an ivory weeping amaranth brooch

Lily-white ivory has been sculpted into the thick, flesh-like petals that blossom majestically into this lifelike amaranth-shaped brooch. A smattering of gleaming golden hooks cuts into the petals of the flower leaving them artistically gouged, crushed flecks of ruby trailing from the wounds as if it was seeping blood. Posing as thin stamens, gleaming golden wires rise gracefully from within the amaranth only to dive through the lacerations and entangle amongst each other, crimson vitreous enamel dotting them lavishly. The rich carmine of the ruby gemstone contrasts with the snowy whiteness of the ivory alluringly, alluding to the purity and passion prevalent amongst the daughters of the Queen of Insufferable Cruelty, Nifilhema.

Cartel: Gargoyles | Designer: Nariah

a lyrical brooch of splintered chimes

A small burnished disk of silver forms the base of this piece, inset with a marginally smaller plate of gold. Embellished around the circumference of the silver disk in elegant, flowing calligraphy so fine that it is nearly illegible are the words to some long-forgotten song. Upon the gold disk, two faces have been sculpted in silhouette, gazing away from each other. To the left, a luminous archangel’s visage fairly glows with ardor, lips turned up into a beatific smile. To the right, a grotesque archdemon glowers threateningly, tarnishing the gold about his face. Beneath the brooch proper, eight small platinum chimes dangle from fine links of silver, splintered from overuse and tinkling hollowly.

Cartel: C-Antiquities | Designer: Jael

a bright sapphire squid brooch with curling tentacles

This curious brooch has been craftily cut from a bright blue sapphire and polished into the likeness of an adorable squid. Small tentacles curl upwards from its lower body, each in a different direction, and their underside has been set with miniscule, milky white opals. A smattering of white opal freckles adorns its smooth squid face, lending it an enchanting look. Two large protruding eyes gaze out from the sides of its head rendered in inky onyx cabachons and a tiny smile graces its wide lips in innocent amusement. The whole image is complemented by a soft silken flower of a fiery orange hue gracing its head at an odd angle besides a cluster of three small opal spots.

Cartel: Gargoyles | Designer: Nariah | Comments: In memory of the best tentacled squids of all <3