Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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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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What Is a Three Stone Ring? Past, Present and Future on One Finger
Discover what past, present and future really mean on a three stone ring, and why antique trilogies in old cuts still outshine anything new.
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How Tight Should a Ring Fit? The Feel of a Correct Fit
Learn what a correct ring fit truly feels like, how your knuckle and finger base can disagree, and how sizing beads quietly fix a ring...
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What Is Coin Jewelry? Money You Wear
I'll show you how coins turn into cherished jewelry, why mounting affects their value, and how to spot a real strike from a clever copy.
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What Is Moonstone? The Stone With Light Inside
I'll show you why moonstone's floating light bewitched Romans and Scandinavian goldsmiths alike, and how to spot a truly fine stone.
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What Is Mother of Pearl? The Shell Behind the Shimmer
Discover why mother of pearl truly is the pearl's mother, how antique makers carved her into everyday treasures, and how to tell her warmth from...
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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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What Is a Promise Ring? A Very Old Idea With a New Name
Discover where promise rings truly began, what they mean today, and why an antique one says it best.
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What Is a Stacking Ring? The Art of Wearing Several at Once
Learn why slim antique bands make the best stacking rings, how to mix metals and eras without clashing, and the quarter-size trick that keeps a...
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What Is a Cluster Ring? Small Stones, Big Presence
Learn why a handful of small diamonds can outshine one big stone, and how to check an antique cluster ring's stones and settings before she...
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Are Sapphires Only Blue? The Full Color Range Explained
Discover how sapphires stretch far beyond blue, from sunny yellows to the rare padparadscha, and learn why the blue stone stole all the fame while...
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Garnet vs Ruby: How to Tell Which Red Stone You Have
I will show you how to read light, wear and setting so you can finally tell your garnet from a true ruby, and understand why...
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