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

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Natural pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring.

This pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring is so cool I can’t even deal with it.

Natural pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

You see my point? So cool. Sort of like a deadly but alluring monster plant that’s been frozen in ice. And how amazing are those pearls?

This platinum ring is made of crossover design, accented by numerous single-cut diamonds. The ring features one pearl at each end of the crossover, one baroque pearl of pinkish brown hue (approximately 11.1 by 10.2 mm) and one conch pearl (approximately 8.8 by 7.2 mm), each in a leaf-like setting.

A natural pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Would you wear this pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring? I know it’s kind of insane, but you have to admit it’s beautiful.

This pearl, conch pearl, and diamond ring was listed in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Today is the LAST DAY to enter my jewelry giveaway! You don’t want to miss your chance to win a free pair of diamond earrings!

Three aquamarine and diamond pendants.

Who doesn’t love a good aquamarine and diamond pendant? No one, that’s who.

An Art Deco / Edwardian aquamarine and diamond pendant from 1910

This first beauty is early Art Deco/Edwardian, from 1910. It features a lively, oval-cut aquamarine within a frame of circular cut diamonds and wreathed in floral and foliate details. The trace link chain it was sold with is just over 20 inches long, so this is a longer necklace (which I think is perfect for such a bold aquamarine and diamond pendant).

Antique aquamarine and diamond necklace with pearl, circa 1910

This lovely aquamarine and diamond pendant is also from the 1910’s (I never said I wasn’t predictable).  It features a pear-shaped, faceted aquamarine drop suspended from circular-cut, rose diamond and pearl surmount on a curb link chain. This one’s a bit shorter, clocking in around 17 inches.

It’s very simple, but I love it. The lush, curved aquamarine drop, the tiny pearl, the perfectly shaped diamond-set detail. It takes my breath away.

 

A contemporary aquamarine, diamond, and sapphire pendant.

 

This one is totally different. It’s contemporary and is all hard angles where the first two were soft curves. It’s centered by a huge emerald cut aquamarine (79 carats!) surrounded by  calibré-cut sapphires and old European-cut diamonds. The pendant is  topped by a triangular diamond and sapphire surmount. Total diamond weight, 2.05 carats. Total sapphire weight, 3.30 carats.

I absolutely love the contrast of the sapphire in this piece, but I’m not totally sold on the surmount. It’s so sharp looking. What do you think?

All images and info in this post are thanks to Sotheby’s. Please see individual descriptions of each aquamarine and diamond pendant for source links.
I’m giving away a pair of diamond earrings! Have you entered the contest yet?

19th century turquoise, ruby, and pearl snake necklace.

Snakes aren’t one of my usual motifs when it comes to accessories. I usually favor bows or flowers. But for this snake necklace, I’d make an exception.

A 19th century turquoise, ruby, and pearl snake necklace. Victorian era. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Could this necklace possible be any cooler? Only if you consider the fact that it’s from the mid-19th century and still looks amazing. Seriously.

Snakes were a big deal in the Victorian era – Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was actually a snake. It’s a symbol of eternal love and wisdom.

19th century turquoise, ruby, and pearl snake necklace. Victorian era. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This snake necklace is designed as a series of links shaped like coiled snakes, alternating in size and also graduated. Each snake is set with cabochon turquoises along the body with a pearl head and ruby eyes. Several snakes suspend additional pearl drops.

I don’t even have any more words. This is amazing. Please admire it with me.

Detail view of a 19th century turquoise, ruby, and pearl snake necklace. Victorian era. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This Victorian snake necklace was listed in Sotheby’s December 2012 The Jewellery Collection of the Late Michael Wellby: An Eclectic Eye – Jewels Spanning Four Centuries sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 A Victorian era turquoise, ruby, and pearl snake necklace. 19th century.

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