The term "pique" comes from the French word "piquer" (to prick) and describes a method of inlaying gold or silver onto tortoiseshell. The craft was discovered and perfected in the 17th century by the French Huguenots. The Huguenots later taught the craft to English jewelry artisans. These classical pique earrings with their Greek key design, are a perfect example of the sophistication, polish, depth and natural beauty of pique jewelry...

We love this Antique 15k diamond, sapphire, ruby & pearl ring, circa 1910, for its strong combination of shapes and colors as well as its dynamic symmetry. The ring sits on the diagonal, in contrast to the more common linear arrangement. Studded with old mine cut diamonds, a sapphire and a ruby, the pearl provides balance to the strong color and rough texture of the gemstones...

Striking Victorian banded agate earrings set in 15K gold. The brown and black tones make them wearable with any color. The earrings measure 1" in diameter and date to 1890.

Our marquis shaped 18K ring, carved in the shape of the pointed oval and emblematic of the gothic arch, has twelve old-cut rubies and a central cabochon opal accented with rose diamonds. The ring is a "marquis within a marquis" in the way the rubies form the outside border of another border of gold trim, which forms a marquis shape that encloses the cabochon opal and accent diamonds...

Original eighteenth century Chelsea Seal in the form of a grotesque figure of a black masked man with 3 cornered ("tri-corn") hat. The tri-cornered hat was a popular hat worn in the 18th century by both aristocracy and commoners, as it was designed to better reveal one's highly fashionable wig. Our male figure is in black breeches, standing on a white base with the motto "Tou jour gay" ("always happy")...

Fantastic Whitby jet earrings in the form of concentric circles, a classic geometric shape that we love. The material is made of Whitby Jet, a form of fossilized coal that came from the coal mines of Whitby England in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jet was especially popular during Victorian times because it was acceptable as a form of mourning jewelry...

Fabulous emerald lizard form brooch! Comprised of of emerald green pastes and set in silver, this is a perfectly proportioned lizard with distinctive silver hands and toes. The lizard's red paste eyes are a perfect compliment to the green paste. Paste was a type of leaded glass formulated in the 18th century...

Lovely sapphire ring with three large sapphires and four small diamonds, a variation of the classic five stone half hoop diamond ring (the each pair of small diamonds read as one larger diamond). Five stone rings were crafted to show emphasis on the gemstones. The ring is set with the gemstones "a jour", or "open to the day" and can thus be worn for everyday wear and can be exposed to moisture within concern. The ring is a size 5 1/2.

his is an original nineteenth century sterling watch chain with a substantial square shaped link called a Venetian or box link. Closeup photos reveal the interesting interlocking pattern of the links. A great deal of ingenuity went into making chains, and there is nothing like an original long Victorian watch chain that has never been chopped up into shorter chains, but retains its original length. If you favor chains that are fabricated by hand, this chain is a real find...

Fabulous chunky 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring hallmarked London, 1919. Unusual knot ring with three gold diamond-shaped squares superimposed along the knot band and table-cut diamonds embedded securely within the incised stars on each square. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is almost as beautiful as the front. The ring is a US size 8 and can be sized.

Georgian chased fob of 15K in the shape of a stirrup cup with a chased built in bale for hanging from your favorite pendant. The fob is filled with clear unadorned citrine. With the gold-work chased on every surface, this is a fob to behold. A nice hefty size, this Georgian fob is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite gold chain.

Translated as "pierce" in French, the word pique describes a classically Victorian type of jewelry made by heating tortoiseshell and piercing it with gold and silver inlays to create beautiful geometric or floral patterns. This describes the beautiful art of pique jewelry, made from the upper shell and lower belly of the hawksbill turtle and considered the highest quality of turtle shell and used for the production of beautiful boxes, objet, hair ornaments, and in the nineteenth century, jewelry...

Classic Victorian era pleasing large size round monogramed signet ring with an old english monogram carved in a carnelian hard stone with carved scrolls set into the 15K band. The ring is shown with an assortment of other signet rings in a similar shape. We think it looks terrific with others, or alone. The ring is .6 of an inch wide and .5 inches tall (15 mm wide and 12+ mm tall) and is a US size 10 and size-able.

A stylish antique Edwardian swag and drop festooned necklace in 14Kt. yellow gold, set with two round amber colored citrines, each accented with a freshwater pearl, that suspend from three swags a large central cushion-cut oval citrine center pendant, from which dangle an array of five individual freshwater pearls. Circa 1910. Length: 17 inches. Total weight: 7.4 grams/4.7 pennyweight. Unmarked but tests 14Kt.

Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles, a great gift for that special French Cuff Guy. Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles. Eagles are often scene in mythological scenes w Zeus, the King of the gods, as a symbol of his strength and power. The cufflinks are hallmarked w the initials FC, referring to Frederick Courthope, a master goldsmith who worked in the Arts and Crafts tradition...

Dainty Georgian pansy pin set with amethysts and citrines in 18K gold. Pansy pins were often given as a gift from a loved as the sound of the word pansy was similar to the French "pense", meaning "think, remember me". Time to continue the tradition.

Double portrait cameo ring in sardonyx, a variety of onyx and from the chalcedony family of stones, with the profiles of Venus and Mars overlaid in a pleasing contrast and further set on a carved rectangular stone in a 9K cigar band. Mars is shown in black at the foreground with his warrior attributes (helmet and armour) while Venus is portrayed in the background in white. We love the way each is carved from the same piece of stone then further mounted on another piece of stone...

