Catalog (174)

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...

The Green man is an ancient symbol of nature, rebirth, spring, etc. These earrings are a vintage homage to the ancient legends, for someone who appreciates the unusual. Each earring is ~1" by 1". The age is unknown, probably 1940-50s.

A fierce, mythical creature, generally held to be fiercely territorial, is ready to claim his territory on your lapel and guard it--and you! In an era when much jewelry was tiny, this pin has a real presence. The gryphon clings to a golden shield and is sure to be an attention getter! The pin is marked FIX, which is a French process of heavy gold plate or gold fill. Overall size is 1 1/2" X 1 1/2". The design, the fixe process, and the findings all suggest that the pin dates from the ...

Here is a fascinating Georgian-era ring, possibly a mourning ring, which could have been worn by one of Jane Austen’s more affluent characters. It features a rose-cut diamond (pointed top instead of flat), set in 14kt gold with decorations in black enamel on the shank, which are still in excellent condition. The ring is approximately size 5. It isn’t possible to estimate the weight of rose cut diamonds in a setting. It is in the I range for clarity – normal for its time. Unmarked. It is ju...

This pretty ring is composed of a cluster of 7 amethysts, birthstone for February (and in legend, thought to guard against poison and drunkenness) and on either side of the cluster, a bezel-set accent diamond and one tiny half seed pearl. The ring is approximately size 6.5, and would be easy to re-size. It is marked 10K and signed “ECI”. In excellent condition, with just a bit of patina. The gold is yellow, despite looking rosy in the photos. The photos are part of the description; please e...

This pretty pin features an oval purple cabochon, possibly amethyst, possibly glass (it’s hard to get a reading on this stone), centered between two hammered silver leaves (very A&C in style), all in a very Art Nouveau framework. Marked “DEPOS” (probably meant to be “DEPOSE”, which translates roughly as “patented”), it is probably from Germany. There are two illegible marks, one on the C-clasp, and one on the back. It tests as silver, measures 1-3/4” x 3/4", and weighs 4.4 g. Th...

Here is a Washington- and Masonic-themed spoon which is marked STERLING F.A. WHELAN. Both sides of the bowl, the hilt, and the tip are gold washed. It has a lot of Masonic symbolism incorporated into the design. The dates on the spoon handle (1732-1799) are the birth and death dates for George Washington, who was a Mason. (He is also a main character in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton.” We are huge fans!) The spoon is approximately 100 years old. It measures 4-1/8", and weighs 10.9g. There ...

This is an absolutely gorgeous diamond cocktail ring from the 1960s-70s. Its delicate beauty is eye-catching without being a blatant grab for attention. The fancy yellow colour of the round brilliant-cut ce...

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 ...

This Art Nouveau lavalier is green and cream colored enamel on 10 karat gold. It is set with six seed pearls; the dropper is a 'potato' pearl. The lavalier is 3/4" X 3/4" in size and comes with an 18" 14 k gold chain. Circa 1895.

This interesting beetle stick pin harkens back to the Egyptian revivals (early 1800s, and then again in the 1920s). Perfect for your lapel, the beetle is in very good condition (the pin is slightly bent, as is usual with gold stick pins), and is set in unmarked but tested 14k rose gold. The beetle itself is 9/16” x 7/16” at the widest points, and is held firmly in place by 4 prongs. The whole thing is 2-3/4” long. The Victorians loved to use organic things in their jewelry, and this partic...

This pretty lady stick pin is most likely brass with a gold wash, which is worn. Her hair ends in a row of sparkly stones; I’m not sure what they are, but quite likely they are marcasites (one glued in crookedly). Head and stones measure 5/8” x 3/8”, total length is 2-9/16”. Circa 1920s.

Recycling isn't a new idea! This charming pin was made with an Art Nouveau era button. The detail of the lady, the flowers, and the bow is wonderful. The pin is 1" X 1/2"; the button is 1/2" in diameter. Circa 1900.

This Victorian pin is a gorgeous Egyptian Revival design executed in plique a jour (translucent) enamel framed in gilded silver. The design is a noble vulture holding feathers with lotus blossoms in his (or her) talons. The vulture’s wings are detailed in both opaque and translucent enamels; the tops of the wings are opaque enamel in yellowish green, and the feathers are detailed in yellow-green plique a jour shading to burnt orange. The body of the vulture is a matching yellowish-green ‘sto...

This dainty pin was made by Hermann & Speck, well-known jewelers of Pforzheim in Germany in the years around the turn of the last century. It is centered by a blue sapphire, and it has a pearl dangle. It is marked 333 for 8kt gold, but when we tested it, it held for 10k (this is not unusual; however we had never seen a mark for 8kt gold before! Very unusual!). It is also marked “Depose,” which roughly translates as “patent.” Measuring 1-7/16” x 1" including the pearl dangle, it weighs ...

This antique serving spoon from the Georgian era has a berry motif in the gold-washed interior of the bowl (the wash is very pale and doesn’t show up in the photos). By its hallmarks, it was made in London during 1768-1769. The maker’s mark is a script “BB”. It measures 8-1/2" x 1-3/4", and weighs approximately 56g. So beautiful! The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! We do lay-away. Shipping, handling, and insurance within the USA included.

A visit to Maisel’s Trading Post was de rigueur for tourists visiting New Mexico before the store closed in the late 1960s after Mr. Maisel’s death. (It was later reopened in 1980 by a grandson, but closed again in 2019.) Tourists flocked to the store, which featured an open lower-level gallery where Native American artists crafted the jewelry and artifacts sold above. Maisel’s was a splendid entertainment and a source of excellent jewelry. This pendant and bracelet were purchased there...

Natural Bohemian garnets are featured in this antique pin. Two round elements are made up of three tiers of rich red rose-cut garnets. Each garnet circle is surrounded by a row of tiny rose-cut garnets. Suspended from these elements are three droppers featuring more garnets, round and marquise in shape. These droppers add eye-catching motion to the piece when it is worn. All of the gems are beautifully prong set. The pin is unmarked but is silver and is 1 ¼” wide. It has the original tub...