Desert Dreaming
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not” - HENRY DAVID THOREAU
These words of Mr. Thoreau resonate profoundly with me as my life is so richly filled with travel to extraordinary places. In this world in which we live with devices aplenty, it is easy to be somewhere, but not be there.
I am often asked what inspires my creativity and without a second thought it is travel. This book is the first in a series of celebrations of travel and I hope that it helps to tell the story behind each of my creations.
Now, as I have more ‘miles on the clock’ I am forever checking with myself to make sure that I am present where I actually am and appreciating every sight, scent, sound and scene.
I hold onto the amazing scenes that I encounter in my travel and when I am designing I am sure they translate from sometimes distinct and sometimes dreamy memories through the pencil onto the paper and then into the finished creation.
My husband knows me well and knows that I never really want to leave home or in fact anywhere I might be, however as soon as I am on the journey I never want to go home…. I have oft said that at the risk of sounding like a chintzy greeting card I am happy wherever I am – I guess I am lucky!
As my family’s fourth generation business enters its 132nd year and Margot McKinney Jewellery enjoys wonderful success around the globe, I thank the people who are on this journey with me.
Sincerely,
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Lotus Smoky Topaz 195.83ct with Yellow Diamonds and White Sapphires
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Luceat Moonstone 56.71ct Earrings surrounded by White and Brown Diamonds
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Luceat Moonstone 48.31ct Pendant with White and Brown Diamonds
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Aurulent Golden South Sea Pearl Earrings with Citrines, Tourmalines, Peridots, Topaz, White Diamonds and myriad of Sapphires
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Aurulent Australian and Golden South Sea Pearl Necklace with myriad of Sapphire set enhancers and Diamond set links
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Orange Blossom Orange and Yellow Sapphire Flowers with Diamond centres and a pair of Golden Beryl 99.39ct pendant drops
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Solaire Australian South Sea Pearl Collier with Diamond set links and Citrine, Tourmaline, Peridot, Topaz and Sapphire Cookies
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“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” BENJAMIN DISRAELI
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Raspberry Diamond, Yellow and Orange Sapphire Lotus with Pink Spinel Raspberry Drops 49.14ct
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Jacinthe Garnet 14.35ct with Rubies, Orange Sapphires, Yellow Sapphires and Diamonds
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Persica d’or Morganite and Beryl 111.21ct Cuff with Diamonds, Pink Tourmalines and Pink and Yellow Sapphires
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Persica d’or Morganite 20.66ct Earrings with Pink Tourmalines and Pink and Yellow Sapphires
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Bliss Australian South Sea Pearls, Diamonds, Pink and Orange and Yellow Sapphires
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Vibrance Long Rose Gold lever chain with Amethyst, Ruby, Tsavorite Garnet and Pink, Yellow and Orange Sapphire set links
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Myriade Smoky Quartz 35.84ct iced with a swirl of Gold and Diamonds surrounded by Peridots, Tsavorite Garnets, Tourmalines, Diamonds and Pink, Yellow and Orange Sapphires
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Marigold Ruby, Diamond and Orange and Yellow Sapphire Cookies with Golden Beryl 61.39ct Pendant Drops
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Valencia Mandarin Garnet 302.63ct set with Diamonds, Sapphires and a fine Akoya Pearl tassel with Sapphire finials Opposite: Matching Ring and Earrings
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Amaranthine Rubellite 14.70ct Ring surrounded by Pink Sapphires, Tsavorite Garnets and Diamonds
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Ariel Mammoth Ivory Cuff with a suite of Rubellite Tourmaline 70.04ct surrounded by 8.06ct Tsavorite Garnet
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Mystique Pink Paraiba 170.51ct Earrings with Diamonds, Tsavorite Garnets, Peridots, Sapphires and Tourmalines
