Moon brooch. Gold, silver, diamonds, matte rhinestone. A. Holming’s workshop. St. Petersburg, 1908-1917. 4.5 cm. Carl Faberge jewelry masterpieces

Carl Faberge jewelry masterpieces
A jeweler by birth, a manager by vocation, Carl Faberge was born in St. Petersburg in 1846 among precious metals and precious stones. He inherited his father’s jewelry production and raised the family business to unprecedented heights.
For three decades, Carl Faberge remained on the crest of popularity. Among his regular clients were the Bulgarian king, the Austro-Hungarian heir, the kings and queens of England, Italy, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, as well as the king of Siam named Chulalonghorn.
The Winter Palace had a special pantry with a stock of ready-made gifts from Faberge. In fact, the imperial family traveled a lot and on the way gave away tons of various items with the brand of the company. For example, the Emperor of Japan was presented with a punch bowl, two candelabra, an agate vase, a silver set (a decanter with 12 glasses on a tray) and a matte gold Louis XV style hand mirror. The Chinese bogdykhan received two tiaras, a crystal thicket with a chased silver rooster, three silver vases with crystal inlays, two crystal decanters and a hairpin for a hat with a ruby ​​and diamonds.
Every day between 4 pm and 5 pm the grand dukes came to house number 24 along Bolshaya Morskaya to see what new Faberge had put up for sale.
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Coral opal and diamond Cocktail Ring. 1960s. Jack Gutschneider precious jewelry

Jack Gutschneider precious jewelry
Founded in 1957, New York based company Jack Gutschneider Jewelry Co. worked for a short period of two decades. Despite such a short period, they have left impressive jewelry designs embodied in exquisite collectible jewelry. These sought after pieces appear at auctions and high end jewellery stores from time to time, striking with high craftsmanship and quality of materials. Traditionally, when creating jewelry the designer used precious metals and and high quality stones. In particular, opals, turquoise, rubies, corals, emeralds, sapphires, garnets and very often, if not always, diamonds.
According to trademark records, last time the owner of the company filed his company trademark was on February 20, 1963. However, soon after the company ceased to exist.
Noteworthy, German-American designer Gutschnieder initially labeled his products “Van Gogh”, but soon, in the late 1950s, he changed the labeling to JG JLRY.
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Octopus ring. Diamonds, ruby, gold. Italian jewelry brand Cantamessa

Italian jewelry brand Cantamessa
The history of Valencia based jewelry trademark Cantamessa began in 1939. For more than 80 years, Cantamessa has been creating author’s style jewelry known for excellent craftsmanship and extraordinary aesthetics.
Traditionally, the main inspiration for the brand is flora and fauna. Dandelions and ivy leaves, tulips and roses, snakes and butterflies, exotic fish and marine life implemented in brooches, necklaces and earrings. Noteworthy, Cantamessa created jewelry for Cartier and Bvlgari.
From 1939 to the present day, many famous personalities preferred this brand. Among them Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Carolina of Monaco, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Irina Shayk, model Carol Alt, Miss USA Reena Fakih, and others.
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Heart-shaped emerald and diamond with onyx ear clips. 1980s. Marina B high jewelry art

Luxury and splendor of Marina B high jewelry art
The history of Marina B House began in 1979, when Constantine Bulgari’s daughter decided to leave the family business in Rome and found her own in Geneva. Marina believed that jewelry should be highly decorative, and she perfectly understood the desires of her contemporaries. Her catchy multi-colored pieces are easily recognizable and copied by many jewelry companies. Marina Bulgari often used black and colorless elements to accentuate the hues of precious stones.
Following her concept that jewelry should not only be suitable for both daytime and evening wear, but also match the color of the outfit, she began making ornaments in which it was possible to change precious stones.
Brooches and earrings were often “double-sided”, using a tiny mechanism, one surface of which was usually black – made of onyx or enamel – and the other completely covered with diamonds.
In the 1980s, the designer often used metal springs in the design of necklaces and bracelets, covered with precious metal. Thus, she brought back the popularity of collars, necklaces that quickly went out of fashion at the beginning of the 20th century.
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Rose Gold 18K Diamonds Blue Topaz earrings. Italian jewelry designer Pasquale Bruni

Italian jewelry designer Pasquale Bruni

The renowned Italian jeweler Pasquale Bruni, alongside with five craftsmen created the Gioielmoda brand in 1976. Pasquale, like almost all jewelers, from early childhood was drawn to everything beautiful. He received his first jewelry experience in the workshops of Valenza.
From a simple apprentice to a genius creator of exclusive precious masterpieces, he became a well-deserved legislator in the jewelry world. The father of a radically new trend known as Fashion jewellery, guessed the wishes of women increasing attention to his brand.
Incorporated in 1997, the renewed Pasquale Bruni company is a family run business. Bruni’s daughter, Eugenia Bruni, is the head of the company’s art department involved in public relations. Also, his daughter creates the image of the brand and organizes all kinds of jewelry exhibitions. Pasquale’s son Alessandro is the commercial director of the company.

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Large seahorse brooch. Jewelry alloy, Swarovski crystals. 23 cm. 1980s. Moans Couture vintage costume jewelry

Moans Couture vintage costume jewelry

The protégé of Lawrence Vrba, Christopher Crouch turned out to be so talented that he opened his own business. Brought something of his own, he created incredible jewelry – large and complex brooches and high-quality crystals. Noteworthy, handcrafted in New York City in a single copy, each piece is wearable art.
Partnership with Lawrence Vrba began in 2006 in the famous studio at Fifth Avenue. And the conditions were more than harsh. In particular, if Christopher could not create jewelry to the highest standards within a short period of time (less than one month), Lawrence Vrba would terminate the contract with him. Exceeding all expectations, Christopher Crouch worked for 8 years as a senior assistant to the famous designer.
By 2009, a working relationship with Lawrence Vrba had grown into a close friendship. In coordination with Lawrence Vrba and with his support, Christopher Crouch, in parallel with his work in VRBA, starts his own business. By the way, Lawrence himself proposed the name for the new company – “Moans Couture”.
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Starfish Brooch. Sterling silver, enamel, diamonds. Signed NB Nicole Barr Fine Enamel jewelry

Nicole Barr Fine Enamel jewelry
The history of NB jewelry trademark owned by Fish Enterprises Limited began in 1982 with the head office in Raleigh, North Carolina. The name “Nicole Barr” doesn’t identify a living individual. Also, the marking includes full name Nicole Barr in fancy script, or initials NB, or stylized logo.
Creating fine enamel jewelry for forty years, Nicole Barr features vibrant enamel colors in original designs.
Following the best traditions of French Master René Lalique, Nicole Barr traditionally uses true vitreous enamel (hard fired glass). NB craftsmen painstakingly apply enamel to 18 K gold and sterling silver, and complement ornaments with the finest diamonds, pearls and gemstones.
Known for high quality jewelry, NB has built its reputation in the US and Europe. Noteworthy, they do not sell directly to the public or to national chain stores. With 30 years’ experience as Original Design Manufacturers (ODM) they can also produce customers’ exclusive designs with the highest quality.
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