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

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An Art Deco diamond, sapphire, jade, and onyx bracelet.

Tired of Art Deco yet? I hope not.

An Art Deco diamond, sapphire, jade, and onyx bracelet. Circa 1925. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I think this Art Deco diamond, sapphire, jade, and onyx bracelet is just lovely. The delicate details of the inlaid gems are beautiful. They look like calligraphy strokes.

Made in 1925, it’s an old European-cut diamond band enhanced with tapered jade blossoms with black onyx stems, enhanced by three pierced French-cut sapphire geometric panels, mounted in platinum.

An antique Art Deco diamond, sapphire, jade, and onyx bracelet. Circa 1925. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This Art Deco diamond, sapphire, jade, and onyx bracelet was listed in Christie’s 22 April 2010 Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

Several Cartier panther rings.

The Cartier panther is a well-known motif. You may be picturing the famous and magnificent articulated panther bracelet once owned by the Duchess of Windsor; one of the most famous Cartier panther pieces.

What wins me over about the Cartier panther are the details and the delicacy. Animal jewelery can be cheesey, but the Cartier panther usually isn’t.  The panther itself is sometimes rendered in precious gems, or sometimes in gold or silver with jeweled eyes and an onyx nose. The delicate planes of the face and the sleek lines of the body make it worth looking at for its own sake, not just because it’s rendered as some fabulous piece of jewelery.

These Cartier panther ring were sold as part of the Christie’s Hong Kong Jewels auction on 29 November 2010.  All information about and pictures of these pieces are thanks to Christie’s.

A diamond, sapphire, and emerald panther ring by Cartier. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This Cartier panther ring is whimsical and flashy, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s 18k gold set with diamonds and sapphires to create the panther’s spots.  Please note the wealth of detail: the panther’s carefully shaped ears, the onyx nose, the emerald eyes. The Christie’s description also says that the panther’s head rotates, which is hard to imagine, but I’d love a chance to play with it.

Two diamond and gem-set panther rings by Cartier. One with a cabochon sapphire, the other with a cabochon chalcedony. Via Diamonds in the Library.
These two rings are versions of the same design. The first ring is shaped like a gold panther that curls around the finger, holding a cabochon chalcedony. The panther has an onyx nose and emerald eyes. The second ring is the same shape, except the panther holds a cabochon sapphire.

There were two more Cartier panther rings in this auction, but I’m not a fan. I like the panthers, but the rings are too heavy and industrial for me.

 

Sapphire, pearl, and diamond tremblant dragonfly brooch, circa 1895.

I think this tremblant dragonfly brooch is beautiful. It’s restrained, it’s beautifully detailed, and the colors are lovely. The thorax is a sapphire set with rose-cut diamonds. The tail is a tapering row of sapphires with rose diamond set divisions. The eyes are pearls, and all of it is set in silver and gold. It was made in 1895, and, in my opinion, is exceptionally lovely.

Sapphire, pearl, and diamond tremblant dragonfly brooch, circa 1895. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This tremblant dragonfly brooch is currently for sale at S.J. Philips. All images and info are thanks to S.J. Philips.

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