- Joined
- Apr 26, 2007
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- 8,087
So, the ongoing saga of my husband's patience, or How Circe Acquired Half a Dozen Anniversary Present When She Said She Was Just Looking for Some Earrings. I posted the Arden ring last week ... today I'm putting my hands together with the seed pearl choker and the completely unexpected and deeply awesome Victorian convertible ornament.
Have I mentioned my deep and abiding love for seed pearls before? Probably only on the pearl board, when in desperation I thought that maybe I could just make my own pearl mesh (I couldn't, finding them in the sizes they used to use is nigh-on impossible, apparently). But in general, they're impossible to find, and if you do, they cost the earth. So, thank you, jewelry fairy, for pointing me towards these! The choker is more of a short necklace at 14", with platinum and rose-cut diamond finials and a charming bezeled sapphire emerald cut at the center. At its back, there's a clever little hook so that you can change the pendant ornament, depending on your mood.
Which I know I should do, but I am loving the pendant I got too much. OH HOW I LOVE THIS PENDANT. Seriously, I haven't even worn my pear since I got it, not once (which I feel sort of guilty about, because, yes, I anthropomorphize inanimate objects, what of it). It was listed as a Victorian fur clip, which is interesting, since fur clips are pretty generally acknowledge to be a 1920's development.
I had a grand time researching it: basically, I think the dealer got it half-right. I think it did indeed begin its life in the Victorian era: it's got the right composition of a gold frame topped with a silver base for the diamonds (no platinum at that point, but they still wanted a white background), and the diamonds are the loveliest little OMCs, with needle-point sized rose cuts to fill in the cracks.
However, the calibre sapphires and the fur clip fittings scream Deco. And then I noticed an odd little threaded piece of tubing on the back, and it all clicked into place ... I think it was one of the convertible pieces that were so beloved by the Victorians - a tiara that snapped apart into earrings and brooches and pendants and gods only know what else, or a corsage, or something. And I think a generation or two later, some Jazz baby looked at great grand-mama's relics and thought, "Hm, how to dress this ghastly outdated thing up ...." and slapped some sapphires onto it before slapping it onto her fur.
It was sold as a fleur-de-lys, but it doesn't look at all like one to me: that stylized spade shape (not to mention the stem) screams "Victorian interpretation of ivy." They were thought to symbolize eternal friendship and fidelity and mutual support. Symbolically, that seems just about perfect for the occasion! When I'm not swanning about wearing it on the choker (read: most of the time, as my toddler grabs at it, says "Pretty, pretty!" and cocks his head to one side before demanding, "Pocket? Pocket!" which is what he does when he finds a pretty pebble in the park that he wants to have for his very own, and I doubt the hundred-year-old silk would stand it), it's on a nice, sturdy gold chain.
Anyway! That was long-winded, even for me: now on to the pics!
Have I mentioned my deep and abiding love for seed pearls before? Probably only on the pearl board, when in desperation I thought that maybe I could just make my own pearl mesh (I couldn't, finding them in the sizes they used to use is nigh-on impossible, apparently). But in general, they're impossible to find, and if you do, they cost the earth. So, thank you, jewelry fairy, for pointing me towards these! The choker is more of a short necklace at 14", with platinum and rose-cut diamond finials and a charming bezeled sapphire emerald cut at the center. At its back, there's a clever little hook so that you can change the pendant ornament, depending on your mood.
Which I know I should do, but I am loving the pendant I got too much. OH HOW I LOVE THIS PENDANT. Seriously, I haven't even worn my pear since I got it, not once (which I feel sort of guilty about, because, yes, I anthropomorphize inanimate objects, what of it). It was listed as a Victorian fur clip, which is interesting, since fur clips are pretty generally acknowledge to be a 1920's development.
I had a grand time researching it: basically, I think the dealer got it half-right. I think it did indeed begin its life in the Victorian era: it's got the right composition of a gold frame topped with a silver base for the diamonds (no platinum at that point, but they still wanted a white background), and the diamonds are the loveliest little OMCs, with needle-point sized rose cuts to fill in the cracks.
However, the calibre sapphires and the fur clip fittings scream Deco. And then I noticed an odd little threaded piece of tubing on the back, and it all clicked into place ... I think it was one of the convertible pieces that were so beloved by the Victorians - a tiara that snapped apart into earrings and brooches and pendants and gods only know what else, or a corsage, or something. And I think a generation or two later, some Jazz baby looked at great grand-mama's relics and thought, "Hm, how to dress this ghastly outdated thing up ...." and slapped some sapphires onto it before slapping it onto her fur.
It was sold as a fleur-de-lys, but it doesn't look at all like one to me: that stylized spade shape (not to mention the stem) screams "Victorian interpretation of ivy." They were thought to symbolize eternal friendship and fidelity and mutual support. Symbolically, that seems just about perfect for the occasion! When I'm not swanning about wearing it on the choker (read: most of the time, as my toddler grabs at it, says "Pretty, pretty!" and cocks his head to one side before demanding, "Pocket? Pocket!" which is what he does when he finds a pretty pebble in the park that he wants to have for his very own, and I doubt the hundred-year-old silk would stand it), it's on a nice, sturdy gold chain.
Anyway! That was long-winded, even for me: now on to the pics!
...neck shots for sure!
Would LOVE to see some neck shots!!!!
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