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Two stunning antique bracelets.

There have been so many exciting things going on in contemporary jewelry that we haven’t looked at much antique jewelry lately! Let’s make that right by admiring two truly spectacular antique bracelets.

An incredible antique portrait bracelet! Spotted at Lucy Verity at the Miami Beach Antique Show.

Oh hello, pretty lady!

I met this magnificent portrait bracelet at Lucy Verity, who is a treasure and who bullied me into eating strangely flavored snacks from her native England while I admired her wares. (Thanks, Lucy!)

What’s super cool about this portrait bracelet – besides absolutely everything – is the fact that the portrait is signed and dated, so we know it’s from 1845. It’s a spectacular portrait, too! Just look at the delicate lace details of our mystery lady’s lace dress and cap, as well as the fetching ringlets of her hair.

An incredible antique portrait bracelet, side view. Spotted at Lucy Verity at the Miami Beach Antique Show.

So the front of this antique bracelet is almost unbearably fantastic…and then you turn it to the side and it maybe gets even better?

Not to hate on our mystery lady, because she’s quite lovely, but look at that blue enamel? Whoever owned this piece must have been very careful with it for these beautiful blue details to be in such good shape.

Ready to see the next one?

A truly stunning antique locket bracelet from Jane Fletcher's collection! Enamel, pearls, a piece of fabric, and a diamond initial....and a secret message inside!

This antique bracelet is from Jane Fletcher and it doesn’t have a portrait, but it’s just as sentimental, if not more so.

The front features a diamond bow and initial displayed on a background of what looks like silk – possibly ribbon or a memento from the clothing of somebody special?

The display is rimmed in enamel and pearls, which are echoed on the design of the blue enamel and floral detailed cuff. Lovely and interesting right off the bat!

But the inside is even better….there’s a secret message! Read More

DK Bressler: a peek into the vault.

I always love when I get a chance to visit DK Bressler! I saw this fabulous jewelry dealer most recently at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, in February.

I actually have a whole lot of photos saved up from the most recent Miami show and most of them aren’t ready yet, but I decided I couldn’t wait to give you a peek! DK Bressler was on fire this year  – Founder Ronald Kawitzky was on hand and he opened up the vault for me – and I thought they’d be a great way to give you a taste of Miami while I work on getting everything else ready.

An incredible platinum and diamond butterfly or moth brooch from DK Bressler. Platinum with diamonds.There’s absolutely nothing in the world like Edwardian era platinum work. Light as a feather, almost impossibly delicate, Edwardian era platinum jewelry is a testament to the technology of that era – early 20th century advances in technology made these ethereal lines of metal possible.

This delightfully whimsical brooch is in the shape of a butterfly or a moth. You’d expect a butterfly, but the wings are so long that it gives me a moth vibe…I’m no entomologist, though. The chubby antique diamond in the middle is icing on the cake, along with several substantial bezel set diamonds on the wings and an icing of smaller diamonds throughout.

See video of this piece here.

An incredible antique necklace with diamonds, pearls, and emeralds. Victorian era, from DK Bressler.This glorious necklace was the first thing I touched at the DK Bressler booth. Can you blame me? Such a classic Victorian beauty, with emeralds, pearls and diamonds in silver and gold.

This piece is such a dream. Those are some sizable emeralds and pearls! It was common for major necklaces from that era to have frames that they could be attached to in order to wear them as a tiara instead of a necklace.

I don’t know if this piece ever had a frame, but wouldn’t it look incredible as a tiara?? Not that it makes a bad necklace, either. Fit for a queen in either direction!

Vintage and antique rings from DK Bressler! Rubies, diamonds, agate, and turquoise.

Rings!! Here’s my favorite thing about DK Bressler: they have absurdly glorious museum-quality jewels and they also have smaller treasures starting at around a few hundred dollars. You can drool all over the once in a lifetime pieces and then still find something you can afford to go home with, even if you don’t have a tiara level budget.

And btw when I say “museum quality,” I’m being literal: Ron showed me one piece that was recently returned from being on loan to The Met). Read More

Treasures of the Vegas Antique Jewelry Show.

I hope you’re ready to see some spectacular treasures from the past, my dears, because I’ve finally got my Vegas Antique Jewelry Show photos ready!

This show isn’t the largest antique show around (I’m pretty sure that’s Miami) but because it’s dealers-only, it attracts some pieces of truly exceptional quality and rarity.  Let’s dive in!

I fell head over heels in love with this Georgian era necklace at Keyamour! Aquamarine, amethyst, and citrine.

I thought we’d start off big! I fell head over heels in love with this Georgian era necklace from Keyamour. It has aquamarine, amethyst, and citrine. Keyamour always finds the most beautiful things.

I spent quite a bit of the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry show behind the Keyamour booth, just hanging out with the Keyamour ladies and the Fred Leighton crew while wearing this necklace (and matching Georgian aquamarine earrings).

Here’s a closer look!

To call a piece like this rare is an understatement. So many of these works of art were dismantled so that the gems could be put in newer styles. It’s a delight to see such a gorgeous example in perfect condition.

A fantastic vintage diamond and pearl cocktail ring from Craig Evan Small.

This vintage cocktail ring from Craig Evan Small is a party you can wear on your finger. Whirls of sparkling diamonds exploding out from a creamy pearl.

A wonderful blue enamel snake bracelet from the Victorian era! I love that color. Spotted at Keyamour.

Now for something just as lovable but a bit older: could this Victorian era snake bracelet possibly be more charming? The absolutely perfect blue enamel, the bright ruby eyes – it’s irresistible.

You come across pieces in this category from time to time but they’re very rarely this flawless. This one was at Keyamour as well.

Beautiful vintage Art Deco engagement rings from The Gold Hatpin.

Here’s a batch of antique engagement rings, because who doesn’t love antique engagement rings? Clearly these are my type – look how well they go with my own engagement ring.

I met these beauties at The Gold Hatpin – they always have some gorgeous engagement rings on hand. I love how you can clearly tell they’re all from the same era, but they each have so much unique, individual personality. This was actually the last photo I took at the Last Vegas Antique Jewelry show – I like to go out with flair.Read More

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