Grace & Manners

Set In Stone

 
Ever since I came across a short article on jewellery featuring bees in a recent Vogue UK issue, I have been quietly obsessing about animal inspired jewellery. I like the playfulness and quirkiness these designs often have - a cat playing with a pearl; a bumblebee, frozen in time under a crystal dome; a diamond encrusted spider... The visual roundup of my current favourites:

Clockwise, from top left: Green tourmaline and diamond bee drop earrings, Theo Fennell; Victorian diamond and pearl butterly brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Victorian Demi-Parure* with enamelled dragon motifs, Bentley & Skinner; Honey Comb bee cuff bangle, Theo Fennell; Pearl and diamond swan brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Diamond and green tourmaline dragonfly drop earrings, Theo Fennell; 19th century garnet and diamond beetle brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Victorian dragonfly brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Victorian diamond monkey brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Turn of the century gold and pearl cat brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Victorian moonstone and diamond spider brooch, Bentley & Skinner; Edwardian Essex crystal bee brooch, Bentley & Skinner (I love the weirdness of this one!); Yellow Gold, freshwater pearl and diamond bee drop earrings, Theo Fennell (AMAZING - very high on my jewellery wish list).

You might deducted from my selection that I am partial to Theo Fennell and Bentley & Skinner - well, I am! The Bees etc. collection from Theo Fennell is just fantastic, particularly the bee and dragonfly drop earrings. Bentley & Skinner - with two Royal Warrants no less - have some of the most stunning antique jewellery pieces around. I remember being magically drawn to their shop window whenever I happened to pass it during my time in London. Have a look at the Winterfrost collection - the selection of pearl and diamond drop earrings is stunning.

* A Demi-Parure is a partial set of jewellery, a complete one usually including a necklace, earrings, bracelet and brooch, all matching.

All pictures from Bentley & Skinner and Theo Fennell

Pearl Lust-Have

Picture from Mikimoto

 

Oh, how these beauties call to me! If you feel rather flush, find these gorgeous pearl, white gold and diamond earrings at Mikimoto

Pearls

These days, pearls often have a slightly old fashioned connotation, associated with women of 'a certain age' and prim and dull clothing. Something you might wear to please your mother-in-law - just. What folly! Pearls are timeless not antiquated, captivating in a subtle, sophisticated way and will lift any outfit from nothing to quietly elegant. I love pearls precisely because they are not overpowering or in-your-face bling. There is nothing worse than a woman dripping in jewellery like a Christmas tree, don't you think? So, here is my low-down on what selection of pearls should ideally fill one's jewellery case: Simple stud A perennial favourite that will see you from morning through to evening. All colours are nice but white is the classic choice. Look out for designs with diamonds, to add some subtle sparkle.

 

Drop earrings Slightly more dressy than studs, drop earrings are reminiscent of the Renaissance and, of course, of the famous Vermeer painting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. Wear with a little black dress and Bob's your uncle...

 

Necklaces Immortalised by Coco Chanel, ideally one should have an exemplar of each specific length: Collar (25-33cm), Choker (34-41cm), princess (42-48cm), matinee (49-60cm), opera, (70-90cm) and a rope (anything longer than opera).

 

Ring Not a must-have per se but it is so much more elegant than one of those big, chunky cocktail rings.

 

Brooch Another way to adorn your LBD or maybe a scarf. Just be careful when you pin; we don't want any big, gaping holes.

 

Special An unusual design can really take the humble pearl into the limelight. I found this beautiful lace-like collar in a vintage shop and it looks stunning worn against a plain dress, preferably black.

 

And sometimes, only extravagance will do:

 

Final note: Invest in the real deal if you can but fake will do just as nicely.