VERDURA Aquamarine Diamond 'Piped' Designer Ring
View Similar Items
VERDURA Aquamarine Diamond 'Piped' Designer Ring
About the Item
- Creator:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 299481stDibs: JU120617302102
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- 15 Carat Aquamarine & Baguette Diamond RingLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAA setting of beautifully treated 18 karat yellow gold, with a subtly textured satin finish is set in the center with a cushion shaped aquamarine of 15 carats and accented with baguet...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ruby Diamond Gold Orb Bypass RingLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAA playful creation with bold style elements and fluid design, wrapping a band of 18k yellow gold around your finger and topping it with gemstone set orbs in rich primary colors. In t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsRuby, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
- 1940s Retro Swirl Ring with DiamondsLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAFanciful retro style is celebrated with this playful, yet sophisticated design. The swirling golden top is adorned with three rows of brilliant white diamonds that weigh approximatel...Category
Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Lugano 8.58 Carat Sapphire and Diamond RingBy LuganoLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAExceptionally detailed and the design executed with masterful skill, the centerpiece of this ring is a faceted round sapphire of 8.58 carats. The stone is encircled by a single row o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Price Upon Request - Important 86.35 Carat Santa Maria Aquamarine Diamond RingLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAA most impressive and important gemstone exhibiting intense “Santa Maria” color. The rarity of this aquamarine cannot be underestimated and is augmented by its incredible size. The s...Category
Vintage 1950s More Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Price Upon Request - 4.33 Carat Sapphire Pink and White Diamond Platinum RingLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAStunning custom made platinum ring with a faceted round sapphire weighing 4.33 carats set in the center. The intense color of the stone is striking and beautiful. Look closely to not...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Pink Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
- Aquamarine Diamond RingLocated in Geneva, CHRing set with 24 diamonds and one significant Aquamarine. Aquamarine Size: 1.75cm x 2.00 cm. Weight: 24.47 grammes. Ring Size: 55 / 7 US.Category
Late 20th Century Retro Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond
$19,990 - Palladium with 18k Gold, Designer Ring by Rohrbacher, Aquamarine and DiamondsLocated in Berlin, DEPalladium with 18K Gold Designer Ring by ROHRBACHER. Aquamarine and Diamonds. Exclusive and high quality designer ring from the traditional manufacturer Rohrbacher. The ring is heav...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Palladium
$7,482 Sale Price20% OffFree Shipping - Designer Ole Lynggaard ring in white gold with aquamarine and diamondsBy Ole LynggaardLocated in Chorzów, PLDesigner handmade ring in 18-carat white gold by Charlotte Lynggaard. Set with large natural aquamarine 15x12mm and small diamonds with a total weight of 0.08ct The Ole Lynggaard C...Category
2010s Danish Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
- Talento Italiano designer 18 KT white gold ring with aquamarine and diamondsBy Talento ItalianoLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLA chic white gold Italian 18 KT fashion ring from the world famous brand Talento. The ring is decorated with a cabochon cut aquamarine and 10 brilliant cut diamonds of approx. 0.20 c...Category
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Aquamarine Diamond Platinum RingLocated in Geneva, CHExquisite Aquamarine square step cut ring, a true embodiment of elegance and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this stunning piece features a mesmerizing A...Category
Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Platinum
- Diamond Halo Aquamarine RingLocated in Solvang, CAEstate diamond halo aquamarine ring. This 14 karat white gold ring features a 2.75 carat oval aquamarine center with very nice quality. It is accented wit...Category
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold