I don’t love the high price of gold, but I just can’t quit that metal. It’s a beautiful color, of course, but it also malleable and resistant to tarnish and corrosion. That makes it good for complicated mechanical jewelry (as well dentistry).
As I’ve said before, my signature Wendy Brandes jewelry line is inspired by the timelessness of antique gold jewelry. I was reminded of this by a photo of a gold and emerald ring found this June in the 1622 wreck of a Spanish treasure ship.
Photo from Mel Fisher's Treasures, via the Wall Street Journal. Click for source.
You could wear that ring now and it would look totally appropriate and beautiful. Make sure your insurance is in order, though, because it was appraised at $1.2 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Worth every penny, I’d say.
The wreck of the ship, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, was discovered in 1985 by deep-sea diver Mel Fisher and his team, which has been extracting gold and silver ever since. A few pieces of the salvaged treasure will be auctioned on January 25 by Freeman’s. Alas, the ring is not in the catalog, so if you’ve got $1.2 million burning a hole in your pocket, you’ll have to spend it on my jewelry instead.
If I had an extra 1.23, or even an extra few thousand for jewelry, Id totally send it your way:0
Hope you had a great weekend!
That ring is sensational, and you’re right, it would look as wonderful today as it did back when it was created.
I used to like silver when I was younger, but I don’t own many pieces today. My three sisters all love silver over gold, never wear high heels, and would rather die than wear red lipstick. Fortunately, my youngest niece is quite interested in my red lipstick, tries on my heels (“Aunt Christine, those red shoes with the studs are a CLASSIC!”, and isn’t too interested in silver jewelry. She did, however, accept the teeny genie necklace and wondered if she could have it in gold, when she’s “a little older”. She’s nine.:)
Christine
I like her already!
Wow! This is exactly what I picture pirates treasure looks like!
Oh how I love gold too!!!
You’re so right about gold – don’t ever quit it! I have gold bangle I inherited from my mother which she got from her mother: http://highpointshoulder.com/2011/06/20/upon-her-passing/
Anyway my mother never took this thing off and now neither do I yet it still looks as brilliant as ever without any maintenance (and it’s been through a lot). I cant totally see why this is a metal of choice for timeless pieces!
That is a handsome ring … the personal jewels you create are forever and heirloom and wonderful.
The price of gold … so dependent on day traders and less on the reality of it all.
I agree timeless is timeless and that ring would absolutely look spectacular today.
That ring looks amazing….(it’s gonna be a bigger bank job than I thought!) If you love something it’ll always be timeless to you. When I read one of your posts I get trapped here for ever looking at all your links and reading more and more…
That’s incredible. Proves that good design and good quality are timeless.
The older I get, the more I love gold!
Wow, that is truly one beautiful ring, well worth the money I’m sure, sigh!!
That ring is amazing! I would totally wear it today! I don’t have 1.23 million laying around, but I sure hope to add a Wendy Brandes pieces (in my budget) to my jewelry collection this year :-).
Gold….yummmmmmmm….nothing like it- ever! While I wish silver looked good on me, it doesn’t, and it tarnishes like a big dog! Besides, silver does not feel as good to the skin as gold. Love it love it love it!
Gold is so royal and timelessly chic! You are right in loving it, and working it to wonders!
As soon as I saw that the ring was from 1622, I knew it was from the Nuestra Senora de la Atocha! I just finished reading Gary Kinder’s book Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea, which, although it is about another shipwreck, talks about Mel Fisher’s search for the ship. I think you would really enjoy the book
Thanks for the recommendation!
I love the look of gold, especially vintage jewels but it just does not suit my skin colour. Also I could never afford the style of jewelry I prefer in gold.That ring is TDF.
that ring is such a timeless classic
wow on that price tag!!
brett
The beauty of this ring is beyond comprehension!
If I had $1.2 million burning a hole in my pocket I would buy all of your jewelry!
I am inspired by that ring. I’d love to have one just like it.
I have to give you credit for rekindling my interest in yellow gold. I eschewed it for decades, and only when I bought a piece of your yellow gold jewelry did I feel love for it again. I wear that necklace on every job interview. It’s my good luck charm.
I love Gold for it’s purity and also for the fact that it brings numerous results if bought for investment 🙂