Catalog (382)

Late renaissance memento mori skull ring. "Memento mori" jewelry translates to "remember thou must die", a reminder to all to live life fully, as death awaits. Memento mori rings were meant to encourage the practice of reflection on one's mortality. This is a very early ring with black enamel etching along the sides and back and a perfectly shaped skull in intaglio on the front. The ring is silver gilt with black enamel carving. Circa 1620. US size 8 1/2.

Black enameled memorial band, divided into scrolls and with raised gold lettering, for a Mrs. Martha Greswold. This is an excellent example of and 18th-century mourning ring. The inscription on the outside of the band reads, "Martha Greswold, Obit Dec 8 1755 AE 59".Memorial bands of this period were heavily influenced by French design, and marked a departure from memento mori jewelry, with its grim portrayal of one's own death, to a focus on mourning, with emphasis on eternal love and remembranc...

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.

Exquisite 2 color 18K 1940's gold and platinum ring with a singular iridescent pearl at the center and tiny diamonds set quietly in the platinum. Decorative gold and platinum leaf and flower forms envelope the entire band of the ring. The ring is as beautiful when seen in person as in the photos. Possibly Austrian or French. Size 4 1/2.

Colorful 14K American Art Nouveau ring with small diamond accent stones, and peridot, opal, garnet, amethyst, and aqua stones encircling the larger freshwater pearl at the center. The complimentary gemstones, graceful gold metal flourishes, and stylized marquis shape all contribute to this artfully designed ring. The gemstones are deftly set inside a gold border, another subtle detail that makes this ring appealing. The length of the ring has the effect of elongating one's hand. The ring is just...

Delightful 18K hand over heart fede ring. - the word fede means faithful. The Victorians were fond of such romantic sentiments. The ring has a tiny diamond set on the ring finger of the gold hand, a lovely and surprising detail. The ring is a US size 8 1/4.

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.

Lovely 18K stone coral ring with 8 small diamonds. Five stone rings were classic Victorian forms. Our ring has smooth polished cabachon coral stones and ten small perfect flat cut diamonds at each corner. During Victorian times and earlier, coral was believed to have mystical properties and to ward off illness. The rose pink color was the most sought after. The ring is a size 8 and can be sized.

Lovely early Victorian angel skin coral ring with 10 carved florets and one large carved coral flower at the center, set in a pleasing symmetrical pattern. This ring has a 9K gold band while the coral florets are set in a metal bed. The Victorians loved angel skin coral, which is a red-orange or light pink colored coral, and they especially loved coral cut into cameos, flowers, or fruit. This ring has a rather large head and is therefore best worn alone. This ring is a US size 7.75.

our early C1790 Georgian 18K seven stone diamond half hoop ring has seven table-cut diamonds (flat on top, faceted sides). The ring is closed back and the diamonds are foiled backed, exactly the way gemstone rings were made in the Georgian period. The diamonds are mounted in silver and set in gold, as the Georgians believed silver was better suited to set off the cool white tones of diamonds. This ring would make a lovely engagement ring or gift to oneself. The ring is a size 7.

8K eighteenth-century portrait ring under crystal of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Miniature portraits were painted on vellum or ivory and given as tokens of love to husbands and wives or parents and children. Portrait rings with diamond bezels, such as ours, reflect the importance of the subject. The paintings would be commissioned to the leading miniature portrait artists of the day. Sarah Churchill had a close friendship with Queen Anne of England. This ring was likely a love token...

These lovely 18K day-night floral gold cannetille earrings boast one of the finest examples of cannetille gold work we have ever seen. Popular in both England and France in the 1820's, cannetille was a type of filigree work named after the gold embroideries of the Napoleonic era. It lasted for a brief 2 decades, making it easy to date a piece of jewelry that is as fine an example of cannetille as these. Typical of Georgian design, the tops of the earrings can be separated from the bottoms making...

Three inch long day-night earrings with a lovely rococo design that incorporates foliate and shell motifs set with Persian turquoise and enlivened by the two-color 15K gold. The earrings have a secure hook on the back of the drop part of the earring, not typically seen on Georgian day-night earrings. This enables enabling them to easily be separated and worn with just the tops (for day), or both top and bottom (at night). The mechanism attaching the two pieces can be viewed in the photos.

Lovely polished coral earrings with enamel bows and seed pearls ensconced in the center if each bow and dangling from each ribbon. The deep rose pink color of our earrings are the most ought after color of coral and are particularly vibrant in tone. The use of coral in jewelry started in Roman times, and where the superstitions about coral began. Coral was thought to be a talisman against evil spirits. Its popularity continued into the Middle Ages and again into Victorian times, when coral was c...

Unusual paste earrings with three curved lines of paste gemstones dripping from a central paste cluster. Paste earrings rose in popularity in 18th century France when improvements in domestic candlelight made the appeal of such glittering gemstones soar.Paste is a type of leaded glass which was first created in the 1600's, but only in the 1700's did it achieve a level of perfection, and it was in the Georgian era that the most beautiful paste jewelry was created. Paste was popular in France and ...

