Ben Amun Archives

Treat yourself: seeing stars under $275.

January 16, 2015

I’ve been really into stars as a motif lately. They’re whimsical, geometrically appealing, and sort of romantic, with their implications of wishes and far away places.

Today’s Treat Yourself is going to be all about star-shaped pieces that make me go starry-eyed, all for under $275.

Kenneth Jay Lane elongated star earrings ($231).

Elizabeth and James Northern Star ring with white topaz; at Stone and Strand ($95).

Ben-Amun asymmetrical star dangle earrings with Swarovski crystal detailing ($260).

And a bonus, because they’re too beautiful to resist sharing even though (***DANGER***DANGER***) they’re not remotely within the budget:

Kismet by Milka Heroine Long Star earrings with diamonds in rose gold ($1,880).

All images and info in this post is thanks to the seller of each individual item. Please see descriptions above for links to original listings.

Sparkly gift guide: $500 – infinity and beyond.

December 14, 2012

Today is the final edition of the 2012 Diamonds in the Library gift guides. Today I bring you the things you would buy if you could buy aaaaaaaaaanything. The bling of your dreams. Also see: everything I’ve ever posted.

This post was a lot of fun. It could have been much longer. I focused on mostly contemporary pieces, since I show you vintage and antique treasures all the time.

For options at different price points, please see my past gift guides: under $25, $25-$50, $50-$100, $100-$200, and $200-$500.

For more gift ideas, please check out my past store profiles, my guide to camphor glass jewelry, and past Ebay and Etsy posts. As always when shopping online, please pay attention to shipping charges, read return policies, and make sure that any bling you buy is the right size. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Kimberly McDonald 18-karat rose gold, geode and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Kimberly McDonald 18-karat rose gold, geode and diamond ring: $6,885.

Someday soon I will do a feature on Kimberly Mcdonald, I promise.

Annoushka Yewn Imperial Fan Earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Annoushka Yewn Imperial Fan Earrings: £15,000.
These earrings are a dream. That’s all I can say.

Ben-Amun Ruby Deco Crystal Statement Necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Ben-Amun Ruby Deco Crystal Statement Necklace: $945

I couldn’t bring myself to make that picture any smaller. Yes, it’s pricey…but look at it. Sigh.

Cathy Waterman Diamond & Amethyst Stud Earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Cathy Waterman Diamond & Amethyst Stud Earrings: $2,320.
This is a very serious pair of studs. More creative than giving plain diamond studs, but just as beautiful. The embellished prongs of the settings make these unique.

Sparkly gift guide; $500 - infinity and beyond. Artisan Sterling silver, diamond and sapphire bracelet: $6,865

So beautiful and ornate. This bracelet would be the belle of any ball.

Which doesn’t even make sense, but maybe the prettiness has addled my brains.

Larkspur & Hawk Sophia oxidized sterling silver topaz earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Larkspur & Hawk Sophia oxidized sterling silver topaz earrings: $1,900

These are so amazing they practically glow.

Edwardian Art Deco filigree 18k white gold .80 ct. opal diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Edwardian Art Deco filigree 18k white gold .80 ct. opal diamond ring: $1,195.00

I don’t think you need me to tell you how pretty this ring is.

Sparkly gift guide: $100-$200.

December 12, 2012

For today’s sparkly gift guide we’re going to focus on pretties that cost between $100 and $200.

This is the most dangerous price point for me. It’s expensive enough that the pretties are very pretty and feel like a real treat but not so expensive that it would be totally idiotic of me to buy them. Beware.

For options at different price points, please see my past gift guides: under $25, $25-$50 and $50-$100.