Catalog (174)

This petite French lavalier measures 1-1/8” (not including the jump ring) by 11/16”. It features 3 rose cut diamonds and 3 pearls. Marked only “DEPOSE,” which translates roughly as “patented”, it tests as 18k. The stones are set in white metal, almost certainly platinum. 2.1g. We believe this used to be part of a larger piece, however, the transformation was done very skillfully, and it is in overall very good condition. There is a very small dent on the upper right edge, but it’s ...

This brooch features an ancient Celtic design: two birds (probably swans) with enameled wings, bodies and eyes, with interlaced silver above and below. The enamel is in red, blue, green, and white. It is marked 925 for sterling silver, and has several other marks which are illegible. 1-1/2” X 1-1/4”. There are a couple places where the enamel isn’t quite perfect – please see photos. Probably a more recent casting of an older piece, and very pretty indeed! The photos are part of the desc...

This is one of our very favorite lavaliers! It is quintessential Art Nouveau. It depicts a flower with an amethyst at its center, with the classic whiplash motif. The central amethyst weighs approximately 1/2 carat, and it’s accented by 28 seed pearls. Feng Shui practitioners believe amethysts aid in purification, and give access to a higher plane of energy. It tests as 14k, and the gold is that lovely subtle old gold color. It weighs 3.3g and measures 1” x 1” at the widest points. Chain ...

This pretty ring consists of a flower made of six pearl “petals” (one of which is a replacement), centered by a tiny rose cut diamond. There is a compartment underneath, perhaps for storing a lock of hair, but no glass. The ring tests as a very strong 14kt, so it is probably 15kt (and therefore English). Cobalt blue enamel decorates the shoulders, which we’ve had touched up – this ring was obviously very well loved, and it’s still beautiful! Size 6. Early Victorian or late Georgian. We...

This beautiful and classic brooch, in the style of Lucien Gautrait, features a flower and ribbon motif, with a circle of white enamel in the center. The pearl on the dangle may be a replacement (many dangles have had to be replaced over the years). The brooch is marked with the French eagle for 18k gold and partial owl marks with “73”, indicating a piece that was imported into France post 1893 and assayed in the town of Rouen. There is also what looks like a blurry French maker’s mark, so ...

This petite gold-filled Edwardian fan-shaped fretwork pin measures 15/16” x 7/8”. A bit worn in places, but still very nice. Oddly, the watch hanger tests as 10k. Signed SIMMONS and RFS & Co (for the R.F. Simmons Co. of Attleboro, MA). Circa 1915. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

The lady in this lovely bar pin is the quintessential Art Nouveau lady with abundant swirling tresses streaming away from her face. The 14 k gold pin has the typical construction of the period: solid back, old style round hinge, and classic C clasp. It is marked for 14 k gold and signed with the little collar button mark used by Krementz. The pin is 1 3/4" X 3/8". The Krementz company of Newark New Jersey was founded in 1866. After some reorganizations, they opened an office in New Y...

These are very unusual! We have only seen one other pair with photos, and those were not gold. Each cuff link features a photograph of an elegant lady in a high-necked blouse with upswept hair. This pair was clearly worn a lot, based on the patina, but they still look great. The 10k marks are on the back of the fronts only, not on the “torpedo” ends. We don’t test torpedoes, so can’t promise that they are also 10k, but they certainly look it. The fronts measure 7/8” x 5/8”, the torpe...

This charming watch pin is a lovely example of Art Nouveau design. A central amethyst is flanked by seed pearls, all set in 14 k gold. The pin is 3/4 X 3/4" and carries the maker's mark L B A. Circa 1900.

This wildly over-the-top Egyptian Revival inkwell has the goddess Hathor as the center piece. She was the goddess of dance, music, and fertility (how cool is that!). She is wearing big earrings, and her usual headdress. She seems to have a flower in her hair, and in front of her there is foliage tied by a ribbon with a bow (we can’t tell if it’s laurel or mistletoe). The ink pots (glass inserts are not present) have winged hearts on them, and are surmounted by crescent moons – symbolic of ...

If this gorgeous ring fit me, I'd be keeping it. (Of course it could be resized. Hmmm. ☺) The design is surprisingly modern but it is genuinely pre 1900. Two faceted rubies are set off by three seed pearls, with each gem surrounded by a square bezel. It has English hallmarks for Chester [England], 1865-6, and 15 carat gold, as well as a maker's mark of BHJ. The ring is a size 7.

This beautiful pair of scarab design cufflinks is marked for Unger Bros, a well-known turn-of-the-century American jewelry maker. Each beetle or scarab is 1/2" by 13/16". They are made of sterling silver. Circa 1900-1905.

This classic Art Nouveau stick pin is centered by a round amethyst, birthstone for February. (Back in the day, amethysts were thought to prevent inebriation, as well as being a cure for headaches – there’s a theme here!). There is a seed pearl above and one below, all mounted in a (marked and tested) 14kt “whiplash” frame (the whiplash motif was very popular with Nouveau designers). Measuring 1/2” x 2-1/4" long, it weighs 1.5g. It has an illegible maker’s mark. The pin is curved, but...

We believe this lovely (unmarked but tested) 10kt gold jewel is from a time when cannetille work was the vogue because gold was scarce: very fine gold wires twisted into thin strands and then formed into rosettes and other shapes. The amethyst is a delicate shade of purple, and weighs approximately 2.5 carats – it’s very deep. (Amethysts are said to bring calm, and help banish headaches.) The whole lavalier, including the bale, measures 1-1/2 x 9/16”. Two of the seed pearls are missing but...

This charming pin is the embodiment of Victorian design. A very stylized butterfly perches on a row of 'gold' ball-shaped dangles. The butterfly is centered with a colorless brilliant, and flanked by small ruby pastes at each side. As was common at the time in the Victorian era, a matching stickpin acts as a safety feature as well as being pretty. The pin is a generous 1 1/2" and is gold filled. There is a maker's mark PC Co. Circa 1880

This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g. In excellent condit...

This pretty pin measures 7/8” across. Some of the leaves are enameled in shades of green, yellow and orange, alternating with leaves set with 3 seed pearls each. (The colors make it perfect for Spring or Fall!) It is centered by another seed pearl. The findings are original, with an interesting security clasp. The clasp has a maker’s mark: an arrow with a circle at the end, most likely for Robert Klitz, of New York. It doesn’t have a hallmark, but it tests for 14k gold. Circa 1900. The ph...

This pretty navette-shaped pin is from the Arts & Crafts era. It measures 2-1/8 x 7/16”. It has a leaf and berry motif, centered by a deep purple amethyst. (Amethysts are thought to bring calmness and clarity to the mind.) It is marked STERLING, and the pin-stem assembly is original. The silver has a nice patina. In excellent condition, and circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! We do lay-away. Shipping, handling, and insurance within the ...