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Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace, Cartier.

This necklace is delicate and simple but I think it’s exceptionally beautiful.

Late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Cartier, New York, created this lovely piece in 1930. The design is foliate – the necklace centers on two undulating diamond-set branches sprouting carved sapphire leaves and diamond berries. The rest of the necklace is composed of circular-cut diamonds, interspersed by cabochon sapphires.

The center of the necklace is a sapphire-embellished buckle-shaped element; its square outline adds a geometric foil to the organic fluidity of the branches, leaves, and berries.

Detail view; a late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The combination of shape and color contrast in this piece is utter Art Deco perfection. The white diamonds interspersed with blue and the organic, softly twining branches and leaves set against the perfectly round diamonds and sapphires of the necklace and the geometric elements at the apex and clasp. I could look at this baby all day.

This piece was listed in Sotheby’s April 2013 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 A stunning late Art Deco sapphire and diamond necklace by Cartier, circa 1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Art Deco platinum and diamond sautoir by Cartier.

I just love this photo Sotheby’s took of this sautoir on its own authenticity certificate:
Glorious Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut diamonds (37.05 cts) and a 22.30 ct extender.

Just look at it lounging there. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Cartier made this glorious necklace in 1924 and is designed as a series of openwork oval and bell-shaped links set with 13 old European-cut and cushion-shaped diamonds totaling approximately 37.75 carats. (See? Impressive already.) The necklace centers a a larger cushion-shaped diamond weighing approximately 4.65 carats. Dangling from the largest center diamond is a lavalliere pendant set with 7 cushion-shaped and old European-cut diamonds which total approximately 37.05 carats.

Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut cut diamonds (37.05 carats) and a 22.30 carat extender.

Sotheby’s refers to it as a “sautoir with a lavalliere pendant,” although I though sautoirs were typically longer than this – it’s only 15 inches. Or so I thought, until I read the description more closely. The necklace was extended by a later date through the addition of a 12.5 inch extender. The extender, which is separated into three parts, is set with an additional 13 cushion-shaped and old European-cut diamonds weighing approximately 22.30 carats. You can tell by looking at the top of the piece that part of it is slightly different.

Detail; an Art Deco sautoir by Cartier, circa 1924. With 13 old cut diamonds (37.75 cts), a 4.65 ct diamond, and a lavalliere with 7 old cut diamonds (37.05 cts) and a 22.30 ct extender.

This incredible thing was listed in Sotheby’s December 2011 Magnificent Jewels auction. It is the proud holder of a Sotheby’s record for auction price. It went for a very respectable $1,650,500.

All images and info thanks to Sotheby’s.

 

Fit for a Disney Princess: engagement rings (Part II)

A few weeks ago, I started this Disney Princess engagement ring series with my picks for engagement rings worthy of fictional Disney Princesses Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, and Aurora. It was too fun to stop with just five, so I kept right on going.

Here is Part II, with my picks for Belle, Snow White, Esmerelda, Tiana, and Rapunzel.

Belle looking skeptically at Gaston.(Image via Belle’s Bookshelf.)

Belle is my favorite Disney Princess; no other lady holds a candle to her. Not only is she a sassy and fabulous representative of Team Brunette, she loves books! And she’s a documented re-reader, much like yours truly. (“I’ll borrow…that one!” “But you’ve read it twice!”) Belle doesn’t really need a ring, since her Prince already gave her the best gift that anyone could hope for, but I wanted to find her one anyway.(Image via Belle’s Bookshelf.)

Engagament rings pick for Belle: A 4.33 carat yellow diamond ring by Cartier. The center stone is a rectangular brilliant cut natural fancy intense yellow diamond, flanked on either side by white diamonds (1 carat total). Via Diamonds in the Library.

My pick for Belle is this 4.33 carat yellow diamond ring by Cartier. Classic and elegant, just like Belle herself. The center stone is a rectangular brilliant cut natural fancy intense yellow diamond, flanked on either side by white diamonds. Yellow diamonds aren’t usually my first choice, but this one is glorious and no one can deny that yellow is Belle’s color.

