WHY BUY ANTIQUE JEWELRY?

You ask, “Why Buy Antique Jewelry?” Uniqueness is the simple answer. When purchasing antique vintage jewelry which is 50 years old or older, you are acquiring something from another time; something that may be rare and something that is definitely different from what you see in most jewelry stores. Consider perusing an Estate & Antique Jewelry Store, like ours. Estate Jewelry simply means previously owned. You will often come across that special Antique Jewelry find and maybe something from another time period that has specific unique characteristics.

The Victorian Era, c.1837-1901

A ring from the Victorian Era, c.1837-1901, could be in the shape of a serpent, crafted in gold with a center gemstone. Queen Victoria had a ring just like that with an emerald in the center as her engagement ring. 

The Edwardian Era, c. 1901-1914

The Edwardian Era, c. 1901-1914, was known for its delicate workmanship in platinum, the king of metals. Platinum is known for its durability and malleability. It is the metal of preference for Master Jewelers whose skills are needed to make the finest details on a jewelry item, like milgraining, which would look like a row of tiny dots. A diamond engagement ring may have characteristics like garlands, ribbons and lace and decorated with diamonds in the mounting. Fine metal piercings might also be found in a ring from this time period

The Art Nouveau Era, c. 1890-1915

The Art Nouveau Era, c. 1890-1915, was known for its use of designs such as leaves, flowers, bugs and the shape of a woman’s face with flowing hair.  Plique-a-jour was a type of see through enameling that was used in conjunction with the features described above. Yellow gold was more common during that era and it worked beautifully with stones such as aquamarine, peridot, pearls, opals and diamonds

The Art Deco Era, c. 1920-1935

The Art Deco Era, c. 1920-1935, diamond engagement rings were enhanced with meticulous filigree and intricate designs. Platinum was the metal of choice. As with the Edwardian, Victorian and Art Nouveau Era, the Art Deco Era also used hand fabrication vs. casting, into the early 1930’s, to make its most delicate and complicated pieces of jewelry.

The Retro Era, c. 1935-1950

The Retro Era, c. 1935-1950, was more well-known for its jewelry crafted in rose, yellow or green gold. Rings, for instance, were oversized and gemstones that were popular during that time were diamond, aquamarine, topaz, citrine, sapphire and often synthetic ruby

As you can see, antique jewelry is extremely unique and because of that, you may never see two jewelry items alike in your lifetime! To be sure, not many of your friends will have jewelry like yours when you purchase beautiful Antique jewelry! 

The History of Birthstones

The History of birthstones is believed to have gone back to the book of Exodus with the Breastplate of Aaron. It was a garment with twelve gemstones sewn into it that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The gemstones were set in three rows of three gemstones. 

At that time the gemstones were “sardius, topaz and carbuncle; emerald, sapphire and diamond; ligure, agate, and amethyst; beryl, onyx, and jasper.

The connection between the Breastplate of Aaron and the twelve stones of the zodiac was written about by Favius Josephus (1st century A.D) and St. Jerome (5th century A.D.). It was believed that wearing the gemstone of your zodiac would bring good luck to the wearer and that the stone had special powers.

Scholars from the 18th century in Poland came up with the modern ideas of a birthstone for each month. The most well-known list of monthly birthstones came into being in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers in the United States.

Since 1912, the monthly birthstones have remained the same until 2002 when tanzanite was added as the birthstone for December. December also has three birthstones designated for this month.

The current list of monthly gemstones is as follows:

January Garnet (dark red)

February Amethyst (purple)

March Aquamarine (pastel blue)

April Diamond

May Emerald (green)

June Pearl or Alexandrite (the color changing stone)

July Ruby (red)

August Peridot (light green)

September Sapphire (blue)

October Opal or pink tourmaline

November Citrine (yellow orange), yellow topaz

December Blue zircon, blue topaz, turquoise or tanzanite (bluish purple)

Art Deco Engagement Rings – Info to Know before you Buy

Gesner Estate Jewelry provides the finest jewelry at the lowest price possible. We specialize in antique & vintage gold and platinum jewelry from the turn of the 20th century to the late 1930s; however, our inventory of newer pieces in gold and platinum is also unsurpassed. We maintain an inventory of several thousand unique items. Every piece is in wonderful condition and uncommon in design. We do not sell reproduction jewelry or lab-created gems unless it has been very clearly stated in the item’s description.

We are a family-owned firm that has been in business since 1972. We are among the leaders in antique and estate jewelry. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you personally about ourselves and what we do. Please feel free to call us anytime at (727) 586-6000 or email us at gesner@gesner.com

We offer certified appraisal services from our G.I.A. graduate. Graydon Gesner has his Graduate Gemology Degree, Accredited Jewelry Professional Degree, and the G.I.A. Pearl Grading Lab Degree. These studies were accomplished at the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.), located at the Carlsbad, California campus which is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. He was an on-campus student and excelled in all phases of his studies. Out of 11 G.I.A. campus locations worldwide, Carlsbad, California is the G.I.A. World Headquarters that brings students from all over the world. Please call the Tampa store at (813) 282-1008, or email Graydon at graydongems@gmail.com to schedule your appointment to have your jewelry professionally appraised. Graydon’s website can be seen at www.gesnerappraisalservices.com.

Art Deco Engagement Rings

“Pure Art Deco” are the words from our Graduate Gemologist, Graydon Gesner, when describing this fabulous Ruby and Diamond Art Deco Engagement or Fashion ring. ” I love the calibrated rubies, the large European cut diamond, and the geometric design”, he says.

This captivating Art Deco ring, crafted in platinum, features a center 1.25 carat approx. Old European cut diamond with SI1 clarity and J color. It is surrounded, in a diamond shape, with approx. 1.00 carat approx. total weight of Antique Square Cut Natural Red Rubies.  It is further decorated with 1.50 carat approx. total weight of Single and European Cut diamonds. In addition, the gallery is pierced & milgrained and is an impressive and sparkling example of the Roaring 20’s!

Art Deco .73ct. Diamond Antique Engagement Ring Platinum

Wow! What a beauty. This month’s Gemologist Jewelry Pick of the Month is this captivating Antique Diamond Engagement Ring with ” a flowing curved tiered design very indicative of the Art Deco Era”.

This Antique Diamond Engagement Ring features .73ct Apx. European Cut Diamond with fantastic quality, VVS2 clarity, and H color.  A bright, white, scintillating diamond with a very, very slightly included diamond.  You would need an educated eye and a jeweler’s loupe or microscope to see any inclusion.  In addition, there are .50ct Apx. T.W. of Single and Transitional Cut Diamonds with VS2-SI1 clarity and G-H color.  It is crafted in platinum, the king of metals, as you know.  Your very best jewelry is made in platinum or 18 karat gold. You can find this blindingly beautiful Antique Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring in our Tampa store with a retail price of $7,795.