Belle Epoque / Edwardian Archives

A Belle Epoque colored diamond necklace, circa 1910.

October 11, 2012

I may be a lady given to hyperbole, but you’re going to have to believe me when I say this is one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen.

An antique Belle Epoque colored diamond necklace, circa 1910.

Every inch of it is spectacular. It’s full Belle Epoque, circa 1910. Even the neckchain is set with diamonds in a foliate motif – alternating flowers and leaves.

Detail; a Belle Epoque colored diamond necklace, circa 1910.

At the bottom, suspended from a single and old European-cut diamond foliate double swag (that’s what that’s called – have you ever heard a better term than “double swag”?) is a large, openwork pendant, also of foliate motif, suspending a large, pear-shaped yellowish brown diamond trimmed with single-cut diamonds.

Pendant detail; a Belle Epoque colored diamond necklace, circa 1910.

This necklace was listed in Christie’s 22 April 2010 Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Christie’s.

2.17 Carat ‘D’ color diamond Edwardian style engagement ring.

October 10, 2012

You know that moment in Sex in the City when Carrie sees her new dream shoe in a window and greets it by saying “Hello, lover!”

I feel a little like that.

2.17 Carat ‘D’ color diamond Edwardian style engagement ring. Via Diamonds in the Library.

It’s not actually vintage, it’s an Edwardian style engagement ring reproduction. But ooh boy, what a reproduction.

I can’t improve on Lang Antiques’s description, so here it is: “A superb 2.17 carat round brilliant-cut diamond – accompanied by a GIA Gem Trade Laboratory grading report stating D color, VS2 clarity- is framed by small sparkling accent diamonds atop a fancy scroll motif gallery and openwork foliate motif diamond-set shoulders. The style of this gorgeous modern platinum and diamond ring pays homage to the classic flowing designs of the Edwardian period at the beginning of the twentieth century. A timeless beauty …”

This Edwardian style engagement ring is currently for sale at Lang Antiques. So if there is a special lady (and $53,000) in your life…this ring could be what you’re looking for.

Thanks to Lang Antiques for all images and info.

So you want to buy jewelry on Ebay: a first-timer’s guide.

October 4, 2012

Ebay is dangerous (and fun). You can never really know what you’re buying or who you’re buying it from. Bidding wars are seductive, especially if you’re as competitive and stubborn as I am. That said, I’ve bought some really beautiful jewelry on Ebay. I’ve also bought some jewelry that was so disappointing and worthless that I ended up throwing it in the trash.

The best advice I can give you about buying jewelry on Ebay is to be skeptical. Keep one eyebrow raised at all times.

Some sellers use words like “Art Deco” or “antique” to attract bidders, regardless of the terms’ applicability to their item. If something is lacking in pictures or information, ask the seller questions. If they won’t answer your questions, don’t do business with them. If a seller doesn’t have positive reviews, don’t do business with them. If you do buy jewelry on Ebay (or anything), pay promptly and leave honest feedback.

I like to search for specific things to help narrow down the huge selection. I often use search terms like “Edwardian” “Art Deco” “filigree” “camphor glass” “ring” “Kate Spade” “Anthropologie” on their own or in combination with each other, depending on what I’m looking for. Then I use the categories (on the left of the screen) to narrow down my results. I usually at least select “Jewelry and Watches” and often go further to “Vintage and Antique Jewelry” if that’s what I’m looking for. From there you can choose eras or types of jewelry, but it can be fun to see a wider selection if you’re not on a specific quest.

Never forget to check shipping costs; the price you bid is the price you’ll pay before shipping. I also recommend deciding the maximum you’re willing to pay for something before you place your first bid – and writing that number down, so you can remind yourself to stick to it.

Know all of your measurements – ring size, wrist circumference, and what necklace lengths you prefer. The only thing sadder than buying crap is buying something beautiful you can never wear.
Here are some thing I’m currently admiring on Ebay.