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

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Antique peridot, enamel, and pearl ring.

This ring is faaaaancy.

Antique peridot, enamel, and pearl ring, circa 1900.

This spectacular thing was made in 1900.  It centers an intense, dazzling peridot surrounded by a crown of tiny rose gold flowers and natural seed pearls. As the icing on the cake, the border is surrounded by an additional layer of rusty brown and grassy green enamel.

An antique peridot, enamel, and pearl ring, circa 1900.

Notice how the pearls are beads strung on a wire, rather than set into the piece like the peridot. Cool, yes?

A colorful antique peridot, enamel, and pearl ring, circa 1900.

As is befitting the opulence of the front of this ring, the back, shank, and gallery are all covered in delicate engraving. It’s lovely from every angle.

This ring is currently for sale at Fourtane, listing available via 1stdibs. All images and info are thanks to Fourtane and 1stdibs.

 An antique peridot, enamel, and pearl ring.

Pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, pearl, and diamond necklace.

This explosive riot of color and sparkle is the work of Boucheron. It’s daring, bold, exuberant, and fabulous.

Boucheron pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, pearl, and diamond necklace.

In a world where there are necklaces like this, there is no excuse for red carpet events where we see nothing but white diamonds. NO EXCUSE. Imagine it with this striped ODLR, this vintage Balmain, this exuberent D&G, or this bold Reem Acra.  Step up your game, celebrities.

This 14-inch necklace is 18 karat blackened gold set all over with circular-cut pink sapphires. It is embellished with a festooned layer of seed pearls and occasional brilliant-cut diamonds. Most spectacularly, this gorgeous necklace further suspends a fringe of drop-shaped pink tourmalines and cultured pearls measuring approximately 9.80 to 10.50mm.

Boucheron pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, pearl, and diamond necklace; detail


This baby totals 25.00 carats of pink tourmalines, 18.00 carats of pink sapphires, and 4.20 carats of diamonds.

Boucheron pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, pearl, and diamond necklace, close up

Look at it. It glows.

This necklace was listed in Sotheby’s April 2012 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

Boucheron pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, pearl, and diamond necklace.

Art deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir, Cartier.

Why do seed pearls and diamonds look so perfect together?

Detail; Art Deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir by Cartier, circa 1915.

This gorgeous thing was made by Cartier in 1915.  It’s quintessential sautoir, with its woven seed pearl chain, long length, and pendant.

The articulated openwork pendant is set in the center with an old European-cut diamond weighing approximately 1.30 carats, which is framed by old mine diamonds weighing approximately 7.10 carats. The pendant loop connecting the pendant to the chain is also set with small rose-cut diamonds. The pendant hangs from a seed pearl necklace, accented by old European-cut and single-cut diamonds.

A wonderfully beautiful antique Art Deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir, Cartier

 The entire piece measures 23 1/4 inches long, so it’s about breastbone length.

Check out this antique photo of  the young Queen Mother, Duchess of York wearing a similar piece in 1924. The pendant isn’t in the photo, sadly, but the chain looks almost identical. How would you style this piece for contemporary wear?

This necklace was sold as part of Sotheby’s February 2001 Important Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

 

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