On an evening in June 2009, a young flautist stole 300 rare bird specimens — from quetzals to birds-of-paradise — from London's Natural History Museum. "The Feather Thief," by Kirk W. Johnson, tells of the high-flying heist and the precious plumes themselves, saluted here with rutilated quartz navettes set in 18k gold. Burnt-hued spessartite garnets, yellow diamonds and pastel-colored sapphires radiate in solar beams—a prideful display worthy of the rarest specimen.

Presented in our artisanal leather jewelry box, handmade in a small workshop in Bangladesh