Where does one begin on the topic of
jewelry?
From the simple shell beads worn by Paleolithic hunters, to the history
of jewelry design from the exquisite early medieval pieces and the splendor of
Renaissance
gold work, to the sumptuousness of Art Nouveau enamels and Art Nouveau
periods, jewelry throughout the
twentieth-century
and right up to the present,
the development
of jewelry is a fascinating history.
I personally enjoy looking at
sparkling diamonds, swoon when staring at rubies and opals, thrill at art deco
and art Nouveau designs, and harbor a hint of envy when I look at those
fortunate to wear fine jewels. But alas, I am but a commoner when it comes to
jewelry. I do not own bejeweled brooches, pendants, earrings, and tiaras (do
possess a costume version of a tiara – will tell the story behind that later),
that encompass beauty and technical virtuosity, but I do have few fine pieces that
I dearly love and sincerely treasure. Here are a few of my coveted pieces I
displayed in a shadow box:
* My first gold (plated) bracelet
* A
Minnie (not Mickey) Watch (band long gone)
* Popular in the 1980s, a gold charm
holder w/tiny
icons of affection
* Brass plate engraved with Keith’s (hubby)
name
* Sterling Silver cuff bracelet from
Tiffany
Jewelers
* Olsen European Tours Pin (circa 1972)
* My tiny duck ring & charm
bracelet
(don’t remember wearing either of them)
* My absolutely favorite pin of all
time (the ballerina I never became)
* A Garnet Ring (pretended it was a
Ruby) * Souvenir Pin from Paris
* My Father’s Grandfather Ring with
the birthstones of his two grandchildren:
Diamond for Tiffeni & Alexandrite for
Charlie)
* Ivory ring Keith brought home
from one of his Naval Duties
* “Pet Rock” pendent (1970s craze),
* My first watch (a grade school
graduation gift)
I have other pieces of jewelry I
have saved over the year, my favorite is my
“Charm Bracelet.” (I will post
in-depth on this subject soon). But the one piece
I have that has a story to
tell is this one:
Starburst Diamond Ring or Princess Ring
Measuring 1” from top to bottom and from left to
right, rounded square in shape, it has 32/2-diamond prongs with a total of 64
diamonds of same size diamonds plus 2 top diamonds of larger size, totaling one
full Karat. The diamonds appear to be a slender,
rectangular baguette cut. The two top accent stones in the central are
larger and brilliant-cut. Craftsmanship excellent.
As the rings’
facets are rectilinear and arranged parallel to the setting, the diamonds are
known as step cut stones,
popular in the Art Deco period. The symmetrical arrangement of facets is well proportioned. There is a
jeweler’s mark and some initials engraved into the 14K white gold band.
I purchased the ring from at an estate auction and proudly worn it since. I
marvel at the stares it gets and enjoy answering the questions I’m asked. “Are
those diamonds real?” “How many karats?” “Can I try it on?”
Then one evening while watching our local PBS station, a new program was seeking
participants who had antiques they would like to have appraised on live TV on a
new show called, “Virginia Valuables.” In
the style of “Antiques Roadshow,” guests were paired with local
appraisers and their treasures – all while the cameras rolled – captured the owner’s
joy and disappointment as the object was being appraised.
What fun! Or was it?
In
order to get on the show, you were required to send in pictures of your
antiques.
It could be art, furniture, jewelry, clothing, etc. I thought it would be fun so I sent in pictures of several of my antiques,
one of which was the ring.
Guests on the program were identified through the
Community Idea Stations Appraisal Fair, hosted at the station over two days in
September 2011. From more than 370 entries, 50 were chosen to meet the
appraisers.
When I got the call (I was at a grocery store) they told me they were interested
in one
of my offerings. I was thrilled, but was really surprised when they
picked the ‘ring.’
“Why,” I asked.
They
said it was certainly a glamorous ring and felt it would look great on the
show.
So my daughter and I drove to Richmond from Williamsburg, over an hours
drive. (Would have gotten there sooner but got lost.) Once there, we were ushered
into the studio and to wait my turn. Meanwhile, we watched two other presenters
which gave me a good idea as to what to expect. Now it was my turn!
I had been on
live television before and knew what to expect. Calm and inquisitive, I let the
appraiser do his job.
With the powerful lights focused on the ring, it sparkled so that even
Elizabeth Taylor would have been proud to be its owner. As he talked, he
closely examined the ring.
With his jewelers eye (magnifying tool) he offered a
rather cunning smile. I had a suspicion that he was going to devalue it
somehow. After all, the show, likes its sister show, enjoys creating tension
leading to the moment when they say, “Well . . . he said,”
“Due to the current vogue for brilliant and brilliant-like cuts, step cut
diamonds may suffer somewhat in value. Stones that are deep enough may be
re-cut into shapes that are more popular.
Antique jewelry of the period features step-cut stones
prominently and there is a market in producing new step-cut stones to repair
antique jewelry or to reproduce it.”
He called it a PRINCESS RING. With
its 14K White Gold, one full Karat & excellent craftsmanship,
circa 1960, his appraisal result at auction today, could have a auction bid of
$900. I purchased the ring for $800 in 1981.
(You would thing a ring so unusual
would have gain in value . . .)
Seeing the shock on my face, which the camera and crew loved (perfect for
the audience), he explained that the low
appraisal was due to the recession.
(I don’t think so . . .)
I am sure I am missing some details of this event, but for what it was
worth, the experience was interesting and now I know how those people on Antiques Road
Show, even those who show their things on the new pawn shop show, feel. And if
you should have a similar experience and are not satisfied with the outcome, get
another appraisal.
This taping aired on Monday, November 28, at 8:00 p.m. on WCVE PBS/WHTJ PBS.
The tagline for "Virginia Valuables" read; "a one-hour special where Virginia residents discovered if their treasures had more than just sentimental value."
Next Post: Mother's Day Cards
Did you know that the jewelry you own or especially
the pieces you collect have a history of their own? For example, a Charm
Bracelet. Be the bracelet gold or silver, and even the size of the charms do not
matter because a charm is a charm and each one tells a story. If you have one,
take it out of the jewelry box right now and look at it and ask yourself these
questions: 
So next time you go through your or a relative who
passed away jewelry box, look at the pieces carefully. People often say, “If only this piece can talk.” These
heirlooms do, in fact, talk. They can tell us a great deal about history, just
like your Family Museum does. So
instead of keeping that inscribed piece of jewelry hidden away, showcase it.
