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

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Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring.

This ring is glorious.

Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring in gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I just love turquoise in gold – the color contrast is wonderful. This bombé cocktail ring centers a large and lovely oval-shaped cabochon turquoise. From the picture, it looks to be marvelous robin’s egg blue. The turquoise is mounted in 18k textured yellow gold and accented by a surround of rose-cut diamond trios. The piece is signed ‘M.Buccellati’.

If you’re familliar with Buccellati, you won’t be surprised by the intricate detail work in the gold that surrounds that juicy hunk of turquoise. I actually think we need to zoom in and get a closer look at the details.

Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring in gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Isn’t it magnificent? Texture city. And so detailed: see the tiny peaks where the gold meets the turquoise, like the cabochon splashed into the mounting or the gold is holding on to the stone? This is so much more than just a big ring. It also happens to be a 5 1/2, which makes it a perfect right-hand ring for me.

What do you think of it? Would you prefer something smaller, or are you dying to get this on your finger?

This Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring was listed in a December 2013 auction at Phillips. All images and info are thanks to Phillips.

WWAKE’s delicate gold and opal lovelies.

I only joined Instagram a couple of months ago but it’s rapidly becoming my favorite form of social media for discovering new jewelry. Browsing Instagram is how I came across WWAKE’s fine jewelry collection, which immediately captured my interest.

WWAKE is a progressive jewelry line based in NYC. It’s still fairly new, it was founded in 2011. WWAKE’s fine jewelry is characterized by delicate gold lines, opals, and occasional diamonds. It’s minimal and lovely, with an organic feel.

The goal of the collection, according to WWAKE’s website, is “capturing human actions in wisps of gold, and promoting a sense of play through interchangeable open shapes that are at once graphic and delicate.” I looked at the collection before reading the description, but it seems to fit perfectly. Let’s take a look!

Wwake gold and opal rings

Here are some of the collection’s gold and opal rings (with a few opalites and little diamonds in there, too). I think that the fire of the opals is the perfect fit for the ethereal quality of the designs. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t seriously considering buying one of these.

WWAKE gold triangle ring, available in white or black diamond. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I love this big triangle ring. It’s available in white or black diamond.

Gold rings by WWAKE. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These babies are nothing but gold.

Abstract gold earrings by WWAKE. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I’m also very seriously into WWAKE’s gold stud earrings. I’d want a big pile of these to mix and match at will. The shapes are so interesting.

WWAKE gold, opal, and diamond stud earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

And how pretty are those opal and gold ones? I love a good stud.

WWKAE has a lot more fabulous things to offer – if you like what I’ve shown you here, you should check out their site. All of the pretties in this post are currently for sale on WWAKE’s website. All images and info are thanks to WWAKE.

Antique gold and malachite cameo parure.

This antique gold and malachite parure is unreal.

Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.


So right off the bat, the colors are incredible. The warm, buttery gold in its scrolling repoussé frames is a perfect foil to the rich, swirling green of the malachite. The necklace is just about 18 inches, which is precisely how long I was hoping it would be. A bold piece like this demands sufficient space.

The colors are what I fell for right away, but then I noticed something else:

Center detail: Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.


They’re all cameos!!! Each of the malachites is carved to depict a different classical scene. This one shows a woman with a swan (possibly Leda?).

Earring detail; Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Earring detail: Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.


Here’s a look at the gold and malachite earrings. The malachite cameos of the earrings depict Diana and Atlanta, respectively.

Ring detail: Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.


And here’s the gold and malachite ring. This malachite is carved to resemble a woman in the classical style, but she hasn’t been identified as any particular figure. The carving really is exquisite; look at the delicate tendrils of hair cascading down her neck.

Necklace detail; Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Necklace detail: Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.


Here’s another detail of the necklace. It’s not easy to see the lines of the carving against the lines of the malachite in the photograph, but you can see some of it (especially if you’re looking for it).

Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.
Antique gold and malachite cameo parure, circa 1830 and later. Via Diamonds in the Library.

What do you think of this parure? I think it’s glorious, obviously. Sign me up!

This antique gold and malachite parure was listed in a Sotheby’s auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

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