Top

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

You are here: Home / Archives for pearls

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.

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.

Follow along with me on Instagram