Estate Jewelry Look Of The Day - The Victorian Locket

I know that you think that it is all champagne, caviar and chicness chez Beladora.  But some Friday afternoons it is so cold in the office that I just end up with my scarf wrapped turban style around my head.
Don't ask why, it's just how I roll.
OK, enough about me...here is what I wanted to show you.

Antique Victorian Locket Pendant with Amethyst in Silver and Gold from Beladora.com $395

What is really cool about this locket,
aside from the unbelievable price (and don't forget your BHB discount code)
is the fact that it has two Victorian photos on the interior
and the woman in the photo appears to be wearing this very locket.  Click on my link to see the details.
A little bit of living history, non?
OK peeps, have a great weekend.

How To Wear Estate Jewelry - Carolina Herrera Style

Carolina Herrera is on my mind today.  I've always admired her chic pared back style with few, the great white shirt with the cuffs and collar turned up, the straightforward black skirt and most importantly, the few but standout jewelry pieces. 

I've been wanting to post this fabulous photo by Douglas Freidman for a while.  Doesn't she look fierce in her Verdura watch, Verdura bracelet, gold signet ring, south sea pearl earrings and vintage antique watch fob necklace.  I would so wear this outfit.

If the full on watch fob necklace is too Grande Dame for you (and not to mention too expensive...lots of gold weight in that necklace), here's the younger version with a single fob pendant on an antique chain.

here's the detail

Beladora Antique Victorian Watch Fob in 18K $2550

Also, don't miss today's Privilege with Carolina Herrera black tie style on a budget.

We're going Grande Dame all the way today

A Little More Beladora That J'Adore

Thanks Jill for the link. I thought that I would add another photo so that you could get a better idea of the size of this pendant so here is Miss de Ville modelling it! Note the modern chain with the one bezel set diamond which is the perfect complement to the pendant.

Since the Retro snake necklace featured by Elle.com is probably just a little above our budget at $14,250

here's a beautiful Victorian snake at a somewhat more affordable price

Antique Victorian Diamond Crescent and Emerald and Ruby Snake Pendant $2450

This is an outstanding Victorian piece because it joins the two major Victorian jewelry motifs, the crescent and the snake into one design. Also the stones are really vibrant.

It always amazes me that a piece with so much intricacy was crafted completely by hand without the use of modern machinery.

Film - The Young Victoria

I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to go see 'The Young Victoria' in a theater or not. It seemed, at least from the trailer, more like a Masterpiece Theater production, something that I would rather order on Netflix. But since I'm fascinated with 18th and 19th Century history especially the art, architecture, furniture, clothing and jewelry of those periods, I thought that this was certainly a film to see on a big screen...at least on a cold Sunday afternoon.

Emily Blunt's performance in 'The Young Victoria' didn't have the fire of Kate Blanchett in 'Elizabeth', the gravitas of Judi Dench in 'Mrs. Brown' or the purposefulness of Helen Miren in 'The Queen' but that was due more to the script than to her acting.

And I felt that the script was incomplete in the sense that there wasn't enough back story explaining the situation in England. How many people today have an understanding of this historical period and the fragility of the British monarchy after the Revolutionary War, the madness of King George, the French Revolution, the years of war with Napoleon and the pressures of an expanding empire. The film didn't give us any of this historical context.

But what the film did give us was the importance of royal marriages in terms of strategic alliances, and what made this story extraordinary was the fact that the marriage of Victoria and Albert, was not only a brilliant strategic alliance, but a true love match.

Historical and Romantical!

But let's face it, I really saw the film for the costumes and the jewelry like these silver gilt (silver and gold) diamond earrings and diamond riviere necklace.
And what isn't seen in this photo was Victoria's wedding ring, a gold snake symbolizing eternal love. Something similar to this.

Here we have the riviere again

The swagged necklace and hair ornament

The earrings either in pietra dura or cameo, I can't tell from this photo

The gemstone necklace and earrings with gold cannetille

And the all important wedding parure

The wonderful thing about well made Victorian jewelry is that much of it is wearable today, particularly the earrings and the bracelets. A week ago in Miami I was going to purchase a Victorian suite, in the original box, with natural pearls in a pair of bracelets, a necklace and a tiara...the perfect gift for a bride, but I hesitated. But now after watching 'The Young Victoria' I'd like to have more Victorian jewelry not just because it is rich in history but because it is beautiful.

For more about Victorian and other period jewelry take a look at Gemgossip.com...thanks Danielle, I snagged the photos from your post!