I was invited into the wonderful world of vintage! The Lapada Art & Antiques Fair in Berkeley Square showcases the most beautiful antique gems on offer, and this year’s show was no different! When it comes to antique jewellery, Lapada is the name on everyone’s lips.

GEMOLOGUE founder, Liza Urla, got a chance to see and try on the treasures before the show opened to the public. It was a rare opportunity to meet and speak with my favourite antique dealers exhibiting at the show as well as discovering new ones! With so many gorgeous gems, Liza also had the almost impossible task of picking out a list of favourite antique jewellery pieces for Harper’s Bazaar. The jewels that were exhibited ranged in price range from £1,000 to a staggering £2 million!

Along with taking over Lapada Social media for the duration of the show, I discovered:

ANTIQUE RINGS & ENGAGEMENT RINGS – In the first of Harper’s Bazaar series, see the stunning rings on offer at this year’s Lapada Art & Antiques Fair

GEORGIAN, EDWARDIAN AND VICTORIAN JEWELS – The most beautiful Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian pieces selected by Liza Urla

ANTIQUE EARRINGS – The most exquisite earrings to be found at this year’s Lapada Art & Antiques Fair

ANTIQUE ART DECO PIECES – The most eye-catching art deco pieces to be found at this year’s LAPADA Art and Antiques fair

ANTIQUE BROOCHES – The most beautiful brooches to discover at this year’s Lapada Art & Antiques Fair Berkeley Square

Below are my top picks from the amazing antiques that were on show over the weekend…

Top Trend: mix and match as many brooches as possible for a supreme statement style! Here, I have jazzed up a side of a jacket with some of the most stunning antique brooches from the show. There is serious style to be had in this playful but gorgeous combination of fashion and accessories…why not try this look for yourself?

Cameos are the epitome of a hot “antique” look, whether you are wearing a vintage or a modern piece! Attach your cameo brooch at the neck or on a coat collar this autumn for an easy-to-do regal style. In addition, these monochrome jewels can add more than a touch of class to denim. Take this gorgeous 19th century Onyx, natural pearl and 18ct gold French cameo brooch; it is the perfect example, valued at £3,200.

Diamond bracelets will never be out of fashion! These antique beauties prove just how wearable they are today as they were when they were first made decades ago. Liza wears layers of these gorgeous diamonds for fantastic wrist bling: the only way to really show off your flawless, precious stones for truly special occasions. This selection consists of fine quality platinum-set Art Deco and Edwardian bracelets.

Whether you are living in London or visiting Hotel Costes in Paris, do not forget to pick out the perfect hat to go with your jewels! Brooches can look just as stunning on a hat as anywhere else. Liza wears a hat from a wonderful selection at Maison Michel; she has embellished it with an antique leaf and flower corsage brooch at Lapada: the two work together in perfect harmony! It’s delicately set with rose-cut and old-cut diamonds, mounted in silver-upon-gold. Made around the 18th to 19th century.

A sensational design that incorporates the most precious diamonds: how could anyone not love this statement dress ring from Oscar Hayman? This is a jewel that has truly captured our hearts with its never-ending spiral of sparkle.

As always, GEMOLOGUE loves to be at the cutting edge of fashion! If it’s daring you want, then look no further: here, Liza decorated her stylish long black skirt with over a million pounds worth of antique brooches- GASP!

GEMOLOGUE team has found the perfect sapphire ring in the world! A great style tip is to wear just one cocktail ring with no other jewellery: this statement piece will be more than enough to add a glamorous finishing touch to your look! This particular jewel is a 1960’s sapphire and diamond bombe ring. It’s set with a large sugar loaf shaped sapphire in the middle, surrounded by pave set round brilliant-cut diamonds and channel-set baguette diamonds.

Marina B jewellery is a big favorite with the GEMOLOGUE team, especially this set which was showcased at Lapada. This well crafted mix of antique fine jewellery and modern design is very wearable and absolutely to die for! Classic as well as statement, Marina B pieces will soon be available at Bonhams auction house. 

Leopard print is back in fashion with a vengeance! Nowadays, you can now find it both on clothes and accessories. However,  I think that diamonds give this look the perfect finishing touch. A great example is this wonderfully crafted platinum set brooch set with 17cts of baguette and brilliant cut diamonds. This brooch was created around the 1950’s.

Take a closer look through a loupe to find the most amazing detail in this tiny brooch! Polo brooches are as sumptuous as they are sporty. This wonderful antique piece, made from enamel and diamonds set in silver and 18ct yellow gold, is from the Victorian era. The perfect little gem to spruce up any jacket or coat collar this winter.  The perfect little gem to spruce up any jacket or coat collar this winter. The antique Polo player brooch is available from Sandra Cronan.

