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2014 gift guide: jewelry under $50.

Good morning, my darlings!!

I hope you’re ready for some serious sparkle. Today is the first day of Diamonds in the Library’s 3rd annual jewelry gift guide and it’s going to be a biiiiiiiig one. There are just so many pretties out there, and I can’t resist the chance to help you find the perfect one for yourself (or whoever you might be gift-buying for).

Diamonds in the Library jewelry gift guide; jewelry under $50

We’re kicking things off today with the super affordable bling: jewelry under $50.

Piper Strand red lip rhinestone studs. Piper Strand red lip rhinestone studs ($18).

Jeweliq fashion rings; perfect for stacking.Jeweliq fashion rings; perfect for stacking (available individually or in sets, $25-$48).

BaubleBar Threaded Jurassic Collar in black.BaubleBar Threaded Jurassic Collar in black ($44).

Foxy Originals Era stud earrings.Foxy Originals Era stud earrings ($30).

Antique Art Deco simulated ruby and rhinestone cocktail ring.Antique Art Deco simulated ruby and rhinestone cocktail ring ($34).

Blu Bijoux Crystal Spike necklace in rose, yellow, and white gold tone.Blu Bijoux Crystal Spike necklace in rose, yellow, and white gold tone ($19).

Belsi Gold Farah Chandelier earrings.Belsi Gold Farah Chandelier earrings ($36).

Antique Art Deco brooch with rhinestone and silver tone filigree.Antique Art Deco brooch with rhinestone and silver tone filigree ($38).

Blu Bijoux Gold with Crystal Purple Green and Blue Beads Contoured Bib necklace.Blu Bijoux Gold with Crystal Purple Green and Blue Beads Contoured Bib necklace ($32).

Bauble Cairo ear jacket set in gold or silver.Bauble Cairo ear jacket set in gold or silver ($38).I have these in gold and I wear them allllllllllll the time.

Rosalynn Pearl Cuff by Jeweliq in rose gold.Rosalynn Pearl Cuff by Jeweliq in rose gold ($25). 

All images and info in this post is thanks to the seller of each individual item. Please see descriptions above for links to original listings.

Store profile: A Pocket of Rocks.

I first came to know Lisa, the owner of A Pocket of Rocks, through her fabulous Instagram and the glorious antique jewelry she featured.

Lisa is drawn to the old and unusual: Georgian foiled-back beauties, signet rings you haven’t seen before, out-of-the-ordinary gem combinations.

Six beautiful antique rings with pearls, diamonds, emeralds, garnets, opals, and rubies in gold.

In other words: hold onto your bank accounts, darlings. You’re about to see some superpretties.

Two antique opal rings, one with enamel and one with an emerald.

These beauties are all either currently available through A Pocket of Rocks, were sold by a Pocket of Rocks, or have been featured on Lisa’s Instagram as pretties that are soon-to-be-listed at A Pocket of Rocks.

Antique Victorian 18k gold mourning ring with black enamel and diamond forget-me-not flower, circa 1880's.

Let’s dive right in with one of my favorites: this gold mourning ring from the 1800’s. The flower on the front (a forget-me-not?) is diamonds set in silver on a black enamel shield which hides a compartment in the back that would have held a hair token at one point.

The ring itself is 18k yellow gold with beautiful engraving. The inside of the ring is inscribed “Ob 16 Oct 1842 Martin Atkinson.”

Antique Victorian gold, diamond, and blue enamel bracelet.

I found this stunning Victorian bracelet on Lisa’s Instagram, captioned as being on its way to the shop. It’s a beauty, isn’t it? Just look at that blue enamel, the textural gold details, the juicy old-cut diamonds. Yes, please.

Antique 18k yellow gold and silver snake ring with rose cut diamonds and ruby eyes. Circa 1700s.

Here’s a closer look at the to-die-for snake ring I gave you a peek at in the first collage. This beauty is from the 1700’s (!!) and features several glorious rose-cut diamonds and ruby eyes set into its silver in gold body.

Antique Georgian split-shank, foiled-back citrine and pearl ring in yellow gold, circa early 1800's.

Here’s a lovely Georgian citrine ring: in incredible condition, especially considering it’s from the early 1800’s.

Georgian rose cut diamond flower ring, circa 1800's.

In my head, A Pocket of Rocks is defined as the store where this ring is for sale. I’m head over heels for it.

The central element of this glorious piece – the rose-cut diamond flower – probably originated as a pin in the 1800’s and was converted into a ring long ago. It now sits on a twisted 18k gold ring shank. Even the back of it is beautiful!

Antique Georgian garnet eternity band in 18k yellow gold, circa 1820.
I love the color of the stones in this Georgian garnet eternity band. This is only a size 3, so it would fit perfectly on my pinky.

A beautiful antique Edwardian or Art Deco ring with pearls and diamonds.

A Deco bombshell from Lisa’s Instagram, this beauty was posted with the promise that it was headed to the shop eventually. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this one.

So there you have it: A Pocket of Rocks, a new and fabulous source for unique and extraordinarily beautiful old jewelry. Follow Lisa’s Instagram so you don’t miss out on new pieces!

All images and info are thanks to Lisa and A Pocket of Rocks.

Gorgeous diamond drop earrings.

Oh, my darlings. Is there anything like a luscious pair of diamond drop earrings? They’re so juicy and sparkly and swing-ey.

We’re going to keep in simple today and just look at two pretty, pretty pairs of diamond earrings.

Edwardian 6.37 carat antique diamond drop earrings.

This first matched pair of beauties is antique, dating to the early 20th century.

As lovely as the diamonds are, they’re actually not my favorite part of these. I love love love the way the large diamonds at the end are suspended by a sort of split-setting. I think that bit of negative space above the generous stones makes these into something really special. And there’s millegraining! You know how I feel about millegraining.

 

These babies are a show-stopper of a pair, aren’t they? They’re vintage-style, but they’re actually all modern.

At 6.87 cts, they’re also very similar in carat weight to the first pair; but they have the majority of that weight concentrated in just two stones instead of spread over four. They’re pretty straightforward and just as remarkable.

Which of these pairs of diamond drop earrings would you choose if you could only have one? It’s the first pair for me, but it’s not like I’d turn down #2 if they showed up at my door.

These two pairs of diamond drop earrings are for sale via 1stdibs. Please see individual descriptions for source links. All images and info are thanks to the seller of each item.

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