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Art Deco emerald and diamond earrings by Cartier.

Let us bask in the glory of the Art Deco perfection before us.

Magnificent Art Deco emerald and diamond earrings by Cartier, circa 1934.

Yes. Perfection. Perfection of the Cartier variety, which – as I’m sure you know – is one of my favorite kinds.

These beauties came into being in 1934, and thank goodness they did.

These earrings are topped by one emerald-cut diamond weighing 4.78 carats and one cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond weighing 4.77 carats. The diamond surmounts suspend an articulated chevron motif set with numerous baguette, square-cut and marquise-shaped diamonds weighing a total of approximately 11.25 carats. These suspend two emerald drops, together weighing approximately 50.30 carats. That’s some pretty serious gemstone power.

Now, I often give you large photos, but these are a case for the biggest photo possible. This image is going to be less artsy, to give you a clearer view of the details. Stay with me, they’re worth it.

A truly spectacular pair of Art Deco emerald and diamond earrings by Cartier, circa 1934

Be still my heart.

How fantastic is that woven chevron background of baguette and square-cut diamonds with the pear-cut stones in front of it? And don’t even get me started on those gloriously geometric surmount stones or the radiant emerald drops beneath. I wish Sotheby’s sold posters by request.

These are going on my official jewelry wishlist. If I ever meet a geinie, I’m going to be ready. (“I wish for all of the jewelry on this list!” counts as one wish, right?)

These beauties were listed in the December 2012 Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 A truly spectacular pair of Art Deco emerald and diamond earrings by Cartier, circa 1934 Magnificent Art Deco emerald and diamond earrings by Cartier, circa 1934.

Precious vegetation from Michele della Valle.

Ready for more bright cheerfulness from Michele della Valle? I wouldn’t wear these together unless you’re starring as Titania in a particularly well-funded production of Midsummer; they’re all rather high-voltage (in the best possible way).

Carnation brooches by Michele della Valle. Set with 23.58 carats of diamonds. The stems are green tourmaline, and the red flower is set red spinel.

These carnation brooches are the most realistically-designed pieces we’re looking at today. Everything else is somewhat stylized. I think these are just beautiful.

Red carnation brooch by Michele della Valle. Set with 23.58 carats of diamonds. The stems are green tourmaline, and the red flower is red spinel.White carnation brooch by Michele della Valle, set with white diamonds in white gold and titanium. The lovely green stem is detailed in cabochon green tourmaline segments.

The two carnation brooches are set with a total of 23.58 carats round white diamonds. The red flower is set with round spinels weighing 2.97 carats. The lovely green stems are detailed in cabochon green tourmaline segments. Both brooches are set in white gold and titanium.

I think these would look lovely worn together or separately.

Ruby, sapphire, and diamond earrings by Michele della Valle. With pavé-set with circular-cut pink sapphires, cushion-shaped rubies, and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Each of these fabulous earrings is designed as a flower, the petals pavé-set with circular-cut pink sapphires. Each center is set with a cushion-shaped ruby within a border of brilliant-cut diamonds. I think they’re marvelous.

Michele della Valle's Ivy necklace. The flexible ivy branch is set with ten oval emeralds, totaling 30.00 carats, and leaves set with circular-cut emeralds (35.15 cts).

And finally: the bright, glamor of Michele della Valle’s “Ivy” necklace. (I’m pretty sure you can tell where the name came from).

The flexible ivy branch is set with ten oval emeralds, which weigh a total of approximately 30.00 carats, and highlighted by leaves set with circular-cut emeralds (adding an additional approximate 35.15 carats of emeralds). The necklace is mounted in yellow gold and is further embellished by approximately 2.20 carats of diamonds. Pretty fabulous. Not subtle.

The brooches were listed in Sotheby’s December 2010 Magnificent Jewels sale. The earrings were listed in Sotheby’s  November 2012 Magnificent Jewels sale and the necklace was listed in Sotheby’s April 2013 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale.  All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Ring roundup: rectangular(ish).

Is “rectangular(ish)” a weird theme for a roundup? It’s accurate, I promise. And they’re pretty!

Edwardian emerald and diamond plaque ring, circa 1910.How glorious and colorful is this Edwardian emerald and diamond plaque ring? I just love the way the white diamonds, green emeralds, and buttery gold play off of each other. Made in 1910, this beauty is millegrain rubover-set vertically with four old brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately a total of 0.60 carats. The four diamonds are surrounded by a calibre-cut emerald cluster set in yellow gold, within a old brilliant-cut diamond surround. The design is further embellished by a yellow gold scrolled mount and beautiful, delicate diamond-set leaf-adorned shoulders.

Late Art Deco ring with a 3.22 carat aquamarine set within a fancy diamond set surround, millegrain-set to a pierced mount hallmarked 18 carat white gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.This late Art Deco ring just might be my favorite of this roundup, if it’s possible to choose just one. It features a 3.22 carat aquamarine set within a fancy diamond set surround which is millegrain-set to a pierced mount hallmarked 18 carat white gold. It was made in 1930 and I think it’s glorious.

1930's Art Deco ruby and diamond double cluster ring, set with a central ruby of approximately 1 carat.Okay, it’s a square. I’m cheating. But it’s quadrilateral, so I say: close enough. Plus, isn’t it great? It’s a 1930’s Art Deco ruby and diamond double cluster ring, set with a central ruby of approximately 1 carat. The central ruby is encircled by an old-cut diamond cluster surround, all within a border of calibre-cut rubies set in platinum. The ring is finished by a lovely ornate scroll-design pierced gallery and a square-section platinum shank with diamond-set shoulders.

Edwardian pierced tablet cluster ring. Created in 1910, this beauty centers a flower-shaped cluster of old brilliant-cut diamonds, all set in platinum with diamond-set shoulders and pierced scroll gallery. Via Diamonds in the Library.I adore the contrast of curves and angles on this Edwardian pierced tablet cluster ring. Created in 1910, this beauty centers a flower-shaped cluster of old brilliant-cut diamonds, all set in platinum with diamond-set shoulders and pierced scroll gallery. I love the delicate details on the shoulders and on the side of the ring as well.

Art Deco-style sapphire and diamond table ring.How spectacular is this sapphire and diamond table ring? I think it looks like a quilt, with the way the gems are fitted perfectly together. It’s Art Deco style, but it’s a contemporary design. The center stone is an old brilliant-cut diamond (approx 0.50 carats), set vertically to either side with seven square-cut sapphires and surrounded by a diamond border.I think it looks like a quilt, with the way the gems are fitted perfectly together.

These rings are all currently for sale at Bentley Skinner – please see individual descriptions for links. All images and info are thanks to Bentley Skinner.

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