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

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Vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet.

Usually I’m a little disdainful of jewelry that’s meant to be “cute,” especially fine jewelry. Jewelry shaped like animals is the most frequent offender, in my opinion. Don’t do that to the diamonds, they deserve better.

There are exceptions to this feeling (obviously, since I am still the same blogger who showed you the rubber duckie ring). This elephant charm bracelet is another one of those exceptions.

Vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This is elephant charm bracelet vintage Van Cleef and Arpel’s, made in France in the 1960’s. It’s 6.5 inches, which means it would fit my wrist perfectly. I think the chain is beautiful, with its chubby gold links set with 90 diamonds (about 3 carats).

I love the basketweave texture of the elephant, its ruby eye, its tiny silver tusk and the stylized retro fabulousness of its diamond-studded ear. The elephant is supposed to be a good-luck charm. It’s classy, beautiful, whimsical, and cute; which, in my humble opinion, is almost impossible.

Pendant detail - a vintage Van Cleef and Arpels gold and diamond elephant charm bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Why do I love this elephant charm bracelet so much when it exemplifies a genre I dislike? I have no idea. I’ve always loved elephants and I think this one is adorable, even if it’s slightly cartoonish. Which means I should hate it even more, but instead I covet it desperately.

Probably because it’s so well done – not surprising given the maker, but still worth noting. Look at the perfect golden links, the wonderful texture of the elephant, the brightness of the diamonds and rubies. I’d wear it every day.

This elephant charm bracelet is for sale by Robin Katz Vintage Jewel, listing available via 1stdibs. All images and info are thanks to Robin Katz and 1stdibs.

 

The most precious turkey.

I’m at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving and my dad just asked me if I was posting turkey-shaped jewelry for the holiday. I laughed, and then I suddenly realized I had been horribly remiss in not showing you this precious turkey yet today:

A diamond, ruby, sapphire and onyx turkey ring from 1920-1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

That’s right. It’s a turkey ring. An antique one, from the 1920’s-30’s. I think it’s brilliantly ridiculous and amazing. This stunner of a bird is platinum, with marvelous diamond feathers, a ruby breast, a sapphire crown, and one beady onyx eye.

An antique diamond, ruby, sapphire and onyx turkey ring from 1920-1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Today I am thankful for this ring and for other pretty, silly things that make me smile. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 An antique Art Deco diamond, ruby, sapphire and onyx turkey ring from 1920-1930. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This fabulous and unique ring is currently for sale at Lang Antiques. All images and info are thanks to Lang.

 

El Arte de Cartier in Madrid, Vogue Paris.

Vogue Paris had a marvelous gift for us yesterday- a feature on 10 of the 420 iconic Cartier pieces currently on display at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. The feature includes jewelry that was previously owned by Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, among others.

I think you know a bit by now about the depths of my love for Cartier. I don’t know if we’ve discussed my love for Elizabeth Taylor, but I’m pretty sure you can imagine it is a serious love. She is my jewelry hero. At some point I plan on doing a series of posts on her collection. The Duchess of Windsor is fascinating as well, but she had some thoughts about how rich and thin one should be that I don’t really hold with. The lady had an eye for jewelry, though, that’s for damn sure.

I saved this post for today because, if you’re anything like me, election day in the U.S.A. is stressing you out and you could use some bling serious therapy.

Draperie necklace by Cartier Paris, circa 1947. Designed and made to order for the Duke of Windsor. N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This mind-blowing festival of gorgeousness (I’m going to run out of superlatives really quickly if I carry on like this) is the Draperie necklace by Cartier Paris, circa 1947. Twisted gold, platinum, brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds, a heart-shaped amethyst, 27 emerald-cut amethysts and one faceted oval-shaped amethyst, and turquoise cabochons. It was designed and made to order for the Duke of Windsor, who provided all gemstones apart from the turquoise. N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

Want more?

Panthère brooch, made by Cartier Paris in 1940. Formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Windsor. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This feisty kitty is the Panthère brooch, made by Cartier Paris in 1940. Formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Windsor, this brooch is made in gold and platinum and set with diamonds, yellow diamonds, and sapphire cabochons. That fantastic beach ball of a gem that the panther sits on is a 152.35 carat sapphire cabochon. N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

Rinceaux tiara, made by Cartier in 1910. Its delicate, foliate scrolls are composed of cushion-cut and round antique-cut diamonds, all millegrain-set in platinum. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This ethereal beauty is the Rinceaux tiara, made by Cartier in 1910. Its delicate, foliate scrolls are composed of cushion-cut and round antique-cut diamonds, all millegrain-set in platinum. It takes my breath away. N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

The Duchess of Windsor's Tigre lorgnette, made by Cartier Paris in 1954, by special order. The tiger is gold, striped with black champlevé enamel, and set with emeralds.

This incredible piece is the Duchess of Windsor’s Tigre lorgnette, made by Cartier Paris in 1954, by special order. The tiger is gold, striped with black champlevé enamel, and set with emeralds. The hinged lorgnette folds into the tiger’s body. The piece was originally presented in a brocade bag embroidered with the inscription “Please Return to HRH The Duchess of Windsor Reward.” N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

As a glasses-wearer since age 8, I love anything that makes the dullness of wearing spectacles more spectacular. I’ve never seen this piece before, and I’m head-over-heels for it. How fabulous.

This necklace, made by Cartier Paris in 1951 and modified in 1953, was a gift to Elizabeth Taylor from her husband of the moment, Mike Todd.

I recognized this one before I read the description. This necklace, made by Cartier Paris in 1951 and modified in 1953, was a gift to Elizabeth Taylor from her husband of the moment, Mike Todd. Composed of round brilliant, baguette and fantasy-cut diamonds, and eight cushion and oval-shaped rubies, set in platinum and gold. The necklace is convertible to a tiara. Studio Gérard, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

Todd famously presented his wife with this necklace (and the matching earrings and bracelet) while she was swimming. Sounds like a good day to me!

Crocodiles necklace, made to order by Cartier Paris for Maria Felix in 1975.

This is the marvelously nutty Crocodiles necklace, made to order by Cartier Paris for Maria Felix in 1975. Made of gold, with 1,023 brilliant-cut yellow diamonds with an overall weight of 60.02 carats, two navette-cut emerald cabochons, 1,060 emeralds of a total of 66.86 carats, two ruby cabochons. Each crocodile is entirely articulated and can detach from the necklace to be worn as a brooch. N.Welsh, Collection Cartier © Cartier.

Cartier, Paris tiara which was made to order for Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain in 1920. Platinum, with round antique and rose-cut diamonds and eight pearls.

This lovely thing is a Cartier, Paris, tiara which was made to order for Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain in 1920. It is platinum, set with round antique and rose-cut diamonds and eight pearls. The piece is on loan from the Royal house of Spain. © Casa Real.

Serpent necklace, made to order by Cartier Paris in 1968, for Maria Felix. With 2,473 brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds, two pear-cut diamonds, green, red and black enamel.

Last but not least, we have the spectacular Serpent necklace, made by Cartier Paris in 1968. This was also made to order for Maria Felix, who clearly had a thing for both diamonds and reptiles. It is made of platinum, yellow and white gold, and adorned with 2,473 brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds, two pear-cut diamonds, green, red and black enamel. Collection Cartier © Cartier.

All images and info in this post are all thanks to Vogue Paris. Please click here to read the original article.

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