Garnet and silver branch-brooch from the 60s

I managed to get my hands on this beautiful 1960s brooch down in Cape Town, in the shape of five silver leaves (that happen to look like gold leaves!) on a branch, and attached are five striking red garnets.

Now, garnet is the birthstone of those born in January and here a beautiful poem for you January-ladies:

By her who in this month is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.

The brooch is so lovely as a hair piece and easily fastens into a hairpin or two.  It can of course also be worn as a brooch and it goes beautifully with olive green, black, red… you name it!

A 1930s pearl brooch for the vintage bride

From Cape Town – a 1930s faux pearl and marcasite silver brooch

1930s pearl and marcasite brooch

1930s pearl and marcasite brooch

This is another little treasure I picked up in Cape Town last week; a 1930s brooch which would be so pretty as a hair piece for the vintage bride.  Six faux pearls adorn this lovely silver wreath and the marcasites give it a wonderful, yet subtle sparkle.

I tried it out with a romantic side bun in the photo above and a half-up hairdo would also be a beautiful choice.  Of course you could use it as a proper brooch, to fasten for example a lace scarf that rests over your shoulders.  I love how versatile it is and wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to wear such a beautiful piece of history on your special day?

 

Tourmaline and silver earrings from Cape Town

Tourmaline and Silver Earrings with the stunning Cape Town ocean in the background

Tourmaline and silver earrings 

I picked up these divine little earrings in Cape Town, as I just couldn’t resist the stunning green colour of the tourmaline stone.  They are set in the most beautiful silver setting in the shape of a crown – albeit a square one – which gives them a lovely medieval look.  They are from the 70’s and I think they are so stunning that I simply had to share them with you!

The Tourmaline gem exists in a wonderful range of colours and of course there is an old Egyptian legend which tells us where these came from:  when the tourmaline made its journey from the centre of the Earth up to the sun, it travelled along a rainbow and assumed its colours.  Tourmaline is still today referred to as the ‘gemstone of the rainbow’.  It is also the gemstone of friendship and love, which it renders long-lasting and strong.

In the picture above I am wearing them with a lovely olive green empire cut dress, which goes so nicely with the green colour of the earrings.  I would wear my hear up or half-up in order to show off these sparkling beauties.