Opal Love

A gentleman's opal and diamond dress set by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1920's.

A set of gold and opal jewelry, including a ring, brooch and chain necklace.

A gold and opal buckle by Jules Wièse, second half of the 19th century.

A gold, tortoiseshell, opal and enamel hair comb by Georges Fouquet, France, 1905-1908.

A magnificent black opal, gold and enamel brooch by Louis Comfort Tiffany, circa 1910.

A gold, opal, and enamel sautoir necklace by Marcus & Co., circa 1900.

A gold, opal, diamond and plique-a-jour enamel bracelet by Eugène Feuillâtre, circa 1905

A black opal and colored stone ring by John Hardy.

A black opal, diamond and emerald ring by Katherine Jetter.

A late 19th century opal and diamond brooch, and a diamond winged brooch.

An opal and aquamarine pendant necklace by Greg Scully.

An opal and diamond bracelet, circa 1910.

An opal and diamond bracelet, circa 1910.

An opal and diamond brooch, circa 1910, formerly belonging to Princess Ceril Birabongse of Siam (Thailand).

Oodles of Opals

Opals aren't used that often in jewelry, but they are so beautiful. Perhaps it is the old superstition that when worn by a woman, an opal is considered bad luck.

A black opal and diamond ring by Grima, 1970's.

An opal art nouveau style ring by Georges Fouquet, 1900-1910.

An opal and diamond ring, made in London.

A contemporary collection of black opal and precious stone rings.

An opal and diamond ring by Grima.

A simple opal and white gold ring.

Three diamond and gem-set rings, the most notable being the opal ring in the middle.

The Impossible Collection of Jewelry

http://www.assouline.com/impossible-collection-jewelry.html

This books looks really amazing, but at only 160 pages long, and a price tag of $695, it looks to be out of reach to the casual jewelry aficionado. It is set to be published in February 2013.

A diamond and emerald Chaumet aigrette tiara, and at right, a Georges Fouquet brooch.

A pearl and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, once belonging to the Princess of Monaco, nee Grace Kelly.

A Chaumet diamond icicle tiara, and at right, a diamond pendant or necklace by Cartier.

Art Brooches and Pins

A been made from a gray pearl, yellow diamonds, black diamonds on the  head, white diamonds on the limbs, and carved glass wings.

Amethyst, gold, and glass Lalique brooches.

Gold and diamond brooch in the form of crossed arrows.

An enamel, opal, and turquoise art nouveau brooch by Georges Fouquet.

An interesting art brooch in green and purple stones.

Gold, blue enamel, and diamond Lalique brooch.

A gold, enamel and diamond star brooch by David Webb.

A hardstone cameo brooch edged in gold and petite diamonds and seed pearls.

A gold brooch in the form of a woman with a diamond star on her head.

A fine Cartier, Paris, brooch in the form of a gold rose being held by a  dark hand.

An enamel and opal Rene Lalique dragonfly brooch.

A paisley gold, diamond, ruby and emerald brooch by Van Cleef and Arpels, 1964.

A Buccellati flower brooch made from gold, pearl petals, and a bright turquoise center.

A kind of abstract duck brooch made from gold, diamonds, turquoise, and lapis lazuli, by Cartier, Paris.

A pair of diamond, onyx and emerald dress clips.

A diamond and emerald devant de corsage brooch.

A diamond, platinum and onyx brooch.

A spessartite garnet and diamond ant brooch, designed by Michael Stadther and made by Robert Underhill

A pair of nautilus brooches made of gold, diamonds, and enamel, by Vhernier.

Necklaces Galore

An Ancient-Egyptian inspired Necklace and Bracelet set.

A gold and enamel necklace in the treasury at Rosenborg Castle, Denmark.

A gold and tawny topaz parure in the Treasury at Rosenborg Castle, Denmark.

The coronation regalia of the Danish Monarch, which comprises a scepter, sword, orb, diamond star orders, and necklaces.

Various orders and military decorations on display at Rosenborg Castle, Denmark.

A platinum, diamond and pearl dog collar necklace, which is backed with black velvet.

A diamond necklace of scrolling designs, which can easily be converted for wear as a tiara.

A Lalique art nouveau necklace of gold, enamel, and opals.

A Georges Foucquet necklace with delicate opal flowers.

An ancient pearl necklace.

A gold filigree and pink topaz necklace and earring set.

A necklace with a large cabochon purple pendant.

A beautiful antique necklace with diamonds and colorful pearls.

An antique diamond and pearl necklace.

A Moroccan-style necklace.

A Lalique  art nouveau-style necklace.

A delicate Lalique  art nouveau-style pendant necklace.

A platinum and diamond pendant necklace.

A necklace and bracelet set of colorful stones.

A truly decadent royal piece with sapphires and diamonds.

A sapphire and diamond necklace and ring.

A sapphire and diamond pendant necklace.