La femme fatale

The fact that women, besides disabled or elderly persons, children, Roma people or national minorities etc, are being considered a vulnerable group has always intrigued me. 

To some extent, I can understand the explanation behind it – a simple search on the internet, on this issue, leads you to several human rights organizations, which state that “these are particular groups who, for various reasons, are weak and vulnerable or have traditionally been victims of violations and consequently require special protection for the equal and effective enjoyment of their human rights.” (Icelandic Human Rights Centre)

Briefly said, these groups are especially vulnerable to abuse of human rights.

It just seems unfair to put it this way as we all are human beings. After all, it’s not all about the physical strength if it’s up to be said what would be the main characteristic that differentiate men from women which offers them the supreme advantage of not being categorized as such.

We've all seen women in leading roles in politics or achieving excellent results in science for example. What about femme fatale? Does that kind of woman look vulnerable to you?

Rene Lalique Art Nouveau Dragonfly Brooch

GOLD, PEARL AND ENAMEL BROOCH/PENDANT, PLISSON ET HARTZ, CIRCA 1900

An art nouveau enamel, diamond and gem-set pendant brooch, via Bonhams

Erté ‘Adventurine State II’ Necklace

DIAMOND BROOCH/ PENDANT, HENRIE-AUGUSTE SOLIÉ, CIRCA 1900

Art Nouveau Pendant circa 1905 

Addicted to music

Can you imagine life without music?

Music means vibration, pulsation if you want. It comforts us, gives us joy or makes us relax, it is therapy for those in need and inspiration for those blessed with the act of creation.

Music makes us dance and enjoy the moment, enjoy ourselves, enjoy life.

Fine Retro Geisha Brooch with Gemstones

Adagio in G minor Collection - Necklace by Alis Lalu

A RETRO DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE AND RUBY "ROCKETTE" BROOCH, BY JOHN RUBEL 

Enamel and Diamond Violin and Bow Brooch, c. 1760

ART NOUVEAU Pendant 'The Dance to the Music of Time'

The summer is here so let’s dance on the beach, in the park and gardens, on the terraces of clubs, in our own apartment with the windows wide open. Just bring it on the floor and dance like you never did before. J

Now, do you feel the music in your life?

Sources of inspiration

Searching through jewelry collections, you might easily observe that the sources of inspiration have been the same for many jewelry designers over time. Nature, characters of legend, love, universe and others, that’s life as we know it that is reflected within their work. It is something that applied 100 or 50 years ago and this is how it still goes today. The difference is in detail and the final creation depends on one’s personal touch and craftsmanship. It is art in all the cases and you can hardly say which creation is more beautiful than the other. It’s a matter of taste I think.

Take these examples for instance: jewelry belonging to similar collections (I’m referring to their theme) from Carrrera Y Carrera (a Spanish brand with more than 125 years of jewelry tradition) and Jewellery Theatre (a young Russian brand since ’98).

SHANGHAI MAXI PENDANT by Carrera Y Carrera

FAIRY TALES BROOCH by JEWELLERY THEATRE

GARDENIA MEDIUM RING by Carrera Y Carrera

FLOWERS RING by JEWELLERY THEATRE

SOL Y SOMBRA MAXI PENDANT by Carrera Y Carrera

CLOUDS LIMITED EDITION PENDANT by JEWELLERY THEATRE

These last two jewels don't look alike but are quite a match. :)

ANGELITOS EARRINGS by Carrera Y Carrera

FAIRY TALES PENDANT by JEWELLERY THEATRE

Ode to the sea

I love the sea! Every time I go to the seaside I come back with such a good state of mind. Its color comforts me, the sound of waves is music to my ears, the sea gulls are a confirmation that I’m in the right place and the sky above brings the perfect touch to the amazing scenery.

