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Off to Miami! Tell me what kind of treasures you want to see.

Good morning, darlings!

I know I just got back from the AGTA GemFair, but I’m jetting off again – to Miami this time, for the legendary Original Miami (Beach) Antique Show.*

When I come back, I’ll have my fully edited recap of the AGTA GemFair‘s glories ready for you, and shortly after that I’ll have the results of my Miami treasure hunting to share with you as well! I’m having a very busy, extremely sparkling February.

A rare and exquisite portrait bracelet with family portraits. Dedicated to a wife from her husband for their wedding anniversary in 1864. Spotted at OMBAS 2016.

A rare and exquisite portrait bracelet with family portraits. Dedicated to a wife from her husband for their wedding anniversary in 1864. Spotted at OMBAS 2016.

Now, for my favorite question:

Is there anything you particularly want to see from the Original Miami (Beach) Antique Show??? Are any of you on the hunt for a particular piece, or is there something you’d especially like to ogle?

Let me know in the comments, and I’ll do my best to bring you pictures of what you’d like to see!!

xoxo,
Becky

*The show has temporarily moved from its usual location on Miami Beach due to construction, so “Beach” has temporarily been dropped from the name.

Want more antique & vintage jewelry? Shop my Vintage Jewelry Finds curation on ShopMy here or find more treasures from antique jewelry shows here.

Leslie Hindman’s December Important Jewelry Auction.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has another glorious jewelry auction coming up, and it’s right around the corner: the December Important Jewelry Auction. The Chicago preview starts on Wednesday, and the auction itself is next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

I’ve combed through the literally hundreds of auction lots and picked out my favorite pieces to give you a starting point to decide what you can’t let get away next week when the bidding starts.

Three beautiful antique pieces from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers' December Important Jewelry Sale.I had a little help, actually: Alex, Meredith, and Jamie of Leslie Hindman’s jewelry department spent nearly an hour on the phone with me, giving me the inside scoop on the most noteworthy pieces coming up in the December Important Jewelry Auction. And oh my goodness, there are some good ones.

If you’ve never bid in a Leslie Hindman auction before, this is a great one to start with. They have a wonderful introductory page here to walk you through the particulars of getting started. There are some really great pieces spanning a variety of price points. It’s their second-biggest sale ever, which means there’s a whole lot to love.

Let’s dive in!

An antique Renaissance Revival pendant by Augusto Castellani, circa 1860. With a large oval ruby and several other gems in gold with enamel and a pearl drop.Lot 34: A Fine Renaissance Revival Gold, Silver, Multi Gem and Polychrome Enamel Pendant, Augusto Castellani, Circa 1860.

We’re starting out with this delicious jewel right here: a colorful, eye-catching specimen of Renaissance Revival jewelry crafted by a master of revival jewelry, Augusto Castellani. If that weren’t enough, this piece also bears a strong resemblance to a piece in the British Royal Collection that is also attributed to Augusto Castellani and is believed to have been acquired by Queen Mary.

Beautiful, historically significant, and dazzlingly well-preserved? Sign me up.

A pair of antique French Egyptian revival hoop earrings with micro-mosaic details.Lot 6: A Pair of Egyptian Revival Yellow Gold Micromosaic Hoop Earrings, French.

I’ve seen some cool micro-mosaic pieces in my jewelry adventures, but I’ve never, ever seen anything like these hoop earrings.

It’s even Egyptian revival micro-mosaic; look at those colorful scarabs near the top!! I love the rope detail edging on the sides, too. A fascinating, unique pair of treasures in exquisite condition.  Also…the low auction estimate is $500, which blows my mind.

A generous selection of Georgian lover's eye jewelry from Leslie Hindman's December Important Jewelry sale.

Lot 20: A Georgian Gold and Garnet Lover’s Eye Ring.
Lot 21: A Georgian Rose Gold and Seed Pearl Lover’s Eye Brooch.
Lot 23: A Georgian Yellow Gold Lover’s Eye Locket.
Lot 24: A Georgian Yellow Gold, Pink Gemstone and Seed Pearl Lover’s Eye Brooch.
Lot 25: A Georgian Glass and Seed Pearl Lover’s Eye Pendant.

One of the first things I noticed while perusing Leslie Hindman’s December Important Jewelry Auction is that there a whole lot of delicious little Georgian pieces in day 1. I know a some of my antique jewelry Instagram buddies are going to go gaga for these – and with good reason, since many of these little pretties have auction estimates that start below $1,000.

a-pair-of-antique-georgian-yellow-gold-and-emerald-convertible-pendoloque-drop-earrings-from-spain-or-portugal-can-also-be-worn-as-a-broochLot 1: A Pair of Georgian Yellow Gold and Emerald Convertible Pendoloque Drop Earrings, Spain/Portugal.

Oh, hello, you magnificent beauties.

Look at those chased, bezel settings, those rich green emeralds, that perfect articulation. Even better: one of the pendants has a removable brooch fitting, so it can be worn in more than one way.

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My visit to Erstwhile Jewelry Co.

It’s Election Day tomorrow in the US, and I don’t know about you, but I’m finding this particular presidential election VERY stressful. Therefore, today’s post is intended to be as relaxing as possible for all of us: I hope you find Erstwhile Jewelry Co.’s treasures as soothing as I do.

I’ve been a fan of Erstwhile Jewelry Co. for ages, and I know you feel the same way, because my posts featuring their rings are constantly on my most viewed list.

I finally had the opportunity to visit Erstwhile Jewelry Co. in person, and oh my goodness, my dears, it was everything I’d dreamed it would be. Their sunny Diamond District office is a treasure trove of rings: each more perfect and interesting than the last.

A selection of incredible antique rings from Erstwhile Jewelry Co. Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, black onyx, and enamel.It was Erstwhile Jewelry Co.’s Art Deco pieces that drew me to them online in the first place, and I definitely went to town on the Art Deco tray.

These are all so special in their own ways – even this one picture (which is a small part of their selection) is like a visual lesson on the glorious variety to be found in antique diamond rings.

I love the blue enamel on this antique Victorian era engagement ring. From Erstwhile Jewelry co.Now, going further back in time: this early Victorian engagement ring in yellow gold with its crisp enamel details takes my breath away.

It’s utterly perfect, too; soulful and romantic.

I love every single one of these antique rings from Erstwhile Jewely Co.! Turquoise and opals with diamonds.Turquoise and opals with diamonds.

Looking at these colors makes me feel like I just took a clean, deep breath. Beauties, beauties, beauties.

A hand full of beautiful antique ruby and diamond rings from Erstwhile Jewelry Co.Rubies and diamonds!!

I jumped right on these when the rings came out. Trays upon trays of antique rings…it was the glorious navette-shaped ring with the long, skinny marquise in the center that I was drawn to first, and then I decided to make a little ruby and diamond gang so it wouldn’t be lonely.

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