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Ruby Lane 101: how to buy jewelry on RubyLane.com

Do you ever buy jewelry on RubyLane.com, my darlings?

Ruby Lane is one of my favorite places on the internet to find vintage and antique jewelry. I really think it’s the closest experience to an actual antique jewelry show that a person can have from home, except with no crowds and lots of useful search functions to help you find (and buy!) exactly what you want.

Four antique rings from sellers on Ruby Lane. I love this elongated navette shape!

Rings: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Ruby Lane 101:
how to buy jewelry on RubyLane.com

We’re going to start out with a little introduction to this fantastic resource and then we’ll get to tips and tricks, sprinkled liberally with photos of gorgeous jewelry!

Every piece of jewelry featured in this post is currently for sale on RubyLane.com. Click the numbered links under each photo to take you to the piece’s listing.

What is Ruby Lane?

RubyLane.com is an ecommerce website that allows reputable dealers of antiques and collectables to have online storefronts all on the same well-organized, easily searchable website.

Ruby Lane has a fantastic jewelry section, brimming with interesting and unusual pieces from museum quality antique treasures to quirky, affordable vintage costume jewelry and everything in-between!

I’ve been buying jewelry on Ruby Lane for years.

An exquisite selection of antique lockets from sellers on Ruby Lane.

Lockets: 1, 2, 3.

Why is Ruby Lane different?

Ruby Lane is different from other online shopping portals because, quite simply, RubyLane.com is not full of junk. It’s a thoughtful, well-maintained environment that draws authentic antique dealers offering genuine treasures.

Want to see something very cool? You can actually view the Jewelry Terms & Conditions that Ruby Lane sellers have to agree to when creating a store on RubyLane.com.

It’s wonderfully specific, with clear definitions of “antique” and “vintage” as well as requirements for authenticity testing and my very favorite rule: “No commonly available, mass-produced jewelry.”

Art Deco era gemstone rings from sellers on Ruby Lane.

Ring listings: 1, 2, 3.

One might expect well-maintained online shopping portal to be exclusively for high end pieces, but RubyLane.com welcomes collectibles of a wide price range.

The combination of well-maintained AND open to products of all price ranges means that you might find an exquisite $17,000 diamond ring for that once in a lifetime purchase but you can also find an gorgeous $80 silver bracelet or a $40 midcentury brooch or a $110 Art Nouveau gilt locket for all those still very exciting but less financially stressful treat yourself moments along the way.

Art Deco era necklaces from Ruby Lane.

Necklace listings: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Even better, because sellers are required to write proper descriptions and provide multiple photos of each piece they list, you’ll have an easier time evaluating the offerings and deciding what you want to buy.

How to browse jewelry on Ruby Lane.

If you’re not sure what you want, it’s always fun to just randomly browse jewelry on RubyLane.com.

Read More

6SHADOWS beautiful botanical brooches.

When I think of flower brooches, I expect soft lines, bright colors, and an overall luxuriant lusciousness that speaks of bountiful growth and vitality. These brooches from 6SHADOWS are the polar opposite of that in every way, and yet I love them.

Hydrangea brooch by 6SHADOWS. The style of this brooch is inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Gold and silver inlay with spinels.

6SHADOWS beautiful botanical brooches.

For her latest collection, artist Sophia Hu of 6SHADOWS was inspired by famous painter Vincent Van Gogh’s style: bold, expressive brushstrokes that communicated strong emotion and a feeling of movement.

This is the Hydrangea brooch from 6SHADOWS’ In Search of Van Gogh’s Strokes collection. It’s made from tiny pieces of silver and gold, painstakingly joined together to form three-dimensional hydrangea flowers adorned with spinels and emeralds.

Lilac brooch by 6SHADOWS. Inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Gold and silver inlay with sapphires and diamonds.

This second piece is the Lilac brooch, which uses the same technique of joining gold and silver pieces together to create lilac blossoms. This piece features more gems, with 10 sapphires, 4 diamonds and 5 emeralds.

I have personally never given much thought to the style of any painter’s brushstrokes, but strong emotion and the feeling of captured movement is exactly how I would describe the feeling that I get from these 6SHADOWS brooches. I’d say Sophia Hu captured her inspiration so accurately that I learned something about Van Gogh from looking at her jewelry.

The Sound of the Wind ginko brooch by 6SHADOWS. Gold and silver inlay with rubies.

This Ginko brooch is not from the In Search of Van Gogh’s Strokes collection, but it’s so lovely that I had to show you anyway. I have a weakness for the alluring curves of a Ginko leaf.

This 6SHADOWS brooch is called “Sound of Wind” and it is also constructed of delicate gold and silver inlay and adorned with six bright rubies. I want to wear it on the lapel of a forest green coat.

What do you think of these 6SHADOWS brooches, my darlings? Does the style call to you like it does to me? Which one is your favorite?

See more brooches here.

6SHADOWS beautiful botanical brooches!

Want more brooches? See How to Wear a Brooch for styling inspiration or visit my brooch archive here.

Photos c/o 6 SHADOWS.

  • Hydrangea brooch by 6SHADOWS. The style of this brooch is inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Gold and silver inlay with spinel and emeralds.
  • Hydrangea brooch by 6SHADOWS. The style of this brooch is inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Gold and silver inlay with spinels.
  • Lilac brooch by 6SHADOWS. Inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Exquisite gold and silver inlay with sapphires and diamonds.
  • Lilac brooch by 6SHADOWS. Inspired by Van Gogh's brushstrokes. Gold and silver inlay with sapphires and diamonds.
  • The Sound of the Wind ginko brooch by 6SHADOWS. Beautiful gold and silver inlay with rubies.
  • The Sound of the Wind ginko brooch by 6SHADOWS. Gold and silver inlay with rubies.

More Miami antique show favorites.

All right, my darlings. I promised you more treasures from the Miami Antique Show, and I intend to deliver!

I hope you’re ready for more glorious antique jewels, because they’re comin’ at ya.

A breathtaking Victorian era brooch from Poli Trading Co. Diamonds in yellow gold with enamel detailing.I thought we’d start here, just in case you were worried I didn’t save anything spectacular for the second part of the recap. Can you even with this Victorian era brooch?

This baby is from Poli Trading Co and I want to wear it on my bosom every day.

An extremely cool banded agate and diamond pendant! Edwardian era, spotted at Maryanntiques.Hello, beautiful. This pendant from Maryanntiques is a perfect example of my very favorite kind of antique jewelry: it’s not the biggest or the sparkiest jewel, but there’s just something about it that makes it irresistible.

Look at those dainty platinum swoops, those dangling pearls and – most of all – that perfectly carved banded agate stone. Is it supposed to be a hot air balloon or does it just kind of resemble one? We’ll never know, but I know I love wondering.

Antique rings from Lucy Verity!! Gold with turquoise, coral, pearls, and other pretty stones. Victorian and Georgian era, mostly.

If you know me at all, you know I have a weakness for antique turquoise rings, especially from the Victorian and Georgian eras.

This is a whole handful of turquoise darlings from Lucy Verity (and a few turquoise-adjacent beauties). I would happily have taken home every single one of these.Read More

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