are exceptions to this feeling (obviously, since I am still the same blogger who showed you the rubber duckie ring). This elephant charm bracelet is another one of those exceptions.

Vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is elephant charm bracelet vintage Van Cleef and Arpel’s, made in France in the 1960’s. It’s 6.5 inches, which means it would fit my wrist perfectly. I think the chain is beautiful, with its chubby gold links set with 90 diamonds (about 3 carats).

I love the basketweave texture of the elephant, its ruby eye, its tiny silver tusk and the stylized retro fabulousness of its diamond-studded ear. The elephant is supposed to be a good-luck charm. It’s classy, beautiful, whimsical, and cute; which, in my humble opinion, is almost impossible.

Pendant detail - a vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Why do I love this elephant charm bracelet so much when it exemplifies a genre I dislike? I have no idea. I’ve always loved elephants and I think this one is adorable, even if it’s slightly cartoonish. Which means I should hate it even more, but instead I covet it desperately.

Probably because it’s so well done – not surprising given the maker, but still worth noting. Look at the perfect golden links, the wonderful texture of the elephant, the brightness of the diamonds and rubies. I’d wear it every day.

This elephant charm bracelet is for sale by Robin Katz Vintage Jewel, listing available via 1stdibs. All images and info are thanks to Robin Katz and 1stdibs.

 

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