Jewelry Porn

[livius drusus]

There's nothing better than a shiny bauble to soothe LadyShea's chatroom-fevered mind, so here are a few stunners from a New York exhibit (http://beta.cooperhewitt.org/microsites/set-in-style/exhibition) of Van Cleef & Arpels' most extravagant pieces.

This is a necklace that you can change into a bracelet by removing the backing and literally zipping it up. Wallis Simpson gave the designer the idea for it.

http://cdn.cooperhewitt.org/2011/02/03/21.2010.22.jpg

This is the one piece from the entire exhibit that I would select for my mother. It's also one of the oldest ones on display, made in 1915.


http://cdn.cooperhewitt.org/2011/02/03/13.2010.72.jpg

Here's one for wei yau:

http://cdn.cooperhewitt.org/2011/02/03/13.2010.102.jpg
Yes, that is a coolie hat necklace, and made for the 1931 Exposition Coloniale in Paris, no less. Oh, and there's a ring, bracelet and earrings to match, too.


And now for the money shot. Prepare yourself, Shea.

http://cdn.cooperhewitt.org/2011/02/03/44.2010.2.jpg

FUCKING TINKERBELL BROOCH BOOYA

[LadyShea]

I am mesmerized by the rubies in Tink's headpiece

[LadyShea]

I need a Nécessaire

[livius drusus]

Yes. It is necessary.

[LadyShea]

Very. I have many needful things to keep in there.

[erimir]

Jewelry PornNow you've done it.

[Sophia]

Jewelry PornNow you've done it.This thread is Not Stereotypical At All.

Dilemma for jew Liv: what about a giant golden cross encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and finely cut sapphire gems? Do you salivate over the jewels or do you grow fangs at the cross shape itself?

[Sophia]

http://www.glamourkitten.com/acatalog/ruby_maltese_cross_pin_icon.jpg

^Maltese cross with ruby...

http://images.adin-antique-jewelry.com/hi/09306-4284.p00.jpg

^18K bi-color (yellow and white) gold, 19 rose cut diamonds, 24 rubies (verneuil ruby) - Dimensions: approximate height 4.70 cm (1.85 inch), width 2.35 cm (0.93 inch) Weight: 6.00 gram (3.86 dwt). €1650

Still looking for the one I've had in mind...

OK, out of sensitivity to our Christ-killer employees, I'll try to post fewer crosses. (At least after I find that gigantic golden jewel-encrusted Crusader Cross I've had in mind...)

[Gonzo]

Jewelry PornNow you've done it.

No you. :glare:

[livius drusus]

Speaking of Wallis Simpson, many of the Duchess of Windsor's famed jewels were recently auctioned (http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-8726-cartier-panther-bracelet-breaks-record-at-pound45m/) at Sotheby's bringing record prices. My favorite piece is a spectacular diamond and onyx Cartier panther bracelet (http://www.professionaljeweller.com/pictures/gallery/Cartier/Lot%2019%20Cartier%20Panther%20Bracelet%20-%20C.jpg) with emerald eyes. It's so delicately articulated that it can lie flat or drape over the wrist completely smoothly.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/panther2.jpg http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/panther.jpg

Four bidders vied for it. Eventually it went for 4.5 million pounds to an anonymous buyer. Rumor has it said anonymous buyer was Madonna.

[Ymir's blood]

There are like no skulls in any of this. It's like the Anti-Skull thread!

[Qingdai]

I can see the appeal of the wrap around animal jewelry.

Wrap-Around Animal Jewelry | The Hairpin (http://thehairpin.com/2011/03/wrap-around-animal-jewelry/)

Although I will never be as bad-assed as this Mexican star.

http://widespreadlife.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/maria-felix-fumando-habanos.jpg

Legend has it she walked into somewhere with her baby alligators and asked them to make her one in gold.

[livius drusus]

Oh okay, Yb. Here's a little something that'll make you happy. It's a rock crystal memento mori ring from the mid-17th century with an enamel skull decoration. It's dedicated to the memory of poor, beheaded King Charles I. There's a lock of hair inside that is supposed to be the king's but who knows if that's true.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/charlesring.gif

[Ymir's blood]

Does the hair have blood on it? Even if it didn't prove anything it would be pretty cool.

[Ymir's blood]

Legend has it she walked into somewhere with her baby alligators and asked them to make her one in gold.
That looks more like a crocodile. I can tell by the snout and having seen a few of them in my time.

[Qingdai]

I DID say it was a legend? Didn't I?? :glare:



I admit it, I have a hard time telling the difference between alligators and crocs, I prefer to keep my distance.

[LadyShea]

I had a wrap around snake watch that I liked a lot, but it broked.

YB, you might enjoy looking at mourning jewelry.

This ring depicts an urn, and the image is made from the dead baby's hair
http://www.thingsgoneby.com/museum/mourning_jewelry/mourning_jewelry_images/6175.jpg

There's a skull and skeleton mourning fob here (http://www.thingsgoneby.com/museum/mourning_jewelry/6430mitem.html) (the pic is too long to be in thread)

[Sophia]

Yes. It is necessary.I suspect Ashkenazim have a genetic predisposition toward compulsive attraction to shiny objects. Now we just need to find some more Ashkenazi identical and fraternal twins for a twin study. I've been meaning to do some more research on Ashkenazi traditionalism and correlates (e.g., Y chromosomal Aaron ancestry, Talmudic knowledge scores, falsification (Lie) scores, experience in patent vs. criminal vs. civil law, etc., etc.) so that ought to work out nicely.

