Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
What Is Two-Tone Gold? When One Colour Isn't Enough
Discover how two-tone gold gets her colours honestly, from twisted tri-color bangles to bi-color chains, and learn the wear-point trick that tells solid gold from...
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What Metals Are Hypoallergenic? A Guide for Itchy Ears and Honest Budgets
Find out which metals actually love sensitive skin, why nickel is the real culprit, and how to shop hypoallergenic without paying a fortune.
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Hollow vs Solid Gold: What "Real Gold" Doesn't Tell You
Two chains can wear the same gold stamp and still tell very different stories. I will show you how to read the weight, not just...
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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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Carat vs Karat: What Is the Difference?
Ever mixed up carat and karat? I untangle the two so you always know whether you are reading about a stone's weight or gold's purity.
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Why Danish Vintage Gold Jewelry Is Special
Discover why Danish vintage gold, solid, honestly weighted and quietly designed, remains one of the best-value corners of the antique jewelry world, and how her...
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How Much Is My Gold Worth? The Honest Math
Curious what your gold jewelry is truly worth? I walk you through the honest math, so no buyer can outsmart you with a lowball offer.
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What Is a Charm Bracelet? A Life Told in Gold
Discover where charm bracelets began, what their little charms really mean, and how to choose or build one that will carry your own life's chapters...
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What Is Filigree Jewelry? Lace Made of Gold
Discover how goldsmiths coax gold and silver wire into lace, why cannetille spirals belonged to the early 1800s, and how to tell handmade filigree from...
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What Is Rose Gold? The Blushing Alloy Explained
Discover why rose gold never fades or fakes its blush, and why she is copper's oldest, warmest trick in the book, not a modern one.
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White Gold vs Yellow Gold: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Choose?
Discover why white gold and yellow gold are really the same gold underneath, and learn how to choose the one that matches your skin, your...
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What Does 925 Mean on Jewelry? Sterling Silver Explained
Learn what those tiny stamps on your silver truly mean, from sterling's 92.5% purity to spotting plate, patina, and the gold-colored 925 trick before you...
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