I took a break from blogging last week to view
Gilan jewels from Istanbul. The collection is worthy of a Queen-- actually, it was initially created for royalty! Gilan's design inspirations are reflective of the tastes of the Ottoman court and are a historic link to the city's cultural and artistic past. In 15th century Istanbul, the Sultan's court attracted the empire's most talented artisans. Through a system of apprenticeship, generations of craftsmen were taught distinctive techniques created by these master jewelers experimenting with forms, materials and processes. Hundreds of imperial artistic societies were administered at the Topkapý Palace. These "communities of the talented" grouped artists both from the Eastern world and recently conquered territories in Europe resulting in a blend of Oriental, Turkish and European culture that today inspire Gilan's workmanship.
Let's forget for a minute that everyone is depressed and on a budget, my job is to entertain you and offer a quick respite from the pile of work on your desk, right? So go on, indulge your eyes on these amazing jewels. The ring on the right is made of a giant 12.5 carat rose cut diamond, the color is very clear and the stone is amazing. Rose cut diamonds are not graded as traditional diamonds so don't bother asking about the 4 C's. In this case, it's all about the design. I love the look of old jewelry, it's subtle and has an aura of old world chic that shiny new bling can not match. (jump for more!)
Prices furnished upon request. Call Gilan 212-949-4350