[livius drusus]

There's a skull and skeleton mourning fob here (http://www.thingsgoneby.com/museum/mourning_jewelry/6430mitem.html) (the pic is too long to be in thread)
Handsome. Do you know what period it dates to?

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

:^^

My favorite is the grapevine brooch.

[LadyShea]

There's a skull and skeleton mourning fob here (http://www.thingsgoneby.com/museum/mourning_jewelry/6430mitem.html) (the pic is too long to be in thread)
Handsome. Do you know what period it dates to?


According to the site 1830-50. It's a neat piece.

Mourning jewelery with hairwork is mostly Victorian, because they did a lot of weird death stuff them Victorians, but there are cool examples from most any era.

I designed a shallow cylinder out of a wedding band and gold discs for a guy, we encased some of his wife's ashes in it.

[livius drusus]

Doh. I didn't realize there was more info if you scroll down. :dopey:

[Stormlight]

Worst. Porn. Ever. :kickscan:

[livius drusus]

Perhaps this will be more to your liking, Stormy:

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Boar-badge-worn-by-Richard-II-knight-found-at-BoB-site.jpg

That's a wee gilt silver boar discovered at the site of the Battle of Bosworth. The boar was Richard II's emblem and the quality of the piece suggests it belonged to one of his retinue who lost it while his boss was offering his kingdom in exchange for a horse.

[Stormlight]

:unrun:

[Ymir's blood]

I DID say it was a legend? Didn't I?? :glare:
Just be thankful I didn't ask how the "baby alligators" made jewelry. :P

[wei yau]

I've had enough with liv and her endless prodding. I know these threads, like the Historical Facial Hair thread, is a way of calling me out to represent my Chinese heritage.

Damn you, liv. Damn you to the hell of upside down sinners!

So, looking for Chinese antique jewelry, I found some an awesome gallery of pieces here (http://susandods.com/blog/).

http://susandods.com/blog/uploaded_images/Chinese-Sterling-Bezour-Bracelet_8498/0081_thumb.jpg

The stone here is a "bezoar", which the site describes as a gallstone, but it's not really found in the gallbladder. It's found in the stomach usually.

http://susandods.com/blog/uploaded_images/Huge-Chinese-Silver-Cuff-with-8-Immortal_9AA6/0094-2_thumb.jpg
http://susandods.com/blog/uploaded_images/Huge-Chinese-Silver-Cuff-with-8-Immortal_9AA6/0161_thumb.jpghttp://susandods.com/blog/uploaded_images/Huge-Chinese-Silver-Cuff-with-8-Immortal_9AA6/0159_thumb.jpg

I like this one best because it doesn't have 1 or 3 or even 5, but it has EIGHT FUCKING IMMORTALS on it. Can you dig it? Shit, the only Immortal you Americans have is Dick Clark and he'd look stupid on a silver bracelet.

[LadyShea]

What the hell is wrong with you Chinks? Why would someone use a bezoar in jewelry? I'll bet it was medicinal or some shit.


Actually I think it's really cool. And the silver cuffs are stunning.

[LadyShea]

Speaking of weird stones, on Accidental Fortune they showed a guy who bought a pin for 14.00 at a junque store because although he couldn't identify the center stone, he could see that it wasn't costume, and that the diamonds were accents and not center stage.

Turns out it was a rare quahog pearl. So keep your eyes out

Here's the brooch, which has a name now, The Golash Brooch and the pearl has been named The Pearl of Venus. Apparently it has done a world tour :)
http://www.langantiques.com/university/images/thumb/f/f1/Golash_quahog_pearl_brooch_001-1.jpg/220px-Golash_quahog_pearl_brooch_001-1.jpg
http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28&stc=1

http://www.pearls.com/news2/quahog_pearl.htm

[livius drusus]

That carving is insane. INSANE I TELLS YA. I thought the gallstone piece was a ring, but I see on the blog that it's actually a bracelet, which makes it one Hugh Jass gallstone.

[wei yau]

I hope that site sucks away your day, as it is threatening to do to mine. We Chinese are a fascinating people.

[livius drusus]

Shea, I can't even believe the color of that pearl.

[LadyShea]

All quahog pearls are in the purple family, some are almost black. That one is a spectacular uniform lilac. It is also notable for that optical effect of a luminescent circle or eye, reminiscent of chatoyancy or asterism, but without the characteristic pattern of either of those. As far as I know that effect doesn't even have a name.

[LadyShea]

And though the pearl kinda demands attention, the enamel and gold work makes it a very nice example of higher end Victorian workmanship. It would be a nice piece with any stone in it.

[livius drusus]

I'm a big fan of enamel. It's sorely underrated nowadays. The graphic, geometric black-and-white style on that brooch has aged fantastically, unlike a lot of Victorian jewelry which can look very dated.

[LadyShea]

Yeah it's a shame the designer hasn't been identified, nor the provenance of the piece unconvered. Maybe some researcher will be able to find out more about it.

