Summer Sparkle and a Summer Break

Happy Thursday my sweetheart!  So it has been a few super fun weeks at the antique shop and those of you who follow me on Instagram will have seen a few of these photos already, but here I can tell you a bit more about them!

I may have had a little play around with all the beautiful aquamarine and diamond rings from Moira and Richard Ogden…

I have such a soft spot for Aquamarines and they sure tally up well with diamonds!  When you get a really beautiful one it is like gazing into the Mediterranean Ocean, with that light-blue, see-through colour, where you almost expect little tropical fish to swim past!

Multicoloured gold necklace from Moira Fine Jewels

Ahh this was a funny story..!  The guys at Moira Fine Jewels asked me to wear this necklace in the shop and I took a few photos of it for their social media.  I then unwrapped it once around my neck to take it off – only to realise that I got myself into a real tangle and sure couldn’t get out!  One of my colleagues tried to help me but gave up after five minutes – fortunately my favourite jewellery craftsman walked through the door that very moment and decided to help and after another five minutes I was freed!  But that ridiculous feeling of being trapped sure came over me for a split second – although I can think of worse ways to go than in a £23,000 necklace with garnets, aquamarines and amethysts!  We also decided to measure it as it is so super long, and here is a live shot from the exercise:

How to measure jewellery

There were no two ways about it: it had to be done manually with a tape measurer and we made sure that all the aquamarines, sapphires in a rainbow of colours, citrines, peridots and zircons were included – and ended up with an impressive 7 feet!

So anyway, that is what we have been up to lately and I will now be going away for two weeks, and I won’t have very much internet connection, so it means that I will see you again after the 13th of June!  Wishing you a wonderful summer until then – and make sure to wear all your most beautiful pieces during that time!!

Cushion cut diamond ring from Moira Fine Jewels

And here is one more for good luck – a stunning cushion cut diamond from Moira Fine Jewels… and we swoon!

Antique treasures at Cape Town’s Jewel Tree

I hope you all had a lovely Early May Bank Holiday on Monday and it is just wonderful to be back here on the blog with you!

Now, I have been wanting to bring you this post for a long time and we are finally here.  On my latest trip to sunny Cape Town I spent numerous hours in my favourite antique jewellery shop, Jewel Tree.  As always, they had the most exquisite collection on display – everything from dazzling pieces of antique jewellery to their own designs:

Art Deco style diamond ring, new design reusing antique diamonds at Jewel Tree in Cape Town

They design their own pieces by reusing antique cut diamonds, above in the Art Deco taste: a handmade 18ct white gold setting with mille grain set diamonds in an intricate fretwork setting, the center stone is an old Victorian cut diamond, surrounded by six smaller old cuts as well as a further two smaller diamonds and framed with thirty six old cut diamonds – a total diamond weight of 1,9ct.  

A nine stone diamond ring of flower head design

I was not surprised to find that this beauty has now been sold, but we can still admire the stunning design where nine stones create a flower with a combined diamond weight of 1,45cts.  It is set in 18ct gold, the shank is done in yellow gold and the setting finished in white gold.  Swoon!

Antique ring with sapphires and diamonds

So if you are looking for an engagement ring, this is the place to go!  You can choose to get yours designed just the way you want it, or you can pick a piece that has stood the test of time and that sparkles at you with all its brilliance – 100 or so years after it was initially made.

 

Stunning antique silver cocktail shaker and glasses

We were also drawn to the silver pieces in the shop, for example this stunning cocktail shaker with a set of matching glasses – if it was good enough for Gatsby it is good enough for me!

Antique pipe case in silver

One of my favourite thing when it comes to antiques is discovering all kinds of unexpected items!  For example this case in silver where you can see the contour of a pipe – simply a must for all the fashionable gentlemen back in the days!  The pipe case was actually made for Liberty & Co, and one of the two pipes in the case has an amber mouth piece and is marked Liberty & Co on the pipe, with a silver hallmarked collar, and the other is a modern replacement pipe.

Antique fan shaped silver box with hinged cover, made by Walker & Hall, Chester 1901

Antique fan shaped silver box with hinged cover, made by Walker & Hall, Chester 1901

The beautiful interior with its original rich gilding

… not to mention this antique fan shaped silver box with a gilded interior!  These are the most perfect things to give away as a present to someone who already has everything.

Ca 1920s bracelet from Jewel Tree in Cape Town

… and I was just beyond thrilled to have this exquisite silver bracelet, which we think is an American piece from the 20’s.  I will make sure to post a photo very soon, when I am wearing it with one of my favourite dresses – I can’t wait!

A huge thank you to Jewel Tree for having us and we will keep an eye on your Facebook-page where so many of us keep falling in love with all the beautiful pieces that you post!

April Diamond Dreaming

“She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.”

