THE JEWEL BOOK:Duchess Anna and Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria

Completed in 1550 , this manuscript is a visual representation of the jewels owned by the Duke Albrecht V and Duchess Anna of Bavaria.  The detailed drawings of over 100 pieces were done by Hans Mielich and took over 2 years to complete.  Thanks to the digital library of the Bavarian State Library - the book in its entirety can be viewed here: The Jewel Book

More after the jump...

Saskia Diez

Jewelry designer Saskia Diez makes beautiful pieces that are so simple, yet so ingenious and modern.   My favorite of her collections is the sterling silver diamond ring (above and also in gold) - in the same form as a traditional engagement ring but the diamond is replaced with a silver replica.  

The bags are from the "Papier" series - a collaboration between Saskia and Stefan Diez.  They are unbelievably made of paper (a synthetic version called Tyvek®), but are water proof and tear proof - strong enough to compete with any leather or fabric bag.  

Diamonds in the Rough

Inspired by rough or uncut diamonds and the jewelers who set/design them. 

Clockwise from top left: Diamond in the Rough Iceburg ring,  Rough & Cut flower ring,  Sarah Perlis bezel set ring, Melissa Joy Manning solitaire earrings, Diamond in the Rough Orielle ring, Todd Reed ring, Antique kundun broach and earring set, Rough & Cut ring and wedding set, Diamond in the Rough Orielle ring.

TRIBAL JEWELLERY

  

Clockwise from top left: Burberry cuffs, Kabiri ring, Pamela Love cuff, Thai door knocker,Kabiri bracelet, Pamela Love necklace, Vietnamese tribal cuffs

BARBED WIRE

My interpretation of the barbed wire design.  Such an easy trend to recreate - I made these out of sterling silver. Instead of the high polish finish seen at a lot of places, I focused on creating a rough unfinished look.