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Cherry Blossom Pink Tourmaline 101.97ct Necklace with a suite of Australian Pink cultured South Sea Pearls, Diamonds, Peridots and myriad Sapphire set enhancers with a cabochon Pink Tourmaline 96.77ct tassel with Sapphire set finials
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Boucles Curls of Pink Sapphires and White Diamonds in 18 karat White Gold
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Boucles Pink Sapphire and White Diamond swirls with a pair of Rubellite 66.43ct Pendant Drops
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Mulberry Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Lotus with Pink Spinel Mulberry Drops 113.41ct
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Pink Garden Pink Spinel 6.81ct, Rhodolite 8.81ct, Garnet 11.43ct with 4.54ct White Diamonds and marquise Pink Sapphires
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Coeur Golden Heart shape South Sea Pearls with a pair of Rhodolite Hearts 28.08ct lovingly set with Diamonds, Rubies and Orange and Yellow Sapphires
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Scarlet Rhodolite Garnet 11.42ct Earrings with 11.42ct full and rose cut White Diamonds
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Claret Rhodolite Garnet 16.63ct Ring with 4.83ct brilliant cut White Diamonds
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Flamenco Mammoth Ivory Cuff with Rubellite 32.97ct surrounded by Akoya South Sea Pearls and Rubies
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Mesmerise Extraordinary pair of Rubellite Tourmaline 74.77ct with swirls of Rubies and White Diamonds
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Cookies & Cream Top: Pink Sapphire, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline, Yellow and Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cookies with a pair of 14-16mm baroque Australian South Sea Pearl Pendant Drops
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Bottom: Amethyst, Pink Tourmaline, Pink and Blue Sapphire Cookies with a pair of 15- 16mm baroque Australian South Sea Pearl Pendant drops with Diamond set links
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Cookies & Cream Long rope of Australian South Sea Keshi Pearls with Diamonds, Sapphire and Tsavorite Garnet Enhancers
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Belle Exquisite Pink Tourmaline 70.92ct Enhancer with a suite of Australian South Sea Pearls and Amethyst, Peridot, Tsavorite Garnet, Tourmaline, Sapphire Rondelles and Diamond set links
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Magellanica Australian Lightning Ridge rare Pink Opals 32.20ct surrounded by a suite of pale Pink Paraiba 23.36ct, Diamonds, Amethysts, Pink Sapphire and Pink Tourmaline with a pair of Rubellite 66.43ct Pendant Drops
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Printemps Pink Rubellite 10.29ct surrounded by a garden of Pink Tourmalines, Amethysts, Pink and Purple Sapphires and Diamonds
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Orchid Purple Sapphire 7.47ct surrounded by Pink Tourmalines, Pink, Purple and Orange Sapphires and Diamonds with a pair of Rhodolite12.94ct Pendant Drops
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“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.�
A N I TA D E S A I
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Margot McKinney.
Drawing the initial pencil sketches and completing the gem layouts is the beginning of the journey of my jewellery. I love sitting with my collection of gems in front of me. Marrying colours and textures together is so aesthetically pleasing and rewarding. I often know immediately what I wish for a particular gemstone and I can see the finished piece in my mind, however sometimes I might hold a gem in the vault and then quite by magic it will marry with its rightful partner down the road. It is as if the universe was holding on until just the right moment. I will ‘leave’ a design always at least overnight. I think it is true that I have never designed something and not come back to the table the next day and made changes that are for the enhancement of the piece of jewellery. I believe in the value of sleep, meditation and recreation to release the true creative spirit. The dénouement of enjoyment in this part of the journey for me, is of course holding the finished piece of jewellery.
