A beautiful Prasiolite ring

Sooooo sometimes when I visit an antique market I see a piece that I fall in love with and then I somehow rationalise with myself that I shouldn’t buy it – only to deeply regret it when I come home.  This is what happened on Sunday with this stunner:

Prasiolite ring, also known as Green Quartz

The lady who was selling it told me that it was a Green Amethyst, which I had never heard of before, so I did some research and it appears that Green Amethyst is sometimes the name mistakenly used for Green Quartz or Prasiolite – it is also sometimes called Vermarine or Lime Citrine.  I can however understand why people make this mistake, as Prasiolite occurs when an amethyst or citrine (both coloured varieties of quartz) undergoes a selective heat treatment in the presence of iron, that transforms the quartz into a cool leek or celadon green.  However, it is apparently against Federal Trade Commission Guidelines to call a Prasiolite a Green Amethyst, so we better keep that in mind!

Such a beautiful design

It seems that a Prasiolite is a very spiritual stone and it is used for a number of wonderful things, such as clearing negativity, fostering compassion, self-acceptance and self-honor, igniting love and compassion in one’s heart, strengthening the emotions, the mind and the will, and bringing good fortune and luck (1).  Now who wouldn’t want to wear a piece that that does so many good things?!

I suspect that I fell in love with this ring because it reminds me of Scandinavian design: clean lines and such a beautifully transparent yet striking colour.  I believe that it is a modern design, but sometimes those show up at these antique fairs as well.  So if anyone of you lovelies would like to buy it do let me know, and I will do my best to find the seller when she returns in a month’s time (if she hasn’t yet sold it!).  I would need to check that it actually is a Prasiolite and that the mount is silver, but if all is correct then it is yours for £50.

Sources:

(1)  Crystal Cur

Antique Fair at Dorking Halls, Surrey

Pistachio and Chocolate gelato outside Cafe Rialto – with the beautiful Surrey hills in the background (please forgive the construction works!)

This weekend went in the air of vintage!  On Saturday afternoon I went to Dorking and visited Chantecleer Antiques (post coming up on Wednesday!) and Shrewd, before trying the fabulous gelato at Cafe Rialto.

Cafe Rialto Gelato, Dorking

I went for my two favourite flavours: pistachio and chocolate, that are both to die for.  My two fellow ice cream lovers however were very brave and tried Rialto’s specialty, Kibana = Kiwi and Banana.  They both loved it, so if you are curious to go for it you will be advised to try a spoonful before getting a whole scoop.  It is such an interesting mixtures, as both the banana and kiwi flavours come through separately – both absolutely yummy.  It is also really refreshing and has this enticing mint green colour.

Until Wednesday Aug 21st you will get a free scoop of ice cream when you buy at least one scoop of ice cream on its own, upon giving the password ELEGANCE of course!

Beautiful costume jewellery at SGS Collectibles, at the Antique Fair at Dorking Halls

On Sunday morning I went to Dorking Halls, which had turned into a big antique heaven with lots and lots of traders showing off their beautiful collections.  I just love browsing all the beautiful pieces of silver, jewellery, accessories and home-ware at these fairs.  It is also so interesting to listen to the trader’s stories about how they started out, their love and dislikes about their chosen careers – and finding the most unique pieces to bring back home is obviously a huge plus!

Green and gold vintage jewellery from SGS Collectibles

I soon came to SGS Collectibles where the most fascinating pieces of dress jewellery (costume jewellery) were on display.  I ended up talking to the trader Sally for almost an hour and I wanted to share with you something very interesting that she taught me: how to wear clip-on earrings.  See, I avoid wearing them because:

1. I can never get them to stay on and

2. They hurt my ears

Apparently the trick is to hold on to your earlobe with two fingers, and gently pull it out so it stretches a bit.  Then you clip on the earring as close to your face as you can, before letting go.  You can now adjust the earrings as you wish and it will happily stay on all day, as it is sitting in the thinner part of the earlobe.  Easy pie!

I adore gold and pearls so obviously these beauties caught my eye 

… and more lovely pieces and designs – all at SGS Collectibles

Sally then showed me her collection of the most colourful necklaces, earrings and accessories – all in wonderful condition, which is so important when you work with antiques and vintage.  I can’t take a trader seriously if their stock isn’t well looked after, as in my eyes it shows their devotion to the trade.

Some glorious sparkle – clip-on earrings

Gold coloured brooch with dazzling rhinestones

Stunning vintage jewellery at SGS Collectibles 

A collection often reflects a trader’s own taste (I know mine does!) and whichever piece Sally showed us looked absolutely gorgeous on her!  So if 50s/60s jewellery is your thing, this is the lady you want to speak to.

Happy colours from the stylish 60s 

My favourite thing about vintage jewellery is the detailed work that has gone into making the pieces

I don’t often rave about vintage handbags, but I must say that the few in Sally’s collection really had me swooning: wonderful condition and I loved the elegant and ladylike designs:

… not to mention the accessories…

I actually ended up buying a beautiful 1940’s leather handbag, which – judging from the condition – doesn’t seem to have been used before.  It reminded me of Audrey Hepburn, as the design is very simple and elegant and will go with more or less everything in my wardrobe.  My favourite part is the clip on the side of the bag, where you can fasten a scarf and get a whole new look to the bag!  Sally had this beautiful, very Scandinavian looking silk scarf, which was like made for the bag, so I had to buy that as well.

My new vintage handbag perfected today’s work outfit, which is a mixture of COS, DKNY and Keds 

The bag is my arm-candy worn to work today and I am just loving it!  Do you have any vintage/antique pieces that you just adore in your wardrobe or jewellery collection?