Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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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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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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What Is a Brilliant Cut Diamond? The Cut That Conquered the World
Find out how a 1919 formula turned diamonds into light machines, and what she quietly gave up to sparkle so perfectly.
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Why Are Antique Rings So Small? Myth and Fact
Discover why so many antique rings run small, and learn the real mix of bodies, fashion, melting pots and resizing history behind those tiny sizes.
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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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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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What Is Aquamarine? The Sea in a Stone
Discover why aquamarine, emerald's calmer sea-blue sibling, became the quiet star of Danish vintage jewellery, and how to spot genuine stones from clever imitations.
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Emeralds in Antique Jewelry: Why the Best Green Comes With Flaws
Learn why every fine emerald carries her own inner garden, and why those inclusions are proof of beauty, not a flaw to fear.
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What Is a Cabochon? The Cut With No Facets at All
Find out why some stones shine best without a single facet, and how to judge whether a dome is truly well cut before she comes...
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What Is a Solitaire Ring? One Stone, the Whole Argument
I'll show you why one stone alone became the ring world's most enduring idea, and how to spot a truly good antique solitaire.
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