gold Archives

Elephant Family brooch by Cartier.

December 7, 2012

I’ve decided that my general dislike of animal-shaped jewelry has three main exceptions: total absurdity, elephants, and Cartier.

"Elephant Family" brooch, Cartier. Gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This brooch, which was made by Cartier in the 1990’s, features a tiny elephant family out for a tiny walk. Please note how they are adorably holding each others’ tiny tails with their tiny trunks. Each elephant has a tiny emerald eye and the central elephant (which looks like the mama, to me) is encrusted with diamonds. Also, one of them is a baby. An itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, baby elephant made of gold! I have no words.

The brooch is made of 18 k yellow gold and set with 2 carats of diamonds as well as several tiny emeralds. I want to hold it in my hand and make the elephants walk around my desk. Let’s look at more baby elephants.

This brooch is for sale at Fortrove, listing available via 1stdibs. Thanks to Fortrove and 1stdibs for the images and info.

Monique Pean.

December 6, 2012

Monique Pean is a fabulous contemporary jeweler who I have so far neglected on this blog. Her aesthetic is unique and also extremely cool. I’ve been admiring her work on various websites for a while, but I had no idea how cool she was until just now when I googled her.

Monique Pean creates environmentally-conscious fine jewelry using conflict-free materials like fossilized woolly mammoth and walrus ivory, antique gems, and hand-cut diamonds.

You may have guessed this by now, but jewelry made of fossilized woolly mammoth and the like is not what I’d call affordable. So for now, these pretties are just-to-admire, at least for me. If you are in a position to buy these lovely things, you can find Ms. Pean’s work at Barney’s and at other fine jewelry retailers.

Made-to-order “conflict and devastation free” diamond slice bracelet with fossilized woolly mammoth slice and white diamond pavé, 18K recycled oxidized white gold. I think this is beautiful, and so interesting. I’ve just never seen anything quite like it.

Necklace with amazonite, olive grey sunburst fossilized walrus ivory, vivid blue fossilized woolly mammoth tooth root and white diamonds. By Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This striking necklace is made from amazonite, olive grey sunburst fossilized walrus ivory, vivid blue fossilized woolly mammoth tooth root and white diamonds. Just try to tell me that’s not cool.

These earrings are made from fossilized woolly mammoth, opal, jade, and 1.14 carats of diamonds. I think their icy beauty would be perfect for winter events, or any time of year, really.

Monique Pean's Opalina waterfall ring with white diamond sprinkle, set in 18K recycled yellow gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is Monique Pean’s Opalina waterfall ring with white diamond sprinkle, set in 18K recycled yellow gold. Lovely, lovely colors.

This stunning piece is a fossilized woolly mammoth cuff with hand carved scrimshaw and white diamond inlay. I hate to keep repeating adjectives…but it’s just so cool. I love the fine lines and the diamond accents.

Pink diamond and champagne diamond ring by Monique Pean. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This pink diamond and champagne diamond ring is subtle, but ooh boy is it pretty. The ring is designed with an interlocking wave band design, with pink and champagne diamonds (conflict and devastation free) set in 18 k recycled rose gold.

I used multiple websites to write this post, so please see the links in each description for the original sources. Images and info are thanks to the original seller of each piece.

Vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet.

November 25, 2012

Usually I’m a little disdainful of jewelry that’s meant to be “cute,” especially fine jewelry. Jewelry shaped like animals is the most frequent offender, in my opinion. Don’t do that to the diamonds, they deserve better.

There are exceptions to this feeling (obviously, since I am still the same blogger who showed you the rubber duckie ring). This elephant charm bracelet is another one of those exceptions.

This is elephant charm bracelet vintage Van Cleef and Arpel’s, made in France in the 1960’s. It’s 6.5 inches, which means it would fit my wrist perfectly. I think the chain is beautiful, with its chubby gold links set with 90 diamonds (about 3 carats).

I love the basketweave texture of the elephant, its ruby eye, its tiny silver tusk and the stylized retro fabulousness of its diamond-studded ear. The elephant is supposed to be a good-luck charm. It’s classy, beautiful, whimsical, and cute; which, in my humble opinion, is almost impossible.

Why do I love this elephant charm bracelet so much when it exemplifies a genre I dislike? I have no idea. I’ve always loved elephants and I think this one is adorable, even if it’s slightly cartoonish. Which means I should hate it even more, but instead I covet it desperately.

Probably because it’s so well done – not surprising given the maker, but still worth noting. Look at the perfect golden links, the wonderful texture of the elephant, the brightness of the diamonds and rubies. I’d wear it every day.

This elephant charm bracelet is for sale by Robin Katz Vintage Jewel, listing available via 1stdibs. All images and info are thanks to Robin Katz and 1stdibs.

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