Hi All!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!! For those of you who don't know me, my last name McNamara is of Irish descent. The McNamara clan is very diverse, and hails from County Clare in Ireland. Family lore says that we've got 7 (!!) standing castles in Ireland, and it's a big deal to return to the Emerald Isle and do "the tour" at some point ... it's on my bucket list for now haha. In the meantime though, I content myself with lovely photos and day dreaming of The Tour.
Which brings us to today. In honor of St. Patty's I thought I'd put together a collection of some of the prettiest, most unique and valuable Emerald and Pearl jewelry pictures I could possibly find. Besides, Emeralds are one of my very favorite precious gemstones in the world (be sure to check out my
Emerald Board on Pinterest for more insanely gorgeous gems!!), so this is as good as an excuse as any to showcase them. Feast your eyes, drink them in (tee hee), and enjoy the wearin' o' the Green!
XO,
Ashley
The Pearl and Emerald Harp up top is a very special brooch on auction at Christie's is one of my favorites here (I mean really, who am I kidding? I love them all!) as far as being a St. Patrick's Day symbol. The Harp is a Victorian-era piece made in 1830 approximately; it is set with gold chantuelle, emeralds and both whole, natural pearls and half-blister pearls. It is from a private estate collection and sold at auction for around $3,100.00 in 2003.
Gorgeous Lily of the Valley necklace by Dior. Love, love, love!!
Fred Leighton. Cabochon Emeralds. South Sea Pearls. Diamonds. Enough said.
Mmmmmm that carved Emerald looks good enough to eat! I love the starburst of diamonds, sapphires and pearls radiating out from the center stone.
I look and look at this and think: Costume jewelry., But that center emerald-cut Emerald has got to be real, right?! Hmmmm ...
This collage features another Belle Epoque brooch made with Emeralds, natural pearls, diamonds and platinum, circa 1900 by jeweler J.E. Caldwell. The diamond, natural pearl and tear-drop emerald earrings at bottom right went for $33,000,000 at auction in Hong Kong recently (Christie's Magnificent Jewels, HK, 2012)! At the very top is an Edwardian-era natural pearl, diamond and emerald brooch that I simply MUST HAVE someday.
Another Sotheby's find (they get all the good stuff, lol!), this seed pearl, emerald and diamond sautoir is a one of a kind treasure! Circa 1915
This bracelet is So. Cool. Found in a Spanish shipwreck off the coast of Florida, and decorated with foil-backed diamonds, natural pearls and emeralds. In another life, I would have been a treasure hunter - imagine finding this!! Dating back to the 16th to 19th centuries.
This incredible natural and cultured pearl, diamond and emerald tiara I found also at Christie's Magnificent Jewels auction, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012. Just jaw-dropping. The Belle Epoque-era tiara went for over $500,00.00!
This tiara is one of my favorites - I love Nature-themed designs. Created as a laurel-wreath, this emerald, rose-cut diamond and pearl tiara features natural pearl "berries" (too sweet!). Found at Bonhams, London.
Of course, I have to include the Grand Duchess Vladimir's spectacular and incomparable tiara! Now part of the British Crown Jewels (and a favorite of Queen Elizabeth's) the tiara can be worn with either pear-shaped Emeralds or diamond and natural tear-drop pearls. Emeralds are usually fixed to the tiara during state visits with Ireland, but the Queen generally prefers her pearls (or wears the tiara unadorned as just diamond circlets).
This incredible five-strand pearl necklace features 551 natural pearls, expertly matched and graduated from 2.9 to 7.7mm in the center. The one of a kind cabochon-cut Emerald (!) measures about 12.8 x 11.7mm and is mounted in an old-mine cut diamond and gold frame. Featured in Sotheby New York's Magnificent Jewels Auction 2012, with an estimated value of $250,000 to $350,000.00. WOW.
An Art Nouveau pendant-necklace featuring emeralds and natural Freshwater pearls mounted in 14K yellow gold and enamel. You don't see this every day! The richness of the colors is truly beautiful.
This unique and lovely Art Nouveau-era pendant features a stunning, sweeping Peacock decorated with emeralds, sapphires and natural pearls mounted in gold. The scrollwork around the frame is just perfect (and of course, a hallmark of the Nouveau style!).
And what could be more Irish than a collection of gorgeous shamrocks?! I'll leave you here with this little selection and wish you all a very happy St. Patty's and this beautiful Irish prayer:
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
