There are many reasons for buying Antique and Vintage Jewelry pieces. You may want a piece by a classic designer, or something that reminds you of the past. Maybe a brooch like that one that Grandma used to wear. Perhaps you are attracted to a look of bygone days that is just no longer made, or fall in love with the quality of a handmade piece from the past.

Offering up a Third "chapter" in my series for the cameo buffs out there ;) Today I'd like to discuss some truly Valuable information... especially when looking to purchase Antique and vintage cameo gems online~ How to spot a fake! It can be Extremely difficult to learn this and it's immensely important when you collect not only for pleasure, but for investment as well.

It’s official; my youngest son is a high school senior! It seems like just yesterday he started school and I’ll bet many moms can relate to this sentiment! Time surely does fly!

Carving in the manufacture of jewelry has been done for centuries. Who can resist the beauty of a stunningly carved shell cameo, or the beauty of a carved ivory item? The process is painstaking and gives layers of color and depth of detail to the finished product.

In May, I wrote about Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection. Recall that shortly after her death this past March, Christie’s auction house announced that it would be selling Elizabeth’s fabulous jewelry collection. At that time, a date had not yet been set for the sale, but I guessed it would be this past June 14th at Christie’s “important jewels” sale in New York City. I was wrong!

At some point after my mother passed away I had a diamond from her engagement ring reset into a more modern, chanel-set style for myself. I wore it daily.

Black jewelry is very popular. In antique jewelry, jet is the most well known black jewelry, but in modern times, there are other stones which take center stage. The one most people have heard about is called hematite.

This morning I had a chat with Mike whose family owns a jewelry distribution warehouse. Closed in the early 70s, they’ve received no inventory for 40 years, but have thousands of new old stock pieces. He has had Miriam Haskell, ART, Juliana, Karu-Arke, Florenza, Coro, and many more signed and unsigned beauties. This morning we were discussing a lovely Jonathan Bailey for Trifari bracelet—new, with original hang tag—a rare find for sure.