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About Antique Fine Jewelry

From delicate, intricately designed Victorian pieces to chunky and large Retro items, antique fine jewelry (British spelling: jewellery) is a popular collectible that represents the different eras in which it was worn. Jewelry has been made for centuries in a variety of materials and styles and is still evolving today. Although specific items (such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and brooches) have remained popular through the ages, they vary in design and materials depending on the era.

During the Georgian period from 1714 to 1837, all jewelry was created by hand. Short necklaces, cameos, and portraits of loved ones on pendants and brooches were in demand...

Queen Victoria’s rule began in 1837, marking the beginning of the Victorian period, which would last until 1901. During this time, a demand for jewelry in the mass market emerged, and semi-precious stones were often used to keep jewelry affordable. Mourning jewelry and pieces with sentimental motifs became popular.

The Edwardian period, which lasted from 1901 to 1910, produced delicate and elegant jewelry. Diamonds and pearls set in platinum were in vogue, as were chokers, negligee pendants, and long strings of pearls worn as necklaces.

Art Nouveau from the late 1890s until the mid-1910s usually featured natural designs, such as flowers or the female form. Glass and semi-precious stones were often used in Art Nouveau jewelry, and enamel was introduced.

Between the mid-1920s and '30s, Art Deco grew in popularity and featured geometric lines, sharp angles, and bright colors. Diamonds regained popularity and pearls continued to be in vogue, worn in a string as either a necklace or a bracelet.

Certain antique jewelry pieces have significant personal meanings (for example, love, religious devotion, or mourning) or practical applications (for example, fastening or securing) in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.

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Betty Cooke Necklace Grateful dead ring need help finding information about ! Lovely round Vic. rose gold pendant  VICTORIAN WHITBY JET CRESCENT CARVED BROOCH Shell cameo of St John the Evangelist From what Era is this brooch and how I can detect silver of white gold?

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Modernist Studio Jewelry Collector Marbeth Schon

My background is in fine art. My B.A. was in Art Education, so I started out as an art teacher. Later, I began working on a master… [more]

An Interview with Arts and Crafts Jewelry Collector and Author Elyse Karlin

I started collecting jewelry when I was about 13 years old. I was very close to an interior designer who took me to antiques shops… [more]

An Interview with Antique Mourning Jewelry Collector Hayden Peters

Growing up with antiques collectors and costume designers, I developed a passion for the Victorian age and the 19th century. I col… [more]

An Interview on Turn of the Century Jewelry Styles with Appraiser Joyce Jonas

I bought my first piece of jewelry—a gold ring with a big lapis stone propped on prongs—when I was about 12 with money my grandfat… [more]

An Interview With Fine Jewelry and Costume Jewelry Collector Christie Romero

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]

An Interview With Arts and Crafts Silver and Jewelry Collector Paul Somerson

How did I get started collecting Arts and Crafts silver? My wife and I had been collecting Arts and Crafts items as far back as I … [more]

Native American Jewelry Author Mark Bahti: An Interview with Collectors Weekly

Thanks to my father, I basically grew up involved with Indian arts and culture. He was a graduate of the University of New Mexico … [more]

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Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

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Recent News: Fine Jewelry

Source: Google News

Tony Orlando to Perform
Westbury Times, September 2nd

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