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Spotting Fake Gold and Silver: The Checks — and What Each One Can't Prove
The stamp says fourteen karat. That does not prove it is gold. A karat stamp is a claim, not proof — fake pieces can carry misleading stamps. But there are checks you can run in seconds that catch most of what turns up on flea market tables and in job lots. Used together, they tell you when to walk away, and when a piece deserves a proper test. 1. Read the small letters, not just the number. Next to the karat mark, look for two-letter codes. GP means gold plated.... Read more...
Scandinavian Silver Jewelry: What Makes Moonstone Rings from the Mid-Century So Special
Scandinavian Silver Jewelry: What Makes Moonstone Rings from the Mid-Century So Special
Mid-century Scandinavian jewelry occupies a quietly distinguished corner of the estate jewelry market. Understated where Victorian jewelry is ornate, boldly sculptural where Art Deco jewelry is geometric, Nordic silversmithing from... Read more...
Cameo Rings Explained: Shell vs. Stone, Victorian vs. Art Deco
Cameo Rings Explained: Shell vs. Stone, Victorian vs. Art Deco
Cameo rings occupy a special place in antique jewelry collecting — they are simultaneously wearable art, historical artifact, and personal statement. But not all cameos are created equal. Understanding the... Read more...
Thai Princess Filigree Jewelry: A Collector's Guide to 1940s Cased Gold
Thai Princess Filigree Jewelry: A Collector's Guide to 1940s Cased Gold
Among the most distinctive — and underappreciated — categories in estate jewelry collecting is the tradition of Thai filigree goldsmithing, particularly pieces produced during and around the 1940s for the... Read more...
What Is a Chatelaine? The Victorian Accessory Collectors Are Obsessed With
What Is a Chatelaine? The Victorian Accessory Collectors Are Obsessed With
Of all the accessories that defined Victorian elegance, few are as fascinating — or as misunderstood — as the chatelaine. Part jewelry, part utility, part status symbol, the chatelaine was... Read more...
How to Identify a Genuine Victorian Filigree Ring — What Collectors Look For
How to Identify a Genuine Victorian Filigree Ring — What Collectors Look For
Victorian filigree rings are among the most sought-after pieces in the antique jewelry world — and also among the most imitated. Whether you're a first-time collector or a seasoned estate... Read more...