Jewelry Blog

Antique Jewelry, Vintage Jewelry and Tips on Jewelry

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Why does the pin stick out past the brooch on older items of jewelry?  I don’t think it looks very attractive.  Patty

Why was Hair Jewelry popular and when?  Thanks, Kathy

Queen Victoria’s passion for sentimental or “commemorative” jewelry helped popularize jewelry made from human hair. The hair of a deceased loved one could be intricately curled or woven into delicate designs or sentimental scenes which would then be preserved under glass in brooches.  Sometimes these pieces of hair jewelry were inscribed on the back to identify the donor.  Later in the century, hair was woven into watch chains, bracelets, and earrings they were given as tokens of affection.

Why was Hair Jewelry popular and when?  Thanks, Kathy

Queen Victoria’s passion for sentimental or “commemorative” jewelry helped popularize jewelry made from human hair. The hair of a deceased loved one could be intricately curled or woven into delicate designs or sentimental scenes which would then be preserved under glass in brooches.  Sometimes these pieces of hair jewelry were inscribed on the back to identify the donor.  Later in the century, hair was woven into watch chains, bracelets, and earrings they were given as tokens of affection.

I purchased a necklace and the man whom I bought it from said that he thought it could be Jade it is yellow.  I always thought that jade was only green.  Would it be possible that this yellow stone is Jade?  Thanks, Ken

I have a garnet ring my Grandmother gave me before she died I wore it to work the other day and my friend said she thought it  might be a fake or a doublet.  What is she talking about? Jamie

Jamie.  Doublets and Triplets are composite stones made up of two or three pieces of material to look like something they are not.  They are made to deceive.  A “doublet” refers to a sandwich like stone created by bonding two pieces of material together with a colorless glue; a “triplet” refers to two pieces of material joined together with a colored bonding agent in the center, or three pieces of material sandwiched together.  This type of deception is not new, both doublets and triplets have been around for a long time.  They were especially prevalent in the Late Victorian era, around the turn of the century. Garnets were used a lot because of its luster and durability.

I happen to have a set of black onyx cufflinks along with 2 shirt studs complete with a round row of diamonds done in a circle applied onto the black onyx. The shirt studs are marked on the reverse. Bte     then further over the letters SGDG. They are also marked PARIS across from the previous letters. On the movable flap there are the initials ''R & G''. What do you know of this vender? I would adore to  hear from you at your earliest  convenience. Many thanks, Martha

Martha, Your black onyx cufflinks and shirt studs with diamonds sounds lovely.  They were made in France, Paris to be exact.  The SGDG stands for Sans Garantie du Gouvernement and the Bte is short for "brevete"

Hi! I often see an item I like with a letter c before the date like c1940.  What does this mean?  Thanks, Julie

Julie, The c before the date indicates that the item has been circa dated.  That means that an approximate date is given which is a ten-year window on either side of the given date.  A circa date of 1920 indicates a date somewhere from 1910 to 1930.

I purchased a piece of Jewelry from an Antique Mall and the woman told me it was a piece of Scottish Jewelry.  Can you tell me what that she meant by that.  Thank you, Rita

Rita, Scottish jewelry is usually made of native silver and agate stones that our indigenous to Scotland.  The amber-colored stones are known as cairngorms; many resemble our topaz.  Sometimes called “smoky quartz,” these semiprecious gems are found in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. Perry is extremely found of agate stones he loves the variously colored stripes or clouded colors.  Best Wishes, Linda & Perry 

The H.G.E. STANDS FOR “heavy gold electroplate” many people mistake them for karat gold marks.  Best Wishes, Linda & Perry

Sometimes when I see a description on an old piece of jewelry it will have the letters AB before describing the rhinestones.  What exactly does this mean?  Thanks, Patti

The letters AB mean Aurora Borealis.  This is the trade name used for glass or plastic that has been coated with a compound to give it an iridescent look.  This was very popular in the 1950s & 60’s and is still made today.  I love that iridescent look.  Best Wishes, Linda & Perry

I have a question about a painting on porcelain.  My Grandmother gave me a pretty pin with a painting on it which she said belonged to her Mother.  Did someone really paint this?  Thanks, 

Sometimes these paintings on porcelain are actually transfers which have been around for over 200 years.  There is a process that allows a printed picture to be transferred to a surface giving the impression that it was hand painted.  Sometimes people will even put brush stokes with paint on it to make it look like a painting.  The process used in the transfers leave tiny little dots that you can see with a jewelry loupe.  If you have no dots it is more than likely hand painted 

I have a pretty Ivory Necklace that has turned yellow how do I clean this?

