Italian Jewels: Bvlgari Style Exhibition, NGV Melbourne

Men have their cars, women have their bling blings... Mention the word jewellery (mind you, not just any jewellery - it has to be real jewellery. No crystals, no costume jewellery...) and most girls will be very happy, including moi.

On the weekend, we braved the chill and rain to visit the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Italian Jewels exhibition.

The exhibition displays jewellery house Bvlgari's masterpieces from as early as the 70's. Some of these pieces have been worn by famous personalities such as Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor.

The jewellery were all big pieces, encrusted with diamonds and gemstones as colourful as candies. They were bold and eye catching. One piece may take up to 2-3 years to craft.

I learnt some new jewellery jargon while in the exhibition - cabochon (polished gemstone, as opposed to cutting facets into the gemstone); and sautoir (long necklace). The pieces on display show how playful pricesless jewellery can be, and yet be classy and timeless.

Bvlgari created many masterpieces among which is the bracelet-timepiece in the shape of the serpent. The 'body' of the 'serpent' can be wound around the hand, and the head of the serpent when opened, reveals a timepiece. Another is a diamond neklace that can be deconstructed into two bracelets (not pictured).

 

It is difficult to pinpoint which is my favourite piece in the exhibition, but these are a couple of my favourite pieces: 

Necklace worn by Elizabeth Taylor

Diamond and precious gemstone necklace designed in the 20th century. The metal is threaded through the gemstone.

Entry is free to the exhibition, which runs only to 29 January 2017 (from 30 September 2016).