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

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Graduated brilliant-cut diamond earrings.

These earrings look very Art Deco to me, but their listing at S.J. Philips doesn’t mention a date, so I’m assuming they’re contemporary or their date is unknown.

Either way, they’re gorgeous – a more creative take on the standard chandelier diamond earring, with the graduated brilliant cut diamonds increasing in size down to the final fringe.

Graduated brilliant-cut diamond earrings, Art Deco or Art Deco style. Via Diamonds in the Library.
They’re an excellent example of my personal taste – I post a lot of things that I admire but wouldn’t wear. I would wear these all night long.

These earrings are currently for sale at S.J Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

 

Wallace Chan colored diamond and emerald ring.

We haven’t really talked about Wallace Chan yet, but I promise to show more of his work. He’s a contemporary jewelry who makes insane, sculptural jewelry of incredible detail and worksmanship. This ring is a great introduction.

 Wallace Chan diamond, colored diamond, and emerald ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

It takes a true creative genius to even conceive of something this fantastical, let alone to bring it into beautiful and expertly crafted fruition.

The stylized design comprises three terminals. The terminals, from right to left are set with: a pear-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 0.90 carat, overlaying brilliant-cut diamonds, within a titanium border, surrounded by a row of brilliant-cut pink diamonds set sideways;  a similarly-set brilliant-cut pink diamond weighing 0.60 carat, surrounded by a row of circular-cut emeralds; and finally  a similarly-set rectangular-shaped emerald weighing 0.74 carat, surrounded by a row of brilliant-cut yellow diamonds. Each terminal is joined to the pave-set diamond interlaced scrolls extending to the branch-like fluted band.  Made of purple, yellow, green and gray titanium, even the setting of this ring is colorful.

This ring was made in 2012 and is a 5 1/2, which is my ring size.

This ring is currently for sale at FD Gallery, listing available via 1stdibs. All images and info are thanks to FD Gallery and 1stdibs.

 

Elephant Family brooch by Cartier.

I’ve decided that my general dislike of animal-shaped jewelry has three main exceptions: total absurdity, elephants, and Cartier.

"Elephant Family" brooch, Cartier. Gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This brooch, which was made by Cartier in the 1990’s, features a tiny elephant family out for a tiny walk. Please note how they are adorably holding each others’ tiny tails with their tiny trunks. Each elephant has a tiny emerald eye and the central elephant (which looks like the mama, to me) is encrusted with diamonds. Also, one of them is a baby. An itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, baby elephant made of gold! I have no words.

"Elephant Family" brooch, Cartier. Gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The brooch is made of 18 k yellow gold and set with 2 carats of diamonds as well as several tiny emeralds. I want to hold it in my hand and make the elephants walk around my desk. Let’s look at more baby elephants.

This brooch is for sale at Fortrove, listing available via 1stdibs. Thanks to Fortrove and 1stdibs for the images and info.

 

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