Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Gold (95)

We found this sweet pair of earrings in London, England. Rubies symbolize love and immortality. Pearls symbolize purity and harmony. What a perfect combination for these pretty earrings! They test as 10kt gold, although they are marked 375 for 9kt (this often happens in older jewelry). The hanging flower basket motif is quite charming. They contain a total of 16 rubies and 18 seed pearls. The total length is 1-7/8”, and together they weight 4.3g...

This pair of 10kt yellow gold cuff links, sporting an ivy motif, is a favorite of ours! Both because they are pretty, and because of ivy is symbolic of marriage and friendship. Sweet! The decorated ends measure ¾” x ½”, and the total weight is 3.2g. Unmarked, they test at 10k, and we believe them to be from the Victorian/Art Nouveau period. In excellent condition...

Here is a petite pin which has a water lily or lotus motif, highlighted by a tiny seed pearl. (The lotus is a symbol of enlightenment and purity, especially to Buddhists.) It is unmarked but tests as 10kt gold. It measures 1-1/8”, and weighs in at 0.04 oz. It would look lovely on a lapel or blouse. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This sweet little pin has an interestingly textured top, like stylized waves or cross hatching. It measures 7/8” x 1/8”, and weighs 1.0g. Unmarked, it tests as 14kt. Circa 1900 and in excellent condition. The photos are part of the description so please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This classic Art Nouveau stick pin is centered by a round amethyst, birthstone for February. (Back in the day, amethysts were thought to prevent inebriation, as well as being a cure for headaches – there’s a theme here!). There is a seed pearl above and one below, all mounted in a (marked and tested) 14kt “whiplash” frame (the whiplash motif was very popular with Nouveau designers). Measuring 1/2” x 2-1/4" long, it weighs 1.5g. It has an illegible maker’s mark...

Here is a fabulous and very unusual swag/festoon/garland necklace, with several amethysts and many seed pearls! The rigid cross piece has a chain running above it, through loops over 5 oval amethysts with very nice color, each set into an inverted heart-shaped framework, and separated from the next by a tiny pearl. Set below each amethyst is a seed pearl, and below the framework are draping chain garlands, the central five each having a freshwater pearl dangle...

This strikingly beautiful pin is an interesting mixture of the Art Nouveau and Victorian styles. The Victorians loved to use real insects in jewelry. This particular type was a favorite.The Nouveau jewelers loved naturalistic motifs, but generally didn’t incorporate organic substances – yet the design of the framework is very Nouveau. Marked “14k”, the pale gold setting contrasts nicely with the deep green of the beetle. The pin stem assembly is original...

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...

This classic jewel consists of a circle of gold, enameled in cobalt blue, with gold highlights. A 3-looped bow is interlaced through it, decorated with tiny seed pearls, as are the bail and dropper. There are a couple very minor flaws in the enamel - invisible without magnification. It is stamped for 15kt gold, and the gold has that lovely rich color we rarely see these days. There is a place on the back where it looks as though someone made a repair, but of course it’s not visible when worn...

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...

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. There is a very small dent on the upper right edge, but it’s ...

This is a classic “cigar band” ring from around the turn of the last century, and moving into the Edwardian era, often called a “gypsy” ring, made from richly-colored 18kt yellow gold. The center stone is a diamond, the outer two stones are rubies. It has decorative scroll work on the shoulders. The hallmarks are for Chester, England, 1903, and there is an illegible maker’s mark. It weighs 4.0g, and is approximately size 5. The shank is a little off round, and it’s possible that it w...

This beautiful and classic brooch, in the style of Lucien Gautrait, features a flower and ribbon motif, with a circle of white enamel in the center. The pearl on the dangle may be a replacement (many dangles have had to be replaced over the years). The brooch is marked with the French eagle for 18k gold and partial owl marks with “73”, indicating a piece that was imported into France post 1893 and assayed in the town of Rouen. There is also what looks like a blurry French maker’s mark, so ...

This is one of our favorite rings! An elegant and lovely ring made from unmarked but tested 18k yellow gold and a sweet purplish-pink topaz. The ring is size 8, and could be resized. The topaz is set in a modified buttercup setting, with a single golden leaf curling up to meet the stone on either side, and with delicate detail work in the gold. It is in excellent condition. Topaz is thought to be a healing and energizing stone, to bring forgiveness, and promote truth. The photos are part of th...

This elegant stickpin features a stylized flower design, based on a Japanese family crest. It is marked “k20” on the back, and tests as a very strong 20kt, so it might be finer. The flower head measures 1/2 x 7/8”, and the whole pin is 2-1/2” long. It weighs 2.4g. The pin is a little bent, not surprisingly given the high gold content (please see photos), and course that can’t be seen when it’s worn, and could easily be straightened. Otherwise in excellent condition. Circa 1900. Japan...

This pretty pendant features a large amethyst, measuring approximately 10mm across. It is set in a framework of bright gold leaves, which is very much in the Arts and Crafts style. There is another leaf on the bale, and a fringe of tiny seed pearls dangling below – so sweet! From the top of the bale to the bottom of the fringe it measures 1-1/2”, and from side to side it is 3/4” at the widest point. It is marked and tested 14k gold and weighs 1.8g. We believe it was made during the 1960s,...

This sweet pendant features a large amethyst, measuring approximately 10mm across. It is set in a framework of bright gold leaves, which is very much in the Arts and Crafts style. There is another leaf on the bale, and a fringe of tiny seed pearls dangling below – so pretty! From the top of the bale to the bottom of the fringe it measures 1-1/2”, and from side to side it is ¾” at the widest point. It is marked and tested as14k gold, and it weighs 1.8g. We believe it was made during the 1...

This pretty ring is composed of a cluster of 7 amethysts, birthstone for February (and in legend, thought to guard against poison and drunkenness) and on either side of the cluster, a bezel-set accent diamond and one tiny half seed pearl. The ring is approximately size 6.5, and would be easy to re-size. It is marked 10K and signed “ECI”. In excellent condition, with just a bit of patina. The gold is yellow, despite looking rosy in the photos. The photos are part of the description; please e...