[livius drusus]

Here's a piece that combines my love of enamel with my unquenchable thirst for opals. It's a 1910 pendant by Georges Fouquet, a master of Art Nouveau style, and features an opal and pliqué-a-jour enamel as the landscape with gold trees in the foreground and a natural pearl (another favorite of mine, sorely underrated) suspended below.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/fouquet1910.jpg

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/fouquets.jpg (http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/fouquet.jpg)
(Clicky for a closeup)

[LadyShea]

That is lovely. Even the links of the chain are interesting and well crafted.

[wei yau]

Man, I'm starting to realize that next time I want to get jewelry for my wife, I need to shop at estate sales or something. Seems like that older pieces were way more betterer.

[LadyShea]

Good decision wei, for forespecial occasions. Though mass produced mall store stuff is probably more appropriate for everyday fashion jewelry.

[livius drusus]

Estate sales and auctions, mans. The latter have the advantage of allowing previews, so you could examine any pieces before you bought them.

[wei yau]

So, robbing graves or tomb raiding is out?

[livius drusus]

:glare:

[wei yau]

What about seducing elderly matrons of super-rich dynasties?

[livius drusus]

That's the most effective approach of them all. Barbara Hutton was married 7 times, and all of her husbands -- with the salient exception of Cary Grant -- had Van Cleef & Arpels accounts which she paid for, of course.

[curses]

I'm not usually a fan of gold, it's kind of gaudy to me. However, I really love this piece.
http://www.georgianjewelry.com/system/item/12713/31363_large.jpg?1291938601

Closeup and item description here (http://www.georgianjewelry.com/item/images/12713-american-art-nouveau-pearl-enamel-brooch).

[livius drusus]

That brooch is so delicate and lovely. Besides, I love anything opalescent on principle.

[Ymir's blood]

Nice oil slick sheen!

:caught:

[livius drusus]

In honor of the late, great Elizabeth Taylor, who knew from jewels, Itellyouwut, here are a few of her famous pieces.

Richard Burton gave her this Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet of coral, diamonds and amethysts along with a pair of matching earrings because the amethysts matched her eyes:

http://cdn.cooperhewitt.org/2011/02/04/61.2010.3.jpg

One of the most famous gifts Burton gave Taylor was a gigantic 69.42-carat pear-shaped white diamond that would be named after them. It was set in a Cartier necklace of smaller pear-shaped diamonds that would have been a knockout even without the the Taylor-Burton Diamond hanging from it.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/tb.jpg

After their divorce, Taylor sold the diamond at auction for $5,000,000 and built a hospital in Botswana with the proceeds.

But the greatest piece in her collection from a historical perspective is this beauty:

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina.jpg

The necklace is a Cartier piece, but it's the pearl pendant that's the real money. It's called La Peregrina, and until they re-drilled it so it wouldn't fall off its settings all the time in the early 1900s, it was the largest pearl ever found. It was discovered by an African slave off the coast of Panama in the mid-16th century. The slave was given his freedom and the governor of Panama got many kudos for sending it to King Philip II of Spain, who in turn gifted it to his wife, Queen Mary I of England.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina3.jpg

After her death, it was returned to Spain where it was part of the crown jewels until Napoleon's brother absconded with it after his army was defeated in 1808. His nephew, Emperor Napoleon III, took it with him to England when he was exiled in 1871 and there he sold it to a duke. The duke's family kept it until 1969 when Richard Burton bought it at auction and gave it to Elizabeth for Valentine's Day.

She had Cartier set it in a far more opulent necklace than the gold and pearls which first conveyed it to her. Here she is wearing it in the original setting in her cameo as a courtesan in Anne of the Thousand Days on the left, and in the new Cartier setting on the right.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina4.jpg http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina5.jpg

[Janet]

I just bought this book for the library. Lovers of Jewelry porn should hunt it down.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iwa4R1cML._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Flato-Elizabeth-Irvine-Bray/dp/1851496246/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301075949&sr=1-1)

[LadyShea]

La Peregrina is awesome. The Cartier necklace is really stunning, and the kick ass provenance...drool. Wonder who will get it?

[livius drusus]

As much as I would be extremely bitter if I were one of her children and I didn't get any of her incredible jewelry, I kind of hope the entire collection ends up in a museum rather than split up. I doubt that's likely to happen, though. I wouldn't be surprised if her children got to pick some pieces and the rest were auctioned off for AIDS charities.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

I was watching Antiques Roadshow last night. The expert told a 60-something woman that the diamonds on her unassuming little pink broach were worthless fakes.

He then went on to tell her that the broach itself was made by a Mr. Carl Fabergé.

[LadyShea]

What was the Faberge brooch worth?

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

£10,000

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Sorry to double-post, but :whoa:
Tiffany & Co. | Item | Tiffany Legacy® necklace in platinum with diamonds. | United States (http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=19491404&mcat=148210&cid=287465&search_params=s+5-p+13-c+287465-r+101323351+101424823-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+-k+)

I do like the one with the pink Morganite linked at the bottom.

[LadyShea]

Gemnerd factoid: Morganite is beryl, as are Aquamarine and Emerald

[livius drusus]

I did not know that.
:carson:

I'm not a huge fan of aquamarines. My mother has several beautiful ones but I find them a little plain. Also, the only time my dad was ever tricked buying jewelry was when he bought what he thought was an aquamarine but turned out to be a spinelle, so I can't help but react to aquamarines with suspicion.

