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Ring roundup: several more spectacular sapphire rings.

I enjoyed my last spectacular sapphire ring roundup so much that I decided to do another one. Let’s dive right in.

Antique style cornflower blue, natural, no-heat Ceylon sapphire ring

This ring isn’t afraid to bring the serious sapphire firepower, with that cornflower blue, natural, no-heat Ceylon sapphire which clocks in at an extremely respectable. 15.50 carats. It’s contemporary but extraordinarily glamorous, with antique-style open scrollwork galore.

Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1915
This is an early 20th century sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1915. It has a lozenge cluster of sapphires at the center, formed by a square cut and four triangular cut sapphires, with a border of single cut diamonds, a pierced gallery, and a plain shank. It is simple but I think the overall shape – which has the vaguest suggestion of a flower, with the subtle indentations in the center of each side of the diamond – is really pretty.

A glorious Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring.

This spectacular sapphire and diamond ring, a definite crowd-pleaser, is an early 20th century diamond and sapphire ring, circa 1910. It is millegrain set with a cushion cut diamond, the surrounding calibre cut sapphires forming a lozenge, diamond dart highlights to the corners and a diamond set outer border. I think it’s really spectacular.

Sapphire and diamond ring by Tiffany & Co. A contemporary piece in the Art Deco style.

This round beauty is a contemporary Art Deco-inspired piece by Tiffany & Co., part of the Great Gatsby collection. Fabulous, yes? And very easy to see the Deco influence, especially when it’s in such company.

A wonderful antique sapphire and diamond ring

Next up is an antique platinum-mounted sapphire and diamond marquise shaped cluster ring, circa 1890. The ring has a central marquise shaped sapphire bordered by lines of diamonds and calibre cut sapphires. The border is formed to look sort of like a ribbon wrapped around the central sapphire and flattened. I was surprised by the date; doesn’t it look Art Deco? A forward-thinking jeweler, I guess.

A magnificent and unique sapphire and diamond ring.

This baby is another ring that is both huge and beautifully designed. It’s another contemporary Art Deco-style piece, set with a 7.11 carat cushion-cut sapphire and just under 3 carats of baguette and oval-cut diamonds. I wouldn’t turn this one down.

A beautiful cabochon sapphire and diamond ring. Art Deco era.
This ring is quintessentially Art Deco in a way that makes me think of buildings, but it’s also a little early to be called Art Deco in terms of age. This antique cabochon sapphire & diamond ring, is from 1905. It features an oval cabochon sapphire centered in a pierced and millegrain set bombe diamond mount.

An antique sapphire and diamond ring

This knockout of an Art Deco cocktail ring centers a 5.33 carat Burma sapphire, so its chances at fabulousness were pretty high from the get-go. It’s further embellished by an oblong two-row border of calibre cut sapphires and diamonds, with a scalloped edge, and diamond line shoulders.

These spectacular sapphire rings are not all from the same source, so please see individual descriptions above for links. All images and info are thanks to the original poster of each item.

Have you entered my giveaway yet? You could win a free pair of diamond earrings!

 

Airy and delicate antique tiara.

Are you in a fairy princess mood today, readers? I hope so.

Antique platinum and diamond tiara, circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Isn’t it wonderful? This antique tiara, which was made in 1910, is composed of an openwork scroll and foliate design. The delicate, looping whorls of the design are set with mixed cut and rose diamonds. The piece also has brooch fittings, so it can be worn in more than one way.

How about a closer look?

Detail view; an antique platinum and diamond tiara, circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Perfection. To make it even more appealing, this antique tiara has noble connections. It was presented as a gift to Contessa Heleda Castrignano Pecci on the occasion of her marriage to Conte Giovanni Battista Pecci, General of the Noble Vatican Guard and the Grand Nephew of Pope Leo XIII.

What do you think? Is this the tiara of your dreams, or would you prefer something bolder? What would you wear it with?

This beautiful antique tiara was listed in Sotheby’s July 2013 Fine Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Have you entered my giveaway yet? You could win a free pair of diamond earrings!

Art Deco diamond and gem-set ladybug sautoir.

I’ve actually been avoiding posting this ladybug sautoir because I’m not sure how to do it justice.

Pendant detail - Art Deco diamond and gem-set ladybug sautoir. Circa 1920's. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This stunning example of Art Deco gorgousness was made sometime in the 1920’s, as you may have suspected, my jewelry sleuths.

As you can see above, this ladybug sautoir features an intricate geometric plaque set with single- and brilliant-cut diamonds, decorated with calibré-cut amethysts, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The plaque may be detached and worn as a brooch. And, although Sotheby’s didn’t mention it in their listing, I think the central element is a diamond, ruby and sapphire ladybug. You see that too, right? I’m not nuts?

It’s a sautoir, so – as we have discused – that means it features a pendant hanging from a (usually long) chain. This is short for a sautoir; it only measures 16 inches from the clasp to the tip of the pendant. But oh, how glorious the chain is.

Art Deco diamond and gem-set ladybug sautoir. Circa 1920's. Via Diamonds in the Library.
As you can see here, that fabulous plaque is hanging from a fine chain millegrain set with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires to match the design of the pendant. For me, this gem-set chain is what makes this a truly exceptional piece (that, and the ladybug).  I love the pendant, but it’s not particularly usual for the period – although it is remarkably colorful. The chain, though! Spectacular.

This ladybug sautoir was listed in Sotheby’s May 2011 Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

An antique Art Deco diamond and gem-set ladybug sautoir. Circa 1920's. Via Diamonds in the Library.

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