Store profile Archives

Store profile: Trademark Antiques.

February 6, 2015

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I visited the January DC Big Flea and had a wonderful time there scouring the aisles for treasures. I’ll tell you about the Big Flea soon, but right now we’re going to talk about my dates for the Flea: noted jewelry purveyors Jessica and Jason Sitko.

Jessica and Jason own the fabulous Trademark Antiques, which you’re already familiar with if you do much hunting for antique jewelry on Etsy or Ruby Lane.

I can confirm firsthand that in addition to having an incredible eye, Jessica and Jason are extremely nice and really fun to walk a show with.

I also feel like we are kindred spirits because J & J’s background looks a lot like my current day job situation: before moving away and focusing more intently on their jewelry business, they were both DC-area professionals with very DC-like jobs.

Trademark Antiques carries a fantastic assortment of antique jewelry, from pretty little rings at affordable price points to spectacular one-of-a-kind masterpieces. The only reason I don’t own anything from them is that I can never pick just one piece to buy.

I’m head over heels for these snakes. This is also a great example of Trademark Antiques’ photography: their Instagram is a must-follow, in my opinion.

This Art Nouveau necklace with floral design and chrysoprase stones is just beautiful. Pieces like this are great because, while you can clearly feel the Art Nouveau aesthetic, it’s easily wearable with a contemporary look. Don’t you love the color of chrysoprase?

Trademark Antiques is particularly well known for their spectacular conversion pieces, which are pieces of jewelry that have been converted from one form into another. The rings above are all converted antique stickpins (and could they possibly be prettier??).

I could stare at this turquoise and enamel bracelet all day. A riot of gold and blue and white, just waiting to adorn a lucky wrist. It’s also posed on a beautiful old book, as if I needed any more reasons to adore Jessica and Jason.

This sweet little guy appeared recently on Trademark Antiques’ Instagram and everyone lost their minds over him (for good reason). He’s 14k gold with soulful garnet eyes. Do you think he looks more like a French bulldog or a Boston terrier?

This Victorian brooch looks like a seashell, but it’s actually a carefully carved banded agate. Such an incredible piece.

This killer Edwardian necklace has been at Trademark Antiques for a while. I know this because I am passionately in love with it and I like to visit its listing periodically. I’m crazy for everything about it: its sinuous silhouette, its crisp Greek key filigree details, its delicious old European center diamond. It’s a perfect piece.

As you can see, Trademark Antiques features a glorious and large inventory of antique jewelry from the easily wearable to the utterly jaw-dropping. If you like what you’ve seen here, get on over to their website ASAP.

All images and info in this post are thanks to Trademark Antiques. To purchase any of the pieces above, please visit Trademark Antiques on Etsy or Ruby Lane.

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.

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