[LadyShea]

There are also Bixbite (red beryl, incredibly rare), Golden Beryl, Heliodore (yellow/green), and goshenite which is clear. Before cubic zirconia was invented, goshenite was often used as a diamond substitute and rumored to have been used in early eyeglass lenses.

ETA: Aquamarine is not my fave blue stone, I prefer Blue Zircon, which has a high refractive index and is doubly refractive so puts on a light show.

[wildernesse]

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has a gem vault (http://www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=103) as part of their minerals exhibition that is fun to visit. There are some very pretty things there, as well as some beautifully cut large gems (I don't remember the names of them, not your typical diamonds, etc.).

I'm not a huge fan of this museum overall, but I could wander through this exhibition hall an untold number of times without losing interest.

[livius drusus]

I wouldn't be surprised if her children got to pick some pieces and the rest were auctioned off for AIDS charities.
I am so smrt. (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/liz_legacy_of_charity_rJK84qum3OQzkAcnSxAjTM)

Her famous jewelry collection, valued at an eye-popping $150 million in 2002, is likely to be auctioned off with the bulk of the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amfAR, the AIDS charity she helped found in 1985, according to WFLD/Fox TV Chicago.

[livius drusus]

I found an interesting gallery (http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/index.php) of contemporary jewelry designs. A lot of the pieces aren't my cup of tea, but there are some standouts that I really dig.

These are Rotation Rings in 18K white gold with canary and white diamonds by German artist Udo Jung (http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/gallery.php?artistid=34). The two parts turn making different shapes until you come back to the beginning.
http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/images/med/Udo_2rotatioringswstones.jpg

These are Grass Rings by another German artist, Kay Eppi Noelke. It's such a brilliantly simple and appealing idea, a precious metal version of the rings you made as a kid by winding a blade of glass around your finger. I'm amazed nobody's thought of it before.

http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/images/med/Grass%20Ring%20Group.JPG

This artist (http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/gallery.php?artistid=4) makes jewelry -- signet rings, cufflinks, necklaces, wedding rings, earrings -- from people's fingerprints, another ingeniously simple idea. I like how they look like polka dots in this design (click for closeup):

http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/images/med/DSCN2387copy.jpg (http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/gallery/images/big/DSCN2387copy.jpg)

[livius drusus]

Heart-shaped D color, Internally Flawless, Type IIa diamond weighing 56.15 carats. It's going up for auction at Christie's Geneva in May.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7511&stc=1&d=1301869268

[LadyShea]

OMG who photographed that? You can see the fingerprint FFS, why didn't they use tweezers?

I dislike heart shaped diamonds, but I loves me some big D-IFs

[livius drusus]

That's a Christie's handler leaving her prints all over it.

[LadyShea]

Well I'll be happy to apply for her job because she's a moron.

[livius drusus]

This brooch used to belong to Queen Victoria's mother, Victoria, Duchess of Kent. Mum left it to daughter when she died in 1861, and then Queen Victoria gave it to her daughter Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, in 1870.

It's inscribed tenderly on the reverse with "Belonged to dear Grandmamma V. From Mama V.R. to Helena 25th May 1870." (For zoomable views of back and front click here (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18800/lot/219/).)

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7532&stc=1&d=1302304707

The gemstones are cabochon garnets, set in gold with green and red enamel ornamentation. It sold yesterday at Bonham's London for £11,400 (ca. $18,600), 14 times the pre-sale estimate which was yet another absurd lowball figure of £600 – 800. The Victoria pedigree alone would guarantee it went in the thousands. Auction houses seem to be in the habit these days of drastically undervaluing pieces of historical significance then boasting about how the pre-sale estimates were smashed into smithereens.

For more droolings, check out the online catalog (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18800/) of the sale. I am completely charmed by one of the more inexpensive pieces (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18800/lot/38/):

http://images1.bonhams.com/erez4/erez?src=Images/live/2011-03/11/94482703-4-1.jpg.tif&tmp=Large&width=500&quality=70&format=jpeg&top=0&left=0&bottom=1&right=1

My mom would squee like a babby if I got that for her. She's a Leo and although she doesn't collect them or anything, she loves lions. I think it went for a fair price at just over a thousand dollars.

[curses]

Leos rule.
http://storage.canalblog.com/53/30/119589/54186711.jpg


This page has some great (and ugly) David Webb pieces on it and some rather bizarre other pieces as well.

frog : Tous les messages sur frog - Eloge de l'Art par Alain Truong (http://elogedelart.canalblog.com/tag/frog)

My absolute favorite:
http://storage.canalblog.com/10/59/119589/54186257.jpg

[livius drusus]

I love everything in a harlequin pattern, no questions asked. When it's a harlequin enameled panther with emerald eyes and a diamond collar, it's almost too awesome to stand. I'm crazy about how the kite shapes get teeny tiny at the end of the tail.

[curses]

And then you'd forget it all for this Tiffany & Co piece.

http://storage.canalblog.com/41/93/119589/57502488.jpg

[livius drusus]

That's more of a lisarea thing. She likes moustachioed fops, be they human, vegetable or walrus.

[curses]

All he needs is a monocle.

[Ymir's blood]

7534

[curses]

:eek:

[Ymir's blood]

Breath taking, aren't they?

