Catalog: New Century (52)

Composed of flattened, interwoven strips of sterling silver and set with an amber in a square bezel mount, this pin is a piece of quality workmanship and classic design. The back has a secure rollover clasp and bears a maker’s mark of Strazdins, attributed to Alvis Stradzins, a jeweler in Wilton, WI. The pin measures 2 1/8 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide.

A clean, spare band supports a dramatic architectural setting with scored edges, bearing a natural amethyst cut in a trapezoidal shape. The ring is in excellent condition, with no signs of wear to either the silver or the stone. The underside of the setting shows a maker’s mark of SR or STR, and the mark of Santa Fe, New Mexico, retailer Mitzi. It is also dated 1988, and indicates a design name of “Parallels.” The ring is about a size 7 ½. The stone measures nearly 1 ½ inches long by about 3/8 inch at the widest area.

Formed as a pectoral, composed of a molten and forged wire chain and a sizable pendant with three drops. The top of the pendant is set with two cabochon amethysts. The back of the pendant shows unintelligible marks in addition to what appears to be a 925 for silver content; the pendant and chain test definitively for sterling. The necklace measures 15 ½ inches long when clasped; the pendant measures 3 1/8 inches wide by 4 ¾ inches long. Gross weight: 79.3 grams

A handmade piece reminiscent of the arts and crafts movement, this ring features applied leaves and vines around a squared bezel mount. The cabochon carnelian exhibits hardly any wear; the ring’s band shows a slight line that could indicate it has been sized. The ring is a size 5. It is unmarked.

The top is formed as a folded leaf, applied to a ribbed band, enameled in blue and turquoise. The inner band is marked with the maker’s mark of Josie, along with marks for sterling and a number, possibly 10.54. There is also another mark that resembles concentric circles and that could represent a copyright mark. The leaf part of the ring measures 1 ½ inches long by about 5/8 inch at its widest area. The ring is a size 6 scant. Weight: 8.8 grams

Of leafy abstract design, outlined in sterling silver, enameled in purple, yellow and blue, with a plain sterling silver band. The inner band bears the maker’s mark of Josie, along with marks for sterling and a number, possibly 10.54. There is also another mark that resembles concentric circles and that could represent a copyright mark. The top of the ring measures 1 1/8 inches long by 7/8 inch wide; the ring is a size 4 ½. Weight: 5.4 grams

A colorful, bold link bracelet of sterling silver and scarabs of carnelian, rock crystal, agate, amethyst and rose quartz. The stones are bezel-mounted on openwork panels, and the panels are connected by double ribbons of silver with applied curling motifs. The bracelet is handmade and is marked sterling, with an unidentified maker’s mark of Denise; it probably is from the 1980s. It measures 7 ¼ inches long by 7/8 inch wide.

A sturdy, handmade bracelet composed of four solid sterling silver rods connected by double rings. A large, hand-wrought S-hook serves as a very secure clasp. The bracelet has a 925 mark for sterling and an obscured maker’s mark. It measures a little over 8 ½ inches long. Weight: 61 grams

This handsome modernist style sterling silver ring features a dome with an open, ribbed patterns that run both the width and length. It is marked sterling with the maker’s initials of JAD. The dome rises about 1/2 inch from the finger. The ring is sized about 4 1/4. Weight: 7.2 grams

This little fellow is composed of oxidized and hammered sterling silver with applied silver wire around the rim. His eye is a dark cobalt blue half-bead, probably lapis. The pin is secured by a sturdy, handmade modified C-clasp and pin stem. The back is hand-engraved with 925 for silver content and what appears to be a maker’s mark or initials. The pin measures 1 ¾ inches long by ¾ inches high. Gross weight: 4 grams

Decorated with applied abstract elements depicting a plant under the sun and clouds, on a textured surface. The clip has retained its flexibility and shows no metal stress. The back is discolored from old adhesives that have been cleaned off. The back is marked sterling with a capital B, probably a maker’s mark; the work may be Native American. The clip measures 7/8 inch long by ¾ inch wide. Weight: 13.4 grams

A whimsical openwork pin formed as a running stylized reindeer. The back bears the mark of Navajo silversmith Joe Delgarito, of Sedona, Arizona. It has a secure rollover clasp and measures 2 ¾ inches long by just under 3 inches high, measured at the antlers. Weight: 11.2 grams

This ring has a commanding look and is cast with an organic, seaweed-like embossed top design enhanced with oxidation. The ring has a warm patina with light tarnish and is marked 925 for silver content on the outside of the band. It is a size 9 ½. Weight: 14.4 grams

A handmade studio piece with a rectangular top mounted with a lavender stone that tests as tanzanite or chalcedony. The work has a roughness to it, but the ring is sturdy and the stone is very secure. The ring is unmarked, but tests definitively as sterling silver. The top of the ring measures 1 1/8 inches long by 5/8 inch wide. It is a size 5 1/2.

This sterling silver bangle, made of one continuous piece, is completely hand-hammered, with an interesting concave design. It is marked sterling and with an interlocking, angular ‘KG’ to indicate the unidentified maker. The bracelet is very sturdy, which comes from the hammering process, but is flexible enough to slide onto the wrist. The terminals each measure 3/4 inch from top to bottom. The concave side measures a little over 1/2 inch in width. The bracelet measures a little over 5 1/2 inches from one end to the other, with an additional 1-inch opening. Weight: 15.3 grams

These handmade sterling silver earrings have a quirky all-over pierced design resembling antennae. The piercings decorate curled triangular elements that are secured by clip backs. The backs of the earrings are impressed ‘sterling,’ next to which the jeweler has engraved his own name, T. Ward, in capital letters. Each earring measures almost 1 ¼ inches long by 1 inch wide; one clip appears to have been applied crookedly, but it doesn’t affect the position on the ear. Weight: 8.5 grams total