It is summer, the temperatures are hot, and the gardens are in bloom. It is the time of the year that lovers of vintage jewelry bring out their flower jewelry. But what about the other delightful (and sometimes not so delightful) part of the garden - the insects? Vintage jewelry designers have long used all sorts of insects in their designs, and my customers seem to love them as much as I do.

All gardeners love ladybugs. They polish off meals of aphids and keep roses blooming nicely all summer long. Ladybugs are also one of the most popular designs on jewelry with collectors. This stunning design by Trifari is a delight in black and red enamel. One can almost see it walking around on a rose leaf!

No selection of garden jewelry would be complete without a butterfly pin or two. This stunning design by Kenneth Lane is fabulous with the pretty combination of clear, brown and pale blue marquis rhinestones. I can just imagine it hovering near my butterfly bush!

One of my favorite types of vintage jewelry is damascene jewelry and this cute little fly pin is a great example of bug jewelry. The pretty filigree wings give it just the right amount of detail.

All of these cute critters would be welcome in my garden as well as gracing my jewelry box!

Written by Carol Speake

Finishing Touch Vintage Jewelry on Ruby Lane