Antique Jewelry

The Art Nouveau time period, 1890 -1915, is a span of time which included curved and flowing lines which were inspired by nature. Images of leaves, flowers, certain insects like dragonflies and butterflies, birds like peacocks and swans and even women's faces with beautiful hair affected the style of architecture, jewelry, fine art, furniture, glass and metalwork. As it relates to jewelry, the Art Nouveau time period embraced all of...

  The Art Deco time period, 1920-1935, is well known for specific styling of architecture, fashion and, in fact, everything material. In the early 1920's, jewelry was created in platinum, the king of metals. Master jewelers took pride and valuable time, painstakingly, creating jewelry with the most detailed and intricate designs. Platinum was used because it was malleable which allowed the jeweler to create jewelry with meticulous piercings and filigree....

There are some simple identification tips that are used to help identify gem materials used in antique jewelry.  They do not require any special instruments or tools other than a loupe, black light, a penlight, a hot-point needle and sight identification.  Make sure that you clearly understand that anything that you add to the surface of a gem or gem material should be done on an area that is not...

The Victorian revival began after World War II.  Victorian styles reminded women of a simpler, more gracious era, but the modern expression had a very distinct look compared to its predecessor.  Mesh metal chokers are found in Victorian Revival jewelry.  Victorian Revival adjustable bracelets have a large center stone and normally went together with a matching pendent necklace.  In general, Victorian revival jewelry is much larger in size and bulkier...