[curses]

Only used :eek: because there's no smiley for :ohthehumanity:

[Ymir's blood]

Am I sensing just a bit of dislike for these pieces? :examine:

[livius drusus]

More porn. Oh God, so much more porn. (http://www.sothebys.com/app/ecatalogue/fhtml/index.jsp?event_id=30508#/r=index-fhtml.jsp?event_id=30508|r.main=list.jsp?event_id=30508&pg=1&view=20&by=0&rhd=0.9184215432032943/) That's the catalog for a Sotheby's jewelry sale tomorrow. I'm stuck on this Cartier brooch from 1920 (http://www.sothebys.com/app/ecatalogue/fhtml/index.jsp?event_id=30508#/r=index-fhtml.jsp?event_id=30508|r.main=lot.jsp?event_id=30508&id=71/). Platinum, gold, onyx, diamonds and two unbelievable black opals, all in a geometric setting. I want to go to there.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/drool.jpg

[Qingdai]

I'm still puzzled, given my wardrobe, what I'd do with a brooch. The opals are beautiful.

[curses]

:faint:

Stunning piece.

[Chris Porter]

Opals have got to be my most favorite gem. I don't yet own any black opals, though.

[curses]

Different kind of jewelry porn, but I am in love with these:
http://onetribe.nu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/118labradorite.jpg

Back to your regularly scheduled thread:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/images/wa200706A38_00.jpg
I like this, it feels vaguely Celtic.

[ceptimus]

...14 times the pre-sale estimate which was yet another absurd lowball figure of £600 – 800.

I don't want to derail the thread, so please take it somewhere else if the answer's complicated. Why are estimates always given as two figures like this? I hear people say, "It didn't reach the estimate", meaning that the highest bid was less than £600 - but the upper figure, in this case £800, seems meaningless.

[livius drusus]

From the buyer's perspective, it's supposed to be a guideline of the potential expenditure range (hope for the low end but prepare for the high end, basically). Auction houses do it, however, so they can decide what items to accept for consignment in the first place. They assess value based on precedent, condition, rarity, the market, etc., and then determine whether it's worth their overhead costs even to offer the item for sale. The range also helps the auctioneers determine which sale the piece should be offered in, and what figure they should use to open the bidding.

The range can also be something of a manipulation, which is I think what we're seeing a lot of these days. Lowball estimates lure buyers into the room hoping to score an awesome bargain. Then when a final sale far exceeds its estimate, that lures more consignors to the auction house in the hope of making a big score of their own.

[ceptimus]

Okay - guide to buyer, but wouldn't just saying 'estimate $50' be just as useful?

Does the upper figure really signify anything? Would it make any difference to buyer, seller or auctioneer, if an estimate was, say, $50 - $100, rather than $50 - $80?

Pretend in the above example that the item finally sold for $120 - would there be more or less commission to pay because of the different upper estimate?

[livius drusus]

The estimate has no effect on the buyer's premium. That's solely determined by sale price. The range is meant to give potential buyers an idea of what to expect. When you're planning what to bid on based on how much you have to spend, you actually need a top-line figure more than a baseline because of course you can't assume you'll be lucky every time and get what you want for the lowest possible amount.

That's the theory, anyway. Obviously in practice those plans gang aft agley.

[livius drusus]

Christie's Hong Kong branch is having a jewelry pornfest (http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?action=search&intSaleID=23462). There's an amazing array of top-notch deep green, translucent jadeite pieces, but my favorite, hands down, is this pair of diamond, star sapphire and star ruby earrings (http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=5442047&sid=2ea9ffa3-1685-4019-b0f3-54a418944860). They look fake they're so awesome (they've been tested and they're natural and untreated).

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/stars.jpg

Such happy colors. I love that the cabochons are different sizes, too.

[Ensign Steve]

They look fake they're so awesome

:unnod: They look like something I would totally buy for myself at Claire's. :beloved:

[trientalis]

I so love this thread. Thanks for starting it.
The magpie in me is sighing with delight.

[LadyShea]

And then you'd forget it all for this Tiffany & Co piece.

http://storage.canalblog.com/41/93/119589/57502488.jpg


Want. It reminds me of The Walrus and the Carpenter and therefore tickles my mimsy

[LadyShea]

Gemnerd Gem of the Week

Padparadscha sapphires are a mix of pink and orange. To truly carry the name both colors must be represented. Some jewelers try to sell orange sapphires as Padparascha and many people have been duped into believing they have one of these rare stones. If you can afford it, it prolly ain't a Padparascha

http://www.allaboutgemstones.com/images/gems_sri-lanka_padparadscha_sapphire.jpg

[wei yau]

Holy. Fleurking. Schnit. (http://www.christies.com/singing-bird-pistols-en-1422-3.aspx)

These things are amazing, both in terms of stunning beauty and intricate craftsmanship. I'm not sharing any pics, because you really need to see the video to appreciate.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

:shock:

[livius drusus]

I can't even believe such a thing exists in this world. Amazing amazing amazing.

[LadyShea]

Holy. Fleurking. Schnit. (http://www.christies.com/singing-bird-pistols-en-1422-3.aspx)

These things are amazing, both in terms of stunning beauty and intricate craftsmanship. I'm not sharing any pics, because you really need to see the video to appreciate.

