I love all of the jewelry I post, but I love it in different ways. Some I think is totally insane and it warms my heart that the world is silly enough for it to exist. Some blows my mind with its creativity and workmanship, even if it isn’t my personal style. And some I want to have for myself and wear it every day until you have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands.
This opal and diamond pendant fits into that final category:

I would like to venture the assertion that this pendant could not actually be prettier. (Ugh, sorry. I wrote that in total seriousness. Can you tell that I write for the Federal government as my day job?)
It’s undated, but that pierced open work screams Art deco influence. The star of this pendant is that luscious opal drop, highlighted with brilliant-, single-cut and rose diamonds. It looks like there’s also a black enamel or onyx border in there, but the Sotheby’s description doesn’t mention it.
This pendant comes with a seed pearl chain that was not pictured in the listing.
This lovely opal and diamond pendant was listed in Sotheby’s July 2011 Fine Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.



The 18 karat yellow gold and diamond setting provides a lovely contrast to the lively faceted peridot. This ring would still be pretty if the setting was silver, but I think the gold is perfect for the color of the center stone of this peridot and diamond ring.
Peridot isn’t really a stone I think about much, but this one is Jolly Rancher-ishly fantastic.
This ring is estate but not antique, although I think the Edwardian influence is evident.