Ivory is organic and will naturally turn yellowish with age.  The color change is irreversible and desirable in antique jewelry.  Clean ivory by rinsing it quickly in lukewarm water, followed by immediate through drying with a soft, dry cloth.  It is important to know that ivory being yellow does not prove age or that the material is genuine ivory.

I have thoroughly enjoyed browsing thru your various categories of jewelry. The web site is very professional and beautifully put together. There are so many choices of jewelry available and your rating lets me know that this is definitely a site to use when looking for special pieces to purchase

Thank You for the positive comment. Good Day    Linda

How do you test bakelite? I was told to rub the item and it puts off an odor. What does it smell like?

I too have trouble detecting an odor but it should smell like varnish or formaldehyde.  I use 409 bathroom cleaner on a cotton swab rub it on the back side of the item if it turns yellow I know that it's Bakelite. Black Bakelite doesn't always turn yellow.  Linda

When I first look at a piece of Tortoise Shell I will feel for a wavier finish. Then I will look with a 10X loop where the light color changes to the dark is made of small dark dots. If you look at some of our items at  Tortoise Shell I hope it add to you understanding. Perry

One of my co-workers have a ram's head necklace which has razza imprinted on it and I went on the internet but did not see it.  I want to know if you still have them in stock, I do know she got this one from her mother and it is not known how long they have had it.  It is silver tusk with a black head and brown eyes.  Thanking you in advance for what ever information you can provide.

Anna, We don't have the Razza necklace on our website at this time.  However, we do have a Razza Goldtone Pendant of a Woman it is listed under pendants and is #PE1003.  Razza jewelry was very popular during the 1070s.  Thank you for visiting our website.  Best Wishes, Linda & Perry

Hi everybody we are back. During the past four months we have been in the process of moving and things have been a mess. We have just now got on our feet back on the ground and getting everything sorted out. So we are officially back in business - lets Go.....   

I love Victorian Jewelry and am always looking for it.  What are some of the symbolism associated with that jewelry.  Thanks, Pat

I have a bracelet that is marked 900 what does that mean?  Thanks, Meg

Meg, This means that your bracelet is 90% silver and 10% other metal.  Pieces marked 900 are coin silver.  Silversmiths melted coins and made jewelry out of it thus, the name “coin silver”. Coin silver is a lower grade silver than items marked 925 or sterling. 

What is a Fede Ring and what is a Gemel Ring. Thanks, Sharon

What is Gold Stone Made of or is it a natural stone?

Goldstone is not gold nor a stone it is a misnomer in the jewelry field. It is a brown glass flecked with metallic particles such as copper or chromic oxide.  Goldstone was very popular during the Victorian period.

I think I found a diamond in the carpet after I had it clean it is about 1/4 inch around with lots of sparkle I used the old trick to see if it can cut glass and it did. Did I found the real thing?

All I know for sure is that the item you found is harder than glass. There is an hardness scale and you can find a lot of items harder than glass. I tried this old school theory on a rhinestone and a cz "an imitation diamond" They both scratched the glass. My conclusion on this matter is that the theory of using a glass to identify diamonds is not a good test. I would take it to a jeweler and ask them if it is worth appraising. They can tell in just a few minutes if what you have is the real thing. Good luck to you.  Perry

Hi, i have a Gold lipstick case with flip up mirror, with an emblem of the Eiffel tower which is still in the original box, could this possibly be an antique or was it just a novelty item. Many Thanx. John

I would need more information on the gold lipstick case with the flip up mirror and the emblem of the Eiffel Tower to give you an answer.  Does it have a patent number on it?  Does it have any hallmarks does the original box give you any additional information or can you send me a picture?  Without seeing it my guess is that it's a novelty item from Paris.  Best Wishes, Linda & Perry

How can you identify garnet as genuine?

Sally, Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your letter I have had a house full of company for the last two weeks.  Perry & I usually take our jewelry in question to a jeweler who is a gemologist.  Identifying stones is not always easy.  To begin with not all garnets are red they come in other colors. If the Garnet you treasure is good take it to a jeweler and let them look at it under a loupe they can give you a great deal of information about it's value.  I hope this helps some.  Bet Wishes, Linda & Perry

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