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.

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.

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!

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). 

Several of the pieces in this post are what I think of as jewelry nerd bait. They’re unusual, they’re not that sparkly, they get better with context, and the more you know about them, the more you love them.

This one is spectacular in all of those categories. First things first: a gorgeously preserved gold longchain adorned with impeccable Swiss enamel. You know I love a good chain, and this one is extraordinary.

But it gets better: that’s not an enamel locket at the end of the chain, it’s actually a vinaigrette! That means that inside the hinged compartment there’s a perforated screen, behind which the wearer can tuck a sponge or similar item infused with scent.

This glorious brooch is the one I mentioned that had recently come back to DK Bressler after a loan to The Met!

This Gilded age treasure was created by noted American jeweler Black, Star & Frost in 1900. It’s platinum, with diamonds and the loveliest blue turquoise you ever did see.

Two Georgian era rings! The one on the left is a 19th century cobalt blue enamel with rose cut diamonds, and the one on the right is a glorious mourning piece with an urn motif.

I know more than one of you Georgian jewelry lovers will swoon for these. They’re both exceptional examples of what that era has to offer. They also both go very well with my manicure.

Here’s a closer look at the mourning ring!!

I wanted to edit out more of the glare on top, but when I tried that it obscured the texture of the inside of the ring so I decided glare and authenticity were better than no glare and blurry details. I love the enamel border on this one.

I’ve never seen anything like these pins before, anywhere.

They’re French, from the 19th century, attributed to Alexis Falize. They’re believed to have been intended as lingerie pins.

The perfectly rectangular base of the design looks textile inspired, with its cross stitch-esque textured 18K gold grid. On top of this spectacularly geometric base is the softest, most extravagant and delicately colored enamel detailing. A sprinkling of small diamonds finish the masterpiece. These two rare beauties will make the right collector very happy.

You see why I love visiting DK Bressler? Such a fascinating array of treasures, from entry level price points to once-in-a-lifetime finds.

These pieces were all for sale from DK Bressler as of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show in February. For more information about any of these jewels, please contact DK Bressler. To see past Miami Shows, click here!

I’ll have more from Miami for you soon, so stand by!