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Isfjell Rare Paraiba Tourmaline 56.43ct set with 10.86ct brilliant and rose cut White Diamonds
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Oasis Paraiba Tourmaline 53.07ct set with brilliant cut White Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Oasis Oasis of Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 70.18ct with a suite of Paraiba 247.05ct set with Diamonds, Sapphires, Tsavorite Garnets and Green Tourmalines
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Vert Peridot 13.61ct surrounded by Sapphires, Tsavorite Garnets and Perdiots
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Viridian Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 27.26ct surrounded by Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets with Sapphire and Tsavorite Garnet Pendant Drops
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Opal and Ice Long Diamond set chain with Australian Opal 14.02ct and Diamond Cookies (Diamonds 30.04ct)
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Sea Foam Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 22.63ct surrounded by Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets with Diamond and Sapphire Rondelles and a pair of baroque Australian South Sea Pearl Pendant Drops
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Opal Garden Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 10.34ct (top) and 8.69ct (bottom) set in a garden of Tsavorite Garnets, Blue, Pink and Purple Sapphires and White Diamonds
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Opal Garden Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 45.36ct Earrings set in a garden of Tsavorite Garnets, Blue, Pink and Purple Sapphires and Diamonds
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Bluebell Denim Blue Topaz 79.90ct surrounded by Topaz, Sapphires and Diamonds
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Blueberry Sapphire and Diamond Lotus with Sapphire Blueberry Drops 95.94ct
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Celeste Grey Agate Cuff with Aquamarine 125.44ct
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Mer d’amour Golden South Sea Pearl Hearts with a pair of Denim Blue Topaz Hearts 32.34ct lovingly set with Diamonds, Blue Topaz, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Aquamaring Cushion cut 38.95ct Aquamarine Ring surrounded by Sapphires, Topaz, Diamonds and Paraiba
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Nuit Long Tahitian South Sea Keshi Pearl Strand with Black and Icy Diamonds
Erie Green Tourmaline 15.62ct surrounded by Diamonds, Tsavorite Garnets and Peridot
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Silvermist Long South Sea Pearl strand with Diamond set links and Milky Shimmer Moonstone and Diamond cookies Opposite: Matching Ring and Earrings
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Grenouille Long Tahitian Pearl Strand with Petite Grenouille set with Tsavorite Garnets, Catseye Yellow and Pink Sapphires and Prehnite
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Snowdrops Australian South Sea Pearls with Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Irish Love Golden South Sea Pearl Hearts with a pair of Peridot Hearts 20.56ct surrounded by Diamonds, Sapphires, Tsavorite Garnets and Peridot
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Envie Australian South Sea Pearl Necklace with Diamond set links and Lemon Quartz, Peridot, Topaz, Tsavorite Garnet and Sapphire Cookies
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Carnivale Blue Topaz, Peridot, Amethyst, Sapphire and Diamond cookie Earrings with Denim Blue Topaz 54.40ct Pendant Drops
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Carnivale Peridot, Tsavorite Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond and myriad Sapphire cookie Earrings with Green Amethyst 42.75ct Pendant Drops
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Marabella Cabochon Green Tourmaline 19.55ct surrounded by Tsavorite Garnets 8.76ct
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Carnivale Amethyst, Topaz, Pink Tourmaline, Diamond and myriad Sapphire cookie Earrings with Purple Moonstone 59.27ct Pendant Drops
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Marabella Cabchon Amethyst 16.49ct surrounded by Amethysts 7.70ct
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Carnivale Pink Tourmaline, Diamond, Pink, Yellow and Orange Sapphire cookie Earrings with Mandarin Garnet 60.34ct Pendant Drops
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Marabella Cabochon Rubellite 17.66ct with Pink Saphires and Diamonds
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Carnivale Blue Topaz, Peridot, Diamond, Pink, Yellow and Blue Sapphire cookie Earrings with Aquamarine 44.98ct Pendant Drops
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Marabella Cabochon Aquamarine 16.63ct with Sapphires, Diamonds and Tsavorite Garnets
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Virescent Pair of matching Paraiba 68.98ct and Lightning Ridge Opal 20.22ct hand crafted yellow gold Cuffs finished with Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Azure Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 22.70ct Earrings with Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Opal Fire Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 3.79ct Ring with Diamonds and Orange and Yellow Sapphires
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Pienture AustralianLightning Ridge Opal 8.73ct Ring with Diamonds, Sapphires and Tsavorite Garnets
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Rever Australian Lightning Ridge Opal 58.25ct handmade Cuff
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” MARK TWAIN