Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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Platinum in Antique Jewelry: The Metal That Made Edwardian Lace Possible
The metal that made Edwardian lace and Art Deco geometry possible, then disappeared into the war effort. How to recognize it and live with it.
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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
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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How to Tell if Silver Is Real: The Tests That Work at Home
Sterling has a particular weight and a particular coldness, and both are noticeable before you find the mark. Architectural Vintage Bangle, sterling silver Silver is...
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Gold Filled vs Gold Plated: Why One Lasts a Century
Twenty grams and solid 18K through every link, which is the standard the other constructions are measured against. Antique Watch Chain, solid 18K gold, 20...
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What Is Gold Vermeil? The Only Plating Worth Buying
Everything about vermeil depends on what is underneath, and underneath is sterling. Georg Jensen Vintage Bangles with Black Agate, sterling silver Vermeil, pronounced ver-may, is...
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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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