Those who need convincing about the highly artistic nature of high-end fashion and jewelry design need only attend a Big Four Fashion show to marvel at the wide array of unique cuts, styles and colors that exude artistry and originality. Indeed, one glance at high-end auction sites like Sotheby’s reveals the extent to which these worlds combine. One silver-gilt icon artwork
featuring pearls and gemstones, for instance, has an estimated price of 15.00-20.000 GBP, while a design for a book cover containing silver-enamel gemstones has an estimated price of almost 2,000 GBP. Some of the most stunning jewelry pieces in the world are known for their artistry and detailed work. Read on to discover some of the
most highly praised (and priced) pieces of jewelry.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Engagement Ring
Engagement rings are traditionally one of the most expensive investments for jewelry lovers, and some have reached iconic status with the passage of time. Of the many beautiful
engagement rings given to celebrities, one of the most touted would have to be that of Jacqueline Kennedy. JFK gave his love an elegant tapered 2.84 carat emerald ring, with the brilliant green stone sitting alongside a 2.88 carat diamond. The ring has a timeless halo setting but an original design (who, after all, has two main stones on their engagement ring?) that features pear-shaped diamonds and a diamond-encrusted band. Other iconic rings include that of Princess Diana (
a sapphire and diamond ring currently donned by Kate Middleton) and that of Lance Bass (whose ring featured rows of channel-set black diamonds and larger white diamonds, set in a vibrant yellow gold piece).
Wallis Simpson’s Cartier Panther Bracelet
This stunning piece of arm candy was sold for a whopping £4.5m in 2010, making it the most expensive Cartier item sold at an auction. The finely sculpted bracelet contains a spectacular pavé comprising brilliant and single-cut diamonds and onyx. The panther’s eyes are a spectacular emerald green. Apart from its beautiful natural inspiration, what makes this bracelet so special is that it is joined along the entire length so it embraces the wearer’s wrist and contains a subtle clasp that is
‘hidden’ beneath the panther’s elegant body.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Bvlgari Emerald Suite
Testimony to Richard Burton’s deep love for the violet-eyed actress, this Bvlgari emerald suite comprises an emerald and diamond necklace, pendant, ring, earrings and bracelet. Burton actually built this collection over the years, shopping at the Bvlgari boutique in Rome’s famous Via Condotti. The suite, sold at a Christie’s auction, fetched a total of $23 million, with some lucky buyer paying $6,578,500 for the pendant alone.
Some of the most iconic pieces of jewelry of all time show the extent to which fine jewelry is an art. From Wallis Simpson’s graceful Cartier Panther bracelet (inspired by a stunning animal that represents freedom and power) right though to Jacqueline Kennedy’s engagement ring (unique at the time because it featured two - instead of one - main stones), select pieces have shown how beautiful jewelry is as worthy of contemplation as a Picasso. The good news for for jewelry lovers is that there is a wide array of fashion jewelry inspired by these pieces, so everyone can own their own piece of magic.
