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

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Diamond, sapphire, and pink sapphire ear pendants, by Van Cleef and Arpels.

These earrings are nuts. I mean that in the best way. They’re chunky and exuberant in that boldly fabulous way that makes it totally unsurprising they were made in the early 1960’s.

Diamond, sapphire, and pink sapphire ear pendants by Van Cleef and Arpels, circa 1962. Via Diamonds in the Library.

They were made in 1962 by Van Cleef and Arpels. Each suspending a  detachable lozenge-shaped pendant, set with two cushion-cut sapphires and one cushion-cut pink sapphire, each accented by a circular-cut diamond, from a circular-cut sapphire and diamond link, trimmed by sculpted 18k gold ropework. The surmounts center upon a cushion-cut pink sapphire, within a circular-cut sapphire surround, to the circular-cut diamond and sculpted 18k gold ropework border, mounted in gold and platinum.

These earrings were listed in Christie’s 22 April 2010 Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

Edwardian diamond, cultured pearl, sapphire and platinum brooch.

This brooch is a great example of what I love about the Edwardians.

Can’t you just imagine two jewelers looking over this design in a dim room, each of them saying to the other every few minutes “Is this enough pizazz?” “No, add more.” “Is this enough?” “No, needs a bit more.” “How about now?”

An antique Edwardian diamond, cultured pearl, sapphire and platinum brooch.

Now, sarcasm aside, I do think this brooch is great. It’s extremely ornate, but it works. The details are clearly carefully planned to accentuate rather than suffocate each other. The overall impression is one of delicate, complicated lace, rather than excessive scribbling.

The brooch is largely made of filigree, set throughout with European and rose-cut diamonds, accented by cultured and seed pearls, further set with calibré-cut sapphires. It also converts into a pendant and comes with a white gold and diamond-set neckchain for conversion to a necklace.

This amazing brooch was sold as part of Bonhams 18 Dec 2006 Fine Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Bonhams.

Gem-set and diamond earrings, Michele della Valle.

I have a great appreciation for Michele della Valle’s exuberant use of color.

Gem-set and diamond earrings, Michele della Valle. With polished sapphires, emeralds, and tourmaline drops. Via Diamonds in the Library.

To put it simply, these earrings rock. The color combination, of the polished sapphires, emeralds, and tourmaline drops is both fabulous and unexpected. The gems are perfectly accentuated by the brilliant-cut diamond details.

These earrings were listed in Sotheby’s  November 2012 Magnificent Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.

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