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

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Retro buckle bracelet watch with diamonds and rubies.

This is a nifty bracelet/watch.

Retro buckle bracelet watch with diamonds and rubies. Circa 1940's. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Peek-a-boo!

This retro buckle bracelet watch is from the “fabulous forties,” when this style was all the rage. It’s adorned with diamonds and rubies and, as you can see, the end of the bracelet conceals the watch face if the wearer so desires. I think it’s bright, lively, and fantastic.

Retro buckle bracelet watch with diamonds and rubies. From the 1940's. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I love how it manages to be glamorous and playful at the same time. That’s pretty much my life goal.

This fabulous retro buckle bracelet watch is currently for sale at Lang Antiques. All images and info are thanks to Lang.

Snakes on a bangle.

I thought this would be an excellent palate-cleanser for the day after Valentine’s day. We’ll never get tired of these pretty, pretty snakes on these pretty, pretty bangles!

(You see what I did there? Eh?)

Victorian snake bangle from 1860First up is this beautiful Victorian bangle from 1860. I love the colors and the richness of the contrasting textures of the different elements. The woven mesh bracelet terminates in a serpent head applied with blue enamel, topped and accented by split pearls and garnet eyes, and flanked by a granulated gold ball. The other end of the bracelet is tipped by a blue enamel tail.

Antique snake bangle with gold, enamel, diamonds, and rubies. Via Diamonds in the Library.Next up is an undated bangle that Doyle New York characterizes as “antique.” This bangle is also rich in texture and color. This bracelet engraved with detailed, stylized scales applied with apple green enamel. The enamel is spaced by gold bands engraved with a leaf motif and five engraved panels centering rose-cut diamonds. The bracelet terminates in a snake head topped with 8 oval and cushion-shaped rubies and 11 rose-cut diamonds, tipped on the other end by a diamond-set gold tail

Also, how cute are both of these snakes’ faces? I think I would spend all day talking to my wrists if I was wearing either of these.

Both of these bangles were listed in Doyle New York’s October 2012 Important Estate Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

 Two antique snake bangles in gold with gemstone, pearl, and enamel details.

Gold, diamond, and coral bullseye brooch, Cartier.

I know I promised you all engagement rings, all the time, but what was I supposed to do, not post this brooch on Valentine’s day?

Gold, diamond, and coral bullseye brooch by Cartier. Paris, circa 1940. Via Diamonds in the Library.It may be silly, but it’s Cartier! I also love the color combination of the coral heart, the warm gold target, and the diamond-fletched arrow. I think this would be adorable on a 1940’s dress (probably its purpose).

This whimsical brooch was made by Cartier, Paris, in 1940. The brooch, made of 14 kt gold, is designed as a beaded bull’s-eye centering one heart-shaped coral, topped by a gold arrow tipped by 6 rose-cut diamonds.

This brooch was listed in Doyle New York’s October 2012 Important Estate Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

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