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Jewellery kaleidoscope

Portuguese filigree jewellery

Traditional Portuguese jewelry

A woman in folk dress. Traditional Portuguese filigree jewellery

Portuguese filigree jewellery
Folk dress of Portuguese woman decorated with jewelry has been always highly valued because of its superior quality and a special technique of making ornaments – filigree. The oldest objects found on the territory of modern Portugal, made in filigree, dates back to 2500-2000 BC.
Noteworthy, the Portuguese gold has the highest purity in Europe – 19.2 carats (80% purity). Forms and design of jewelry are closely associated with the history and religion. For example, the famous heart of Viana (coração de Viana), present in modern traditional earrings is one of the oldest symbols of Portugal.
Filigree – an ancient art technique of processing metal, very typical of the Portuguese jewellery. Openwork pattern of thin gold or silver thread. Technology is not unique to the Portuguese jewelry craftsmanship. For sure, each product made in this technique – a little unique work of art.
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Gina Lollobrigida Jewellery

Gina Lollobrigida Jewellery

Italian beauty, Gina Lollobrigida Jewellery

Gina Lollobrigida Jewellery
She has always been a standard of Mediterranean beauty – hot, wild and passionate. Her feminine “hourglass” silhouette, like a fragile porcelain figurine, and wonderful acting ability made her international star, nicknamed “The Italian volcano.”
Such Movies as “Notre Dame de Paris” and “Fanfan la Tulip”, where Gina Lollobrigida starred, made her dream of millions people around the world. In addition to being a great actress, Lollobrigida has had the status of a collector of luxurious jewelry. Noteworthy, she owns of one of the best collections of emeralds and diamonds in the world.
2013 Sotheby`s auction estimated some pieces of her jewelry at hundreds thousands of dollars. However, emeralds and diamonds of the actress are not the most expensive in her collection. Thus, the approximate cost of her vintage pearl earrings – one million dollars. According to the hostess, they once belonged to the Habsburg dynasty.
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Cadoro vintage jewellery

Cadoro vintage jewellery, brooch Frog, 1970s

Frog brooch, 1970s. Gold tone, green cabochons, rhinestones. Cadoro vintage jewellery

Cadoro vintage jewellery
The history of Manhattan-based Cadoro Jewels Corp. began in 1954 founded by two friends Steven Brody and Daniel Stoenescu. The creative duo of designers handcrafted limited edition costume jewelry, sold in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Their motto was “Famous Jewellery to the Rich and Famous!”. Among their customers were the Duchess of Windsor and Barbra Streisand.
Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys of gold and silver tone, rhinestones and glass crystals from all over the world, seed pearls and natural stones.
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Frank Tortolani vintage jewellery

Frank Tortolani vintage jewellery

Shoulder Brooches “Angel” and “Demon”. Gold tone, rhinestones. Tortolani vintage jewellery

Tortolani vintage jewellery
Jewellery brand “Tortolani” existed in California from 1934 until World War II, and then from 1950 until 1976. Tortolani jewelry was extremely popular due to its exciting design and has a high collection value today.
Frank Tortolani, founder of the dynasty of jewelers, came to America from Italy in 1923. He founded the family business and his children helped him. When he closed his factory, his eldest son, Donald, founded his own jewelry trademarks «Corina» and Crislu. Also, Frank’s grandchildren successfully continued the jewelry business.
Traditionally, Tortolani craftsmen used metal alloys of gold and silver tone, bronze, silver and gold plating. However, his decorations received recognition only in the 50s, after numerous awards for original design and unique method.
He signed a contract with Max Factor in the manufacture of boxes for cosmetics. Now these items are highly collectible. At the same time, he created a nominal jewelry for the celebrities of the time. Thus, among his clients were Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and many others.
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Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery

Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery

Audrey Hepburn wearing legendary necklace of cultured pearls. Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery

Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery
The history of a legendary American brand began in 1963. Born in 1932 in Detroit, Kenneth Jay Lane studied in New York at the School of Design in Road Island. He worked as an art director in «Vogue» and was an assistant to the famous French shoemaker Roger Vivier for the American company “Delman.” In 1956-1963 Lane worked in Paris for shoe line “Dior”, and in 1963 he opened the company for the production of original jewelry and exclusive shoes for special occasions.
Noteworthy, one of the first and perhaps the most prominent connoisseurs of the brand was Jacqueline Kennedy. One day Jacqueline Kennedy asked Lane to create a copy of a precious necklace that Aristotle Onassis had given her. By the way, the necklace of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis of emeralds and sapphires, was sold at the department store “Saks Fifth Avenue” for $ 250. Since then, the creator of the KJL brand became known as the “king of counterfeiting and imitation of jewelry.”
Also, his jewelry appeared in such iconic films, as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, “Dallas”, “Dynasty”, and “Sex and the City”.
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Cleopatra legendary jewellery

Cleopatra legendary jewellery

Elizabeth Taylor in 1963 film. Cleopatra legendary jewellery

Cleopatra legendary jewellery
One of the most beautiful women of the ancient world, Great Queen of Egypt of a divine origin, unmatched mistress, was capable to bewitch any man – even if he is Caesar. The mysterious and attractive image of Cleopatra still holds many mysteries and charms for over two thousand years. Historians of antiquity, who observe the life of Cleopatra, are impressed by without doubt, magical abilities of this woman.
But if you carefully read the ancient texts, none of them call Egyptian queen – beauty. Instead, praised her sharp wit and determination, as well as an excellent education. Cleopatra knew seven languages ​​and even wrote philosophical treatises and writings on weights and measures. In addition, she was unsurpassed expert in the field of Women in the Arts – knew the secrets of the special preparation of cosmetic drugs (and poisons!), had mastered the art of dress and jewelry to choose.
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Brazilian model Gabriela Bertante

Gabriela Bertante wearing long earrings and lace in black tone

Wearing long earrings and lace in black tone Brazilian model Gabriela Bertante

Brazilian model Gabriela Bertante
Born 7 May 1989 in Brazil, Gabriela moved to Sao Paulo to start a modelling career at the age of 17. In 2010, she traveled to India to take part in the Fashion Week. After the show, her face has become recognizable. She appeared on the covers of glossy magazines, and was noticed by MTV and film producers. Gabriela Bertante became a leading actress in Bollywood comedy film “Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya”, directed by Sunil Agnihotri.
The movie appeared on screens September 19, 2014. Gabriela Bertante has appeared in two more Bollywood films (Billa 2, 2012 and Bahubali: The Beginning, 2015) in all the splendor of Indian wedding dress – sari and exquisite jewellery: the main symbol of a bride – bindi (decoration of the gemstones on the forehead), large necklaces, massive rings and earrings, and of course, foot bracelets, called Payal.
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