Top

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

You are here: Home / Archives for diamonds

Several Cartier panther rings.

The Cartier panther is a well-known motif. You may be picturing the famous and magnificent articulated panther bracelet once owned by the Duchess of Windsor; one of the most famous Cartier panther pieces.

What wins me over about the Cartier panther are the details and the delicacy. Animal jewelery can be cheesey, but the Cartier panther usually isn’t.  The panther itself is sometimes rendered in precious gems, or sometimes in gold or silver with jeweled eyes and an onyx nose. The delicate planes of the face and the sleek lines of the body make it worth looking at for its own sake, not just because it’s rendered as some fabulous piece of jewelery.

These Cartier panther ring were sold as part of the Christie’s Hong Kong Jewels auction on 29 November 2010.  All information about and pictures of these pieces are thanks to Christie’s.

A diamond, sapphire, and emerald panther ring by Cartier. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This Cartier panther ring is whimsical and flashy, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s 18k gold set with diamonds and sapphires to create the panther’s spots.  Please note the wealth of detail: the panther’s carefully shaped ears, the onyx nose, the emerald eyes. The Christie’s description also says that the panther’s head rotates, which is hard to imagine, but I’d love a chance to play with it.

Two diamond and gem-set panther rings by Cartier. One with a cabochon sapphire, the other with a cabochon chalcedony. Via Diamonds in the Library.
These two rings are versions of the same design. The first ring is shaped like a gold panther that curls around the finger, holding a cabochon chalcedony. The panther has an onyx nose and emerald eyes. The second ring is the same shape, except the panther holds a cabochon sapphire.

There were two more Cartier panther rings in this auction, but I’m not a fan. I like the panthers, but the rings are too heavy and industrial for me.

 

Sapphire, pearl, and diamond tremblant dragonfly brooch, circa 1895.

I think this tremblant dragonfly brooch is beautiful. It’s restrained, it’s beautifully detailed, and the colors are lovely. The thorax is a sapphire set with rose-cut diamonds. The tail is a tapering row of sapphires with rose diamond set divisions. The eyes are pearls, and all of it is set in silver and gold. It was made in 1895, and, in my opinion, is exceptionally lovely.

Sapphire, pearl, and diamond tremblant dragonfly brooch, circa 1895. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This tremblant dragonfly brooch is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

Sapphire and diamond earrings.

These sapphire and diamond earrings are lovely. They’re contemporary, although I think they draw from an Edwardian influence, with those delicate lines and abstract floral elements. Total estimated sapphire weight, 3.70 carats; diamonds, 2.70 carats. Mounted in white gold. They’re exceptionally pretty.

 Sapphire and diamond earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These sapphire and diamond earrings are listed as a lot in the Bonhams Salon Jewelery auction in Los Angeles on September 24, 2012. Thanks to Bonhams for the images and information.

Follow along with me on Instagram