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

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Belle Epoque diamond garland necklace.

I have no defense against tiny bows, especially diamond-studded tiny bows.

Belle Epoque diamond garland necklace with tiny bows, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Then again, why would I ever want to resist such perfection? It’s spectacular. I want to wear it to a ball with a strapless gown.

Close up view of a Belle Epoque diamond garland necklace with tiny bows, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This beautiful thing was made in 1900. It is designed as three foliate swags alternating three collet diamond swags hung from a necklace spaced by ribbon-tied bows. Each swag is centered by a cushion diamond cluster pendant, millegrain set.

This necklace is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

Belle Epoque diamond garland necklace with tiny bows, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace.

I’ve been stalking this necklace for a while.

Antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace, circa 1890. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Can you blame me? Look how delicate and pretty it is, with its intricate golden net of aquamarines and seed pearls.

Detail; antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace, circa 1890. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This necklace was made in 1890. It consists of a fine trace chain with a lattice fringe of twelve diamond-shaped aquamarines and hung with three pear shaped drops. Between the aquamarine drops are gold filigree swirls highlighted with seed pearls. Let’s take a closer look at that filigree:

 Swag detail; antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace, circa 1890. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Sigh. Look at those tiny, perfect details. Lovely.

This necklace is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

 Antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace, circa 1890. Via Diamonds in the Library.

 Antique gold filigree, aquamarine, and pearl necklace, circa 1890. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Belle Epoque diamond earrings.

Pretty pretty pretty pretties.

Belle Epoque diamond earrings, circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.Not my most articulate description, but I’m not wrong.

These lovely earrings are Edwardian, made in 1910. Each earring suspends a bezel-set old European-cut diamond, swinging within a single-cut diamond foliate frame. This is joined by a single-cut diamond ribbon bow, from three graduated collet-set diamond links, to the bezel-set old European-cut diamond surmount, mounted in platinum.

These earrings were sold as part of Christie’s October 21, 2009 Rare Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

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