Please receive my invitation to catch a glimpse of the sea through the color of these gems:

Antique aquamarine, diamond and pearl pendant brooch, c.1900. S.J. Phillips Ltd

Tiffany & Co. bracelet five rows of tanzanite beads, perfectly finished by a clasp of diamonds and mil-grained platinum

Cartier Art Deco aquamarine and diamond necklace/brooch

Tiffany & Co. pendant with a cushion-cut tsavorite and an Art Deco motif of leaves with diamonds in platinum

RING GENUINE DELIGHT OCEAN by WELLENDORFF

Aquamarine Diamond Sapphire Platinum Long Dangle Earrings, via Fourtane

Tantalum and yellow gold ring via Sabion

I couldn't find any reference for this ring but it's perfect for this story so I've decided to include it anyway. It's too beautiful to be ignored and it has a touch of the sea in it, don't you think?

 Now listen to this song and watch the video, then admire the jewelry items once again.

2 in 1

Do you know the thrill that captivates you when buying or receiving a piece of jewelry you like? Your mind starts making combinations: what clothes to wear with it and in which occasions. Well, imagine the joy when you're having a 2 in 1 surprise. Like these pendants which could be worn as brooches as well. It only gets better as you have multiple choices.

BYZANTINE PENDANT BROOCH by VERDURA

18 KARAT GOLD, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND PENDANT-NECKLACE AND EAR CLIPS, BULGARI

A moonstone, sapphire and diamond necklace with detachable pendant-brooch 

A FINE ALEXANDRITE AND DIAMOND PENDENT NECKLACE/BROOCH

Important estate jewels @ Sotheby’s, New York

Ten more days till the Sotheby's auction in New York and probably a lot of plans and enthusiasm among jewelry collectors.

I would be too very eager to attend the event and buy exquisite jewels if I had the chance. I know that day will come though, but until then let’s just settle for knowing what other “important jewels” are on the market.

Oh, yes, I fell in love with these ones:

18 KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM, LAPISLAZULI AND DIAMOND BRACELET, WANDER, FRANCE

GOLD, ENAMEL, SAPPHIRE ANDDIAMOND BANGLE-BRACELET, GEORGE E. MARCUS

18 KARAT GOLD, DEMANTOID GARNETAND ENAMEL RING, LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY

18 KARAT GOLD, CITRINE, WOOD,SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND CUFF-BRACELET, AUSTRIA

14 KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM AND DIAMOND RING

18 KARAT GOLD, COLORED STONEAND DIAMOND PENDANT-BROOCH, DAVID WEBB

I can't decide between these two - I love the green in one and the red in the other:

18KARAT GOLD, PLATINUM, CHRYSOPRASE BEAD AND DIAMOND BRACELET, DAVID WEBB

18 KARAT GOLD, SYNTHETIC RUBY,RUBY, EMERALD BEAD AND DIAMOND BRACELET, MICHELE DELLA VALLE

I would have probably had to buy them both, right? I'd better stay home... :)

Every woman’s jewelry love affair

Every woman dreams of amazing jewelry to wear, from her personal collection. If not, I am sure that there are just a few women who don’t like wearing jewelry that it doesn't even count. So we could generalize the fact that girls love jewelry and have a special relation with their gems and accessories. 

First time I heard about Elizabeth Taylor's "My Love Affair with Jewelry" book I fell in love with this expression. It is so compelling and it describes very well the connection that we all make with our jewelry. As Elizabeth Taylor said, “I've never thought of my jewelry as trophies. I'm here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty."

We cherish and consider jewelry one of our most important assets as it represents us and becomes a continuation of our personality. It completes us and we are proud to wear it, whether it is our own purchase or heritage from our mother or grandmother. We pass it on to the next generations and this is how jewelry bonds the women in the same family through history. It also connects its wearer with others as our accessories, together with the way we dress, talk and behave, contribute to the way others perceive us as individuals.

It is known that Elizabeth Taylor has a predilection for BVLGARI jewelry and two of her most amazing jewels were the magnificent diamond and emerald necklace in platinum and the brooch with emeralds and diamonds that could be worn as a pendant on it.

Via BVLGARI

Via Christie's

How can you not to fall in love with these jewels?

Jewelry Love Affair blog is about fine jewelry we dream of, as well as jewelry we simply adore to wear.

Let’s make our love affairs as glamorous as seen in the movies.

Enjoy!