Catalog: Estate Jewelry (157)

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...

This is one of our very favorite pieces: a striking Jugendstil (Germany and Austria’s Arts & Crafts) pendant which is enameled in white and purple. It is made from 900 silver (a bit less fine than sterling), and centered by a lovely oval amethyst which is flanked above and below by tiny seed pearls. There is a pearl dangle (which we added, as the original was missing) below an arc of milgrained metal. It measures 1-1/2” x 7/8” and weighs 4.7g...

We believe this lovely (unmarked but tested) 10kt gold jewel is from a time when cannetille work was the vogue because gold was scarce: very fine gold wires twisted into thin strands and then formed into rosettes and other shapes. The amethyst is a delicate shade of purple, and weighs approximately 2.5 carats – it’s very deep. (Amethysts are said to bring calm, and help banish headaches.) The whole lavalier, including the bale, measures 1-1/2 x 9/16”...

This pretty navette-shaped pin is from the Arts & Crafts era. It measures 2-1/8 x 7/16”. It has a leaf and berry motif, centered by a deep purple amethyst. (Amethysts are thought to bring calmness and clarity to the mind.) It is marked STERLING, and the pin-stem assembly is original. The silver has a nice patina. In excellent condition, and circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! We do lay-away...

This beautiful old miniature depicts a lovely lady, hand painted, in an asymmetrical frame set with seed pearls. It is a watch pin, meaning that there is a hook on the back (invisible from the front) for hanging a dainty watch or some other dangle – or not, if you don’t wish it. It measures 1-3/8 x 1-1/4”. It is unmarked, but has a French/Art Nouveau flavor, and tests 90-100% silver...

This fascinating reliquary locket depicts a saint, probably St. Peter, holding a key (to the church? Or perhaps to heaven?), with a dove in the background. On the other side is a photograph of an ecclesiastical-looking person. It contains a touched relic (a bit of ribbon which has been touched to a saint’s bone or something worn by a saint); a tiny metal medal with Mary on one side, saying "Mary conceived without sin” and more Christian imagery on the other; and a wisp of cotton...

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.

These beautiful sterling silver cufflinks are marked for Unger Bros and sterling. The flower-patterned ovals are linked by chain and are the epitome of Art Nouveau. One oval, darn it, is a plain replacement. Each oval is 7/8" x 3/4". Circa 1910.

This fabulous Art Nouveau/ Edwardian necklace would be perfect for a bride … or anyone, really, at any time! The “wow” factor is huge! It measures 1-1/4” at the widest point, and from the top-most diamond to the bottom of the dropper it is 2-1/4”. The dropper is a river or “dogtooth” pearl, 11/16” long, which has a collar of gold around it, set with 3 Old European cut diamonds, and swirls of gold holding 4 more little pearls...

This is an amazingly modern-looking Art Nouveau necklace. A total of seven garnets, two round, two oval, two square, and one teardrop, are mounted in 14 k gold. The square and teardrop garnets depend from the round stones and add movement to the design. The central dropper is studded with tiny seed pearls. The necklace is 15”long and the piece is unmarked. It dates from 1900-1920 and is a true antique beauty.

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.

A very lovely Art Nouveau lavalier of 14k gold. The green stone is actually a garnet-glass doublet, and the graceful golden swirls are set with seed pearls. /the lavalier is 1 1/4" by 1" and it comes with a 16 1/2" chain (gold filled).

This charming watch pin is a lovely example of Art Nouveau design. A central amethyst is flanked by seed pearls, all set in 14 k gold. The pin is 3/4 X 3/4" and carries the maker's mark L B A. Circa 1900.

This Art Nouveau stickpin is both simple and simply attractive. It dates from about 1900. The artful knot of 14 k gold holds a small pearl. The pin is ~3" long, and it comes with a clutch to prevent accidental stabbings. ☺

These fun collar tips feature an Art Nouveau-style design of a lady (or possibly a fairy?) in profile with flowers in her hair. She looks very serene. They are silver plated, and the mounts are made out of white metal. They are in good used condition, and we believe they’re vintage. Measuring 1-3/8” x 1-1/8”, they weigh 18.5g. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This pretty pin features an oval purple cabochon, possibly amethyst, possibly glass (it’s hard to get a reading on this stone), centered between two hammered silver leaves (very A&C in style), all in a very Art Nouveau framework. Marked “DEPOS” (probably meant to be “DEPOSE”, which translates roughly as “patented”), it is probably from Germany. There are two illegible marks, one on the C-clasp, and one on the back. It tests as silver, measures 1-3/4” x 3/4", and weighs 4.4 g...

This striking lavalier is centered by a light purple amethyst (traditionally good for maintaining clarity of mind), framed by rose gold panels which are a mix of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts in style. It has a pearl dangle with good luster, which is interestingly off-round. Measuring 1-5/8” including the pearl but not the jump ring, by 7/8”. The amethyst measures 3/8” x ¼”. It is marked “9ct” but tests as 10k (this is not unusual)...

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.