OMG, thank you for sharing! Holy shit the beautiful little wee birds!

Looks like they got 5.9 mil for them at auction :)




In keeping with 19th century automatons
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16128282?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16128282">The Ethiopian Caterpillar</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/hodinkee">HODINKEE</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[cireasa]

They look fake they're so awesome

:unnod: They look like something I would totally buy for myself at Claire's. :beloved:
those earings look incredibly fake :eek:

[Pinecone]

I'm totally sending Chuck two metal staplers so he can make me bird pistols. :excited:

[Qingdai]

Those bird pistols don't work as guns, which is the first question I had.
I was imagining they'd be a really ironic way to commit suicide, or a distraction to stop a duel or something.

Now I see why they survived, they're just show pieces.

And now this, to prove I'm not a complete Philistine, although they are my favorite Biblical tribe.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/1/6/5/0/doubleheart.jpg

The Week in Estate Jewelry: Micromosaics, Feathered Tiaras, and Mourning Jet | The Hairpin (http://thehairpin.com/2011/06/the-week-in-estate-jewelry-micromosaics-feathered-tiaras-and-mourning-jet)

[livius drusus]

That could use a professional cleaning. I love the opal and amethyst combo. I don't think I've ever seen it before.

[LadyShea]

From Q's link

http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CasselPink.jpeg

All that pink (even rose gold!) is a bit twee for me, but the color is quite stunning for a natural pink diamond, and the little surrounds are magically matched. The Diamond is named, so provenance is known...only 1.4 mil.

[LadyShea]

Ooh, good find Q, I love the Whitby Jet too. I like Victorian jewelry, I like mourning jewelry...Victorian Mourning jewelry is ultra awesome

http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Whitby1.jpeg

[freemonkey]

I came across this artist today. Claudio Pino (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.461457530989.255995.591725989) (that's actually his Facebook page, which seems to have many more pictures than his website does).

http://www.pinodesign.net/images/05image.jpg

[LadyShea]

Oh wow. Not a practical piece from a wearability standpoint, but wow, the little pin pivots and the overall finish....wow. Damn that is some fine workmanship

[livius drusus]

I love that gyroscope design. Total genius.

[erimir]

That would make you feel all Green Lantern, wouldn't it?

[lisarea]

It has been brought to my attention that there is not a link to The Hairpin's The Week in Estate Jewelry (http://thehairpin.com/tag/estate-jewelry) feature in this thread yet.

So I just put it in up there. Right now.

[LadyShea]

Too late! (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=951706&postcount=98)

[livius drusus]

God I love micromosaics.

[livius drusus]

Oops. I'm sorry I lied to you, lisarea. That Chinese lady posted This Week in Estate Jewelry before.

[lisarea]

Too late! (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=951706&postcount=98)

:fuuu:

[Qingdai]

:muahaha:

:inscrutable:

[livius drusus]

Princess Charlene of Monaco, the new almost-runaway bride of Prince Albert, got a custom Van Cleef & Arpels convertible necklace-tiara for a wedding president from her hubs. She was an Olympic swimmer so it was inspired by the ocean.

It's 44 carats of round diamonds (88 diamonds total), ten pear-shaped diamonds and 359 sapphires in three gradient colors of blue in a white gold wave setting. It's called, appropriately enough, Océan.

Here it is as a necklace:
7774

Here it is as a tiara:
7773

And here is Princess Charlene wearing it at the Red Cross Ball Friday:
7775

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.

[LadyShea]

Princess Charlene of Monaco, the new almost-runaway bride of Prince Albert, got a custom Van Cleef & Arpels convertible necklace-tiara for a wedding president from her hubs. She was an Olympic swimmer so it was inspired by the ocean.

It's 44 carats of round diamonds (88 diamonds total), ten pear-shaped diamonds and 359 sapphires in three gradient colors of blue in a white gold wave setting. It's called, appropriately enough, Océan.

Here it is as a necklace:
7774

Here it is as a tiara:
7773

And here is Princess Charlene wearing it at the Red Cross Ball Friday:
7775

That is really a beautiful design...I especially like the gradient colored sapphires, which is a genius artistic detail. How much you wanna bet it gets trendy?

[livius drusus]

Something for the gem nerd from a recent Bonham's auction (http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/WService=wslive_pub/pubweb/publicSite.r): a 21 carat spessartite garnet ring (http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19397/lot/820/). It's Tang colored! I love that.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7797&stc=1&d=1314147675

[LadyShea]

Oh man, look at the color! It's like sunshine.

In other news, all auction house jewelry photographers need to be fired. The glare off that facet is distracting, and exentuates the less than lovely (probably antique) cut, rather than the spectacular color.

[livius drusus]

Yes, thank you! Also the picture itself is sort of pixelated and crappy. You have remote bidders, people, get a fucking high res pic up.

[Janet]

:gimme: WANT!!! I've been wanting an orange garnet ring to go with a couple new orange tops.

[Gonzo]

Astronomers discover planet made of diamond (http://news.yahoo.com/astronomers-discover-planet-made-diamond-180427124.html)

[livius drusus]

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry will be sold by Christie's December 13th (http://www.christies.com/features/auctions/1211/elizabeth-taylor-collection/). Starting next week, a selection of the most famous jewels from the 269-piece collection will be going on a world tour, returning to Christie's New York 10 days before the auction. I am going to do everything I can to force my parents to go see the pretties when they're on display in NYC.

