Gold, silver and platinum have ruled the jewelry market for generations, but do you know that palladium is becoming increasingly popular? It provides a number of advantages that other precious metals simply cannot match, and understanding these benefits will make it easier to decide whether you should select this material when making your next jewelry purchase.

Jewelry has always been a popular accessory, and 2016 has a number of trends that will elevate your wardrobe to a new level. From crosses to crystals, hoops and chains, some of these accessories are a blast from the past while others are the wave of the future.

The period that took place during and after the Art Nouveau period is the Edwardian period 1901-1915. Named after Edward VII. The jewelry during this era screamed wealth with a lot of mixed stiles. Filigree which is a delicate lace like design was often seen. White gold and Platinum where the main metals used. New technologies aloud diamond cutters to cut diamonds with better accuracy and made them sparkle more. Popular stones during this period included Peals, Black opals, Green garnets and sapphires.

The Art Deco period came after the Edwardian period 1915-1935. This period was full of linear and geometric form which gathered its inspiration from architecture. Metals used mainly in this period where still white gold and platinum set with diamonds and bright bold colored stones. The great depression greatly impacted the middle of this period and jewelry and manufacturers started incorporating cheaper materials such as bakelite (a form of plastic) and stones such as coral and turquoise. As WWII came the Art Deco period ended.

The Retro period occurred during 1935-1950. After WWII and the Great depression many people questioned paper money and considered jewelry as a type of wearable commodity. Big Chunky designs designs where popular. Platinum was scarce because it was allocated to the war. Gold was back in style in various colors such as yellow, green, and rose where in. Popular gemstones used during this period where aquamarines, topaz, and citrines, as well as synthetic rubies and sapphires.

Michael Sklar GG
Watch and Jewelry Specialist

Jewelry has been made in various forms since possibly the beginning of time. The oldest jewelry known to man are three shell beads that are between 90,000 and 100,000 years old. We don’t get to see anything this old unless it’s in a museum. Most of the estate Jewelry that is sold is from more recent periods. The periods that most estate jewelry is seen in starts with the Georgian Era.
The Georgian Era took place between 1714 and 1837 during the reign of the for Kings of England named George.
Cameos, intaglios, mosaic, acorns, the Greek key, Urns, Doves, Phoenix, and Wheat were all popular Georgian motifs. Some stones used during this period diamonds, foil backed diamonds, topaz, and garnets. Sometimes precious stones where replicated with glass also known as “paste”. The choice of metals used during this period was high carat gold and silver.
The Victorian period came next from 1837 to 1901. This was during Queen Victoria’s reign up until the time of her death. This Era was divided into several periods.
The Early Victorian-era jewelry featured love and nature-inspired designs, similar to jewelry of the Georgian era. “Paste” allowed more and more people to purchase and wear jewelry. The love inspired theme during this period corresponded to the love shared between Queen Victoria and her husband. Lockets and brooches were popular during the day, while colored gemstones and diamonds were worn during the evening.
The next period took place in 1856 to 1890. This was when the Queens husband had passed and more and more jewelry started turning dark. This jewelry was called “mourning jewelry”. These pieces where grand and featured heavy, dark stones including Jet, onyx, amethyst, and garnet. Hair was also used to make jewelry and is often found in gold lockets of this period.
The last period of the era was from the 1860 to 1901. During this period pieces where larger and more colors where being used. Some stones used during this period where amethyst, pearls, amber, carnelian garnets, turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite, tortoise shell. More gem mines where discovered during this period that produced stones such as sapphire, peridot, tourmaline, spinel, and opal.
The next Jewelry period was known Art Nouveau and it took place between 1895 to 1915. This period often featured designs of dragonflies, butterfly’s, flowers and sensual long haired women. It is believed to have originated in Paris. Bright colors of Enamel where heavily used during this period. These pieces usually remind you of spring and romance.

As many exhibits from the world’s highest rated museums suggest, incorporating coins in jewelry was a common practice in ancient Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire. While you might think that coin jewelry was only a trend specific to the ancient world, let’s not forget that many of the coinage found in century old shipwrecks make their way into modern jewelry. From a collector’s perspective, however, only the ones manufactured in the period between the Victorian era and up to the 1960s are actually valuable. In case you’re new to vintage jewelry collecting, then here are the five major types of coin jewelry to focus on.

Truth be told, nothing compares to holding an item in your hands when you’re shopping around for antiques. However, let’s not forget that when you’re serious about collecting antiques, then chances are that you will have to travel the world for obtain a certain rare piece or a bargain. Unless, of course, you decide to shop online.

Without denying that shopping online for antiques comes with certain risks, you can take advantage of this convenience and be able to get your hands on great deals for exquisite items at the same time. Let’s explore the elements you should watch out for when shopping online for collectible antiques.