sapphires Archives

Art Deco diamond and multi-gem wave bracelet by Rubel Freres.

January 18, 2013

This piece is really something special. (Someday I’ll have to go back through all of my posts and find out how many times I’ve said that.)

You have to agree with me this time, though. This is an extraordinary bracelet. Look at the pattern, how it mimics a top and bottom layer of gemstones, with the top layer receding to show what’s beneath. It takes a great mind to come up with this and a master jeweler to create it. Incredible design, impeccably executed.

Detail; Art Deco diamond and multi-gem wave bracelet by Rubel Freres. Circa 1925. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This bracelet, described by Christie’s as a “wave” bracelet, was created by Rubel Freres in 1925.

This Art Deco beauty has a wide articulated band designed as an old European and circular-cut diamond undulating upper panel, set with five pierced flowers. Each flower in this upper layer is bezel-set with a pear-shaped diamond pistil and calibré-cut black onyx stems and detail. The upper layer is further enhanced by buff-top emerald accents. Framing the upper layer is the lower layer, with calibré-cut emeralds, rubies and sapphires depicting a floral scene, mounted in platinum.

This bracelet was sold as part of Christie’s October 21, 2009 Rare Jewels sale. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

And the fun’s not over! Fabulous blogger Natalie of Jewels du Jour just featured a stunning photo of this bracelet on her blog, and I couldn’t resist editing this post to include it. I think you can see why:

Amazing, isn’t it? From this angle, you can really get a sense of the texture and dimensionality of the bracelet. Sigh. I love it even more than I did before.

Ring roundup: several spectacular sapphire rings.

January 17, 2013

I originally titled this post “Several spectacular sapphire (s)rings” but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Intentional misspellings are never okay, not even for the sake of (amazing) alliteration.

Who doesn’t love a sapphire? We’re sticking to the traditionally-colored ones today, the deep, vibrant, rich blues we all know and love.

Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1925. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This ring is Art Deco, made in 1925. It’s bold and fabulous, with a healthy 3.81cts cushion-cut Burmese sapphire and tapering calibre cut sapphire shoulders, all bordered by diamonds. It has graduated collet set diamonds to the cagework gallery, a reeded shank, and is mounted in platinum mounted.

It reminds me of a Cartier pink sapphire ring that I also love.

19th century sapphire and diamond cluster ring, circa 1880. Via Diamonds in the Library.

And now for something completely different, we have this paler blue 19th century sapphire and diamond cluster ring, circa 1880. The octagonal step cut sapphire is surrounded by a double border of diamonds, cut-down collet set, scroll shoulders, mounted in silver and gold. I think the colors of this piece are really lovely; I love the mixed metals.

24.78 carat sapphire and diamond ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This ring is simple in design, but there’s something very alluring about it. The giant, 24.78 carat, sapphire, perhaps, or the simplicity of the jaunty diamond shoulders? I also love the yellow gold of the prongs against the blue of the sapphire. I wanted to give you a bigger picture, but Christie’s decided this was as far as I could zoom without getting blurry.

Early 20th century sapphire and diamond five stone line half hoop cluster ring, circa 1910. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This early 20th century diamond and sapphire five stone line half hoop cluster ring was made in 1910. It has three diamonds alternating two sapphires, millegrain set within a shaped oblong diamond set frame. I think the shape is so interesting – what does this one look like on a finger? I’d love the chance to find out.

A stunning and unusual diamond and blue sapphire ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This one is very simple and undated, but it’s the sort of ring I can see easily becoming a go-to piece in any jewelry wardrobe. An emerald-cut diamond in rub-over setting, to a buff-top sapphire line surround and plain hoop. Subtle, understated, and lovely.

16.47 carat sapphire and diamond ring by Van Cleef and Arpels. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This bold beauty is the only one in this batch by a big name – it’s Van Cleef and Arpels. The fabulous 16.47 carat sapphire is wreathed by a border of brilliant-cut diamond. You can also see the ring is further adorned by baguette-cut diamonds along the band, at least partway. An eye-catcher, to be sure.

All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips and Sotheby’s. Please see individual descriptions above for links.

Edwardian sapphire and diamond tassel pendant/brooch.

January 2, 2013

I’ve been visiting this necklace’s website for a while. If we were in middle school, I’d be carrying around a draft of a note to slip in its locker while it’s in class: “Hello. I like you. – Your secret admirer.”

This Edwardian tassel pendant (convertible to brooch) begins with a diamond collet and scroll top section of openwork turban design centering on a cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond cluster. This top element suspends seven diamond chain tassels, six with circular-cut diamond terminals and one with a further cushion-shaped sapphire and diamond cluster. The pendants comes with a diamond-studded neckchain.

This beautiful pendant/brooch is currently for sale at Humphrey Butler. All images and info are thanks to Humphrey Butler.

< Newer
1
…
29
30
31
32
33
…
41
Older >

Follow along with me on Instagram