No auction catalog yet. Fear not, I will post when it is. The press release (http://www.christies.com/about/press-center/releases/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=4977) estimates that my La Peregrina will sell for $2,000,000 – 3,000,000. Sadly, I don't think I have the juice to wheedle that sum out of Daddy. Even if I did, I doubt any of the estimates will turn out to be accurate.

[Doctor X]

Sadly, I don't think I have the juice to wheedle that sum out of Daddy. Even if I did, I doubt any of the estimates will turn out to be accurate.

:sadeyes: You just need to give him the Puppy Eyes :beagle:

--J.D.

[livius drusus]

Apologies again for the crappy pics, but porn is porn amirite? These are some of my favorites from an upcoming Bonham's auction (http://www.bonhams.com/EUR/sale/18932/1/) in London.

First up, a natural pearl crossover ring from the 1920s (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18932/lot/9/). I love the color of the black pearl, the contrast with the white, and the fact that they're both natural. The white one is so pleasantly round you'd think it was cultured.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7833&stc=1&d=1316208555

Because I am a hopeless sucker for any and all historical revival trends, I am in love with this Renaissance revival gold and enamel bangle bracelet (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18932/lot/27/) from circa 1885. The gold work is exquisite and there is nothing more glorious than rich red enamel to serve as its backdrop.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7834&stc=1&d=1316208783

I love the color of these diamond and lavender jade earrings (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18932/lot/67/). So delicate.
http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7836&stc=1&d=1316209528

Finally, get a load of this diamond and abalone pearl alpine scene in brooch form (http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18932/lot/129/), where the abalone pearl is the mountain, capped with diamond snow and bordered with diamond pine trees

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7835&stc=1&d=1316209485

[LadyShea]

Bow chikka bow wow...come and see me sometime Alpine brooch, I'll rock your world.

[livius drusus]

Hands off, ho, he's mine! I saw him first! Don't make me tear out your weave tracks.

[LadyShea]

Whatevs trash, I'll take the gold and enamel cuff then. I ain't picky

and lol weave

[LadyShea]

Aight gem nerd stuff in celebration of Kiddo's first autonomous gem purchase.

The hotel my family stayed at last night was hosting a gem and mineral show, and Kiddo bought a turtle carved from Tiger's Eye. My first ever little girl "I picked this all on my own" jewelery purchase was a Tiger's Eye ring, and I owned several throughout my childhood. So I am feeling warm and fuzzy right now.

Tiger's Eye is a quartz that has undergone pseudomorphic replacement by asbestos. Pseudomorphic replacement is how wood becomes petrified. I don't know all the science on how that works so don't ask.

It is not terribly rare or expensive, but IS quite beautifully striated in browns and golds, with a silky/satiny luster, and almost always displays some level of chatoyancy, though a lapidary may focus on the pattern rather than a crisp, centered cat's eye when cutting. Because it is relatively cheap and easy to work with, it lends itself to carving and big showy cabochons and beads. It's quite lovely as a simple polished specimen.

http://paulingblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/tigers-eye-quartz.jpg?w=468

[livius drusus]

I love Tiger's Eye. Those warm golden and cognac streaks are unfailingly beautiful. Fun fact: I didn't know what TE was until I read Judy Blume's book of that name when I was like 14 and looked it up.

[Janet]

This may be taking the thread title too literally. Erotic pocket watch (http://www.bogoff.com/pocket/6661.html)

http://www.bogoff.com/pocket/jpg/6661A.jpg

[Vivisectus]

Why does he have testicles above as well as below his john-thomas?

[livius drusus]

I think that's just a fluffy thicket of pubes.

Awesome clock, btw, although I'm kinda bummed it's not period. Also, the seller really needs to show video of its automated fucking motion.

[JoeP]

tick tock tick tock tick tock

[livius drusus]

Check out this random vintage piece (http://www.rubylane.com/item/644639-DA-395/Vintage-Abalone-Shell-Ring-Sterling) I just stumbled on which is a) actually affordable and b) looks like a skull! Abalone is so neat.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8050&stc=1&d=1320732893

[Doctor X]

tick tock tick tock tick tock

And this is why your watch is unhappy and unfulfilled. . . . :sadno:

--J.D.

[erimir]

Now, if his watch was on a Negro-penis...

[livius drusus]

But the greatest piece in her collection from a historical perspective is this beauty:

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina.jpg

The necklace is a Cartier piece, but it's the pearl pendant that's the real money. It's called La Peregrina, and until they re-drilled it so it wouldn't fall off its settings all the time in the early 1900s, it was the largest pearl ever found. It was discovered by an African slave off the coast of Panama in the mid-16th century. The slave was given his freedom and the governor of Panama got many kudos for sending it to King Philip II of Spain, who in turn gifted it to his wife, Queen Mary I of England.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina3.jpg

After her death, it was returned to Spain where it was part of the crown jewels until Napoleon's brother absconded with it after his army was defeated in 1808. His nephew, Emperor Napoleon III, took it with him to England when he was exiled in 1871 and there he sold it to a duke. The duke's family kept it until 1969 when Richard Burton bought it at auction and gave it to Elizabeth for Valentine's Day.

