An invitation to dance

Don’t you just love to dance? To feel free on the dance floor, no worries involved, just the rhythm running through your veins and the energy flooding your body. I really can’t imagine life without dancing and music. 

The first time I heard about Van Cleef & Arpels’ dance inspiration collection, I decided right then to show you these wonderful jewels. This post is both a jewelry presentation and an invitation to dance.

Dancing is such a good therapy against our day-to-day stress, let’s just enjoy ourselves and take advantage of it!

Diamond Dancer decor clip, 2011, Bals de Légende collection

Danseuse Espagnole clip, 1941, Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection

Sylvia clip

Ballerina Mélisandre clip, 2006, Une Journée à Paris collection

Gloria clip

Héloïse clip, 2007, Ballet Précieux collection

Isadora clip, 2007, Ballet Précieux collection

Diamond Dancer decor clip, 2011, Bals de Légende collection

Ballerina Dancer set & timepiece, 2011, Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection

Undercover – secret watches

Did you know that secret watches were a huge vogue in the 1930s, '40s and '50s? Their charm has never been lost as they still appeal women in love with beautiful adornments. Just imagine amazing pieces of jewelry which hide a secret that only the owner knows and she is proud to reveal it at the right moment, to everyone’s surprise.

Today watches are no longer just functional tools but accessories that emphasize your style and status. The fusion of watches and jewels is about craftsmanship and works of art.

Just look at these pieces and you will see what I’m talking about: 

Cartier Urban secret watch - White gold, two octagonal-shaped pink kunzites totalling 91.45 carats, baguette-cut diamonds, square-shaped diamonds, brilliants, quartz movement - via Pinterest

Cartier Urban secret watch - White gold, two octagonal-shaped pink kunzites totalling 91.45 carats, baguette-cut diamonds, square-shaped diamonds, brilliants, quartz movement - via Pinterest

Amphitrite Secret Duo Watch, by Van Cleef & Arpels - the watch features a case composed of pink gold, black enamel and diamonds that conceals twin dials of white mother-of-pearl and black enamel, along with a contrasting black satin strap.

Amphitrite Secret Duo Watch, by Van Cleef & Arpels - the watch features a case composed of pink gold, black enamel and diamonds that conceals twin dials of white mother-of-pearl and black enamel, along with a contrasting black satin strap.

The Chopard Secret has a pave set diamond dial and square frame. The case is encrusted with brilliant, square and baguette-cut diamonds that weigh 19 carats. The strap is made of satin and boasts of a clasp made of baguette-cut diamond. Only two pieces of this model have been made.

Graff Diamond Swan Watch - 900 diamonds totalling 54.7 carats

      Graff Diamond Swan Watch - 900 diamonds totalling 54.7 carats

Piaget Rose watch, 35 mm. Case in 18K white gold set with 668 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 8.7 ct). Bracelet set with 253 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 8.5 ct).

Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles © Vacheron Constantin, adorned with approximately 28.70 carats of gems

What’s their meaning? Part III

Hello everybody! It’s time for our third episode in “what’s their meaning” miniseries.

Today’s characters are:

• Ruby comes from the Latin rubeus, meaning red and it is the symbol of courage and strength; it also symbolizes love and passion. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is ratnaraj, meaning king of precious stones.

Harry Winston ring -  Oval ruby, 5.40 carats; 2 tapered baguettes, 0.58 carats; platinum and yellow gold setting

• Blue Chalcedony owes its name to a city situated at a crossing-point on the Bosphorus in ancient times.

"DUNAY" CHALCEDONY CABOCHON RING. THE BLUE CHALCEDONY HAS A CARAT WEIGHT OF 19.11 CARATS SET IN PLATINUM AND 18KT GOLD 

I bet you wouldn't have expected this - the findings were a surprise for me as well:

• Amethyst comes from the Greek word amethustos, meaning without drunkenness and it is believed to protect one from poison. Iolite, still often called cordierite in honor of the French geologist Pierre-Louis Cordier, owes its name to the Greek ion meaning the flower violet. 

 "Byzantine" ring set with amethyst, peridots, iolites and diamonds from the CHANEL Fine Jewelry "COCO" Collection

• Morganite was named after financier J. P. Morgan, as he was the best customer of the gemologist who found the pink beryl.

 

18-karat blackened white gold, diamond and morganite earrings - by  Lydia Courteille

To be or not to be…afraid of or fascinated by dragonflies

I’ve always been afraid of dragonflies but somewhat fascinated by them. Nice colors, “fast and furious” as I like to say about their rapidity in flight and moves. Now, reading more about this amazing insect as I’ve done some research for this material, I must confess I like them more and I’ll stop being afraid of dragonflies.

It seems that the dragonfly symbolizes mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life. As I found out from a website, “the dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise - something that comes only with age and maturity”.

It’s weird though how differently this insect is perceived in various cultures. While in Asia and America it has a positive meaning (it is a symbol of power, agility and victory in Japan; Chinese people associate the dragonfly with prosperity, harmony and as a good luck charm; amongst Native Americans, it is a sign of happiness, speed and purity), in Europe and Australia the dragonfly has funny nicknames like Devil’s Needle, Horse Stinger or the snake’s servant.

However you call them, the dragonflies below are harmless and they’re really beautiful. Besides the images I found on the internet, I am proud to show you my silver dragonfly brooch from my own collection. J

Lalique dragonfly woman corsage ornament (1897–1898)

                Lalique dragonfly woman corsage ornament (1897–1898)

Pearl and Diamond Plaque Brooch, French, circa 1940 - via Fred Leighton

Dragonfly necklace from Commelin of Paris, via Forbes

Art Nouveau dragonfly ring by Lucien Gaillard (1861-1933)

Folie des Prés Fairy clip, 2003, Midsummer Night’s Dream collection

And ta-daa, this is my dragonfly brooch:

Love is in the air

Heart-shaped jewelry has an emotional connotation and it’s common to receive adornments with such design from your life partner, either a boyfriend, fiance or husband.  

Its beauty resides in its universal language ‘cause heart equals love, even affection, in every culture. When offered with such feeling and worn with the same emotion, jewelry pieces become more beautiful due to their profound meaning. 

Peridot Heart Diamond Gold Ring

Heart pendant in 18kt yellow gold and steel with pave diamonds

Chaumet pendant in 18-carat rhodium-plated white gold, heart paved with diamonds, bee set with a cabochon-cut amethyst

Chopard Happy Spirit Ring

Designer Ring Love

Piaget Heart ring in 18K white gold, set with 185 brilliant-cut diamonds - via piaget.com

Black and White – Opposites yet constant companions

Black and white jewelry is all you need in some occasions. The stark contrast between black and white exudes confidence and class and it could easily grab people’s attention.

As someone said before, the beauty of this combination is that it’s powerful and yet there is also a strange simplicity to it.

Chanel Joaillerie - via Precieux Conseils

Black and White Diamond Earrings - via Kevin's Fine Jewelry

Art Deco Diamond and Onyx Cocktail Ring, circa 1920's

Boucheron Bracelet 

de Grisogono pendant in white gold set with 76 white diamonds of 1.27 carats

Ivanka Trump ring - Cushion Shape Black Onyx Ring with Half Overlay Diamonds Deco Scroll

David Yurman Rings

Black and White Diamond Earrings - via Levinson Jewelers

mvee black and white jewelry