Top

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

You are here: Home / Archives for turquoise

Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring.

This ring is glorious.

Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring in gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I just love turquoise in gold – the color contrast is wonderful. This bombé cocktail ring centers a large and lovely oval-shaped cabochon turquoise. From the picture, it looks to be marvelous robin’s egg blue. The turquoise is mounted in 18k textured yellow gold and accented by a surround of rose-cut diamond trios. The piece is signed ‘M.Buccellati’.

If you’re familliar with Buccellati, you won’t be surprised by the intricate detail work in the gold that surrounds that juicy hunk of turquoise. I actually think we need to zoom in and get a closer look at the details.

Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring in gold. Via Diamonds in the Library.

Isn’t it magnificent? Texture city. And so detailed: see the tiny peaks where the gold meets the turquoise, like the cabochon splashed into the mounting or the gold is holding on to the stone? This is so much more than just a big ring. It also happens to be a 5 1/2, which makes it a perfect right-hand ring for me.

What do you think of it? Would you prefer something smaller, or are you dying to get this on your finger?

This Buccellati turquoise and diamond ring was listed in a December 2013 auction at Phillips. All images and info are thanks to Phillips.

Jewelry gift guide: $250 – $500.

Ready to move into the big leagues of price range? At least, that’s how I think of this level for most people. But such things depend greatly on your life situation and preferences: any gift counts as big league at the right time and for the right person. I love receiving jewelry from people I care about – every time I wear it I’m reminded of the person who bought it for me and the fact that I matter to them.

In this level we move further into recognizable names and finer materials. To revisit the jewelry gift guide for another price range, please click here: under $50, $50–$100, $100 – $250.

Antique Victorian 14k Dragon Ring with Mine Cut Diamond, Recycled Gold Stick Pin. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Antique Victorian 14k Dragon Ring with Mine Cut Diamond, Recycled Gold Stick Pin ($465). I am head over heels for this teeny tiny dragon.

Suzanna Dai Fireworks Long Necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Suzanna Dai Fireworks Long Necklace ($470). This slays me. It’s an explosion of color and personality.

Kendra Scott Baguette Hourglass Earrings in Turquoise Magnesite. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Kendra Scott Baguette Hourglass Earrings in Turquoise Magnesite ($375).

India Hick Swinging Bow and Arrow Pendant. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.India Hick Swinging Bow and Arrow Pendant ($395). I had the honor of trying this beauty on at JCK Privé NY. It’s impossibly lovely – I kept expecting a fairy to appear and demand its bow and arrow back.

KiraKira Gold Turquoise and Pink Sapphire Kori Ring. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

KiraKira Gold Turquoise and Pink Sapphire Kori Ring ($298).

Soixante Neuf Small Engraved Flower Pendant. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Soixante Neuf Small Engraved Flower Pendant ($345). I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier monogram pendant.

Lulu Frost Letizia antiqued gold-tone necklace. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Lulu Frost Letizia antiqued gold-tone necklace ($325).

Alexis Bittar 'Lucite® - Neo Bohemian' Dragonfly Cuff Bracelet. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Alexis Bittar ‘Lucite® – Neo Bohemian’ Dragonfly Cuff Bracelet ($395). Tell me this isn’t awesome. Sort of modern Art Mouveau.

Bounkit Green Onyx & Pink Cat's Eye Earrings. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Bounkit Green Onyx & Pink Cat’s Eye Convertible Earrings ($365).

Antique 10k gold and diamond cameo ring. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

Antique 10k gold and diamond cameo ring ($275). This jewelry is wearing jewelry. I’m into it.

India Hicks Sleek Cuff. Via Diamonds in the Library's jewelry gift guide.

India Hicks Sleek Cuff ($395). Sexy and effortlessly chic.

If you’d like more gift ideas, please check out my past store profiles, my guide to camphor glass jewelry, and past Ebay and Etsy posts. As always when shopping online, please pay attention to shipping charges, read return policies, and make sure that any bling you buy is the right size. My jewelry sizing cheat sheet can help.

Ring roundup: cocktail rings.

My own personal definition for “cocktail rings” is: a ring, preferably large and colorful, which is as fun as it possibly can be.

Oscar Heyman for J.E. Caldwell cocktail ring with natural pink and blue ceylon sapphires, and natural yellow and white diamonds totaling 2.50 carats. Via Diamonds in the Library.
This bouquet of gems is by Oscar Heyman for J.E. Caldwell. I would wear it all night long. It’s fun, exuberant, and eye-catching. The ring shank is 18k yellow gold and it’s set with natural pink and blue ceylon sapphires, and natural yellow and white diamonds totaling 2.50 carats.

Tamir greenish blue tourmaline and diamond cocktail ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This platinum ring by Tamir is set with a pair of rare, magnificent round, greenish blue tourmalines totaling 6.04 carats, surrounded by 0.43 carats total of round brilliant diamonds. I have rarely seen anything that was such a spectacular color. This ring is currently for sale by Tamir, listing available via 1stdibs.

Turquoise and gemstone cocktail ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, made in France in the 1950s. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This retro beauty is Van Cleef & Arpels, made in France in the 1950’s. It’s another cluster ring, composed of a central turquoise cabochon within a border of circular-cut rubies, embellished by an outer ring of turquoise cabochons accented with rubies and diamonds. I think the color combination is to-die-for. How bright and happy. This one ties with the Oscar Heyman for my favorite of the bunch. I swoon for that rich turquoise every time.

9.53 carat colored diamond and diamond engagement ring or cocktail ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

This high-voltage stunner would be a knee-weakener of an engagement ring, but with its flashy setting and jaw-dropping center stone, it would also be great as a cocktail ring. It centers a Y to Z color diamond (that’s why it looks yellow) of 9.53 cts encircled by by 16 round diamonds totaling approximately 1.45 carats.

Vintage opal, jade, and diamond cocktail ring, circa 1950. Via Diamonds in the Library.

I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with this vintage opal, jade, and diamond ring but I know I really like it. It’s sort of like blowing bubbles in a forest, ideally on St. Patrick’s day. It’s vintage, as I mentioned – from 1950. The iridescent opal is surrounded by curling branches of diamond flowers and accentuated by a trip of leaf-shaped jades. Fabulous.

If you could only have one of these cocktail rings, which would you chose? I think my heart has been stolen by the Oscar Heyman at the top.

All images and info are thanks to the original source of each of the cocktail rings. Please see individual descriptions for source links.

Follow along with me on Instagram