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A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

Dubin’s Book for a Book: jewels and generosity.

One of the things that I enjoy most about Diamonds in the Library is the way it has of connecting me to people who believe in the same things that I believe in.

Today we’re going to look at a jewelry store that’s combining several of my favorite things into one: jewelry, generosity, and books!

This beautiful thing is the Book for a Book pendant from Dubin’s Fine Jewelry in Houston, Texas. This one is engraved with my own initials, because it is mine (lucky me!). It just arrived and I’ve been wearing it nonstop.

The Book for a Book necklace from Durbin's Fine Jewelry. Each one sold means a donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

This tiny golden book, with its adorable shape and charming cover and spine details, is more than just a pretty pendant: it is the representative of a premise. Each time Dubin’s Fine Jewelry sells a Book for a Book necklace, they also donate a book to Houston area nonprofit Books Between Kids.

The necklace comes in gold, rose gold, and silver and can be engraved (like mine is). It’s a light, comfortable piece to wear; not only is it pretty, it’s a reminder of an an act of giving that helps to get books to kids who need them.

There are two ways to get this beautiful necklace for your very own: you can buy one here, or you can participate in Dubin’s book drive for Books Between Kids by donating books and be entered to win one as a thank-you prize! Details on the book drive here.

The Book for a Book necklace from Durbin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

If you need a gift for a jewelry-loving book enthusiast, this is a fantastic way to go. You’ll be supporting a small business, donating to a charity, and getting a beautiful piece of jewelry all in one shot.

If you’d like to learn more about the Books Between Kids nonprofit, please click here.

My Dubin’s Book for a Book necklace was gifted to me, but my opinions remain my own.

The Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.
The Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each one sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.
The yellow gold Book for a Book necklace from Dubin's Fine Jewelry. Each necklace sold means a book donation for nonprofit Books Between Kids.

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.

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Audrey & Wolf vintage jewels: the perfect gift to give yourself.

I believe fiercely in the merit of buying jewelry for oneself, rather than waiting to receive it as a gift from someone else. Self-gifting is a celebration of autonomy, the recognition of one’s own worthiness to seek joy.

Because do you know who deserves a spectacular treat after this difficult year? It’s you, my darlings. You deserve a treat. Perhaps…a jewelry treat?

I am so excited to introduce you all to hidden treasure of a jewelry shop that I recently discovered, Audrey & Wolf!

A treasure trove for vintage jewelry lovers! Look at these colored gemstone rings. From Audrey & Wolf.

Audrey & Wolf vintage jewels: the perfect gift to give yourself.

Audrey & Wolf is a family-owned small business whose goal is to search out beautiful, intriguing, rare, vintage antique and estate jewelry. After years of doing business at the famed Portobello Market in London, they’ve moved their business online, making their curated selection of treasures available to the wider world.

What vintage jewels await you at Audrey & Wolf? Let’s take a look.

A selection of vintage and antique pendants from Audrey & Wolf vintage jewelry.

The majority of the vintage jewels Audrey & Wolf offers are classic antique English pieces, discovered through extensive treasure hunting around the UK and Europe. It’s their passion to find new homes for these beautiful pieces; they seek out noteworthy treasures from every era.

Just look at the variety in this one photo: the rich textured surface of the snake brooch, the vivid enamel and luminous cabochons of the pendant, the exquisite charm of the turtle pendant, the whisper-light details of the guilloche pendant and finally the dark romance of the deep blue witch’s heart brooch.

Antique diamond rings from Audrey & Wolf.

When you gift yourself an antique or vintage jewel, you become one link in a chain stretching back into history. You’re not just buying a pretty accessory, you are ensuring the survival of a piece of the past, you’re writing a new chapter in an ongoing, unfished story.

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