Not Part Of An Outfit

Wearing jewelry as a part of an outfit, or to complete an outfit, is relatively recent. Before the richness of, say, the past 120 years, jewelry was worn for itself in conjunction with clothing. Think of it like an engagement and wedding ring set...we do not consider whether they "go" with our outfits. Jewels and clothes were not purchased anticipating each other. They were worn without concern for "matching" or creating a "look" beyond a broad adherence to fashion (black for mourning, silhouettes for certain decades, etc).

That contributed to art nouveau's drama. Those sensual, flamboyant pieces were for every occassion. To the same occassion where Queen Mary would wear a jawdropping diamond and emerald stomacher across her bodice....

Lalique envisioned someone wearing his disturbing dragonfly stomacher- every time with the same style of clothing. It is as big as Queen Mary's stomacher, too. Bare breasts and a bug eating a dead girl- whoo! Imagine sitting across from that at a dinner party or diplomatic soiree! Guess where you would stare all night! How about worn to a high society wedding?

Diamonds indicated success and fame, even to Paris' artistic community, so Mucha's stomachers were a countercultural kick in the garters. Fashionistas have been trying to recreate art nouveau's jewels' shock and awe ever since. In fairness, the most dramatic art nouveau jewels could only be purchased by those wealthy enough to also have more conventional jewelry, too. However, smaller pieces with the subversive design elements like menacing mythological women, dreams and hallucinations, opium references, and nudity were worn for daytime and evening daily.

Hot damn! Fixed! More to follow!

This came from Gilt's website (www.gilt.com), long long ago. Jewelry as decoration... jewelry as a means to show more jewelry...pretty colors and sparkle for magpies!

Sorry- Blogger is Broken

My Blogger server is broken and cannot post pictures.  The current workaround requires skills beyond my level of comprehension. 

After I am done with another box of Gem ID stones, I'll figure out how to master that skill set so that, I, the customer, can fix the broken product myself.  

Grrrrrrrrr.   

Saw The Hobbit.  Go see it. 14 January- still broken and am wrasslin' with the fixes. Not going so well...hopefully I'll get it licked soon.

Such a Difference in Perspective...

In this photo, this necklace is pretty but not particularly noteworthy...

Lanvin Serpent Necklace, made of brass, enamel, and ribbon.  Available at Neiman Marcus.

But look at it when it is on!  WOW!  That's a gorgeous piece that could be dressed up or down and could go anywhere. 

 

Is it me or does this beg to be replicated as a DIY?   

Black Friday- Filippo Starscape

By Jeanine Payer at www.jeaninepayer.com

Loving these handmade silver hands with 18kt wire bangle and an engraved bracelet, 18 kt wire, a pearl, and a melee diamond.  The bracelet is engraved with "I choose all- St. Therese,"  a great sentiment for the new year. 

Trollin' With The Ring of Gyges

Internet trolls- who could have predicted their ubiquity?  Funny enough, Plato did in a parable about a shepherd who found a magic ring that made him invisible.


Corrupted by the power of The Ring of Gyges, the shepherd seduced a queen, killed a king, and became a cruel tyrant.  On the Internet, invisibility is not absolute power, but anonymity corrupts Segwaygrl and Obamasuks to release their inner trolls.  If only there was some physical identification, like a ring, to alert others as to whom trolls are when they are not on line.   


Theo Fennell Henry V Ring at www.theofennell.com.   18 kt gold, 0.08ct Ruby, 0.04ct Sapphire, 0.13ct Tsavorite, 0.02 ct Diamond

I was going to recommend this ring as The Ring of Gyges, but it is way too cool for such losers.
  

Bubbly for the New Year!

These lovelies are made by Kimberly McDonald of multicolored and white diamonds and slices of tourmaline.  Aren't they gorgeous?   They look like a New Year's party- bubbles and frivolity.  I don't usually make New Year's resolutions and am already working on a slew of projects and change of life resolutions, but I recommend we all resolve to play with and enjoy our baubles more than we did this year and, as we hunt for new ones, to remain grateful for what we have. 

Have a happy, happy new year!