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Award-winning Omi Privé black opal ring.

Good morning, darlings! Are you ready to have the socks knocked off of you?

This Omi Privé black opal ring just won the W Magazine Readers’ Choice Award and the JCK Jewelers Choice Award. And it’s not hard to see why.

The award-winning Lighting Ridge black opal ring by Omi Privé, with diamonds, sapphires, and tsavorite garnet.

Such a beauty right? That Lightning Ridge black opal in the center is utterly to-die-for, and the vivid blue sapphires and tsavorite garnets surrounding it bring out the stone’s fire in the most marvelous way. The tiny white diamonds on the sides of the yellow gold setting brighten everything up and add a delicious background of sparkle to the gemstone magnificence of the central element.

The prize-winning Lighting Ridge black opal ring by Omi Privé, with diamonds, sapphires, and tsavorite garnet.

Here’s a better look at the sides. You see what I mean about the colors? The sapphire pick up the opal’s blue, the tsavorite brings out the green, and the diamonds just turn up the volume overall while the yellow gold adds an element of warmth. It’s genius.

The award-winning Lighting Ridge black opal ring by Omi Privé, with diamonds, sapphires, and tsavorite garnet; top and side view
Doesn’t look like if you dropped a crumb onto that opal it would splash instead of bouncing off? What an incredible stone. This opal would be remarkable sitting on a paper plate, but this setting magnifies its beauty tenfold.

What do you think, my dears? Would you award this Omi Privé black opal ring a prize, too?

All images and info of this fabulous Omi Privé black opal ring are thanks to Omi Privé.

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Update: I’ve now tried on this ring in person! The experience was all I’d hoped it would be. See it here.

The Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone collection.

Good morning, my dears! I’m pleased to introduce you today to a fabulous designer I’ve discovered through the wonders of Instagram.

I’ve been admiring Ilana Ariel’s pretties for a while, but it was the recent photos of her Stepping Stone collection that I found myself unable to resist sharing with you.

Ilana Ariel's stepping stone rings in yellow gold with colorful gemstones

The Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone collection evolved from the designer’s early work stringing gemstone beads together: she found herself fascinated by the way the different shapes fit together, and followed that idea to the Stepping Stone concept (named for the stepping stones in her childhood backyard).

Ilana Ariel's Stepping Stone necklace in yellow gold with colorful gemstones and diamonds

The Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone collection features rows variously shaped and colored rows of gemstones set in 14k or 18k gold bezels. The necklace above is one of my favorite pieces: I just love the captivating colors and unique silhouette.

Long Stepping Stone earrings by Ilana Ariel, with colorful gemstones and diamonds set in yellow gold

Here’s a very similar combination of gemstones worked into a pair of long matchstick earrings. So fabulous.

Ilana Ariel lariat Stepping Stone necklace in yellow gold with gemstones and diamonds

The collection also features this lariat-style necklace, a supremely sexy adaptation of the Stepping Stone motif. I can just imagine how that line of gemstones would glint colorfully up at the world from the decolletage of the lucky lady wearing this lariat.

Diamond Stepping Stone rings by Ilana Ariel in white, rose, and yellow gold.

I’ve mostly shown you the colored gemstone Stepping Stone pieces so far (you know I love color) but Ilana Ariel also makes a number of fabulous diamond-only pieces in this style. Here’s a selection of the all-diamond bar rings.

Stepping Stone ring by Ilana Ariel, with colorful gemstones and diamonds set in yellow gold.

Although personally, I just can’t resist the colored stone version of the long bar ring. The juxtaposition of those opals and tourmalines with the pink sapphires and yellow gold just kills me.

Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone stud earrings in yellow gold with colored gemstones or rose gold with diamonds

Here’s a couple of these collection’s stud earrings. Magnificent, yes? Yellow gold with colored gemstones on top, rose gold with diamonds on the bottom.

What do you think of these Ilana Ariel pieces, my dears? Do they float your boat? Would you choose an all-diamond Stepping Stone piece or a colorful gemstone version for yourself?

All images and info in this post are thanks to Ilana Ariel.

2014 gift guide: jewelry $1,000 – $3,000.

Good morning!

It’s been quite a week + change of gift guides, hasn’t it? We’ve already looked at jewelry under $50, $50 – $100, $100 – $200, $200 – $350, $350 – $500, and $500 – $1000.

Diamonds in the Library jewelry gift guide; jewelry $1,000 – $3,000

Today our gift guide is going to take us all the way up to jewelry from $1000 – $3000. We’re in the big leagues now, aren’t we, my darlings?

Lapis and rutilated quartz shooting star ring by Andrea Fohrman.Lapis and rutilated quartz shooting star ring by Andrea Fohrman ($2,500).

Arman Opal Star stud earrings.Arman Opal Star stud earrings ($2,310).

Erickson Beamon Heart of Gold gold-plated Swarovski crystal necklaceErickson Beamon Heart of Gold gold-plated Swarovski crystal necklace ($1,730).

Vianna 18k gold, amethyst, pink tourmaline earrings.Vianna 18k gold, amethyst, pink tourmaline earrings ($2,450).

Victorian turquoise and diamond ring in gold.Victorian turquoise and diamond ring in gold ($1,395).

Blackbird and the Snow Birds and Star Necklace with diamonds in blackened silver on a gold chain.Blackbird and the Snow Birds and Star Necklace with diamonds in blackened silver on a gold chain ($1,925).

Arik Kastan sapphire and emerald Peacock ring in 14k rose gold.Arik Kastan sapphire and emerald Peacock ring in 14k rose gold ($2,645).

Gurhan medium Cocoon necklace in sterling silver and 24k yellow gold.Gurhan medium Cocoon necklace in sterling silver and 24k yellow gold ($1,950).

Antique Victorian moonstone and diamond earrings in gold.Antique Victorian moonstone and diamond earrings in gold ($1,595).

Emerald Heaven on Earth ring with diamonds and emerald in gold. By Adel Chefridi.Emerald Heaven on Earth ring with diamonds and emerald in gold. By Adel Chefridi ($2,800).

Shaun Leane Cherry Blossom cuff in in 9K yellow gold vermeil. At Stone and Strand. Shaun Leane Cherry Blossom cuff in in 9K yellow gold vermeil; at Stone and Strand ($1,103).

Jemma Wynne Swinging Heart Necklace in 18k yellow gold with baguette diamonds.Jemma Wynne Swinging Heart Necklace in 18k yellow gold with baguette diamonds ($3,465).

Amedeo Lady Cameo earrings with carved blue agate cameos set in sterling silver. At Stone and Strand. Amedeo Lady Cameo earrings with carved blue agate cameos set in sterling silver; at Stone and Strand ($1,000).

Finn rose-cut diamond dangle ring in yellow or rose gold.Finn rose-cut diamond dangle ring in yellow or rose gold ($1,375).

Elena Votsi Eros Ruby Heart necklace with 44 red rubies set in 18k yellow gold. At Stone and Strand. Elena Votsi Eros Ruby Heart necklace with 44 red rubies set in 18k yellow gold; at Stone and Strand ($1,800). 

Jamie Joseph large pink pearl drop earrings with baroque freshwater pearls.Jamie Joseph large pink pearl drop earrings with baroque freshwater pearls ($1,320).

All images and info in this post is thanks to the seller of each individual item. Please see descriptions above for links to original listings. This post contains affiliate links.

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