Jewelry Porn

[Qingdai]

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? 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 as the auction nears and guess which picture they're using.



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

[Legs]

except for that craptastic diamond

[lisarea]

Here is a thing for you guys if you care:

http://robbreport.com/Jewelry/A-Char...ectible-Jewels

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

[LadyShea]

Thank you, pea, looks like some fascinating pieces.




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!

[LadyShea]

I put one in Miscellany, but here're some Faberge eggs. Though not wearable, their creation utilized the same materials, craft, and techniques as jewelry. My faves have miniatures inside them

[livius drusus]

Faberge' eggs definitely count as jewels. That wee carriage slays me.

[LadyShea]

Isn't that the most gorgeous little beauty?

[Demimonde]

Pony Baubles is making designs for everyone's favorite ponies. Her work is really beautiful. Slightly abstracted while still being recognizable to those in the know.







She is also working on designs for men:





As well as an actual 1 bit Equestrian coin:



The designer has been kick starting and fundraising to get them produced for order. I freaking love them!

[livius drusus]

That is one huge coin. She should make smaller versions as pendants. My mom has an ancient Roman coin in a pendant and I think it's fucking awesome.

[BrotherMan]

[maddog]

There's going to be an exhibit of Faberge items at a museum near me. I'm going to the museum members' preview show next week.

#2854

[LadyShea]

I am jellis, mads!

[livius drusus]

A manta ray bangle by Alkemie:



It's made out of reclaimed gold and is very reasonably priced at $165. They make a matching cocktail ring too, but you have to have way long fingers to pull off such a long and wide piece. Except for my mom. She has small ladylike hands that for some mysterious reason can totally pull off massive Lucretia Borgia rings.

Anyways if I were going to get one of Alkemie's cocktail rings, it would definitely be the adorable fox.

[LadyShea]

The antiquing and lack of high polish gives both pieces a distinct softness...that's not right but I can't think of the right word. They make you feel good, like warmth and nostalgia and vintage and well loved.

[livius drusus]

Patina maybe? I get what you mean about the vintage warmth of the pieces. I love that "old gold" feel coupled with contemporary design principles.

[erimir]

I thought you were talking about something else at first when you mentioned the cocktail ring...

[livius drusus]

Now this is a lion brooch that means business. Italian ca. 1860 and just plain badass.

[livius drusus]

There's a jewelry exhibit at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan that looks at royal jewels from Western and Chinese courts. There's a lovely slideshow of prettiness on the Selections page.

Panther clip brooch by Cartier Paris, 1949. Platinum, white gold, single-cut diamonds, two pear-shaped yellow diamonds for the eyes, one 152.35-carat Kashmir sapphire cabochon, and sapphire cabochons for the spots:



Gilt hairpin with a design of squirrels and grapes, kingfisher feathers, and gemstone inlay, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911):

[Qingdai]

Qing, my favorite Dynasty!