Irene Neuwirth Jewellery

Once I get started there's no stopping me- I'm still addicted to looking online at Barneys New York for gorgeous antique jewellery pieces and I was enthralled when I clapped eyes on the amethyst necklace listed below as well as this large boulder opal necklace strung on a rose gold chain. I have a small love affair with rose gold- it has to have just the right coppery tone about it and tasteful as well. In my last few months before all the panic of shopping for Christmas hit I had my eye on some really gorgeous opal necklaces that had a great variation of colour and this large rectangular piece of opal is a thousand times better in terms of quality and clarity.

The antique jewellery I've been chasing up within the last few hours such a timeless and classic appeal in it's design- I'm most impressed with the generous proportions of the stones and gems compared to the great numbers of small and tiny gems you see incorporated into modern jewellery. My mother's favourite description of this is that "you're being robbed blind and paying for stones the size of boogers." As you can probably tell, I've inherited every bit of my mother's way with words and class.

Irene Neuwirth
Mint Chrysoprase & Diamond Necklace
$18,880.00
I've never heard of the chrysoprase stone, it has a jade like quality but seems sort of creamier and smoother, thought that may just be the professional lights as well as the polished finish of the stone. I don't normally wear a lot of green and not in gem stones either but who in their right mind would turn down the opportunity to wear a necklace that retails for almost twenty thousand dollars? Not me, certainly not me. I love the contrast between the two shades of green as well as the gold chain but I'm not used to seeing as many claw sets holding the gems. I never have been much of a fan of claw sets unless it was used as an intrinsic part of the jewellery design but if an antique piece has survive however many years and not lost a gem yet then it must be sturdy and fine craftsmanship that put this piece together.

The most appealing cut of a gemstone to me will always be emerald cut- seeing this necklace is like a match made in heaven combining my favourite metal colour in the perfect tone (rose gold) with my favourite colour and in an exquisite cut. I know the perfect dress to wear with it from T.R. Ensemble in lilac with a bustier dress and gather at the waist letting the skirt pleat out. It seems ironic to wear a dress that costs a few hundred dollars with a necklace that costs some thousands of dollars but a necklace can be a nice addition to make yourself look expensive. It's a pity I have money for neither piece but with anyone luck no one else will come along and snatch them from under my nose if I ever save enough money to afford them.

Olivia Collings Antique Jewelry

I'm in way over my head when it comes to looking at all the gorgeous jewellery I can't afford, I thought it was bad enough when I was lusting over a kimono that cost some hundred dollars but the jewellery from Olivia Collings Antique Jewellery I found online at Barneys New York costs thousands of dollars for diamond earrings in tarnished metals but the craftsmanship is superb. I don't know a lot about diamonds or about the quality of metals but I do know what i like in terms of design and I adore this romantic looking and antique jewellery. It looks like something from a celebrity off a red carpet event and while I normally don't lust over jewellery of this style I can't resist it.

I only ever admire such jewellery in secret because my mother usually offers me the realistic explanation that I have no where to wear such jewellery and it would be a waste of time really but I can't help but wonder what it would be like if I had money to splash around or if I won the lottery and could buy whatever my heart desired. Sadly I know the value of a dollar and that hard work and patience is a virtue, there is no short cut to success etc.

It was this romantic looking ring that first allured me into exploring the website, and I was delighted to learn of its origins through someone's blogspot or personal website. I've been casually looking at a few cameo necklaces and rings but nothing like this- I love the painterly quality about the ring as well as what looks like a rose gold base. It's a crystal portrait ring from 1790 and an 18K gold band. I don't think I want a boring gold wedding ring, I want this from the love of my life and would be happy with a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings too.

I've always wanted to have a ring of my birthstone, being born in September I have sapphire but the pink stones you see above are topaz and not my beloved sapphire. That won't stop me from wanting it though, certainly I will be stopped by a lack of funds and not being able to afford a three thousand dollar ring. I'm beginning to see the difference between modern jewellery available in stores and antiques; there's more size and sparkle behind the stones and I do like that.