This wonderful 18K Scottish fob features an imposing tower, the symbol for the Mason family crest. The fob is carved with a motto which reads "Demeure Par La Verite" and translates to "Keep Fast By the Truth". Keep fast by the truth is rooted in the bible: from the Gospel of John, it means remain faithful to the word of God and one will be rewarded with a fruitful life. Our fob is 1.5" tall and just shy of 1.5" wide...

We love baby rings, worn around the knuckle or worn clipped to a large split ring and worn around a chain, or simply collected in honor of a new baby...

At 65 inches, this is an Niello chain with alternating gold and silver loops in its original length and is a classic loop-in-loop design dating from ancient times, in which the individual loops are soldered before assembly. With alternating rose gold and niello patterned links and the large size of the links, the chain has a modern, almost sepia toned look that we love. Niello refers to an ancient technique of decorating silver which was revived in the 19th century and adopted by English jewe...

Victorian Forget Me Not ring 15K set with six turquoise stones in a radial pattern, 3 supporting turquoises on each side and a diamond at center. The flower literally means “Forget me not” and the small rose diamond in the centre signifies eternal love. The band is ornately carved to enhance the delicacy of the ring. The ring no longer has hair behind crystal back but few examples have survived with this intact. The ring dates to C1880 and is a size 8.

Beautifully miniature hand painted rectangular signet ring of the tree of life. The tree of life has its origins in both Judaism and Christianity, it is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, and symbolizes connection to the larger world, the earth and the sky. This ring is 17x 11.4mm and sits about 3.6 mm off the finger. It is 5/8 long and almost ½ inch wide. The size is 6.25 US. The Weight is 3.0 Grams.

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features a nun with her gilded black cape holding a staff and reading from a book. The seal reads in red letters, "Amour Spirituel", ("Spiritual Love"). The black cape with gold edging is in particularly fine condition. Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler, with Nicholas Sprimont, a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1743...

18K gold chased ring in the form of a buckle. Buckle rings were popular in Victorian England as the Queen wore her order of the garter on her finger. The maker of the ring was William Bullock (WB is the maker's mark). The ring is a US size 6 and .38 inches wide and weighs 6.4 grams. It should not be sized or you will destroy the chased and engraved wide gold band.

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. This seal features Cupid, quiver slung over his shoulder, standing by an altar sacrificing a heart and reads, Je Vous L'offre, "I offer it (my heart) to you". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1743. This is an original seal from the era in which Gouyn was manager of the Chelsea F...

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features Cupid holding a spy-glass to his right eye, his left hand on a globe a quiver slung behind him, concave bottom. It reads in crisp read letters, "'ouvrage pour autrui", "work for others". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont ...

This is an original nineteenth century sterling watch chain with a round interlocking link. Close-up photos reveal the interlocking nature of the links. A great deal of ingenuity went into making chains, and there is nothing like an original long Victorian watch chain that retains its original length. Watch chains of the nineteenth century served the function of allowing the watch to be retrieved from the pocket without losing grasp of the watch itself. If you favor chains that are fu...

Sterling silver 62 inch hand forged watch chain with an unusual S shaped spiral link that mimics the neoclassical ornamental ironwork designs of the 19th century. The hand forged links are repeated all around the chain. This chain is completely made up of these neoclassical style links. It has a round bolt clip from which you can add a pendant. It can be worn with a suit or a tee shirt and will look terrific with either.

15K gold fede or love ring with two hands coming together to enclose a gold heart with a single rose-cut diamond embedded in a carved star at the center. The word "fede" means faith. The clasped hands motif has been used since Roman times. The ring is US size 8.25.

Exquisite Victorian silver bangle bracelet enhanced with a raised floral motif in two color gold. This unusual and striking cuff can be worn alone or joined with other gold or silver bangles. The bracelet measures 1 1/2" wide and its interior measurements are 1 15/16 by 2 1/4. It has hallmarks for Birmingham 1885.

Charming Victorian turquoise drop earrings set in silver, with daisy form tops and bow bottoms, circa 1880. The earrings are attached to gold shepherds hooks and are 1.4 inches long. Turquoise were considered sentimental love jewelry and the Victorians, ever the romantics, associated turquoise with happiness in life.

Elegant five stone sapphire and diamond band ring shown with one of our gold Mitzvah bands. With its slender profile, this makes a wonderful ring stack. Stack 2, 3 or 4 other rings and you have a terrific look. This ring was made in the 1910's in the Victorian style. Shown in one photo with our Mizpah ring and in another photo, our diamond gypsy ring, available on First Dibs and Trocadero.

HM 1905 18K Diamond Knot Ring. Antique 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring hallmarked for Birmingham, 1905. Lover's knots were a Victorian motif that continued in popularity through WWI. Our lover's knot ring has three old mine cut diamonds embedded securely within incised stars set in gold squares. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is as beautiful as the front. The ring can be sized and is a US size 9.

9K Turquoise and pearl pendant with integrated matching turquoise studded large bale and original crystal on a 9K gold back. The turquoise stones and natural pearls have managed to avoid the fate of so much Victorian jewelry, stone discoloration. The pairing of the two types of stones is typical of mid Victorian sentimental jewelry. Small pendants like this one were popular in the early 19th century as sentimental friendship jewelry, to be exchanged among family and friends as tokens of affectio...

The dove of peace soars through the skies. Made of pique, tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, this charming brooch can rest on your shoulder or perch on your lapel.

Our star stamped chain link bracelet is made up of two strands of 9 carat gold chains set parallel to each other and soldered together in at three places along the length of the bracelet, which gives it movement. The bracelet has small round links each of which are stamped with little stars. The back of the bracelet is identical to the front, also stamped with stars on each round link. The double strands terminate at both ends in a square prism set on the angle of a diamond, with the square pris...