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Throwback Thursday: Margherita Burgener floral brooch.

Good morning, darlings.

We’ve seen so many pretties together that it’s getting hard to remember them all. It’s for that reason that I’ve decided to add a new feature! Every other week we’ll have a “Throwback Thursday” post to revisit a past piece of gorgeous jewelry. Let me know if you have any requests!

Titanium and diamond flower pendant-brooch by Margherita Burgener. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Remember this fabulous Margherita Burgener floral brooch in titanium and diamonds? I certaintly do. This was one of the first pieces I posted and I still find the colors and lines of the piece utterly bewitching. It has a playful but equisitely beautiful feel, sort of like it’s a Dr. Suess flower transformed into something precious.

I’d want to wear it on the lapel of a fabulous coat like this lovely pink Simone Rocha. How would you style it?

 

Ring roundup: emeralds and diamonds.

I’ve got a fabulous ring roundup to share with you on this lovely Thursday. Emeralds and diamonds is one of my favorite combinations – so brightly vivid. I’ve gathered some wonderful examples here for us to oogle.

Antique ring featuring one old mine-cut diamond (approx 0.85 carat) and an emerald-cut emerald (approx 0.60 carat) in a moi-and-toi crossover design. Set in yellow gold and platinum, circa 1895.

This is my favorite of this batch, which is quite an accomplishment in such company. It’s antique, from 1895, and features an old mine-cut diamond (approximately 0.85 carat) and an emerald-cut emerald (approximately 0.60 carat) in a moi-and-toi crossover design. The setting is yellow gold and platinum, and the shoulders are adorned with rose-cut diamonds.

Mid-century emerald and diamond ring, circa 1950. Centered by a trap-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds with radiating baguette diamond at each corner.

This ring is mid-century, circa 1950. It’s centered by a trap-cut emerald surrounded by diamonds with radiating baguette diamond at each corner. I think it’s really fabulous, and I’d love to wear it as a cocktail ring.

Art Deco emerald and diamond ring, circa 1930. The center stone is a large, oval cabochon-shaped emerald flanked by tapered baguette emeralds and with a diamond set border.

This fabulous ring is Art Deco, circa 1930, which should give you a hint that I really like it.  The center stone is a large, oval cabochon-shaped emerald flanked by tapered baguette emeralds and with a diamond set border.

Antique Belle Époque emerald and diamond cluster ring with a trap-cut emerald is set with rose diamonds. Outside of the double halo, the ring has bow-shaped, diamond-set shoulders.

How much do I love this Belle Epoque emerald and diamond cluster ring? So much. It presents such an interesting shape, I’d love to see it on a finger. The trap-cut emerald is set within two rows of millegrain-set rose diamonds. Outside of the double halo, the ring has bow-shaped, diamond-set shoulders. The octagonal double halo of diamonds makes this a very regal piece.

Art Nouveau emerald and diamond ring with a large cabochon emerald wreathed in platinum and diamond leaves.

Here’s something different. This Art Nouveau beauty boasts a large cabochon emerald wreathed in platinum and diamond leaves. There’s something very elvin about this one, I think.

Art Deco style emerald and diamond inset ring. Centers an old European-cut diamond (approximately 3.14 carats), flanked diamonds and emeralds.

Isn’t this one glorious? It’s an insert ring – the inner band separates from the emerald pieces. But I think it still counts. It’s Art Deco style, although the auction house doesn’t give a date. It centers an old European-cut diamond (approximately 3.14 carats), flanked by 2 half moon-shaped and 2 bullet-shaped diamonds, edged by 32 single-cut diamonds and further edged by 26 round emeralds.

All images and info in this post are thanks to the original source of each of these lovely emerald and diamond rings. Please see individual descriptions for source links.

 

Photo recap: JCK Privé NY.

Happy August 22nd, everyone! Today is my one year blogiversary (a word that I both detest and cannot resist using). Happy birthday, Diamonds in the Library!!

I’ve come a long way since last August, when I could look at my stats and trace each page view back to a member of my family. Thank you for reading, my lovelies. You make the ride worthwhile.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of attending the JCK Privé NY Luxury Jewelry Trade Show. I was invited to the Editor’s Press preview, a beautifully curated selection of fabulous new designer jewelry, and given the run of the private convention for day.

