I’m so happy that spring is here! And I’m not the only one enjoying the season: high-end antique and vintage jewelry store A La Vieille Russie has curated the prettiest spring-themed edit of jewels for us to enjoy.
There’s even a tiara!! It’s incredible.
I’ve had the honor of visiting A La Vieille Russie‘s NYC brick and mortar store twice, and both occasions were extremely memorable – even though one visit was just a frantic 10 minutes before I had to go catch my train home. If you ever have the chance to go visit them IRL, definitely do it.
I haven’t met these spring-themed pretties in person, but the lovely folks at ALVR were kind enough to send over these photos for us to enjoy.
This beautiful butterfly is an antique that can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant. It features rich, red rubies and sparkling antique diamonds.
Up at the top of the post, we have a French 1920’s diamond swan brooch by Hartz. I paired it with this Howard & Co starburst brooch from 1905, because the two together make me feel like I’m taking a sunny walk by a lake.
What’s a fictional springtime stroll without lots of glorious green?
Here we have the prettiest a gold and enamel orchid brooch, circa 1900. How lovely is that delicate, exquisitely detailed enamel? It’s not a flashy design, but its subtle beauty is quietly stunning.
And, of course, a darling demantoid garnet frog brooch to keep the orchid company. Demantoid garnets are one of my favorite green gems, and this little amphibious fellow is just too adorable to resist.
Who said creepy crawlies can’t also be chic?
Here we have a pair of exquisitely detailed antique micromosaic earrings with a motif of flowers and two beetles. If you’re not familiar with micromosaic jewelry, it’s literally a tony mosaic: those images are formed from countless itty bitty fragments that are fitted together to form images. It’s a very tricky technique that requires skill and patience. It blows my mind to know someone made these over 100 years ago, by hand, with no computer-generated schematics to follow.
The earrings are accompanied by an exceptionally charming critter, a caterpillar pin by Jean Schlumberger. I’m not a fan of real life caterpillars (they’re one of the only insect-like creatures that gives me the ick) but this one is welcome to my shoulder anytime. It features sapphires and turquoise and dates to 1950.
I promised you a tiara and here it is!!! I have a weakness for foliate tiaras and this one is a perfect example of why I love them: it’s so romantic and whimsical and dramatic and elegant. It’s giving major Titania vibes, with its emerald oak leaves and natural pearl and diamond acorns. Put this on and you’re an instant fairy queen.
This one-of-a-kind English tiara is from the Victorian era, circa 1850. It has been in the same family since the 1970’s, when it was previously sold by A La Vieille Russie to a father who was buying it for his daughter to wear on her wedding day. Now it has returned to ALVR’s collection and is looing for a new owner!
Two final winged blings to see us out! Here we have antique French wasp brooch, circa 1875, which might actually be my favorite non-tiara piece here. I just love the drama of its wings and its delicate antennae. It’s accompanied by an Art Deco dragonfly brooch by Janesich, circa 1940.
And that’s it for today! What did you think of this collection, my darlings? Do you feel like you’ve been strolling through a bejeweled meadow?
Thanks to A La Vieille Russie for putting together this delightful spring-themed collection of beauties for us to enjoy! You can see these treasures in person at the upcoming Philadelphia Show.
Images c/o A La Vieille Russie.
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