Catalog: Estate Jewelry (157)

This charming ring was made from 10kt (marked and tested) yellow gold, with a marquise or navette-shaped ruby flanked by two tiny accent diamonds. (Ruby is the birthstone for July, and is a symbol of devotion, love, and immortality – so lovely!) It also has a maker’s mark, which is either “QI” or “OJ”. The 2 diamonds are set in white metal – it’s not possible to tell whether it is silver or platinum. It’s size six and could be re-sized...

Here is a lovely antique ring in unmarked but tested 18kt rose gold. The center stone is a ruby cut in an old style, but in really excellent condition. (It’s possible that it’s a replacement stone.) It is surrounded by 8 rose cut and more randomly-cut diamonds which are definitely original, and which might be foiled, but in any case are in a closed-back setting. Typically for the period, a couple of them are chipped or have feathers (inclusions). The ring is a size 8-1/4, and could be sized...

This beautifully detailed sash buckle was designed for Tiffany by the well-known and highly collectible George Shiebler. The marks are: “Tiffany & Co,” the winged S for Shiebler, “Sterling,” and “4758” (we’re not sure what that means). It is 3” x 2”, with a slight curve to it, and weighs 42.2g/1.49oz. Decorated with a floral motif, it’s a classic beauty. Geo. W. Shiebler & Co. was in business under that name from 1876 until almost 1915...

Charles Horner was a major maker of Arts & Craft enamel pieces. This necklace is simple, with its shaded green and blue enamel and pleasingly elegant sterling silver frame. It is signed Charles Horner and is on a 14" chain. The hallmarks indicate it is sterling and was made in Chester in 1912-3. The enamel pendant is 3/4 X 1".

Recycling isn't a new idea! This charming pin was made with an Art Nouveau era button. The detail of the lady, the flowers, and the bow is wonderful. The pin is 1" X 1/2"; the button is 1/2" in diameter. Circa 1900.

This interesting fob is the setting for a sterling coin. It is a Prussian 2 Mark coin. On one side is the face of Friedrich (presumably) and his wife, a Maltese cross, and the words “FRIEDRICH * I * 1701 * WILHELM * II * 1901”; on the other side is an eagle with a crown above, and “DEUTSCHES REICH 1901 ZWEI MARK”. The rest is white metal. The swivel clasp has a mark, which looks like a plow. We haven’t been able to track it down...

This mixed-metal sash buckle’s design is composed of swirling flowers, leaves, and a bud. The silver plate shows some wear - yellow metal shows through at some of the high points. We believe the gold to be about 9kt, and it’s some type of plating. The buckle measures 3 x 2-1/2" and weighs in 47.5 grams. Unmarked...

The Green man is an ancient symbol of nature, rebirth, spring, etc. These earrings are a vintage homage to the ancient legends, for someone who appreciates the unusual. Each earring is ~1" by 1". The age is unknown, probably 1940-50s.

This very Victorian grooming chatelaine is from the 1800s. It has a Chinese fish motif at the top, and dangling from that are 3 implements: a tweezers, one for cleaning nails, and an ear-cleaning device. (We saw a similar chatelaine on eBay, and the ear-cleaning implement was advertised as a device for opium users, but we don’t think so! However, as non-opium users, we could be wrong ….) It is unmarked but tests positive for silver, and with a patina consistent with age...

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 beautiful pair of scarab design cufflinks is marked for Unger Bros, a well-known turn-of-the-century American jewelry maker. Each beetle or scarab is 1/2" by 13/16". They are made of sterling silver. Circa 1900-1905.

This pretty pin is marked and tested as sterling silver. It features 5 rhinestones, and measures 1-3/4” x 1/2". It weighs 4.4g, and is in excellent condition. We believe it is from the 1970s, but it could be 80s. It would be great for wearing at a historical reenactment event! The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This serene lady is shown with lotuses or water lilies in her hair...

Also an embarrassment, since two gemologists can't determine what the stone or the metal might be. However, this is a very beautiful Egyptian Revival piece which ought to be vintage (or even antique) The enigmatic yellow stone does not appear to be glass and the metal tests as 10 k gold, but by this time uncertainty rules! The pin is 2 5/8" overall, and the decorative head is 7/8", so it's large enough to make a statement on your lapel. We think it's circa 1900, but are not sure...

A pretty necklace to liven any outfit! The bright turquoise in this lovely lavalier would be a bright accent for any outfit. The turquoise is an oval cabochon, and it is surrounded by gold 'ribbons' set with seed pearls. The use of 9 ct gold suggests an English origin but it is not hallmarked. It is is signed with the maker's mark SB & SLD in rounded rectangular lozenges. The lavalier comes with a 16" gold filled chain and is 1 1/4" X 1". Circa 1900.

This pretty pin is in the style of Murrle, Bennett and Archibald Knox. The design is that of a heart interlaced with a navette-shaped frame (this interlace-type motif is also called “entrelac”). It is centered by an oval turquoise, and has a safety chain – always useful! Unsigned, and marked 9ct. It measures 1-1/2 x 3/4", and weighs 2.6g. The gold has a nice patina, and it is in excellent antique condition. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully....

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 is a pretty and unique necklace, a book chain linked to a beautiful Art Nouveau locket by two large spring rings. One fastens the locket to four book chain links, the second links thems to the chain proper. The spring rings make it possible to separate the elements and reassemble the piece in a different order, or with other element. The 16" chain is made up of rectangular (5/16" by 3/16") ‘books’ imprinted on both sides with the same design of two squares. The front of the repou...