Sotheby's Important Jewels Sale - Feb 6, 2014 (New York)

New favorite distraction: building "My Catalog" on the Sotheby's website. While scrolling through the online auction catalogs you can click the "Add To My Catalog" button and it will generate your very own covet list. Quite convenient for printing and leaving, oh say, inconspicuously on the coffee table for someone to take the hint! Excited to see how the sale turns out and wishing I was in New York!

My top pick from this sale is this pair of earrings from Charles de Temple, a British designer best known for his sculptural work in gold and for making the gold finger used in the 1965 James Bond movie, Goldfinger. 

Lot 201: Pair of White Gold and Diamond Pendant-Earrings by Charles de Temple

Information and Photo credit: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/important-jewels-n09115/lot.201.html

Of flexible design, topped by two old mine-cut diamonds weighing 1.84 and 1.68 carats, accented by 26 smaller old mine-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.50 carats, signed CDET; pendants and wreath-form jackets removable. Estimate: USD $10,000 — $15,000

What I love about these earrings:
1. old mine-cut diamonds: stones with serious personality
2. sinuous metal droplets provide a dynamic backdrop and frame for the diamonds
3. flexible design would be stunning with the wearer's movement
4. changing looks: the pendants and wreath-like jackets around the large diamond studs are removable! A fun, practical and stunning investment


Links:The full Sotheby's Important Jewels Sale (February 6, 2014) catalog 
For more information about the designer, Charles de Temple, see footnotes
Great footage of the designer at work in his studio in this video
 

More please!

Uvarovite

A member of the garnet family, uvarovite is difficult to find in gemstone quality but its emerald-green color is intense and amazing (especially in drusy form).

Lotus Arts de Vivre

Uvarovite mineral ring with a starfish set with rose-cut diamonds, spessartite garnets, faceted diamond drops, mounted in 18k yellow gold and black wood. By Lotus Arts de Vivre. Photo credit: http://www.betteridge.com/betteridge-collection-green-uvarovite-mineral-ring-gem-set-starfish/p/4913/

Kimberly McDonald

18k rose gold, uvarovite and diamond earrings by Kimberly McDonald. Photo credit: http://www.lyst.com/jewelry/kimberly-mcdonald-18karat-rose-gold-uvaronite-garnet-and-diamond-earrings-green/

Valentine's Day Lineup

With Valentine's Day less than two weeks away, here are some jewels that make me weak at the knees.

Nora Kogan - I am a huge fan of Kogan's work and have been lusting after her matchstick cuffs and rings since last year when I popped into her beautiful Brooklyn studio. Read more about the designer here. Don't these pieces say "you light me on fire!" in an edgy and seductive way? Choose from several metal and tip detail (enamel or diamond pavé) options. I am counting down the days until these walk into my life.

18k yellow gold cuff with hand painted red enamel tip. Photo credit: http://www.norakogan.com/detail/3,0,5/

Available in sterling silver with gold vermeil or 18k yellow gold with hand painted red enamel tip. Photo credit: http://www.norakogan.com/detail/6,0,9/

Eva Fehren - The X Ring is the perfect way to turn the classic "xoxo" into something she will not want to take off. I especially love that this ring looks amazing on trigger, middle and ring fingers. Fehren's work is perfectly described on her website as having a "tough-but-tender sensibility". All I can say is "yes, please!".

18k blackened white gold with white diamonds. Photo credit: http://www.evafehren.com/collection/

Circa 1700 - Jackpot! This horseshoe necklace which was converted from a Victorian era (19th century) brooch, is a treasure in every sense of the word. This would be the quintessential romantic gift. With nine old mine cut pink tourmalines (WOW! Where have these been all my life?), sixteen rose cut diamonds and light-catching metalwork, I can hardly imagine how stunning and sparkly this piece is in person. To top it off, many believe that the horseshoe positioned in the upright position harnesses good luck by preventing it from spilling out - how sweet!  

 Pink tourmaline and rose cut diamond pendant, 14k and 18k yellow gold on 18k gold chain. Photo credit: http://www.rubylane.com/item/936271-RL00084/Show-Stopper-Pink-Tourmaline-Rose

Jennifer Meyer - who doesn't love a good pair of studs, especially these two pairs which are perfect for Valentine's day!

"XO" stud in 18k yellow gold and diamonds.

Arrow studs in 18k rose gold and diamonds. Photo credit: http://www.ylang23.com/shop.cfm?ShopBy=Designers&CategoryName=Earrings&DesignerID=137&CurrentPage=2