I have a very severe crush on this antique pink topaz and gold necklace.
This antique pink topaz necklace is from 1830. The chain is made of pairs of looped links surmounted by a stylized repousse bow motif. The central element features 24 oval and pear-shaped foiled-back pink topaz stones set in a floral design which is also decorated with repousse scrolls. The floral design is framed on either side by a spray of finely worked golden leaves. There is also – very fabulously – a single pink topaz adorning the clasp, because why not?
I really enjoy the thickness of the gold chain here: it balances out the sweetness of the sweetly pink foiled-back stones. And how marvelously pink they are ! The foiled-back technique is very characteristic of the time period in which this was made. It means that a thin sheet of material – probably metal – was applied to the back of each pink topaz.
Here’s a close look at some of the details. I wish the original photo had been a bigger; I wanted a closer look at those leaves. But this at least gives you a good view of the fabulous center element.
This antique pink topaz and gold necklace was sold in a Doyle New York Auction. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.
19th century gold and pink topaz earrings.
Everyone here knows I love the subtlety and clean lines of Art Deco design. I also sometimes love things that are the opposite of that. For example:
These are fabulous. There’s nothing restrained, simple, or geometric about them. They’re a riot of enthusiastic embellishment. I think they’re great.
These babies are English, circa 1820. They’re made from cannetille gold, which is a term that I just learned. Cannetille is a metal openwork design similar to filigree; it was very popular in the 1820’s and 1830’s, when these earrings were made. You can see in these earrings the tendrils, scrolls, coils and granulation typical of cannetille.
These cannetille gold earrings are embellished with small white chrysolites and a number of large pink topaz stones; two oval cut stones above an three oblong stones suspended below.
I’m a lady with lots of thick, dark, wavy hair – it’s hard to find a pair of earrings to stand up to my mane. I’m pretty sure these would do the trick, though.
These Georgian earrings are currently for sale at S.J. Phillps. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Phillips.
A celebration of tiaras.
Today is my little sister’s birthday. Happy birthday, sister!
I asked her what jewelry she wanted to oogle on her day and she requested tiaras. Tiaras she shall have!
This is also my 300th post (!!!), which makes it extra special.
This classic diamond and pearl tiara screams fairy tale princess – or, rather, it calmly but firmly announces fairy tale princess. This tiara would never scream. Made in 1900, it’s designed as a series of graduated open work garlands of floral and foliate motifs, featuring seven natural saltwater pearls. The floral and foliate elements are millegrain-set with rose, cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds. The tiara is accompanied by three screwdrivers, a uniform line of collet-set circular-cut diamonds with screw fittings length, and a pendant fitting. These may be used to transform it into a diadem, a smaller tiara or a pendant on a fine chain.
This emerald and diamond tiara would look incredible tucked into a crown of dark hair – can you imagine how the emeralds would pop? This beautiful piece is designed in graduated scrolls highlighted with three sprays set with cabochon emerald drops and with rose, French-, single- and circular-cut diamonds. The emeralds detach and can be worn as earrings and a brooch, so really it’s a 4-in-1.
This delicate gold beauty is the oldest of the tiaras in this post; it dates back to the early 19th century. It’s comprised of a chased gold frame supporting a row of pinched collet-set table-cut and rose diamonds, to a surmount with floral and foliate gold work, capped with similarly cut stones. I think it’s perfectly lovely.
This delicate tiara is ideal for when you don’t want your head wear to steal all the focus – although it’s so pretty that it might steal thunder anyway. It’s designed as a series of scroll and stylized foliate motifs, set at intervals with pearls of various sizes, circular-cut and rose diamonds. It may also be worn as a necklace.
This tiara is almost too detailed to photograph well. It dates to the early 1900s is designed as a series of thirteen graduated stylized ribbon and scroll elements. The ribbons and scrolls are set with circular-, single-cut, cushion-shaped and oval diamonds and each highlighted in the center with an oval sapphire.
This Edwardian beauty was made in 1910 and features a gently scrolling design with foliate elements. It features 6.50 carats of old European-cut, single-cut and rose-cut diamonds, accentuated by 3.25 carats of colored old European-cut and old mine colored diamonds, mounted in gold and platinum.
What do you think of these tiaras? Which would you pick?
All images and info in this post are thanks to Sotheby’s. Please see the links in the individual descriptions above for original listings of the tiaras.
