Duchess of Windsor Jewelry Back on Auction

Twenty three years ago Sotheby’s celebrated the fantastic Jewelry collection of the Duchess and Duke of Windsor during a historical auction at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva. On the 30th of November, this time in London, 20 pieces of the same collection will reappear for an exceptional jewelry sale. Here are my favorite:

The Onyx and Diamond Panther Bracelet, Cartier, Paris, 1952

The Gold, Ruby, Turquoise and Diamond Purse, Van Cleef & Arpels, New York, 1942

Jewels like this Gem-Set and Diamond Cross Bracelet made by Cartier (1934-1944), are the reason why jewelry will never stop amazing me. Each of the eight crosses are inscribed to remind and symbolize important events in Wallis Simpson & Edward VIII life together. And what a life those two had! One way or another we are all in search for beauty, but it is because jewelry always has history and meaning that we give it such importance. Because it is a symbol!

Pictures: www.sothebys.com & Google Images. For those who want to browse all 20 jewels & objects here is the direct link to Sotheby’s : e-catalogue!

Plastic Barock!

Yes they are a little big and so pretty!! Alidra Alic‘s contemporary collection is amazing. I love that she mixes Silver with Plastic…  I am betraying myself terribly in saying this as I try to avoid plastic as much as possible in my life, but I can’t help it…. Those rings are just gorgeous!

Pictures: http://www.alidraalic.com/

The Marquise Anecdote

A star in gem shape history, the Navette is mostly known under the name of Marquise Shape. Invented by Louis XV’s jewelers, the shape was inspired by the Marquise de Pompadour. It is said that the King wished the shape to resemble his lover’s smile.

The Marquise Shape is a modified brilliant, which means it is a variation from the round brilliant. Just like the round brilliant, the marquise shape aims for brilliance and fire (=sparkle). Beware when you buy a Marquise shaped gemstone, an imprecise cut can cause a “bow-tie effect”: a very strong shadow in the form of a bow-tie in the table (the largest central facet at the top of the faceted gem).

Pictures: Google Images

Une Vie de Chien!

Usually when I see a dog wearing costumes, I think « Poor dog! If he knew what he looks like, he would probably want revenge…” But this is just hilarious; whoever jeweled this dog has a good sense of humor!

Picture: www.dailybitsofbeauty.com apparently by Mary Dawalt

Go Get Polished!!!

In my last diamond post, I told you that we had decided to let a few of our diamonds polished. Here are the selected ones:

1                                      2                                         3                                      4

As you can see the first was marked by the polisher, Sylvain Mayer one of the few  last polishers in Antwerp. The reason why it was marked in two different colors is that there were two possible cuts for this stone, oval and pear! I haven’t got a picture of if it yet but here are 2, 3 and 4 or like I call them John, Carla and  Dimitri, just kidding… They are unfinished of course:

It is so very exciting to let diamonds polished, because despite all the technology one has invented, there is always a little bit of a surprise in the end. Probably, at the end of next week Sylvain will have finished them. I can’t wait!!!

Sylvain does the most amazing job! Combining his knowledge, his craftsmanship and technology, he thoroughly examines the diamond in its rough form. The visionary craftsman then carefully shapes the diamond into its utmost splendor, thereby revealing its soul.