Catalog: Estate Jewelry (157)

This pretty lavaliere is made of 10 k gold with an especially rich color. The oval gem is actually an amethyst look-alike--a garnet/glass doublet*and the dropper is a fresh water pearl. The pendant is 1 1/4" x 5/8" in size and is on a 16" gold filled chain. Circa 1900. *Check out the blog accompanying item #1416939 for more about garnet/glass doublets.

This lovely garland or festoon necklace is from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era. It is pictured in Vivienne Becker’s excellent book “Art Nouveau Jewelry” on page 185. She describes it as having “festoons of gold chain in the Edwardian manner, set with peridots, and decorated with shaded satin enamel, c. 1900.” It is unmarked, but tests as 14k gold...

This petite French lavalier measures 1-1/8” (not including the jump ring) by 11/16”. It features 3 rose cut diamonds and 3 pearls. Marked only “DEPOSE,” which translates roughly as “patented”, it tests as 18k. The stones are set in white metal, almost certainly platinum. 2.1g. We believe this used to be part of a larger piece, however, the transformation was done very skillfully, and it is in overall very good condition...

This yellow gold double-cluster ring is composed of a cluster of rubies centered by a diamond, and a cluster of pearls centered by a ruby. In the center of each is a 6-pointed star motif in gold. Pearl is the birthstone for June, ruby is the birthstone for July. The ring is hallmarked for Birmingham, England, 15 karat gold (“15ct”), a date mark for 1877, and a maker’s mark for “P&E”. Size 7-1/2. One of the pearls may be a replacement, and one pearl prong is missing...

This elegant pin was made by the very collectible Bippart, Griscomb & Osborn Co. of Newark, NJ (an important hub of Art Nouveau jewelry making c. 1900). It is centered by a turquoise cab, with two freshwater pearls on each side (4 in total), framed by a twisted ribbon of 14kt gold. It has the BG&O maker’s mark and is stamped 14kt (the marks were hard to photograph). 1-3/4” x 5/16” at the widest points, it weighs 3.2g. The photos are part of the description. Please examine them carefully...

This beautiful pendant/pin has a stylized floral motif, with enamel that shades from green to yellow, in a design reminiscent of a French fleur-de-lis. It is centered by a small diamond (approx. 5 points), surrounded by a pearl-set modified starburst which accents the enameled “petals.” In 14k rose gold, it measures 1” in diameter at the widest point. The bale folds down nicely when it’s worn as a pin...

This fascinating brooch features poppies with lovely curved flowing lines, mounted on an oval of mother-of-pearl. Poppies symbolize sleep (Dorothy in the field of poppies, on her way to Oz), rest, and eternal life. The flower is silver plate, and is somewhat worn on the high places (those bits actually serve to highlight the design). The mother of pearl is convex. It measures 1-3/4” x 1-3/8”. The pin assembly is mounted on a yellow metal plaque, and is of the old style...

This 14 k Art Nouveau watch pin features a lady in profile. Her curving, golden tresses frame her face. The pin is 1 1/2" X 1" in size. It has a old style lever safety clasp and is marked 14k. Circa 1900.

This elegant pin/pendant consists of an oval of onyx in a sterling frame. The bale tests as 14kt, the pin stem tests as 10k yellow gold In the center are inlaid gold stars, and along the periphery are inlaid flowers, most likely platinum. The frame is decorated with a silver twist, and a floral motif. It measures 1-15/16 x 1-5/8 inches, and weighs 25.9g. Circa 1880. There is some loss to a couple of the flowers, but it’s still a striking piece.

This pretty lavalier/pendant is enameled on both sides - unusual for Arts & Crafts pieces. The front has a central panel in a beautiful peacock blue, and 2 outer panels in the shape of stylized hearts, in a darker blue. The back is sky-blue (a little worn at a few of the high points). There is a freshwater pearl drop. It weighs 2.1g and measures 1-5/8” from the top of the bail to the bottom of the pearl. It comes on a sterling chain (stamped “STERLING”) which is probably modern...

This beautiful unsigned ring has been attributed to Bernard Instone, one of the well-known Arts & Crafts era jewelers, who frequently didn’t sign his pieces. He often used leaves-as-prongs for setting stones, and as was often the way in the A&C movement, he didn’t use costly stones nor gold, so he could keep his prices affordable...

A sassy dragon curled around a large amethyst-colored brilliant (yes, it’s glass) hides the hook that turns this into a watch pin. He has a dark red cabochon eye (probably also glass) and a colorless brilliant in his mouth. The pin is unmarked and is 1” by ¾” in size. The metal is vermeil (gold over silver). A round hinge and eared clasp suggest an age of late 1800s or early 1900s, but the exact age is unknown.

This pretty stickpin is made of (stamped) 14kt white gold and is set with an unidentified colorless gemstone - not diamond or one of the common substitutes for diamond. Not glass or plastic - it's a real stone. Also a real mystery. Whatever it is, it's a perfect complement to the setting. There is an illegible maker's mark. Overall length is 2 3/8" and it’s C. 1915. (Stick pins are pins similar to small dressmaker pins, except that they are longer and often have quite ornamental tops to them. ...

The typically Art Nouveau curves of this elegant lavalier are set with seed pearls to accent their lavish beauty. The lavalier holds a large central ametyst—February’s birthstone!—and has an amethyst dropper. The delicate bale is set with more pearls. The lavalier is made of 9 ct gold and is 1 1/8" by 1 1/2" plus the bale. Circa 1900. The 14 k gold 16" chain is new.

This striking white metal locket is engraved on the front in a stylized pattern. The back is plain. The inside has some scratches in the metal. The photo rings and celluloid are not present, but perhaps it was used for a lock of hair or other memento – that was a very popular tradition, back in the day. It measures 1-1/4” x 7/8" and the paperclip chain is a bit over 22". The back has a few dark marks which might clean up. Generally, a handsome Edwardian or Victorian piece. The photos are par...

This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g. In excellent condit...

This watch pin is made of marked and tested 14k gold, many seed pearls, and 2 accent diamonds. It has a leaf motif, and 2 little flowers with heart-shaped petals, and we think it’s just beautiful. It measures 1-1/8 x 1-1/4" and weighs 6.9g. One seed pearl was missing, so we had it replaced. The pin stem assembly is original. In excellent condition, and circa 1910. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! We do lay-away. Shipping, handling & insurance wi...

An antique pin with a modern vibe. This charming Arts & Crafts is made of sterling silver that has been enameled in artfully shaded blue to chartreuse to look like the wings of a stylized moth. A mother-of-pearl oval centers the body, and there is a small faceted green 'stone' (possibly glass) at the head. The pin is 1 ½ by 3/4 inches in size, not including the small spherical dropper which is enameled in a rich blue. The pin is circa 1900.