Catalog (525)

This impressive cuff bracelet has a Mexican feel, but is marked only for silver content and the mark includes “Silver,” which could indicate an Asian origin. The design features a recessed and oxidized linear motif with raised dots, and sits comfortably on a wrist measuring 6 ½ inches around the wristbone. The bracelet measures 1 3/8 in. wide, with a 7 ½-inch internal circumference, and a 1-inch separation at the terminals. Weight: 11 grams

This sterling silver pendant features a textured surface and is in the shape of an Asian-like symbol. It is marked 925 on the back, along with an unidentified mark. It measures 3 3/8 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide. Weight: 43.7 grams

The tiny, engraved diamond and cross motif gives this bracelet a rich yet delicate look. The 14kt gold surface exhibits no wear and is enhanced by undecorated sterling bands at the hinge and terminals. The hinge is spring-loaded, and snaps securely back into place; there is a hinged safety catch for extra security. The bangle dates 1950s or 1960s, and is marked 925+1/2014KAU, indicating the industry standard for gold-filled jewelry of 1/20 gold content over sterling silver. It has an internal diameter of 2 3/8 inches. Weight: 21 grams

This bracelet's design is whimsical and marches to its own drummer, but is spot-on in how it is constructed for balance and comfort. The outer surface sports applied silver vine-like curls flanking a central garnet cabochon in an elevated bezel mount. The irregular-shaped terminals complete the quirky, expressionist influence exhibited in this very unusual bracelet. It is unmarked but tests definitively for silver. The band measures 1/2 inch wide; the inside diameter measures 2 1/2 inches across and the inner circumference, about 7 inches. Gross weight: 32.3 grams

Here is a hand-constructed cuff bracelet made of multiple wires that are joined at the terminals and kept in place by horizontal rings. The wires look to be silverplated; the rings and soldered terminals are white metal. The cuff has a good heft (56 grams) and an impressive look. It is also well balanced, so doesn't turn on the wrist. It measures a little over 1 inch wide and 5/8 inch high with an inner circumference of about 7 ¼ inches.

A whimsical and colorful sterling silver pin is formed as a bird with a sharp, upturned beak and fan-like tail. The enameled areas are well defined and retain their polished surface. The rollover clasp is very secure and the pin is marked Peru and sterling on the back. It measures approximately 1 7/8 inches across by 1 1/4 inches high. Weight: 10 grams

This openwork, rectangular ring of organic form is set with a highly polished chrysoprase bead. It is unmarked, but is clearly the work of a studio jeweler. It tests as silver, and has a rough, unfinished feel but is well constructed. The setting measures about 1 inch by 5/8 inch; the ring is sized at about a 6 1/4. Gross weightL 12 grams

This pin has heft and presence, with a compelling design by Uni David-Andersen for the David-Andersen workshop. It resembles lattice work in its construction, but the irregular lengths of the ribs give it a primitive feel. The pin has a secure roll-over clasp and measures 2 inches long by 5/8 inches wide. Weight: 9 grams

This ring features an organic design of a textured, ribbon-like setting enclosing an untreated, polished piece of amethyst in lovely condition. The design is naturalistic, evoking a thick, curling vine with a texture like bark. The ring is marked ST925 inside the band, which is often seen on jewelry produced by Israeli designers. It is sized The impressive setting measures approximately 1 1/2 inches long by 1/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch high. The ring is sized at a 6 1/2 scant. Gross weight: 11 grams

Bold and colorful, this bracelet of five different agates alternating with sterling silver bars is a classic and sophisticated look. The oval stones are beautifully polished and seamlessly set in rounded, backed frames; they show no condition issues. Each connecting ring is soldered closed and the clasp is very secure; there are also rings for attaching a safety chain if desired. The bracelet is surprisingly light, probably because of the hollow cast bars, which means it sits comfortably on the wrist and exerts less stress on the clasp. The back of one oval setting exhibits an unidentified maker's mark as well as marks for Mexican sterling silver. The bracelet measures 7 ¾ inches long by 1 ½ inches wide. Gross weight: 56 grams

