Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Gold (95)

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...

This lovely bar pin is Victorian in age and is made of 15 ct gold. It is an Etruscan Revival design with the central motif of an anchor. The pin is 1 1/2" in length by 3/8" wide. Circa 1860-90.

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 pretty pin combines the styles of Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewelry. We are attributing it to Whiteside & Blank, although it’s unsigned (not unusual for the time), since it’s remarkably similar to another piece by them. The pin consists of a gold framework enameled in very pale green – almost white - in a formal Edwardian key pattern. In the middle is a sprig of gold leaves with a pearl berry; the stem twines around the framework...

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 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 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...

This is one of our very favorite rings. It would make a lovely engagement ring for a woman who wants something a bit different, and the green & red stones make it great for St. Patrick’s, Christmas, or really any time at all! The central diamond is approximately 20 points (1/5 of a carat, but looks bigger), and is set in platinum. The rest of the setting is made of unmarked but tested 14k gold of a lovely rich yellow. There are 4 tiny rubies and 3 tiny green demantoid garnets...

The Edwardian fashion for white metal and pale colors is perfectly represented in this lovely bar pin. The white gold is marked and tests 9 k. The pin is 2" long, and is centered with a ½" diamond-shaped, faceted amethyst of lovely color. It dates from the early 20th century.

This pretty ring consists of a flower made of six pearl “petals” (one of which is a replacement), centered by a tiny rose cut diamond. There is a compartment underneath, perhaps for storing a lock of hair, but no glass. The ring tests as a very strong 14kt, so it is probably 15kt (and therefore English). Cobalt blue enamel decorates the shoulders, which we’ve had touched up – this ring was obviously very well loved, and it’s still beautiful! Size 6. Early Victorian or late Georgian...

This pin is unusual due to its length: it measures 2-1/4” x ½”. The fancy engraving is enhanced with black enamel, and the pin is centered by a faux pearl. The central element makes us think of a gear – this would be great to wear to a Steampunk event, or any event with a Victorian theme! It shows a little wear, but it’s still very pretty. The clasp might be a replacement. If so, it’s an old repair. The photos are part of the description. Please examine them carefully...

This is one of our very favorite lavaliers! It is quintessential Art Nouveau. It depicts a flower with an amethyst at its center, with the classic whiplash motif. The central amethyst weighs approximately 1/2 carat, and it’s accented by 28 seed pearls. Feng Shui practitioners believe amethysts aid in purification, and give access to a higher plane of energy. It tests as 14k, and the gold is that lovely subtle old gold color. It weighs 3.3g and measures 1” x 1” at the widest points. Chain ...

This graceful pin is from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era. The round peridot is framed by an oval of seed pearls, between delicate arabesques of gold set with more seed pearls, for a total of 30 (2 are replacements). Stamped 14k on the back, with an illegible maker’s mark, it measures 1-½” x 7/16" and weighs 2.0g. The peridot is slightly scratched, and the safety is a little loose and fussy, but in overall very good antique condition and with a nice patina. Circa 1910. Brought to Europe by th...

This stickpin features a burnt orange or caramel-colored oval carnelian – yummy!. It is set in (stamped) 10kt gold and surrounded by an oval gold frame set with 4 seed pearls. The setting measures 13/16” x 1/2", and the whole thing is 2-3/8" long. Circa 1915. The pin has a little bit of a bend toward the top, typical of gold stick pins and not visible when it’s worn, of course. Otherwise in excellent antique condition. The photos are part of the description. Please look at them carefully. ...

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). It weighs 2.1g and is in excellent antique condi...

This lovely pin is 14 k gold. The very Victorian motif of hearts on a crescent is outlined in seed pearls. It is hallmarked but the mark is incomplete; the marks for Birmingham and England are present, along with an unidentified mark. There is no date stamp but the 2" wide pin appears to be circa 1890.

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. We had the enamel touched up a little at the edges, to restore it to its original exce...

Dainty and lovely, this enamel, pearl, and sapphire Art Nouveau stickpin is 14k gold and just plain beautiful. The pin is set with seed pearls and a faceted sapphire and the enamel shades from pink to green. The head of the pin is 1/2" and the pin itself 2" in length. Comes with a clutch to protect the end. [No matter how lovely the stickpin, it's bad if you stab yourself!] Circa 1900.