AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurCollectionsMay 31, 2024
Piece of the Week: Francesca Villa’s ‘The Blink of an Eye’ Pendant
Couture attendees should stop by booth 410 to see Francesca Villa’s rendition of antique “lover’s eye” jewelry.
Francesca Villa’s “The Blink of an Eye” pearl pendant with a vintage VariVue lenticular image set in 18-karat yellow gold and framed by enamel, pearls, and diamonds totaling 0.98 carats. ($15,550)
There are a multitude of pieces to fall in love with at Couture this year, but Francesca Villa’s “The Blink of an Eye” pearl pendant is the perfect piece to become your token of love for the show.
The limited-edition pendant features a rare vintage lenticular image of an eye as a nod to antique “lover’s eye” jewelry.
As you move the pendant around, the eye appears to be opening and closing.
The illusion of movement in a lenticular is created through tiny plastic prisms which are placed over multiple images that have been sliced and interlaced together.
The eye is framed by blue and white enamel with diamonds totaling 0.98 carats and pearls around the border.
Francesca Villa, the designer of the namesake brand, included pearls as they were often used in lover’s eye jewelry as a token of love because of their value, purity, and rounded perfection, as well as diamonds since they were found in more elaborate versions of these pieces.
She loves the playful movement that the lenticular creates in the pendant, a cheeky wink, as the jewelry moves with the wearer, said the brand.
The story of lover’s eye jewelry is said to have begun when King George IV of England laid eyes on the twice-widowed Maria Fitzherbert at the opera when he was still the Prince of Wales.
It was love at first sight, but as Fitzherbert was Catholic and the 1701 Act of Settlement prohibited people of this religion from being monarchs, their love was forbidden.
History says the two wed in secret and exchanged miniatures depicting each other’s eyes, set into jewelry, as tokens of their love.
It then became popular for couples to gift each other portrayals of their eye in pendants or brooches as a keepsake of their love, forbidden or not.
To see the magic of Villa’s “The Blink of an Eye” pendant, stop by booth 410 at Couture.
Related stories will be right here …
The limited-edition pendant features a rare vintage lenticular image of an eye as a nod to antique “lover’s eye” jewelry.
As you move the pendant around, the eye appears to be opening and closing.
The illusion of movement in a lenticular is created through tiny plastic prisms which are placed over multiple images that have been sliced and interlaced together.
The eye is framed by blue and white enamel with diamonds totaling 0.98 carats and pearls around the border.
Francesca Villa, the designer of the namesake brand, included pearls as they were often used in lover’s eye jewelry as a token of love because of their value, purity, and rounded perfection, as well as diamonds since they were found in more elaborate versions of these pieces.
She loves the playful movement that the lenticular creates in the pendant, a cheeky wink, as the jewelry moves with the wearer, said the brand.
The vintage VariVue lenticular image of an eye blinks as the piece moves with its wearer.
The story of lover’s eye jewelry is said to have begun when King George IV of England laid eyes on the twice-widowed Maria Fitzherbert at the opera when he was still the Prince of Wales.
It was love at first sight, but as Fitzherbert was Catholic and the 1701 Act of Settlement prohibited people of this religion from being monarchs, their love was forbidden.
History says the two wed in secret and exchanged miniatures depicting each other’s eyes, set into jewelry, as tokens of their love.
It then became popular for couples to gift each other portrayals of their eye in pendants or brooches as a keepsake of their love, forbidden or not.
To see the magic of Villa’s “The Blink of an Eye” pendant, stop by booth 410 at Couture.
More on Collections
The Latest
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
TechnologyApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
