New necklaces

I popped a few new necklaces in the shop this weekend and I'm hoping to get another dozen stocked in the next week or so. I'm filling up the Jean Jean Vintage necklace drawer!

Finding patents . . . oh what fun!

It is always thrilling to find a patent number on an old piece of jewelry, mostly because it often leads you back to the original patent application and drawings. That's what happened with this necklace. It dates to the late 1920s (or very early 1930s) and has a unique chain made of large, fold-over clasps. The chain design was patented in 1928. You can read the full application, and subsequent referencing patents, right here. The necklace itself is beautiful, with convincing matrix on the turquoise glass and silver plating on all the metal. I have only seen one other example of this chain in person, on a piece that I sold in 2010. It was a bracelet set with faceted pink glass. I still think about that one!

Man on the moon ring

This extraordinary carved "Man on the Moon" moonstone and diamond ring is coming up to auction next Tuesday at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers. I love his expression.

Fellow's Antique & Modern Jewelry Auction, June 12th

Have you ever bid in a jewelry auction, online or in person? There is one coming up this Thursday, June 12th, that caught my eye. The auction house is Fellows & Sons, a family-owned auctioneers based in the old jewelry quarter of Birmingham, UK. They are a bustling house, presenting nearly 100 auctions a year and (lucky for us!) specializing in antique and modern jewelry. They make it easy to bid online via the-salesroom and they present a sensational full-color catalog. You can download the whole shabang on the Antique & Modern Jewelry auction homepage. I've picked out a few of my favorites here:

a ▴ Lot 105 / mid-century 18k gold, coral and diamond dress ring
b ▴ Lot 385 / Victorian garnet cabochon necklace with enamel hand and woven hair reverse
c ▴ Lot 37 / Victorian 18k gold, pearl and diamond ring
d ▴ Lot 472 / Early 20th century 18k gold diamond and enamel flower brooch
e ▴ Lot 9 / Early 20th century silver, 9 ct gold, sapphire and diamond cluster brooch
f ▴ Lot 87 / Pair of 18k gold ear clips
g ▴ Lot 30 / 1970s 18k gold synthetic color change sapphire ring
h ▴ Lot 81 / Early 20th century gold, diamond and gem-set bird brooch
i ▴ Lot 378 / Late 19th century gold amethyst cameo pendant
j ▴ Lot 287 / Late 19th century 15k gold, turquoise and diamond pendant
k ▴ Lot 361 / Mid 19th century 15k gold, diamond and ruby bangle
l ▴ Lot 11 / Mid 20th century novelty oar pendant
m ▴ Lot 318 / cultured five-row bracelet with ruby clasp

As for me, I'm planning to toss my hat in the ring for one lot on Thursday. If I win, I'll be sure to share a victory photo here and on Instagram!
 
Here's a pro tip: Even if you don't plan to bid this week, I encourage you to check out the catalog. Most of us don't have the opportunity to view such variety and quality of jewelry as this in person but a great catalog is a nice consolation prize. Plus, you can learn a lot from reading item descriptions and it is always interesting to review the hammer/realized prices from past auctions.

This post is part of a collaboration with Fellows & Sons