garnets Archives

Store profile: A Pocket of Rocks.

October 17, 2014

I first came to know Lisa, the owner of A Pocket of Rocks, through her fabulous Instagram and the glorious antique jewelry she featured.

Lisa is drawn to the old and unusual: Georgian foiled-back beauties, signet rings you haven’t seen before, out-of-the-ordinary gem combinations.

In other words: hold onto your bank accounts, darlings. You’re about to see some superpretties.

These beauties are all either currently available through A Pocket of Rocks, were sold by a Pocket of Rocks, or have been featured on Lisa’s Instagram as pretties that are soon-to-be-listed at A Pocket of Rocks.

Let’s dive right in with one of my favorites: this gold mourning ring from the 1800’s. The flower on the front (a forget-me-not?) is diamonds set in silver on a black enamel shield which hides a compartment in the back that would have held a hair token at one point.

The ring itself is 18k yellow gold with beautiful engraving. The inside of the ring is inscribed “Ob 16 Oct 1842 Martin Atkinson.”

I found this stunning Victorian bracelet on Lisa’s Instagram, captioned as being on its way to the shop. It’s a beauty, isn’t it? Just look at that blue enamel, the textural gold details, the juicy old-cut diamonds. Yes, please.

Here’s a closer look at the to-die-for snake ring I gave you a peek at in the first collage. This beauty is from the 1700’s (!!) and features several glorious rose-cut diamonds and ruby eyes set into its silver in gold body.

Here’s a lovely Georgian citrine ring: in incredible condition, especially considering it’s from the early 1800’s.

In my head, A Pocket of Rocks is defined as the store where this ring is for sale. I’m head over heels for it.

The central element of this glorious piece – the rose-cut diamond flower – probably originated as a pin in the 1800’s and was converted into a ring long ago. It now sits on a twisted 18k gold ring shank. Even the back of it is beautiful!

I love the color of the stones in this Georgian garnet eternity band. This is only a size 3, so it would fit perfectly on my pinky.

A Deco bombshell from Lisa’s Instagram, this beauty was posted with the promise that it was headed to the shop eventually. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this one.

So there you have it: A Pocket of Rocks, a new and fabulous source for unique and extraordinarily beautiful old jewelry. Follow Lisa’s Instagram so you don’t miss out on new pieces!

All images and info are thanks to Lisa and A Pocket of Rocks.

Store profile: Maejean Vintage.

August 22, 2014

Meajean Vintage is a store I’ve mentioned before, more than once. These vintage-loving sisters have an incredible selection of costume and fine jewelry, both vintage and antique, ranging from less than $30 to about $1,300. It’s one of the online jewelry stores I check regularly and I always find something that I love.

Their stock is always beautifully photographed, which is something I appreciate even more now that I’ve spend so much time experiencing firsthand how hard it is to take decent photos of jewelry.

Speaking of photos: Maejean Vintage has a fabulous Instagram account, too. And if you like something they post, don’t wait for it to come up in their shop: I’ve seen more than one piece of theirs snapped up before it even made it into the shop. You can also follow their behind-the-scenes adventures on their blog.

Enough talk. Let’s look at some of my favorite pieces currently available in the Maejean Vintage Etsy store.

Maejean Vintage has three categories of particular excellence, in my totally biased opinion: pretty little antique necklaces, gold lockets, and pretty little antique rings; all of which I usually want to buy and which are often in my personal Kryptonite price range of $150-$450. This 1930’s-1940’s lavalier is a great example: it’s sweet, lovely, eminently wearable, and under $400.

I’m severely lusting after these three sapphire and diamond rings. This trio began their lives as antique stick pins, but have been converted into rings. They’re tiny, lovely, unique, and extremely wearable.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this Victorian two-sided agate fob necklace sells before I get this post online. It’s just so cool – and so affordable. I want it for myself. This may be a very dangerous Store Profile for me to be writing.

A trio of gorgeous antique amethyst rings.