Antique chandelier diamond earrings at Westleigh Antiques, Grays Antiques Market

The traditional birthstone for April is the Diamond, which is known to bring all you lovely April children balance, clarity and abundance in life.  It is of course a symbol of eternal love, and the word Diamond comes from the Greek work “adamas” meaning “hardest metal (1).  It is after all one of the hardest substances on the globe, dating back billions of years in time!

Rough diamonds are found in nature and skilled diamond cutters cut them into various forms, creating reflecting facets that lead to the incredible brilliancy that we know so well (2).  Diamonds are also though to increase a person’s energy, whether positive or negative, as well as the healing properties of other crystals.  In other words, if you wear a diamond with an amethyst, it will increase that crystal’s soothing and calming properties.

Diamonds are believed to increase the powers of other gemstones when worn together.  Antique diamond rings at John Joseph, Grays Antique Market

As always, we must look into the legends that surround this birthstone, and the Diamond doesn’t disappoint: ancient Hindus believed that diamonds were create by lightning bolts and they would attribute so much power to diamonds that they placed them in the eyes of statues of deities.  The Greeks believed that diamonds were tears of the Gods, splinters of stars and crystallised lightning (oh I do love that!).

So enjoy your birthday month all you lucky April born ones, and here is to hoping that a diamond crosses your path on your day!

Sources:

1. American Gem Society

2. Birthday Gems

April Diamond Dreaming

“She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.”

Chandelier diamond earrings at Westleigh Antiques, Grays Antiques Market

The traditional birthstone for April is the Diamond, which is known to bring all you lovely April children balance, clarity and abundance in life.  It is of course a symbol of eternal love, and the word Diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas” meaning “hardest metal”, as it is one of the hardest substances on the globe – dating back billions of years!  

Rough diamonds are found in nature and skilled diamond cutters cut the gemstones into various forms, creating reflecting facets that lead to the incredible brilliancy that we know so well.  Diamonds are also thought to increase a person’s energy, whether positive or negative, and also the healing properties of other crystals.  In other words, if you wear a diamond with an amethyst, it will increase that crystal’s soothing and calming properties.

Diamonds are thought to increase the powers of other gemstone when worn together.  Antique Diamond Rings at John Joseph, Grays Antique Market 

As always we must look into the legends that surround this birthstone, and the Diamond doesn’t disappoint: Ancient Hindus believed that diamonds were created by lightning bolts and they would attribute so much power to diamonds that they placed them in the eyes of statues of deities.  The Greeks believed that diamonds were tears of the Gods, splinters of stars and crystallised lightning.  So enjoy your birthday month all you lucky April born ones, and here is to hoping that a diamond crosses your path on your day!

Sources

1. American Gem Society

2. Birthday Gems

A sparkling Christmas party at Grays Antique Centre II

In this last post before Christmas we are visiting DB Gems at Grays Antique Centre, where I was mesmerised by this late 19th century diamond tiara:

Late 18th Century tiara with rose cut diamonds at DBGems, Grays Antique Market

The centre stone is a Rose Cut Diamond, and this sounds so alluring that I just had to find out more:

The Rose Cut dates all the way back to the early 1500s (1) and was a very popular choice of diamond cut during the Georgian and Victorian eras (2).  However, as cutting technology developed the Brilliant Cut became the popular choice in diamonds, as it provided more sparkle in candle light and so the rose cut fell out of fashion for a while.  It did however regain popularity soon again and has remained a treasured choice in engagement rings until this very day.

A rose cut diamond as the centre stone

You might notice in the photo above that the centre diamond is raised above the others?  A rose cut stone is cut to resemble the spiralling petals of a rose, so it features a flat bottom and a dome-shaped crown.  It can have anything from 3 to 24 facets, which are the flat areas on the stone that allows it to reflect light and dazzle us!

Vintage cufflinks at DBGems, Grays Antique Market

I was also delighted to see the amazing collection of cufflinks at DB Gems, that will make the perfect Christmas presents for the gentleman in your life who has everything!

Antique diamond rings at DBGems, Grays Antique Market (please forgive the reflection in the photo!)

I also spent a looong time admiring their necklaces and diamond rings.  We can also glimpse some sapphires and rubies in the photo above, just in case anyone is after a wedding present for their loved one for example..?

Grays Antique Centre, 7 Davies Mews, London, W1K 5AB 

A huge thank you to Grays for having us over!  Hopefully you will get a chance to pop by there during Christmas as it really is a wonderland of beautiful jewellery and works of art.

Sources:

(1) Tracy Matthews

(2) Brilliant Earth

A sparkling Christmas party at Grays Antique Centre

We received a lovely invitation to a Christmas party at Grays Antique Centre last week, which really put the sparkle into this year’s Christmas!

Grays Antique Centre in Mayfair

Grays Antique Centre is based in Mayfair, just by Bond Street tube station and with Christmas coming up it is such a wonderful place to find some very special presents for your loved ones.  You can get everything from very high-end pieces of jewellery (diamonds, emeralds, amethysts etc) to very reasonably priced costume jewellery – from all the glorious decades gone by!