Once she’s married, I imagine Belle will wear just her wedding band most of the time and save her engagement ring for special occasions. She strikes me as sort of a hands-on Princess, and who can re-organize her library with a huge rock on her finger?

Engagement ring and wedding band picks for Belle from Beauty and the Beast
The De Beers Adonis rose band in platinum gives me the rose tie-in I wanted for Belle without making library maintenance impossible. It’ll look wonderful with her engagement ring or on its own, and it’s a reference to the rose as an important symbol of her story without being overly on-the-nose. The plentiful tiny diamonds will give this band sparkle worthy of a Princess.
Esmerelda dancing.(Image via Fanpop.)

Sure, Esmerelda’s not technically a Princess – but she’s a fabulous, feisty heroine and she deserves a ring too. I don’t actually remember her movie very well, but I know she dances like a diva and stands up for herself and her friends. She also definitely loves gold – even her goat has a gold earring.

The Erica Courtney Ellen ring in rose gold and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.
My pick for Esemerelda is the Erica Courtney “Ellen” ring. It’s bold and feminine, just like Esmerelda. Bonus: the design on the side actually forms a cursive “E.” The one pictured here is in rose gold, but I think Esmerelda would probably prefer high-karat yellow gold to match the rest of her jewelry.
Snow White with assorted dwarves and woodland creatures(Image via Kniggit.)

Good old Snow White. I don’t have strong feelings about Snow White, although I do enjoy her affinity for woodland creatures and I think she played herself better than Kristen Stewart did.

Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats. Via Diamonds in the Library.
My pick for Snow White is Art Deco Cartier, so it’s very Princess-worthy. Aren’t the colors amazing? It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats.
Engagement ring pick for Snow White: Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 carat a European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 carats.
I think the connection here is pretty obvious: the yellow diamond with blue sapphires is a perfect match for Snow White’s favorite (or only) outfit. A Disney Princess engagement ring must be an appropriate color!

Tiana from the Princess and the Frog

Tiana came too late for me to admire her in my personal golden age of Princesses (before age 20) but I’m still fond of her. Her movie has fabulous music and her domain includes beignets; what’s not to love?

Van Cleef & Arpels' Arbre aux Songes ring with tourmaline and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.Van Cleef & Arpels' Arbre aux Songes ring with tourmaline and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.
I chose Van Cleef & Arpels’ Arbre aux Songes ring for Tiana. It features a glorious, majestically-hued tourmaline in a setting embellished diamond-studded leaves. I think the bayou-esque color scheme and foliate setting would be a lovely reference to how she and her prince met and fell in love.

Rapunzel with her prince at the Happily Ever After part of Tangled(Image via Disney.)
Rapunzel is even newer than Tiana, but I enjoyed her movie and have a long-standing friend crush on the actress who voiced her. I also enjoy her lizard friend and admire her readiness to wield a frying pan. A Princess needs to be able to defend herself, after all. I also wouldn’t say no to her thieving rascal of a Prince (although I wish he’d shave his chin scruff).
Rapunzel is an artist who loves pink, bright skies, and softly glowing lights. I knew Tiffany and Co’s Soleste ring was the ring for her. (Pro tip: I wouldn’t turn it down for myself, either.)  Elegant with a touch of whimsy, the Soleste ring features a cushion-cut white diamond bordered with pink diamonds in rose gold and white diamonds in platinum. A perfect Disney Princess engagement ring.

If you missed Part I of my Disney Princess engagement ring series, you can click here to catch up. What do you think of this round of picks? Did I miss anyone you were hoping to see?

All images and info in this post are thanks to the original source for each item – please see individual Disney Princess engagement ring descriptions for source links.

 Art Deco Cartier yellow diamond and sapphire ring. It features a 5.50 ct European-cut fancy intense yellow diamond flanked on either side by shield-cut sapphires weighing a total of 1.20 cts.

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