10 BEAUTIFUL BEJEWELLED BUGS TO WEAR NOW

We’ve found the most exquisite luxury jewelry inspired by beautiful bugs for you to wear today. See beetles and dragonflies crafted from gold and silver and covered with diamonds and rubies, or a ladybug brooch that opens to reveal a cleverly hidden tiny watch.

1. VINTAGE CITRINE & DIAMOND INSECT BROOCH

This vintage brooch makes use of a number of different stones in order to get the color of its bug just right. Wings of pear cut citrine, set in gold, meet in a golden cultured pearl thorax, with ruby eyes and a diamond jeweled abdomen.

Available at Gilt.

2. JAR DRAGONFLY BROOCH

JAR’s work is always right up our alley. So we were ecstatic when we found this dragonfly brooch that he made in 1987, at auction now. It’s wings are carved from rare rock crystal and set with triangular diamonds, highlighted with round diamonds. Its body is set with faceted diamond roundels, mounted in silver and gold. It is signed by the designer.

Sold at Sotheby’s.

3. VICTORIAN ROCK CRYSTAL, DIAMOND, GARNET & TIGER EYE BUG PENDANT

Here is an exquisite Victorian pendant, which features a beetle made from 18k yellow gold, with a tiger’s eye stone body. Its 6 legs are silver plated and encrusted with 20 rose cut diamonds. Two rose diamonds anchor its simple antennae and two faceted ruby eyes adorn its gorgeous face.

The beetle is riveted to an oval shaped faceted rock crystal. Riveted into the top of the piece is a large fluted bail that is made of 18kt yellow gold and detailed with a large sized cabochon garnet.

Circa 1880

Available at 1st Dibs.

4. LATE VICTORIAN PEARL AND DIAMOND BUG PIN

This Late Victorian Pearl and Diamond Bug Pin is elegant and simple. Made in 1880, of pearl, diamond, gold, and sterling silver, this pin would still look stunning paired with modern attire.

Available at 1st Dibs.

5. GOLD GUILLOCHE ENAMEL LADY BUG BROOCH WATCH

Brooch watches are not common pieces, making this Gold Guilloche Enamel Lady Bug Brooch Watch, a real treasure. Circa 1800, it is extraordinarily intricate and clever. The spots of this lady bug are marked with diamonds, and emeralds form its eyes. The enamel wings open by pressing the tail to show the watch. By lowering the antenna, one gets access to the crown that winds the manual movement.

Available at 1st Dibs.

6. GEM-SET BUG BROOCH

A carved emerald and a cabachon emerald make up the body of this Gem-Set Bug Brooch. Its glittering wings are made of rose cut diamonds and rubies, all set in 14k gold with sterling silver detail.

Available at 1st Dibs.

7. VICTORIAN INSECT PIN & PENDANT

Wow! We are absolutely in awe of this 1890’s Victorian Insect Pin and Pendant. Its shining body is made of 18k and 14k gold, with alternating rows of diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. A hinged bail on the back can be changed to wear this piece as a pendant as well.

Available at 1st Dibs.

8. GARAVELLI LADY BUG BROOCH

This Garavelli brooch in the shape of a ladybug with amethyst eyes is as beautiful as the ladybugs themselves. Its diamond and enamel back suggests flight with shimmering wings.

Available at 1st Dibs.

9. CARTIER GOLD BUTTERFLY BROOCH

The Cartier Butterfly Brooch combines 18k gold, plique-a-jour enamel and diamond. It calls to mind the light wings of its butterfly subject.

Available at Skinner.

10. DIAMOND BEE BROOCH

BSK Designs has astounded us with this Diamond Bumble Bee Brooch. The placement of the diamonds and the detail on the wings compliments the legs lined with golden hair like the legs of a live bumble bee. All set in 18k yellow gold.

Available at Ruby Lane.

11. MEXICAN BEZEL SET BRACELET

Featuring seven carved green bezel set insect motif, this wide sterling silver wide bracelet, made in Taxco, Mexico is highly sculpturally with seven hinged sections.

Available at Rubylane.

Read more about Beautiful Bugs, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 New Beautiful Bug Books, 10 Beautiful Bug Discoveries, Eat Bugs. Love!, Beautiful Bug Art and 10 Fab Places to See Beautiful Bugs.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Bugs in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 06.08.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!