[right hand] 14k rose gold diamond & sapphire antique stick pin converted into a ring from eBay user: jgoldilox 10k yellow gold heart ring given to me by my sister ALisha [left hand] 10k rose gold flower ring from Ruby Lane Read More
Inspired by this post, I tried the backwards necklace look. If you want to try this out for yourself, I suggest first purchasing a shirt that will let you get this trend right. Something with a low sweeping back–the lower you choose, the longer the… Read More
I got a great question from a reader named Marissa. Here is what she asks: "wow im in love with the plain diamond ring on your index finger its gorgeous where did you get it and i wanted to know where i can get really pretty jewlry superrrr cheapp if you have any clues thanxs" The ring is an antique quarter carat diamond ring with two triangle shaped sapphires. The prettiest part of the ring is the filigree work done in the setting. The ring is from an old watch shop in upstate New York that had a small selection of antique rings. At the time I had no extra money whatsoever, but I knew they bought "old gold jewelry." I loved the ring so much that I asked if they would accept a trade. I had an old diamond cluster ring from the 80s that I didn't like anymore and it always seemed to have loose stones. I got a $200 trade-in price for my old ring, and gladly put the antique diamond ring on layaway. I paid the difference in price over time. My advice on finding good jewelry deals is to go to local flea markets, old jewelry shops that sell vintage and antique jewelry, and scanning eBay weekly. Two quality online jewelry websites that have nice jewelry for low prices are Ross-Simons and Beladora2. You have to be willing to bargain for a better price. You also have to understand that if you want fine jewelry, it is not going to come extremely cheap. A pricetag of at least $100 is typical. Read More
Free days from work are few and far between, and I have taken advantage of those that seem to suddenly come up by antiquing and treasure hunting. Can’t forget about a favorite that has become easier, at least for me, to scoop up a deal: eBay! I’ve been… Read More
Summer is all about antiquing and checking out flea markets--but I was in over my head with the added summer heat. I checked out the flea market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, in Nashville. After enduring 95 degree haziness, lots of walking, lots of sweating, I spotted a beautiful antique brooch. The vendor was from Florida and had an amazing assortment of antique and vintage fine jewelry. Luckily his tables were extremely crowded, because when it was finally my turn to ask about the pin, he knocked $100 off of the pricetag! My knowledge about jewelry led me to believe I got a really good deal, but to make sure I brought it to be thoroughly cleaned and checked out by a local antique jewelry shop. Turns out the brooch is circa 1890 and used to have a watch attached. It also has a folding bail that folds outward so a chain could be strung through, turning it into a necklace. Antique jewelry was often very versatile and came as 3-in-1, or 2-in-1. A concern of mine before purchasing the brooch was the evident oxidizing of the gold. It almost looked dirty or tarnished. At first I was questioning the hallmark of 14k because I thought real gold never tarnishes. However, the antique jeweler informed me that because of its age, it had oxidized and most of it was removed after the brooch received a deep cleaning. If the brooch were 10k rather than 14k, the entire piece would have been blackened from oxidization. Some interesting knowledge to pass on to my readers! Read More
Jewelry Armoire: The Lori Greiner Jewelry Cabinet in white, available from QVC I added black & white photographs of my grandparents taken when they were younger, to add to the vintage vibe My rings are organized as so: top row- bands that I mix and match, 2nd row- all antique white gold, 3rd row- all yellow gold, both vintage & new How do you organize your jewelry? Feel free to email pictures of peeks into your jewelry box by emailing charitybracelet@gmail.com Read More