Here is a well-made and nicely conceived silver pin by an unknown studio jeweler. The triangular base is impressed with a geometric pattern enhanced by oxidized surfaces of various metallic shades. A convex silver disk is mounted on the panel at a jaunty angle for contrast. The pin has a commercial rollover clasp in good working order. The back bears no mark except for a K in a triangle, most likely a maker's mark. It measures just under 2 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches high by 1/4 inch deep. Weight: 15 grams

This dramatic choker necklace of sterling silver and applied copper has a Southwest feel, combining both Mexican and Native American design elements. The individual angular panels feature applied wires formed as spirals with silver beads at the end; the dangling curved panels bear applied fan-like copper designs. The necklace is completely handmade, down to the bands connecting each panel and the rings that suspend each pendant. The surfaces are highly oxidized, and the degree of cleaning will depend on the aesthetics preferred by the new owner. Regardless, it's truly a piece of wearable art and few of its kind probably exist. Dating could be anywhere from the 1930s to the early 1950s, and it is marked only sterling on the back of one pendant. The necklace has a total length of approximately 16 1/4 inches; the width is about 3/4 inch. Weight: 59.4 grams

This sterling silver belt buckle by renown modernist Ed Wiener exhibits a strong, clean design, crisply forged with a smooth panel of ebony set within a partial applied frame. The back has a well-soldered rectangular loop and prong with no signs of repair; it bears Ed Wiener's mark and the mark for sterling. There is a nicely aged patina, with random spots of oxidation, and a roughly half-inch shallow incision of unknown origin on the surface (best seen in first and last photos). The ebony is in lovely condition, and exhibits tiny white spots, again of unknown composition. The buckle measures 2 ¼ inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide. Gross weight: 3.5 grams

This bracelet is quirky and fun -- and you'll probably never see another quite like it! It's composed of five rectangular silver plaques, each fused with a layer of brass. The quirky part is three silver and brass protrusions of varying heights whimsically applied to each panel, the highest one rising about 1/2 inch from the surface. The hook clasp and connecting bars are hand wrought, leaving the hammer marks and imprecise shapes for a lovingly homemade look. Dating is a bit iffy, but it's probably from the 1980s-1990s, based on style and patina. It's unsigned but the forged bars test as silver. The bracelet measures 7 3/8 inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide. Gross weight: 65 grams

Cast as a lion's head and upper body, this ring is especially compelling for its intricate detail. The lion's mane continues from the head down to the ring's shoulder, and the tail rises from the band on the opposite side. It shows hardly any wear; the patina on the lower band suggests there is some age to the ring. The ring is unmarked and is sized to 6 ½; the lion's head measures about ¾ inch wide and ½ inch high. Weight: 9.5 grams

These cuff links exhibit both a sturdy look and construction. They were probably produced for the tourist trade by different silversmiths in the same workshop, as each is slightly different from the other, mostly in the fins. The backs of one linked pair indicates the maker M. Velazquez; all are marked Sterling/Made in Mexico in the pre-1950s style. The back rings connect to short bridge chains; one rings is slightly bent but there is no damage or metal stress. Each fish button measures 3/4 inch by 5/8 inch. Weight: 12.8 grams total

This silver pin evokes the late Arts and Crafts era with its hammered-look surface and serpentine vines, though it is definitely later. The applied coral-colored glass bead centers offer a nice splash of color. The hooded clasp completes the artisan look. The piece was probably made during the late 1950s-1960s to imitate the popular Scandinavian aesthetic of the time. It tests for silver, but not definitively for sterling, so could be European in origin. It is unmarked. The pin measures 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Gross weight: 18.2 grams

These mid-century earrings are composed of rectangular and concave gilded sterling silver plaques enameled in a deep blue with a linear design under the glaze. The blue shows much brighter than in the images and more of a contrast with the two raised ridges of gilded sterling that decorate the center. They are secured by screw backs in good working order, and are signed Balle 925 for Øystein Balle of Norway. They measure 1 inch long by 3/4 inch wide. Weight: 10.1 grams