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

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Ring roundup: dainty.

Dainty rings! I’m a huge fan of dainty rings. Let’s look at some.

Art Deco emerald and diamond ring, circa 1925. The emerald is .8 carat, and the total diamond weight is 1.12 carats. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This gorgeous little number is an Art Deco emerald and diamond ring, circa 1925. The emerald is .8 carat, and the total diamond weight is 1.12 carats. I adore it utterly.

Belle Époque diamond cluster ring, circa 1905. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This Belle Époque diamond cluster ring, circa 1905, is so pretty I can barely believe it exists, let alone that it’s been around for more than 100 years.
 
 Belle Époque diamond and calibré ruby ring, French, circa 1905. The total approximate diamond weight is 0.99 carats, and the rubies are 2.00 carats. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This lovely thing is a Belle Époque diamond and calibré ruby ring, French, circa 1905. The total approximate diamond weight is 0.99 carats, and the rubies are 2.00 carats.

Art Nouveau diamond ring, French, circa 1900. It's yellow gold and platinum, set with a total of 1.40 carats of diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This marvelous squiggle is an Art Nouveau diamond ring, French, circa 1900. It’s yellow gold and platinum, set with a total of 1.40 carats of diamonds.

This antique ruby and diamond cluster ring was made in 1905. The ring is yellow gold with platinum, the central ruby is 1 carat, surrounded by 0.44 carats of diamonds.

Another barely-there whisper of a ring, this antique ruby and diamond cluster ring was made in 1905. The ring is yellow gold with platinum, the central ruby is 1 carat, surrounded by 0.44 carats of diamonds.

This lovely strand of diamonds is a Victorian bypass ring. It's a 12 karat rose gold band set with old mine-cut and Swiss-cut diamonds sparkle. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This lovely strand of diamonds is a Victorian bypass ring. It’s a 12 karat rose gold band set with old mine-cut and Swiss-cut diamonds sparkle. The description describes it as a stylized serpent motif, but I think it looks more like a shooting star than anything.

A Belle Époque old cut diamond cluster ring. The ring is platinum, with a stunning pierced openwork design and delicate split shoulders. The total diamond weight is is 0.85 carats.

Could this Belle Époque old cut diamond cluster ring possibly be prettier? I think not. The ring is platinum, with a stunning pierced openwork design and delicate split shoulders. The total diamond weight is is 0.85 carats.

All images and info in this post are thanks to the seller of each piece. Please see the link in each description for sources.

Art Nouveau necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co.

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Tiffany & Co., the beloved jeweler of Holly Golightly as well as many before and after her.

I must admit, I’m not big on Tiffany’s most popular contemporary pieces: squiggly open hearts and chunky charm bracelets don’t do much for me. But I ardently admire their high jewelry and absolutely die for their older designs.

For example, this necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany:

An Art Nouveau necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co., circa 1914-1927. Champlevé enamel, emeralds, and an sapphire drop.As I mentioned, this spectacular piece is the creation of none other than the great Louis Comfort Tiffany. (It’s his family’s “Co.”) And looking at this piece, it’s not hard to see how the company ended up with such renown. It’s dazzling.

The simplicity and the complexity all in one just blow me away. Look at the interaction of the colors, the shapes of the enamel elements, the repeating patterns and pops of color. And all on such a small piece: this necklace is only 16.25 inches long.

I had a dream about this necklace. A nightmare, actually. I dreamed that my parents gave this to me for my birthday (I wish) and then I lost it in my couch (horrifying). The entire dream was me searching through the couch and panicking, knowing that the necklace was gone and that it was my fault. Feel free to psychoanalyze me now.

Full view of an Art Nouveau necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co., circa 1914-1927. Champlevé enamel, emeralds, and sapphire drop.This piece was made between 1914 and 1927, but I’m calling it Art Nouveau because of the style. It features a double-chain of small fancy-shaped links applied with champlevé enamel in shades of blue, green and plum, spaced at intervals by cabochon emeralds. The center of the chain is decorated with a large floral link enameled in blue and green and set with cabochon sapphires, rubies, and an emerald. The center of the chain supporting an unusual blue and plum colored sapphire drop.

Even the back of the links of the necklace are enameled to match the sapphire.

Pendant detail of an Art Nouveau necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co., circa 1914-1927. Champlevé enamel, emeralds, and an sapphire drop.

Let’s look at that sapphire for a minute. Deep blue at the top, fading to vivid purple – almost fuchsia – by the bottom. Have you ever seen anything like this in a piece of jewelry before? I haven’t. How spectacular, that Tiffany saw the promise in this exceptional gem and created this incredible chain to compliment it. Thank you, LCT. You rock my world.

This mind-blowingly beautiful necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany was sold in Sotheby’s December 2011 auction, Jewels from the Estate of William B. Dietrich Sold to Benefit the William B. Dietrich Foundation.

Guess what? You get a bonus today. Check out this incredible brooch, also by Louis Comfort Tiffany:

Art Nouveau opal, sapphire, garnet, and enamel brooch by Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Co., circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.This beauty was made in 1910. It centers on a black opal within a textured surround of vine leaves and fruit, decorated with blue and green enamel and accented with circular-cut sapphires and green garnets. It looks to me like the opal’s chipped, which is a shame, but it’s still a lush and memorable piece.

This brooch was listed in Sotheby’s April 2013 Jewels sale. All Images and info in this post are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 An Art Nouveau necklace by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co., circa 1914-1927. Champlevé enamel, emeralds, and a remarkable sapphire drop.

Art Nouveau pearl and diamond necklace.

I really think I could start a sub-blog that focuses exclusively on high-caliber diamond statement necklaces. They’re so fun to look at.

For example:

Early 20th century Art Nouveau pearl and diamond necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.I don’t know who could possibly look at this necklace and not be glad that they had seen it.

Detail; Early 20th century Art Nouveau pearl and diamond necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Made in the early 20th century, this necklace displays a classic and lovely Art Nouveau foliate motif. The both the slender leaves and the caps on the natural pearls are set with circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds. A very elegant and glamorous piece.

This necklace was listed in Sotheby’s December 2011 Fine Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

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