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

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Art Deco diamond and aquamarine earrings by Cartier.

Have I mentioned that aquamarine is my birthstone? Because it is. I didn’t appreciate aquamarine for a long time, but I’ve come to be a huge fan. It can be so bright and lively, especially when you have quality stones. And it’s none-too-shabby next to diamonds.

Art Deco diamond and aquamarine earrings by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These beauties are Art Deco-era Cartier, circa 1930. Each is designed as an openwork diamond panel to the five oval-shaped aquamarines suspending three drops. I think they’re spectacular.

These earrings were sold as part of Christie’s December 2006 Important Jewellery sale. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

Art Deco tutti frutti bracelet by Cartier.

This bracelet is “tutti frutti” style, a design approach involving colorful gemstones, often carved, to make up brightly colored and cheerful designs. Cartier popularized this style in the 1920’s, inspired by the jewels of India. (Thanks to Lang’s AJU for the historical context.)

I think it’s so interesting that the exuberant, colorful, almost garishness of tutti frutti design flourished alongside the clean geometric lines of what we typically think of as Art Deco style. I suppose it was filling a niche – everything can’t be clean lines all the time.

Art Deco tutti frutti bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1930. Designed as a meandering diamond vine, the barcelet is set with carved ruby, sapphire and emerald leaves, enhanced by emerald bead berries.This particular tutti frutti bracelet was made by Cartier, London, in 1930. Designed as a meandering diamond vine, the bracelet is set along the top and bottom with carved ruby, sapphire and emerald leaves, enhanced by emerald bead berries and collet-set old European-cut diamonds.

Clasp of an Art Deco tutti frutti bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1930. Designed as a diamond vine and set with carved ruby, sapphire and emerald leaves, and emerald bead berries.
Please note how every leaf and berry is individually carved. (So tutti and fruitti!) I don’t imagine anyone more than a foot away from the bracelet would even be able to see the carving, but that’s the kind of detail that makes Cartier exceptional.

The bracelet ends in a pavé-set diamond buckle clasp, to the pavé-set diamond buckle clasp, decorated with triangular and rectangular-cut black onyx geometric detail.

What do you think, my darlings? Are you on board the tutti frutti bracelet train, or do you prefer the more crisp, geometric designs of classic Art Deco style?

This tutti frutti bracelet was listed in Christie’s 22 April 2010 Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

An Art Deco tutti frutti bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1930. Designed as a diamond vine and set with carved ruby, sapphire and emerald leaves, and emerald bead berries.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring.

I realize that I’ve been concentrating exclusively on the big-impact pieces so far on this blog – the ones that I would have to sell multiple organs to touch, the ones that only Kate Middleton could really afford. I love to admire these things and I am going to continue to feature many of them. That said, I am also going to try to incorporate more affordable pieces.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring

This ring falls into that second category, sort of. At $4,300, it’s still an extremely major purchase for most people. Empty-your-savings-account-and-eat-Ramen-for-two years expensive, but not mortgage-your-ovaries-and-commit-multiple-crimes expensive.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring.

This ring is described as Art Deco, but I think it also has a strong Edwardian influence. Perhaps it’s from the earlier 1920’s, a transitional piece. The seller doesn’t provide an exact date. Either way, it’s gorgeous.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring.

This ring is made from 18k gold with a solid platinum top and is inlaid with  two round brilliant cut diamonds (1.10 cts), seven sapphires (1 carat), and 16 small mine cut diamonds (.40 carats).

This ring is currently for at the Etsy store ArtifactJewels. All images and info are thanks to ArtifactJewels. I’ve never bought anything from this seller, so I can’t vouch for them, but they only have good feedback. It’s just a good idea to realize when you buy jewelry over the internet, especially from a site like Etsy, that there is always some degree of risk. Please click here if you’d like to read my guide to buying jewelry on Etsy. 

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