Maejean Vintage is also a pretty reliable source for antique camphor glass necklaces, which you know are something that I can’t get enough of. I’ve considered buying this particular one more than once.

Just look at that delicious paperclip chain! I’ve resisted so far. Maybe it’s meant for one of you?

Or how about this 1920’s ring to go with it? I haven’t added one of these to my personal collection yet, but it’s definitely occupying a spot on my ring bucket list (a list that Mr. DitL is wont to make gentle jokes about with fear in his eyes).

The more jewelry I look at, the more I lean towards unusual pieces. I adore all of these charismatic antique rings, especially the little garnet and pearl Victorian band and the Roman warrior hematite.

Could this guy be any prettier? I purchased a lavalier somewhat similar to this at last year’s Baltimore Summer Antiques show last year and I wear it alllll the time. People stop me on the street to ask me where I found it.

If you wear ties and you don’t own any sword-shaped tie clips with which to adorn those ties, you are squandering an opportunity for awesomeness.

Anyone looking for a modest but still stunning engagement ring would be well served by checking out Maejean’s stock. This is only a selection of the currently available diamond rings, not a one over $1,500.

Now the most exciting part: check back this afternoon for the chance to WIN a beautiful piece of antique jewelry from Maejean Vintage in honor of my 2 year blogging anniversary, which happens to be today!!!

All images and info in this post are thanks to the fabulous Maejean Vintage.

Store profile: Market Square Jewelers.

March 17, 2014

This was originally going to be an Etsy wishlist post, but then I realized everything I’m wishing for today comes from the same place.

Market Square Jewelers is a brick-and-mortar jewelry store with an extensive and well-executed online presence. I was browsing them on Etsy when I realized I recognized several pieces from my Ruby Lane wishlist.

Their price point seems to start in the low 3 digits and go up to several thousand dollars in their main Etsy store, but they have a separate Etsy store for costume pieces, many of which are lower priced. They have a sterling reputation everywhere I’ve seen them mentioned, so they seem to be trustworthy as well as skilled at finding treasures. Most importantly, their wares are beautiful and well-photographed (you know that’s the way to my heart for an online store).

They also refer to themselves as a “library of jewelry” which you can imagine I am on board with.

The pretty picture above is their Victorian lapis lazuli and engraved gold locket ring. Let’s see some more of what Market Street Jewelers has to offer.

If you don’t admire this Art Nouveau triple pearl ring then we’re not going to be able to be friends.

I think it was genius of Market Square Jewelers to bring new life to this 1890’s rose gold setting by adding this fabulous pink and black Rhodonite.

You should always read Market Square Jewelers’ descriptions carefully, because some of their pieces – like the one above – are reset with new stones. That’s not a criticism: several of my favorites from their store are re-set pieces, I think they have great eye for what will work in the antique settings. Just pay attention to the listings so that you know if you’re getting an original stone or new one.

I have a pretty bad crush on these Victorian diamond earrings with their lovely buttercup-mounted old mine cuts.

This Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring is how I found Market Square Jewelers’ Etsy store. It came up in a search and then I needed to look at their entire stock.

I thought these pretty little rings could play well together. Top is Art Deco seed pearls in gold, bottom is Victorian rose gold with rose cut diamonds and pearls.

Victorian rose gold, sapphire, and pearl bracelet.

Here’s a beautifully ornate rose gold pendant with a lovely swinging amethyst.

I can’t even handle the side detail on this Art Deco jade ring.

How gorgeous is the Gibson Girl on this 1920’s cameo? You know how much I like it when my jewelry wears jewelry.

I adore the delicate shape and vivid green of this Victorian demantoid garnet and diamond ring.

Just to make sure I leave you with your jaw on the floor. This gold and diamond beauty is Art Deco, of course.

Confession time: this store has two rings I like SO much that I didn’t show them to you because I’m seriously considering buying them myself!

All of these pieces are currently for sale in Market Square Jewelers’ Etsy store. All images and info are thanks to Market Square Jewelers.

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