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

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Belle Epoque diamond and sapphire fringe necklace.

This necklace is dripping with loveliness. I think it would be an absolutely stunning something old/something blue with the right bridal gown.

Belle Epoque diamond and sapphire fringe necklace. French, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This sapphire and diamond fringe necklace was made in France in 1900. The necklace is designed as a row of five sapphire and diamond stylized flower drops, each hung with three graduated collet diamonds. In between these larger flower drops are smaller flower cluster drops, all from a series of diamond scrolls with sapphire highlights and platinum scrolls, millegrain set, on a tracelink chain.

Detail of Belle Epoque diamond and sapphire fringe necklace. French, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.Could it be more quietly perfect? I think not.

This beautiful necklace is currently listed on the S.J. Philips website. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

Enamel, seed pearl, and diamond pendant-watch.

I am head over heels for this one, I’ll tell you that right now.

Enamel, seed pearl, and diamond pendant-watch. Belle Epoque, crica 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is a Belle Epoque platinum, guilloche pink enamel, seed pearl, and diamond pendant-watch necklace, circa 1910. Could it possibly be prettier? I think not.

Reverse side: enamel, seed pearl, and diamond pendant-watch. Belle Epoque, circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.

When I look at it, I think “yep, that’s what my pendant-watches would look like if I were an Edwardian pendant-watch designer.”

The necklace is composed of elongated cylindrical links applied with guilloche pink enamel, tipped and joined by seed pearls, alternating with seed pearl circular links. The necklace suspends a circular pendant-watch decorated with pink guilloche enamel and accented by a circle of white enamel dots. The pendant watch is surmounted by a platinum diamond-set floret and encircled by a pierced garland motif set with rose-cut diamonds. The watch’s dial is also bordered by pink guilloche enamel. It’s just shy of 24 inches.

Enamel, seed pearl, and diamond pendant-watch. Belle Epoque, circa 1910.

This pendant-watch necklace was listed in Doyle New York’s October 2012 Important Estate Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

Edwardian diamond, cultured pearl, sapphire and platinum brooch.

This brooch is a great example of what I love about the Edwardians.

Can’t you just imagine two jewelers looking over this design in a dim room, each of them saying to the other every few minutes “Is this enough pizazz?” “No, add more.” “Is this enough?” “No, needs a bit more.” “How about now?”

An antique Edwardian diamond, cultured pearl, sapphire and platinum brooch.

Now, sarcasm aside, I do think this brooch is great. It’s extremely ornate, but it works. The details are clearly carefully planned to accentuate rather than suffocate each other. The overall impression is one of delicate, complicated lace, rather than excessive scribbling.

The brooch is largely made of filigree, set throughout with European and rose-cut diamonds, accented by cultured and seed pearls, further set with calibré-cut sapphires. It also converts into a pendant and comes with a white gold and diamond-set neckchain for conversion to a necklace.

This amazing brooch was sold as part of Bonhams 18 Dec 2006 Fine Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Bonhams.

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