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

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Turquoise and diamond necklace in gold, 1970’s.

This 1970’s turquoise and diamond necklace is a bit of a departure from my usual style, but I find myself loving it.

1970's turquoise and diamond pendant necklace with a 30 inch gold chain. Via Diamonds in the Library.

It’s fabulous, isn’t it? The long, textured links of the chain, the golden openwork pendant, the restrained smattering of gemstones. That chain is 30 inches long, so this would be quite a statement piece, despite its relatively delicate feel.

Pendant detail: 1970's turquoise and diamond pendant necklace with a 30 inch gold chain. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The closer in you go, the more details become apparent. The pattern of the openwork has a serene organic feel, like the leaves of a bonsai tree or ripples in a pond with turquoise stepping stones across its waters. Look at the smooth, raised edges of the gold shapes, the textured inner surfaces, the graduated turquoise cabochons.

Is it totally 1970s? Yes. Is it fabulous? Yes.

Or I think it’s fabulous, anyway. Are you with me on this one, or have I fallen off the wagon?

This 1970’s turquoise and diamond necklace was listed in a December 2013 Sotheby’s auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Tiny lovely gold things: my Catbird jewelry wish list.

I’ve admired Catbird’s pretties via their website for some time. I had the pleasure of visiting their little store recently for the first time, and now my adoration is solidified.

Catbird "anatomy of a stack" basics of stacking rings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Catbird is pretty much the mecca for stacking rings. I personally fell for a tiny, twisted gold whisper of a ring that will be on my upper pinky as soon as I can figure out which size to order.

And juuuust as soon as I find a pile of free money somewhere I’ll be buying the rest of this Catbird jewelry too:

ila & i Earrings in gold with emerald & diamonds, at Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Could these diamond and emerald earrings in gold be any more amazing? I think not.

Elisa Solomon diamond and gold Ancienne collection: diamond ring, wedding band, pendant necklace, and diamond stud earrings. At Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These beauties are the Ancienne diamond collection by Elisa Solomon. I think their texture is simply divine and they’d would be lovely together or separately.

Elizabeth Knight Her Majesty's Crown ring, at Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This Elizabeth Knight crown ring is too pretty to be believed.

MORE VIEWS ila & i Esta Ring with emerald & diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Amazing emerald and diamond ring!

Cuff bracelet with gemstones, at Catbird. Comes in pearl, raw emerald, pink tourmaline, lapis lazuli, or aquamarine. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This brass cuff bracelet has a delicious two-digit price tag and looks like a million bucks. Comes in pearl, raw emerald, pink tourmaline, lapis lazuli, or aquamarine.

Polly Wales tourmaline and sapphire ring in gold, at Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I cannot even deal with this Polly Wales tourmaline and sapphire ring. It is perfection.

Hortense Majorette pearl earrings, at Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

How great are these earrings? I rarely find myself thinking of pearl studs as edgy, but these certainly are.

Elisa Solomon opal eye necklace with pink sapphire, garnet, citrine, tsavorite, blue sapphire, emerald, peridot, aquamarine, amethyst and rhodolite. At Catbird. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is the Elisa Solomon opal eye necklace with pink sapphire, garnet, citrine, tsavorite, blue sapphire, emerald, peridot, aquamarine, amethyst and rhodolite. It is glorious.

Yayoi Forest Dawn ring and Growing Tree rings in gold with sapphires and diamonds. Via Diamonds in the Library.

If you saw my recent post on the jewelry I met in NYC, you already know I love these two Yayoi Forest beauties.

Lovely Catbird jewelry: gemstone and diamond rings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

A batch of bonus pretties to end with! Which piece of this Catbird jewelry has most caught your eye?

All of these beauties are currently for sale at Catbird. All images and info are thanks to Catbird.

Vintage gold lockets under $150.

I’ve been seeing vintage-style gold lockets popping up for sale in mid-range fashion lines recently. I totally get it, they’re lovely and romantic. I certainty have nothing against a nice vintage-inspired piece, but I generally think it’s more fun to go authentic when it’s doable.

Without further ado, here are some gorgeous vintage gold lockets currently for sale on the bling-ey internet.

 Antique Victorian or Edwardian gold locket with scrolling bail and embossed front. Via Diamonds in the Library,

Antique Victorian or Edwardian gold locket with scrolling bail and embossed front (I adore this one).

Vintage gold locket from the 1950's or 60's with a rhinestone star design. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Vintage gold locket from the 1950’s or 60’s with a rhinestone star design.

Antique gold star locket with monogram; Victorian or Edwardian. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Another starry beauty: this antique gold locket has a more complex star-like pattern that I find it hard to look away from. It’s older, Victorian or Edwardian.

Early 1900s square gold locket necklace with engraving and "WW" monogram. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Early 1900s square locket necklace with engraving and “WW” monogram.

Antique Victorian flower locket necklace in gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

The floral design on this Victorian locket is gorgeous. I also love the flowing monogram on the back. (This one is the reason I upped the price on this post to $150.)

Antique Art Deco locket in gold with embossed floral design. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Linear Art Deco floral embossed locket from the 1930’s – what a cool shape!

Vintage gold locket from the 1940's with floral engraving and original black and white photo. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Vintage gold locket from the 1940’s with floral engraving and original black and white photo.

Antique Edwardian embossed gold locket, circa 1900. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Embossed Edwardian locket from the early 1900’s – how much do you love the shape of this one?

Just to be clear: at this price range, the pieces aren’t going to be solid gold. They’re all goldtone; gold-filled, gold-plated, or made of other gold colored materials. Still lovely!

These antique and vintage gold lockets are all currently for sale at Maejean Vintage. I didn’t set out to feature pieces just from one store, but Maejean had so many perfect pieces that I just couldn’t help myself. All images and info are thanks to Maejean Vintage.

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