Kaleidoscope effect

18K Gold, Amethyst, enamel and diamond brooch, Gubelin (image from website sothebys.com). Plique-a-jour enamel jewellery

Plique-a-jour enamel jewellery
One of the most sophisticated and complex art of vitreous enamelling technique, originates in the Byzantine Empire of 6th century. Revived in the late 19th century by the movement of revivalist jewellery, this technique became especially popular in Russia. In particular, works by legendary jewelers, such as Pavel Ovchinikov, Ivan Khlebnikov, and some other masters working for Faberge are real masterpieces of plique-a-jour.
This filigree technique enables light to shine through the enamel like stained-glass. Traditionally, Russian masters predominately worked with tableware. Precious artistic tableware, decorative and applied art from the stained glass enamels always considered the top jewellery.
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Swarovski 2016 kaleidoscope – New color and effect

Swarovski Company – the world leader in the production of the most beautiful crystals introduced innovations for the spring / summer 2016. The new Swarovski collection includes new colors and effects, beads, pendants, stones which give stunningly gorgeous look, thanks to the depth and the play of light, like a diamond. This is only a small part of novelties of Swarovski spring / summer 2016.
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Baroda pearl carpet (detail)

March 19, 2009, occurred an event, the news of which appeared on many news sites around the world. At the auction house Sotheby’s in Doha, Qatar, was sold a carpet of Baroda, a unique example of pearl embroidery. Carpet of 1,73m to 2,64m in size, embroidered with beads, pearls and adorned with precious stones – emeralds, rubies and diamonds set in gold. Experts estimated that for every square decimeter of carpet were used nearly 5,000 pearls and beads. Overall, the silk fabric was embroidered with around 2.2 million pearls and beads. History of Baroda pearl carpet is just as amazing as it is. Pearl carpet was created in the early 1860s, on the orders of one of the richest Indian Maharaja – the ruler of Baroda Khanda Rao.
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Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope

Valentine’s Day has always been the day dedicated to lovers. Here are inspired by Valentine’s Day jewellery “Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope” and a brief history of this festival.

Lupercalia

Valentine’s Day has its origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed on Feb. 15. Lupercalia celebrated the coming of Spring in the Roman calendar (February was observed later in the year than it is today). Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks and the festival of Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, fields and people.
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Enameled thistle brooch with clear and purple tiny rhinestones, light enamel wear. Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry

History of Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry, exceptional in quality and design, began in sunny Naples, Italy in 1884. Inherited the family business, Ralph de Rosa, a hereditary jeweler successfully conducted his business until 1905. As a man who wanted to significantly expand his own horizons, in the beginning of the last century, he left for America – “the land of opportunities”. Despite all the difficulties awaiting immigrant started from scratch. He founded the company under his own name already in 1934 – the Ralph DeRosa Company. The next year, already in 1935, the first collection of the master – “Meeting in Venice” saw the light. The collection was dedicated to one of the most subtle, complex, romantic Crafts – Venetian lace.
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Yakutia Diamond Treasury, EPL Diamond exhibition

The Sakha Republic (Yakutia) is a federal subject of Russia. Yakutia is 95% of Russian diamond production and 15% of gold production. Enormous, almost unimaginable wealth. Permanent exhibition “Treasury of the Republic of Sakha” – a successful attempt to provide at least a small part of this wealth. 2015 Diamond week has presented the exclusive exhibition of “EPL Diamond”. EPL Diamond is a Russian company specializing in the production of diamonds, diamond jewelry and sales. The company is headquartered in the capital of the Sakha Republic – Yakutsk. EPL company is the largest producer of diamonds in Yakutia and the third largest exporter of diamonds in the Russian Federation.
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Eye miniature jewellery

Eye miniature jewellery was made in order to preserve the anonymity of a lover or a loved one, just as memorable item, later – decoration. Often with a miniature was kept a lock of hair of beloved one. Such commemorative miniatures were in vogue and became very popular in the 1790 – 1820’s in England, then in France, and Russia. The eyes of lovers were portrayed in jewelry: brooches, rings, bracelets and pendants, on the boxes, and wallets. Most often, these miniatures were made on on ivory.
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