Striking early Edwardian 18K gold ring of a man in a turban set with diamonds. The ring dates to 1900 . The ring has a French hallmark in the shape of a pineapple and a makers mark "JD". It is a size 8 and measures 3/4" at its widest.

Amazing "Queen Anne" amethyst paste necklace and earrings set in gilt metal. This style of jewelry has been historically misnamed for Queen Anne, who reigned from 1695 to 1714, as it was made in the mid 18th century. The vivid purple paste stones used are faceted as rose cuts. The earrings have back to front fittings and fit close to the earlobe. The necklace is fastened with a ribbon.

In this stunning suite of necklace and earrings, almandine garnets set in gilt metal are fashioned into a striking pair of earrings and choker with drop, which can be removed. The choker is tied on with a ribbon. Much of the jewelry of this period was set with pastes. These pieces are unusual in that gemstones were used. Though called "Queen Anne", jewelry of this type was actually made some 30 odd years after her reign.

Red Vauxhall Glass floral motif necklace will mirror your gaiety when wearing it. Made at the Vauxhall Glass Works in London from the 18th century through the middle of the nineteenth, it was sold at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens nearby.

Flat cut almandine garnets were the most popular gemstone of the Georgian period shown here in a rarely found naturalistic floral and leaf design necklace set in 18K gold. The pansy shaped flowers represent remembrance.

Lovely pique pansy pendant can be worn with a gold or silver chain. Pique, tortoiseshell inlaid with gold and silver, was developed in France and became popular in England in the late 19th century.

Floral rondelles, the five central ones with tassels, comprise this lovely cut steel necklace. Multi-faceted cut steel jewelry was popular during the 18th and mid 19th century. The jewelry sparkled in candlelight and was used as a substitute for diamonds. The necklace measures 15 1/2" long and 1 3/4" at its widest.

Victorian gilt metal collar is beautiful, flattering and wearable for any occasion

Wonderful to wear as a pendant this retractable pencil slides into an enameled gilded mummy. In the 1870s-1880s, the Egyptian Revival styles were in vogue as archaeological digs discovered ancient tombs that brought to light rare finds. Their motifs were incorporated into jewelry, objects, furniture, glass and pottery.

Fabulous Georgian Pinchbeck muff chain with a hand clasp set with colored paste stones. Christopher Pinchbeck developed an alloy of copper and zinc in 1720 that had the look of real gold and did not tarnish. The jewelry made with this alloy survives today giving us the enjoyment of its beauty. A muff chain is a long chain worn around the neck fastened to ladies muffs. This chain measures 49" long by 1/4" wide.

Victorian silver and three color gold locket with a raised floral and foliate design. Wonderful to wear on a chain, either short or long as shown here. The locket measures 1 3/4" high by 1 3/8" wide.

Porcelain hound head whistle made by Royal Worcester. This sweet faced dog may be worn as a pendant on a chain or just kept as a pet. The hound measures 1 3/8" wide by by 1 1/8" deep by 7/8" high.

Elegant Victorian cut steel necklace was worn in lieu of diamonds in an era where sparkling jewelry was in vogue. Cut steel was multifaceted by hand to glimmer in candlelight. This necklace measures 16 1/2" long by 3" at its widest

Exquisite Berlin Iron cameo necklace consisting of sixteen graduated portrait cameos of classical men and women. This unusual necklace has its original clasp and measures 15 1/4" long by 1 3/8" at its widest.

Fanciful Victorian silver collar with a silver locket embellished with two-color gold. The necklace and locket are adorned with geometric arch motifs and engravings. The necklace measures 16 1/2" long and 3/4" wide and the locket measures 1 5/8" long and is hallmarked 1881.

Bold Victorian banded agate bead necklace with three large beads tapering down to smaller ones. There are 34 beads in the necklace which has a bead clasp. Agate beads have become very collectible as many believe they have mystical qualities. The necklace is 20 1/2" long.

Bold Victorian banded agate bead necklace with a silver dog tag clasp. The 19 large banded agate beads are interspersed with small black agate beads. The necklace measures 17 1/2" long, c 1870

Dramatic Victorian agate bead necklace is fastened with an agate clasp. The striking banded agate beads are black, brown and white and can be worn day or night. The necklace measures 17" long, circa 1870.

Wonderful Edwardian moonstone necklace set in silver. It is said if your lover gives you a moonstone necklace when the moon is full you will always have a passion for each other. Moonstones became popular during the Art Nouveau period as a talisman for fertility, love, protection, and sleep! This beautiful moonstone needs little excuse for ownership. The necklace measures 16 3/4" long.

Antique silver acorn earrings are wonderful and easy to wear. The acorn is a symbol of hope and was often used in heraldry. Earrings measure 1 5/8" long and 3/4" at their widest.

Elegant Georgian girandole earrings in 15k gold and cobalt enamel. The gold work is an elaborate Etruscan design adorned with tiny balls. Earrings measure 1 3/4" long and 7/8" wide.