Timeless and classic, royal blue and diamonds is a combination that will always work! Here, a powerful burst of diamonds make a real style splash- why not try adding a large statement brooch at the collar of one’s blouse for a vintage inspired finish to an outfit? This stunning antique diamond brooch is available at  Moira Fine Jewellery.

Now this is my idea of of pure paradise! Sumptuous blue sapphires – our absolute favorites – set with flawless diamonds, a powerful and chic combination that can be worn every day with practically anything.

A fabulous style surprise: these 1980s JAR titanium earring look surprisingly trendy! Pink titanium is shaped into a fan shape for a retro look. These earrings also come with 18ct gold fittings! Price on application at Lucas Rarities.

If it is statement you are looking for in your jewels, I will always recommend wearing antique diamond earrings for maximum impact! They bring a sparkle to your style unlike any other piece of jewellery and will not go unnoticed by your many admirers! These French platinum and 18 ct white gold day-to-night earrings are by Suzanne Belperron, valued at £60,000 at Lucas Rarities.

What is the best way to pick out the perfect engagement ring? I say try them all on! Liza models a superb selection of the finest antique diamonds that Lapada has to offer! Round, marquise, square or princess cut, do you have a favorite diamond shape?  

I could not simply pass by these beauties! The 1960’s Tiffany & Co. antique earrings just had to be added to our list. Created in gold in a modern contemporary style, these stud earrings are a fabulous addition to one’s everyday style. Their simple look is very classic and can be worn for any occasion! Piced at £2,250.

Whether 100 years ago or today, it’s clear that we women love to decorate ourselves with lush jewellery. There is something special about wearing an antique brooch, ring or necklace, just like all the treasures we discovered at Lapada. Take a look at these stunning GRIMA examples pinned to Liza’s shorts.

Cartier is a name recognised all over the world; this company is known as the purveyor of high quality luxury goods over the years. This is no different when it comes to their range of extravagant jewels!  These amazing antique earrings have a beautiful hint of retro to them that we just love! The swirl design is just so pretty.

It’s practically impossible to just pick out just one pair of GRIMA earrings from the treasures found at Lapada Art and Antiques fair. Clip on earrings can be worn for a fun and funky alternative look for any day or evening event. I adore the mix of pearls and gold on these amazing earrings!

Seeking out key pieces for our list was no easy feat, but I did love being surrounded by so many amazing pieces of jewellery! We also came across this timeless 18k yellow gold gaspipe collier, a piece from Bulgari! This brand has always been known for creating pieces with their signature timeless design, and this 1950s necklace has not lost its looks over the decades. Instead we think it has just gotten better with time!

So many different aspects come into play when choosing your piece of jewellery. What is it for you? Is it the shape of the jewellery that you enjoy? Perhaps it’s the colour and details of the gems themselves? Maybe it’s all three? This is the perfect example that fits all three- find a brilliant mix of trendy shape and precious diamonds that come together perfectly in these antique diamond earrings.

Chunky chains have come back in fashion over the past year or two. They are big, bold and dynamic; what is there not to love?! This bracelet ticks all the style boxes for us, and we particularly love the diamonds set in the links: this bracelet has a serious dose of class!

There is no denying it, the marquise diamond shape is very hot at the moment. These Art Deco rings are my perfect engagement rings! One features calibre emeralds surrounding a 2.76ct  marquise diamond, available at £26,500. The other ring consists of calibre rubies set around a central diamond, available at £14,500. Both are created around the 1920’s, perfectly representing the jewellery style of the era!

I would love to hear what you think by leaving me a comment below. Thank you!

SHOP MY FAVOURITE JEWELRY ONLINE:

I am extremely happy to announce that my new jewelry book – GEMOLOGUE: Street Jewellery Styles & Styling Tips – is now on Amazon. I’m so excited. It’s the first book of its kind solely dedicated to jewellery. 

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GEMOLOGUE by Liza Urla is a celebration of fine, fashion and vintage jewellery featuring exquisite global discoveries, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews.

GEMOLOGUE jewelry blog by Liza Urla is featuring talented jewellery designers, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews. This jewellery blog’s goal is to encourage and educate about jewellery online in a fresh and original fashion to inspire women and men across the globe in a fashion and travelling context.

Jewellery blogger, writer Liza Urla, the founder of GEMOLOGUE, is a London-based and NYC-educated gemologist, who has travelled to and lived in many countries. She is now one of the most influential digital jewellery tastemakers. Her jewellery influence has been acknowledged by Financial Times, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

*Photographed by Julia Flit. Styling and Art Direction by Liza Urla. All photos belong to GEM Kreatives for GEMOLOGUE.

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