She had Cartier set it in a far more opulent necklace than the gold and pearls which first conveyed it to her. Here she is wearing it in the original setting in her cameo as a courtesan in Anne of the Thousand Days on the left, and in the new Cartier setting on the right.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina4.jpg http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/peregrina5.jpg

Update: La Peregrina sold today for $11.8 million (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-14/liz-taylor-s-16th-century-pearl-sells-for-record-11-8-million.html).

[Demimonde]

http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/193865958929282094_sbH324Hl.jpg

:rawr:

[livius drusus]

:raptorattack:

[PopeyesPappy]

Shameless plug for Pop's own piece of jewelry.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/popeyespappy/temp/popeyependant.jpg

This wasn't one of Carmon's better pieces, but since she did it for us for free we didn't complain. Sadly Carmon passed away last November after a long battle with cancer.

[livius drusus]

She captured that happy expression just right. I only wish there was a big tongue lolling out the side too. :aww:

[PopeyesPappy]

Like this?

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/popeyespappy/PassedOutPops.jpg

[livius drusus]

YES! EXACTLY LIKE THAT! :headasplode:

[livius drusus]

Okay, I think this is the happiest necklace I've ever seen.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/saph.JPG

That's 34 pear-shaped colored sapphires weighing a total 46.60 carats. The necklace and matching earrings sold at Christie's Dubai last year (http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/a-set-of-multi-coloured-sapphire-and/5425554/lot/lot_details.aspx?from=salesummary&pos=1&intObjectID=5425554&sid=e56bb417-5227-46f2-99ea-44e5296e7c51&page=2) for $22,500. Click the link for a zoomable image.

[BrotherMan]

:prettycolors:

[LadyShea]

It is very happy...totally cheerful. I like how there's no specific pattern to the color progression, yet it is very pleasing despite the asymmetry. Harmonious.

Fancy colored sapphires literally come in every hue (except Red, but only because the red variety is called Ruby) so finding so many that complement each other in hue and saturation (no jarring differences) took someone with an artistic eye.

Someone like me, with no artistic anything, would have gone for color matching and a specific pattern.

[Agent Orange]

This ring depicts an urn, and the image is made from the dead baby's hair
http://www.thingsgoneby.com/museum/mourning_jewelry/mourning_jewelry_images/6175.jpg

Who else sees an ice-cream sundae?

[livius drusus]

A 1920 Arts and Crafts belt buckle by George Hunt:

http://www.tademagallery.com/database/images/6630.jpg

The landscape is enamel and the stones some variety of chalcedony. I love how handmade the setting looks while still being sleek, and I can't even believe the enamel work. It looks like an oil painting.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

:jawdrop2:

[Qingdai]

OMG. It's that time again at the Hairpin. Paging Lady Shea, check out the ring at the top.

Estate Jewelry: Ruby Roses and the Memento Mori | The Hairpin (http://thehairpin.com/2012/04/estate-jewelry-ruby-roses-and-the-memento-mori)

Also if you like the enamel work, liv, you should check out the Koch piece.
So beautiful.

I found some other images of work they did, pretty stunning.

http://www.wartski.com/Koch%20brooch%20ametyhst%20large.JPG

http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/D53296/a_fine_belle_epoque_aquamarine_and_diamond_necklace_by_koch_d5329619h.jpg

[livius drusus]

http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/KochEnamelChoker-640x450.jpg

ENAMEL ON OPAL!212 :ohgod:

[livius drusus]

I love those adorable and cheap little buckle rings, too. I'd like 10 of them please, so I can make my own brass knuckles.

http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/BrassRings.jpg

[Qingdai]

:nod: And that's how she blew her cover, she was the only Italian rapper in Atlanta with buckle brass knuckles.

[LadyShea]

I wish I could thank that twice, Q, rofl

[livius drusus]

Shea, prepare yourself for some gemnerd rage. Remember my blog entry about the Beau Sancy diamond (http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/15322)? You commented giving props to the Sotheby's photographer for not screwing up the picture for a change. Well, media outlets are beginning to report on the story (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/23/sothebys-to-sell-400yearo_n_1446395.html?ref=arts) as the auction nears and guess which picture they're using.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/beausancys.jpg http://i.huffpost.com/gen/578873/thumbs/o-DIAMOND-570.jpg?4

Yup, the one on the right.

[LadyShea]

Oh my god. That is horrific. Do they really truly think that ugly blue nails and fingerprints are appropriate for very, very, expensive historic gemstones?

WTF, would they photograph a Rembrandt with some QVC lady fondling it or something?

[livius drusus]

I know, right? Those sticky fingers and talons make it look like cheap rock crystal.

[Legs]

ooooooooh, a thread fulla' prettiness :prettycolors:

[Legs]

except for that craptastic diamond :^:

[lisarea]

Here is a thing for you guys if you care:

http://robbreport.com/Jewelry/A-Charitable-Auction-of-Collectible-Jewels

I will now take my filthy talons and leave your mean thrad!

[LadyShea]

Thank you, pea, looks like some fascinating pieces.

http://robbreport.com/Uploads/Images/1269180/1269180.jpg


And we're not mean, the photographers are mean! This pic above is fantastic, what if some grubby dude hands were in it, would these look so attractive then?

[livius drusus]

What an interesting collection. So much color!