From  Aug 18, 2008

It was photos of Capri-inspired gems in aqua, azure and mauve that drew me to Bijouterie Italienne on a fine, full-moon Saturday night.

Flowing Prosecco, spicy panini, pasta and lively music kept me and most of the crowd at the fête well into the evening, part of the Settimana Italiana, in which all things Italian – primarily food, and particularly on St. Laurent Blvd. in Little Italy – are celebrated.

The other Italian delights – style, craftsmanship, beauty – were the raison d’être of the Bijouterie event, a launch party for the Pomellato jewellery collection in Montreal.

Founded in 1967 in MIlan, Pomellato is a line of exquisite and modern gems. The gems are hand-cut and the gold is 18-karat pink – sometimes fashioned into marvelous chain-link bracelets.

The Victoria collection features jet – the widow queen took to wearing black jewellery and word is black is back in jewels for fall – and carved fossil ivory.

The Nudo by Pomellato in amethyst. COURTESY POMELLATO

The Nudo by Pomellato in amethyst. COURTESY POMELLATO

But it was the Capri collection of Chrysoprase and rock crystal, and the Nudo pieces in quartz, amethyst, topaz and garnet that caught my eye.

Yes, there were diamonds.

But the amethyst of my eye: a simple ring, with a single purple stone floating on rose gold.

Bijouterie Italienne is at 192 St. Zotique E.