Maharanis Women of Royal India

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Has anyone read or seen this book?:




From my other style post you might have noticed I am currently into the fashion and jewelry culture of India/East Asia.

I've been really wanting to share a picture of a pearl, diamond, ruby, emerald and enamel necklace I had the pleasure of examining a few years back, but I can't find it. I suspect I might've deleted by mistake from my phone, the search continues (This post will be a place holder reminder until then).

 

[BWeaves]

I haven't seen that book, but the pearls on the cover look amazing. I wonder what the gemstones are? Emeralds? Rubies?

 

[GemGeek]

I would love to see it.

 

[Naan]

Must be interesting

 

[Katbran]

Would love to see some photos ! The jewellery can be quite spectacular !

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

From all that I've read (online) they appear to be Emeralds, which has been a part of jewelry suites that have been redesigned multiple times.

I haven't seen that book, but the pearls on the cover look amazing. I wonder what the gemstones are? Emeralds? Rubies?

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Maharani Indira Raje (aka Princess Indira Raje of Baroda )

 

[Marianne]

Such a beautiful woman. The earrings are humungous!

 

[BWeaves]

Everything is humungous. It's interesting to see the retro hairstyles and makeup, but I wish the photos were in color, but I understand why they are not.

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

When it is just pearl and diamond jewelry, I don't seem to mind. However when you can clearly tell there are colored gemstones I long to see color pictures. If they have a high provenance, chances are the piece can be found, even if reconfigured I try to find current images (when I'm doing this just for my own interest). Sadly so much of the jewelry is broken up and sold off. Aristocratic pieces are one thing, but there was so much in untitled yet wealthy private collections that got auctioned off in private sales, then broken up and reconfigured never to be seen in its vintage glory.

Everything is humungous. It's interesting to see the retro hairstyles and makeup, but I wish the photos were in color, but I understand why they are not.

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Maharaja Sita Devi and the Cartier Natural Baroda Pearl & Diamond bracelet:



Natural Pearl Necklace

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Patiala cartier necklace of Rubies and Pearls





I believe cartier repurchased some of the found pieces and reassembled it:

 

[BWeaves]

Wow. Just wow!

 

[amti]

Oh my goodness! The original necklace looks to weigh more than the young lady! These jewels really define royalty!

 

[Marianne]

And WoW again!!! Thanks for finding and sharing, BPD!

 

[GemGeek]

All this ruby beauty! What a treat.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Stunning; I especially love those little pearl on pearl tassels around the bottom edge of that necklace! Thanks, BlackPearlDudeDC

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

One of the things I love about historic, vintage jewels from India is the colored gemstones are most often carved. You can't often tell from black and white photos, but when you see them in person or in color...they are some truly creative pieces. When you think of carved Rubies and Sapphires and how hard those gems are and the often primitive tools used to create these carved pieces makes them even more precious.

 

[JerseyPearl]

I absolutely love carved gemstone! When I did my birthday aquamarine strand, I was looking for carved aquamarines of deep blue color...needless to say I didn't find them, I contemplated having the stones carved, adding 50% to their price, and eliminating about 25% of their carat weight. I did find some wonderful carved amethyst though.

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

I'm with you on the carved gems. Some of my favorite jewelry. Oddly enough in my loose gem collection I kept "trading up and out" to my regret. In 2014 or 2015 I had the pleasure of seeing several Mughal Jewelry pieces from a private collection with carved Rubies, Emerald beads and rose cut yellowish diamonds. I could not get over how heavy the pieces were. The earrings alone...I can only imagine how painful it was to bedeck one's self in fine gold and large carved gems.

I absolutely love carved gemstone! When I did my birthday aquamarine strand, I was looking for carved aquamarines of deep blue color...needless to say I didn't find them, I contemplated having the stones carved, adding 50% to their price, and eliminating about 25% of their carat weight. I did find some wonderful carved amethyst though.