The Art Deco design period lasted from 1915 to about 1935. This design style is characterized by geometric patterns and bright-colored gemstones. Egyptian-based designs were also popular after the opening of King Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922.
Jewelry exhibits are a great place to not only find new pieces, but also get your pieces seen as an exhibitor. You'll receive editorial exposure through consumer and trade publications as well as coverage through influential bloggers and social media.
The value of a diamond is determined by its clarity, or the composition of its internal features and external defects, known as blemishes. However, clarity is just one of four categories used to grade diamonds. The rest of the “Four C’s” include carat, color and cut.
Do you know why mineral Pyrite is called Fool’s Gold? This is because it appears remarkably similar to gold. While pyrite is not an excellent jewelry stone, it is sometimes sold as a novelty item or costume jewelry.
Early Victorian jewelry is quite valuable, as it was modeled after the jewelry of Queen Victoria herself, who was at this point of time a newlywed. She was known to be fond of sentimental lockets and precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. Snake rings and snake bracelets were also a theme, as they were thought to symbolize love and fidelity.
The true value in historical jewelry cannot be measured in financial terms. Rather its value lies in how it captures the world at the time it was created, leaving us an important artifact of times gone by.
The Cullinan diamond is the largest diamond ever excavated. In fact, this massive 3,106.75 (621.35 grams), 1.3-pound quality diamond, unearthed from the Premier Number 2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa (1905), is named for the mine's owner, Thomas Cullinan.
Unfortunately, precious and semi-precious gemstones carry some of the highest retail mark-ups around. Luckily, you can get all the beauty of real gemstones by switching to fashion jewelry – without the crazy prices.
Did you know that the largest Pearl ever found weighed 14 pounds?
A white, opaque glass, milk glass has long been popular in chinaware and vases and has been in use since the 16th century. Milk glass was popularly used in jewelry in the mid-20th century when milk glass beads and stones were used in brooches.
Discerning jewelry buyers often know what they like and will request certain pieces. Jewelry store or antique shop owners can often fulfill these requests by going to a wholesale shop. These shops have a huge selection, so you're much more likely to find what your customer is looking for.
Gold in its pure form (24 carats) is so soft that it bends easily like lead metal and has to be mixed with other metals to make durable jewelry. That is why gold comes in 18 carat gold, 14 carat gold and 10 carat gold.
Let's see how much you know about pearls: What variety of pearl is the only type that can produce a true black specimen? If you guessed Tahitian peals, you're right. Black pearls of this type are still rare, though. Many are just gray or dark green rather than a true black.
Adjustable slider bangles decorated with school charms are versatile and attractive. The most popular versions feature a central school charm framed by one or more colored spirit beads, heart puffs and sports symbols.
When searching for the perfect fashion jewelry, it is important to look for a combination of fashion, function, and affordability.
Granulation is a process in which small particles of a precious metal are applied to a surface. The first granulation techniques developed in Ancient Sumer 5,000 years ago and were perfected by the Etruscan civilization in the first millennium BC.
Being able to make repairs to jewelry in-house will not only build your reputation, it will also increase profitability. Keep metals, settings, and loose gems (both real and costume) in stock for a quick turnaround and a satisfied clientele.
The diamonds found in antique jewelry are cut differently than diamonds in today’s jewelry pieces. Because of the dimmer lighting—candlelight, moonlight—diamonds were cut to sparkle in lower light situations. Some antique and vintage styles of diamond cuts include mine and cushion cut.
It’s easy to care for your sterling silver collegiate jewelry. To keep pieces gleaming and free from tarnish, clean them with a non-abrasive cleaner formulated specifically for silver and gently wipe them with a soft cloth.
It’s important to understand that there is a huge difference between regular brick and mortar and online jewelry stores and wholesale jewelry companies. While you may be able to procure discounts at traditional stores, it is at wholesale stores that you can really find your bargains.
In the 18th-century, diamonds became dominate in jewelry design and were often mounted in silver to enhance the stone's white color. Large diamonds were frequently worn on the bodice, while smaller ones could be scattered over an outfit.
Are there certain colors you absolutely love even though clothing in those colors doesn’t look right on you? Remember, you can always get your fill of the color by wearing jewelry in the shade. Let’s talk about what pieces we have in your favorite color.
Do you know that in the Native American culture, the turquoise stone was considered a symbol of purity and a sacred gift by the people offering protection to both the body and soul?
Who is credited with discovering how to produce cultured pearls? Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan. Mikimoto was the first person to use an artificial material – a bead – planted within an oyster to promote the creation of a pearl in the 19th century.