Notes & stories

The School of Fine Jewelry

lessons in antique & vintage jewelry

Instant results as you type, from titles and topics. Try moonstone, rose cut or hallmarks.

Why Is My Ring Turning My Finger Black?
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

Why Is My Ring Turning My Finger Black?

White gold is yellow gold with a rhodium coat, and the day that coat wears thin is the day the questions start. Seven Stone Diamond...
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Does Gold Tarnish? What Is Really Happening to Your Chain
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

Does Gold Tarnish? What Is Really Happening to Your Chain

Seventy-nine years on a hand, and the metal has not changed at all. That is 18K doing what gold does. Wedding Band, 18K gold, Sweden,...
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Satin finished bangle in 14K gold from the 1960s
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

Jewelry Finishes Explained: Satin, Brushed, Florentine and the Rest

Ever wondered why some gold glows while other pieces flash or shimmer? Meet satin, brushed, florentine and their kin, and learn to read a finish...
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Antique watch chain choker and vintage curb link chain in 18K rose gold
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

How to Layer Necklaces Without Tangles or Chaos

Discover the three simple rules that let your necklaces layer beautifully together, no tangles, no chaos, just chains that finally know their place.
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Antique wedding band in 18K gold from 1915
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

Can You Shower With Gold Jewelry? The Honest Answer

Wondering if your gold can handle a hot shower? I'll show you what truly threatens her, from chlorine to sneaky drains, and what she shrugs...
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Vintage anchor chain in 14K gold
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

How to Untangle a Necklace Chain Without Breaking It

I'll show you the four simple things that free any knot without a single pull, so she stays smooth, unharmed, and ready to wear.
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Vintage amethyst bezel set X link bracelet from 1963
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

How to Store Jewelry So It Lasts Another Hundred Years

Discover the one free rule that keeps her safe from scratches and tarnish, and why bathrooms are the worst place for her to rest.
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Antique watch chain necklace in 14K gold, 47.8 grams
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

How to Clean Antique Jewelry Safely (and What Never to Clean)

Learn which antique pieces can handle a gentle soap-and-water clean, and which ones must only ever meet a dry cloth, so their history stays intact.
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Antique citrine silver bracelet from the 1930s, sterling silver with warm patina
AUG 2026 · Care & cleaning

Why Does Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green (and How Do You Stop It)?

Find out why a ring or bracelet sometimes leaves a green mark on your skin, what it really means about the metal, and the honest...
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How To Clean Your Jewelry During A Pandemic
APR 2020 · Care & cleaning

How To Clean Your Jewelry During A Pandemic

Curious which stones hate water and which ones can brave a good scrub? I will show you how to keep her sparkling safely through the...
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