Any favourites?

I stopped by Westleigh Antiques and had a lovely chat with the trader there – and I just couldn’t take my eyes off the most stunning pieces antique and antique-style jewellery!  I was especially delighted to see the most glorious cocktail rings shimmering and sparkling back at me:

30 karat Aquamarine cocktail ring at Westleigh Antiques, Grays Antique Centre

Diamond and pearl cocktail ring at Westleigh Antiques, Grays Antique Centre

Chandelier Diamond Earrings at Westleigh Antiques

The Haywood Sisters at Grays Antique Centre

We also had the pleasure of seeing the Haywood Sisters performing Christmas songs for us.  This lovely vocal trio were styled top to toe in vintage and brought a wonderful touch of glamour and sparkle to the evening.  With backgrounds in West End musicals and other high-end performances they are the perfect addition to a wide range of events, so do check out their beautiful singing here: The Haywood Sisters.

John Joseph at Grays Antique Market Christmas Party

We have seen a few pieces from John Joseph before and I couldn’t resist the temptation of photographing their vintage and antique engagement collection:

Antique Engagement Rings at John Joseph, Grays Antique Centre

They also do the most beautiful cocktail rings with all the precious gemstones you could ever dream of:

Sapphires and emeralds at John Joseph Antiques

We still have a few dealers to visit so stay tuned and I will take you along to see some heavenly antique lace, a late 19th century tiara and some very handsome cuff links – the perfect present for the gentleman that has everything!

A Portobello Market Jewellery Adventure

One of the beautiful houses where Pembridge Road meets Portobello Road

Today’s post is very special, as we are visiting Portobello Market on an early Saturday morning, when all the traders are only just setting up their stalls and the air is filled with excitement ahead of the market day.  I arrived at Notting Hill Gate around 8am, as I would be accompanying one of the fine antique jewellery traders at his stall for a few hours.

Portobello Road

The traders are busy setting up their stalls for the day

As I walked down Portobello Road I passed other stands that were just being set up.  The road was packed with parked vans that were being unloaded with all the glorious things that make up this legendary market every Saturday.

The wonderful food market on Portobello Road

I continued a bit further down past all the antique shops and came up to the famous food market, where the heavenly smell of newly baked bread filled the air, mixed with the sweet smell of strawberries, mangoes and the most exotic fruits and berries.

Vintage bags being unpacked at Portobello Road

I have written another post about Portobello Market – the guide to finding your way around there – but I think that every visit is so amazing as you always discover new things, stands and have a fun chat with some of the traders!

Portobello Market wonders

I just had to photograph the facades of the houses along Portobello Road, as the first morning sunshine hit them so beautifully with its warm light.

Antique Gold Rings, Portobello Market, London

So the purpose of my visit was to show you the fine antique jewellery that is for sale at Portobello Market, and I think we should start with this collection of gold rings with various gemstones.  I love wearing big cocktail rings to parties as they can be so OTT – but then become beautiful statement pieces when worn with subtle outfits.

Such a beautiful pair of Art Nouveau diamond earrings

I adore these Art Nouveau dropdown earrings with diamonds.  By now we are familiar with Art Nouveau-design, which is often very intricate with nature inspired shapes:

Art Nouveau butterfly necklace with sapphires and diamonds *sigh*

Earring heaven is coming up below!  Would you say that you prefer Art Deco or Art Nouveau jewellery?

Loving these aquamarine and diamond earrings 

Antique emerald and diamond earrings 

Antique diamond earrings 

Selection of antique jewellery at Portobello Market

This is what fine antique jewellery displays often look like.  So much to choose from with a glorious range of gemstones, and precious metals.  You can also see some more period typical Art Nouveau jewellery in the middle and towards the top of this photo.  For example the locket where you insert a photo of a loved one (it is empty in the photo above).

Antique diamond dress clips

If you look closely at the picture above you can see a dress clip with diamonds in the middle of the picture.  Those were very popular around the turn of the century, among the fashionable ladies who would fasten them on each side of their dress, at the bottom of the dress straps at the front, to keep the dress sitting correctly.

At the top right of the photo you have a pair of golden earrings with amethysts, with the typical screw on earrings.  And need I even mention all the glorious cocktail rings on the far left at the back?

Antique engagement rings 

For those of you hunting for antique engagement rings this is definitely the place to visit.  The traders are always happy to advise on the different designs and the price ranges go from a few hundred pounds up to… well I will leave that to your imagination!  Here are some sparkling beauties – accompanied by an Art Deco diamond and sapphire bracelet .  If anything in this – or any other post on the blog – takes your fancy, do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will put you in touch with the right antique dealers.

I hope that inspires you to wear something fabulous this weekend my dear!