Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A peridot ring by Marina B, and a pair of matched earrings by Boodle & Dunthorne, the bi-colour gold ring tension-set with an oval-cut peridot, maker’s mark ‘MB’, London import marks for 1998, the the earrings of complimentary design, maker’s mark ‘B&D’, London hallmark for 2003, ring size P½, earring length 15mm. £1,500-£1,800

Born in 1930 to one of the world’s most famous family jewel houses, Bulgari, Marina Bulgari grew up in Rome, Athens and Corfu. She worked in the family business for several years before launching her own jewellery range in 1976, making her name as one of the leading women designers of this generation, whilst honouring her family’s long and prestigious heritage. Her bold and contemporary designs, with a strong Italian flavour, proved hugely successful, and Marina opened her first showroom in Geneva in 1978, with further boutiques following in Milan, Paris and New York, Jeddah and Tokyo. She designed a signature cut and shape of gemstone - between a pear-cut and a triangular cut - which can be found throughout her jewellery designs. In 1999 Marina sold her company to the Sheik of Jeddah, Ahmed Fitaihi, of Saudi Arabia.