Temple St. Clair gold cluster ring with blue moonstone, tanzanite, tsavorite, and diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Room after room full of jewels, showcased against the backdrop of The Pierre, a glamorous NYC hotel. I was glad I had a four hour bus ride home to DC because I needed almost that long to be able to speak coherently again. Severe sparkleshock.

I was also tickled pink to see a press release about JCK Privé NY referring to me one of “jewelry and fashion’s most influential journalists and bloggers” in the same list as Vogue, Marie Claire, Robb Report, Martha Stewart Weddings, and iDazzle.

Cocktail rings by Omi Privé: a blue sapphire, platinum, and diamond ring and a pink sapphire, rose gold, platinum, and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I have lots of lovely professional photos to share with you, but I’d thought I’d start us out with the shots I took myself – give you a peek of what’s in store, and let you share the show with me as I experienced it.

Paraiba tourmaline and diamond earrings in platinum, by Rina Limor. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These babies were one of my favorite pieces of the entire show. They’re Paraiba tourmaline – an incredibly rare gemstone prized for its incredible color – and diamonds in platinum, by Rina Limor. It was really hard to take these off.

Temple St. Clair gold cluster ring with blue moonstone, tanzanite, tsavorite, and diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I gave you a peek at this gold and gemstone ring by Temple St. Claire up above. I was head over heels for its lovely colors and wearable shape.

Two incredible statement rings by Sethi Couture. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Two incredible statement rings by Sethi Couture. Doesn’t the one on the left look like a funky, diamond-encrusted pretzel? I mean that in the best way.

36 inch labradorite and gold necklace by Susan Wheeler Designs

This 36″ labradorite and gold necklace by Susan Wheeler Designs is such wearable luxury.

wedding, bridal, bride, princess, pink, gold, pink diamond, kunzite, cocktail ring, statement ring, engagement ring,

I still can’t believe I’m allowed to touch things like this Yael morganite and diamond ring in rose gold. A princess of a ring, if I’ve ever seen one. Here, I took a video.

Amethyst, gold, and diamond Tinkerbell pendant by Yael Designs. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This amethyst and diamond pendant is by Yael too – a glorious, shining to that sassy pixie of Disney fame, Tinkerbell. It is perfect. There’s a pendant loop behind her upraised wing.

Diamond and emerald earrings by Omi Privé. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Incredible diamond and emerald earrings by Omi Privé.

Cocktail rings by Omi Privé: a blue sapphire, platinum, and diamond ring and a pink sapphire, rose gold, platinum, and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Here’s a closer view of the two amazing Omi Privé sapphire and pink sapphire and diamond cocktail rings I showed you near the top of the post. The best part here, though, you can’t even see from above.

Detail: A pink sapphire, rose gold, platinum, and diamond cocktail ring by Omi Privé.

Check out the detail on the pink sapphire ring – rose gold, diamond, and small pink sapphire accents hiding underneath!

Gold and diamond "Rue" leaf necklace by Naomi Blumenthal. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I think my favorite new designer discovery of the day was Naomi Blumenthal – this impossibly delicate, perfectly crafted gold necklace will be occupying a spot on the wishlist of my dreams forevermore.

Long gold and diamond flower necklace by Naomi Blumenthal.

Here’s a bolder look, also by Naomi Blumenthal – this necklace features the same detailed goldwork in a longer necklace with larger elements.

Fabulous gold and gemstone snake bracelet by Anthony Lent.

Have you ever seen a prettier snake than this one by Anthony Lent?

Gold and diamond bow and arrow pendant by India Hicks.

Finally – this swoonworthy bow and arrow pendant by India Hicks. So delicate and perfectly crafted; a tiny piece of art you could wear every day.

Which do you like best of these fabulous JCK Privé NY jewels? A hard choice, I know, but I want to know what you think!

A huge and heartfelt thank you to the folks at JCK, the marvelous ladies at Communique LA, and all of the wonderful brand representatives at JCK Privé NY for helping make my first luxury trade show experience a glorious one. There’s more to come – I haven’t even gotten to Mimi So and Oscar Heyman!

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