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

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Important diamond necklace, Marchak.

I’ve had this necklace up on my screen for a couple of days. I like the ambiance it adds to my screen. That, and I knew it was going to be really hard to do it justice in photos.

Spectacular gold and diamond necklace by Marchak. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This diamond necklace is by Marchak. It is designed as a series of articulated foliate and floral swags set with single- and circular-cut diamonds. The diamond swags are highlighted with yellow gold rope work.

Detail Spectacular gold and diamond necklace by Marchak. Via Diamonds in the Library.The foliate diamond swags are fairly Edwardian in nature, but the gold rope detailing makes it modern.

Extreme detail Spectacular gold and diamond necklace by Marchak. Via Diamonds in the Library.This necklace was listed in Sotheby’s  November 2012 Magnificent Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 A spectacular gold and diamond necklace by Marchak. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Tacori.

Amazing Tacori engagement ring (style no. HT2606RD10). Via Diamonds in the Library.

Even if you’re a diamond-solitaire-on-a-plain-plaitunm-band kind of person, I bet you’ll enjoy looking at Tacori’s rings. They’re objectively incredible, as jewelry and/or as tiny art objects. These rings are as about as romantic as inanimate objects can be. (The jaw-dropper above is Tacori style no. HT2606RD10.)

Tacori is a family company, founded in 1969 by Haig Tacorian. Their varied, intricately crafted rings are described as “European-inspired” and often include the signature Tacori design element, “the crescent silhouette: interlocking half-moon arcs, which provide windows of light to reflect the brilliance of the diamonds placed within each crescent silhouette semi-circle.”

Two lucky hands full of Tacori engagement rings. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Their website is great, also – they have a section of ring quizzes, a “Gentleman’s Guide to Engagement,” and a “try it on” feature involving a webcam and the ring of your choice.

I am going to include as many pictures as I can in this post. It won’t be enough, of course, so you should check out my new Tacori Pinterest board for more.

Diamond engagement ring from Tacori's Dantela collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I have a rather severe crush on this ring. It’s from the Dantela collection (as is that stunner I opened the post with). Princess-cut diamonds often don’t do it for me, but I’m totally on board with this one. It’s rather on the simple side for Tacori. Like all of the Dantela collection, it’s absolutely is exquisite from the side.

Diamond engagement ring from Tacori's Ribbon collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This baby comes from the Ribbon collection – it’s easy to see where the name comes from. Big, bold, and voluptuous, this is a bombshell of  a ring.

Emerald cut diamond engagement ring from Tacori's Blooming Beauties collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here we have an emerald-cut stunner from Tacori’s Blooming Beauties collection. The centre diamond is surrounded by a complex halo-like design Tacori calls a “bloom.” It seems thicker and less regular than a typical halo. The side view lacks the elaborate crown of the Dantela, but it’s still lovely.

Round and baguette diamond wreath engagement ring from Tacori's Simply Tacori collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This one’s a really interesting design from the Simply Tacori collection – check out that wreath of round diamonds and baguettes around the center stone. I wouldn’t have expected to like it, but I do.

Glamorous diamond engagement ring from Tacori's RoyalT collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This behemoth is from the RoyalT Collection. It’s huge, but the details make it more than just a giant rock. Says the description: “A true 5 table ring (can be seen 5 tables away), you will be the center of attention no matter where you go.” I believe it.

Elegant diamond engagement ring from Tacori's Sculpted Crescent collection. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I love this one. It’s so elegant. Simple by comparison, but with thoughtful details. From the Sculpted Crescent collection, the designs on the side are an engraving, rather than a pattern of diamonds.

Please see Tacori’s website to admire more drool-worthy photos, find more information about their pieces, or find retailers where you can see Tacori in person.

A stunning Tacori wedding set; engagement ring 2578RD9 and wedding band 2578 B. Via Diamonds in the Library.All images and info are thanks to Tacori, via their website, their Instagram, or their friendly and helpful publicity folks. (Thanks, Traci!) If you want to see me try them on, check out my photo recap of this Tacori trunk show!

Blue Nile.

If you’ve never played with Blue Nile‘s create-your-own-engagement-ring feature, you have not lived.

Actually, their website is really fabulous over all; well-organized and easy to use. They have a really excellent diamond education section, a commitment to high-quality, ethically-sourced diamonds, and a beautiful selection of pieces.

Blue Nile Heirloom collection's one of a kind Fancy Pink radiant cut micropavé halo diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.That lovely lady is Blue Nile’s one of a kind Fancy Pink Radiant Cut Micropavé Halo Diamond Ring, from their Heirloom collection. It features a 5.43 carat fancy pink radiant cut diamond set in 18 k rose gold and surrounded by sparkling pink micropavé diamonds.

Blue Nile has also has (and is known for) an excellent design-your-own ring feature, which is informative, user-friendly, and bunches of fun. It shows you lots of images, including several different angles of the ring on a finger, a 360 degree video, and photos and/or videos of recently purchased rings.

Here’s a recently-purchased custom ring, to give you an idea of what’s possible:

Blue Nile's Heirloom micropavé diamond engagement ring set with a 2.12 ct round cut, E color diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.This is Blue Nile’s Heirloom Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring set with a 2.12 ct round cut, E color diamond. It’s a decimal point less expensive than the one above, but it is still a very serious ring. I love this setting – it has so many tiny diamonds on the sides! Let’s take a look at this same setting with a different stone.

Blue Nile's Heirloom micropavé diamond engagement ring set with a 1.02 ct Asscher-cut diamond with I color and SI2 clarity. Via Diamonds in the Library.
That’s the same setting as above, but with a a 1.02 ct Asscher-cut diamond (I color and SI2 clarity). So sparkly from every angle! Do you like it? I made it for you on the create-your-own-ring feature! Let’s see some more.

Blue Nile's vintage-inspired Hexagon Halo engagement ring in platinum with a round-cut diamond, embellished with 30 small diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.Isn’t that a great ring? It’s the “Hexagon Halo Engagement Ring” – an interesting, vintage-inspired take on the halo trend. Shown here in platinum with a round-cut diamond, this setting is embellished with 30 small diamonds. I think it’s fabulous.

Blue Nile's tapered bullet engagement ring with a 1 carat Asscher-cut diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.
I usually am a fan of embellishments, but I’m crushing hard on this Tapered Bullet Diamond Engagement Ring with a 1 carat Asscher-cut diamond. I guess I just don’t think Asscher-cut diamonds need much to accessorize them. It reminds me of this Art Deco Asscher-cut ring, which I fell in love with some time ago and will never ever get over. The setting also looks great with a round stone.

Blue Nile's 2.02 ct Fancy Purple Pink cushion-cut diamond halo ring. In platinum and rose gold with blue micropavé diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.This is the Fancy Purple Pink Cushion Micropavé Halo Diamond Ring. It’s another pre-made piece. I meant to focus on the custom rings, but what was I going to do, not show you this one? It’s exceptional: a  2.02-carat fancy purple-pink cushion diamond set in platinum and rose gold and surrounded with very rare faint blue micropavé diamonds.

Blue Nile's Twist pavé diamond engagement ring in 14k white gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.
I’m always a fan of twisty rings and I think this one (the Twist Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k white gold) is really beautiful. Look at the attention to detail, and how the setting really looks like it’s twisting around itself. Beautiful.

There are tons more settings on the Blue Nile website – I could only show you a few here. I urge you to check them out, whether you’re considering a diamond purchase in your future or not. It’s both fun and informative.

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