topaz Archives

Winter chill: ice blue statement earrings.

November 29, 2013

It’s almost December, which (for many people) means parties galore. It’s always hard to figure out what to wear to holiday themed events without being overly on-the-nose, isn’t it? Don’t worry – these icy blue statement earrings and I are here to help you.

These Miiori sapphire and diamond earrings would make you the ice princess of any winter ball. These beauties sparkle with 14 carats of blue sapphires and 11.69 carats of diamonds in titanium and white gold.I can’t resist the color combination here: the chill blue platinum studded with chunky sapphires and frost-white diamonds. And the modern, sinuous lines are to-die-for.

Like so many of the colorful earrings I admire, I think these frosty blue statement earrings are just begging to be worn by someone with a head of thick, dark hair like mine. But I might be biased, due to my love for bright earrings.

Behind door number 2, we have the “Blue Queen of Diamonds” earrings (which is not a name I made up, although I’d be proud if it was). They’re regal indeed, with a beautifully clean geometric design that incorporates 19.83 carats of blue topaz and 2.69 carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold. The colors and shapes in these babies reminds me a bit of some of my favorite aquamarine Art Deco pieces, but with a modern flair (and in topaz).

What would you wear with a pair of wintry blue statement earrings like these? Which of these would you choose if you could only have one?

All images and info in this post are thanks to the lovely Caroline at Communique LA.

Antique pink topaz and gold necklace.

October 18, 2013

I have a very severe crush on this antique pink topaz and gold necklace.

This antique pink topaz necklace is from 1830. The chain is made of pairs of looped links surmounted by a stylized repousse bow motif. The central element features 24 oval and pear-shaped foiled-back pink topaz stones set in a floral design which is also decorated with repousse scrolls. The floral design is framed on either side by a spray of finely worked golden leaves. There is also – very fabulously – a single pink topaz adorning the clasp, because why not?

I really enjoy the thickness of the gold chain here: it balances out the sweetness of the sweetly pink foiled-back stones. And how marvelously pink they are ! The foiled-back technique is very characteristic of the time period in which this was made. It means that a thin sheet of material – probably metal – was applied to the back of each pink topaz.

Here’s a close look at some of the details. I wish the original photo had been a bigger; I wanted a closer look at those leaves. But this at least gives you a good view of the fabulous center element.

This antique pink topaz and gold necklace was sold in a Doyle New York Auction. All images and info are thanks to Doyle New York.

New pieces from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection.

September 23, 2013

We’ve discussed (and drooled over) the one-of-a-kind opal masterpieces of the Mimi So ZoZo collection before. If you’ve seen them, I’m sure you remember. Last Friday in my post about meeting Mimi So at JCK Privé NY, I let slip that I had amazing photos of new Mimi So ZoZo pieces to share with you. I won’t make you wait any longer.

As you may remember from the last time we discussed Mimi So ZoZo, this collection focuses on huge, glorious boulder opals and takes its inspiration from the sea. It is high-wattage glamor at its finest, in my opinion.

Necklace from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection with opal, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond and blue topaz. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This necklace is my favorite of the bunch. I can’t even pretend otherwise. It’s just spectacular. Here’s a closer look at the stones.

Detail; Necklace from the Mimi So ZoZo opal collection with opal, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond and blue topaz. Via Diamonds in the Library.

As you can see, this incredible piece integrates diamonds, amethysts, aquamarines, and blue topaz to pick up and enhance the colors in the opals. It’s to-die-for.

Mimi So ZoZo collection boulder opal and diamond earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library.

These earrings are like the little sister of these earrings, which we looked at last time. I’m usually not much of a fan of matchy-matchey, but I think they’d be great with the necklace above.

Mimi So ZoZo collection opal and gemstone bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This fabulous bracelet would be a slightly more subtle way to wear the Mimi So ZoZo collection. It’s beautiful, but somewhat more understated than some of the other pieces.

Mimi So ZoZo collection opal and diamond necklace with yellow gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Finally, we have this lovely gold, diamond and opal necklace. Another slightly more restrained – but still very beautiful – way to wear ZoZo.

I attempted to photograph these pieces when I saw them in person in New York, but my iPhone snaps were so far from doing the opals justice that I’m not even going to bother showing you those. These beautiful images are courtesy of the Mimi So team, who were kind enough to send them to me for the purposes of sharing them to you. Thank you, Mimi, for designing these and Molly for sending along the photos!

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