July Birthstone: Ruby

There’s no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby in celebration of a July birthday. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value.

Rubies do not age. The fire that was locked in their hearts millions of years ago still burns, even after the emperors and empires that fought for them have crumbled to dust and ashes

The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. If the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-color sapphire.

 

 

Two-sided ruby and diamond Art Deco bangle, Boucheron, circa 1935

 

 

Van Cleef Arpels yellow gold, ruby Mystery Ring

 

Two round rubies and a center brilliant diamond make this ring truly dazzling.

Ruby and diamond engagement yellow gold ring

 

Bow ruby necklace by Garrard, ruby beads, diamonds & white gold

Ruby engagement rings are said to symbolize love, passion and courage, perfect for a colorful engagement ring that represents your relationship. For those born in July, ruby rings are particularly poignant. If your loved one’s birthstone is the ruby, it is worth considering whether a ruby center stone or side-stones would be a gorgeous choice for their engagement ring.

by Jean Amr

From Paris with Love Van Cleef & Arpels bumblebee

From Paris with Love: Van Cleef & Arpels ‘mystery setting’ bumblebee brooch 

(Click photo to enlarge)

Mystery setting, also known as invisible setting, was originally created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933. An amazing technique crafted only by a skillful hand of paving precious stones without any visible claws, the gems themselves take the ‘center stage’ in the creation.

This superb quality bumblebee brooch, 25mm (1″) long x 40mm (1 9/16″) wide at wing spread that does not fall short of Van Cleef and Arpels quality set in the body and head with forty-nine natural blue sapphires with a total weight of 8.50ct. Gorgeous spread wings paved with the total of twenty-eight round brilliant diamonds totaling 1.10ct. The bumblebee is further enhanced with two cabochon ruby eyes, totaling 0.12ct. A precious masterpiece!

Van Cleef & Arpels ‘mystery setting’ bumblebee brooch made of 18k yellow gold, platinum, Sapphires, diamonds and rubies 

(Click photos to enlarge)

• Sapphires, 49 square shaped in mystery setting, totaling 8.50ct, dark blue color
• Diamonds, 28 round brilliant diamonds, totaling 1.10ct, color: F-G, clarity: VS range
• Rubies 2 cabochon rubies, totaling 0.12ct

The 1″ (25mm) long x 1 9/16″ (40mm) wide at wing spread brooch gross weight is 11.6 grams.

by Jean Amr

Van Cleef & Arpels Art of Clip

For our Russian viewers, or those who are visiting Moscow this month, Van Cleef & Arpels invites you to the “Art of Clip” exhibition at the GUM boutique in Moscow from September 3 to 30. A unique selection of brooches from the 1910s to the 1970s gives an overview of the evolution of Art, Decorative Art and Fashion through the 20th century

Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Peony’ platinum, diamond and ‘mystery set’ rubies brooch, 1937

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Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Passe Partout’ ruby, blue and yellow sapphire flower brooch, circa 1939

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Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Camargo’ diamond, ruby and emerald brooch, 1945

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Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Camellia’ emerald and diamond brooch, circa 1975

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Find out more at: http://www.vancleefarpels.com/ru/en/store-locator.html

by Jean Amr

Bvlgari Introduces the Limited Edition Lucea High Jewelry

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond Emerald High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

Bvlgari has added a massive dose of sparkle to its flagship ladies wristwatch, the Lucea, with various stone settings, including diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

Unveiled just last year, the Lucea is Bvlgari’s new signature women’s watch, distinguished by a prominent crown and a bracelet inspired by its trademark Serpenti bracelet watch. The Lucea High Jewellery adds lavish precious stone setting to the mix, with each of the three versions set with over 400 baguette-cut gemstones.

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond Emerald High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

Setting each Lucea High Jewellery takes over 192 hours of work, with the dial requiring 84 diamonds in five different sizes to create a radial pattern. Even each link of the bracelet, which is meant to resemble a snake, is set with 15 stones.
Three versions are available: entirely diamond set, or set with a combination of diamonds and emeralds, or diamonds and rubies. The ruby and diamond model features the most stones by weight, it is set with 448 stones totalling some 19 carats. Please click the photo’s to enlarge, to see the amazing quality of the precious stones and their settings.

One of Five: Bulgari Lucea Diamond High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

All three are in rhodium white gold, with a 23mm cases that containing quartz moments. They are vèry limited, the all-diamond model is limited to five pieces, while the emerald and ruby versions are limited to three pieces each. So, if you like one, you have to hurry, to your nearest Bvlgari boutique to oder one….. if the price is no problem.

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond and Ruby High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

I may cost something, but then you’ve got something! Prices for the Lucea High Jewellery starts at US$457,000.

by Jean Amr

From Paris with Love: Boucheron

Visiting Begum Om Habibeh at Yakymour one day, she had a nice present for my mother. Because my mother had a few special occasions in that time, some parties and a wedding, Om Habibeh gave her this great purse, including it’s original sterling silver, 18k and ruby Vanity Case. All handmade by the famous French jeweller Boucheron..

In the 1930’s, jewellers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Boucheron, Mauboussin and  Tiffany & Co, began producing minaudières,  silver, gold or platinum evening bags or vanity cases, carried on a metal or silk cord that contained a compact powder plus space for a few other small items, like lipstick. Many were inlaid with jewels or personalised, or made by order.

Handbag/Vanity Case by Boucheron, Paris, owned by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan III (private collection) (Click photo for larger size)

Vanity Case by Boucheron, Paris, owned by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan III (private collection) (Click photo for larger size)

Vanity Case by Boucheron, Paris, owned by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan III (private collection) (Click photo for larger size)

Handbag/Vanity Case by Boucheron, Paris, owned by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan III (private collection) (Click photo for larger size)

Because it’s a pitty to keep it in the dark, sometimes I put it out of it’s box, at very special moments. For a friend of mine, when she has a special occasion and needs to shine…… Always handy to have a friend with accessories!

by Jean Amr

Is L’Oreal Color Riche by Chopard the most exclusive lipstick in the world?

When two of the world’s most glamorous brands come together, you can be sure that the result will be creative, compelling and memorable. These words perfectly describe the L’Oreal Color Riche by Chopard lipstick, a product that’s as beautiful as it is unique! Featuring a gold tube studded with glittering, blood red rubies, the lipstick is a glorious tribute to the iconic Color Riche lipstick. In the images, you see Chopard artisans applying each ruby by hand, to slowly create this masterpiece. The care and attention to detail is the same as you would see in any show-stopping piece of Chopard jewelry. A great peace of art to mark 100 years of lipstick.

On the inside, is a vibrant red lipstick bullet formulated with rich color pigments and micro oils to keep your lips nourished. A coat of this fiery red color is the perfect finish for any beauty look from vintage Hollywood glamour to femme fatale. If you’re anything like us, you would have reached for your credit card as soon as you laid eyes on this covetable lipstick, unfortunately it’s not that easy to snag this beauty. Only one of these highly exclusive lipsticks has been produced by L’Oreal and Chopard. You heard that right, just one! Such a pitty for those who can afford…. Maybe when you ask politly….

This one-of-a-kind lipstick will be displayed a few special events before being auctioned off for charity. We’ll be gearing up for a bidding war!