Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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Which Hand Does a Wedding Ring Go On? Traditions Around the World
I'll show you where wedding rings go around the world, from Denmark's own lovely traditions to that old Roman myth about love and veins.
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What Is a Cocktail Ring? Big Stones and Better Stories
Find out why cocktail rings began as Prohibition-era rebellion, why the mid-century ones are still jewelry's best value, and how she gets worn today.
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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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Are Opals Bad Luck? The Truth Behind the Superstition
Discover how a Victorian novel and a bit of trade gossip turned opals unfairly unlucky, and why these fiery stones deserve a place in your...
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How to Wear a Brooch: The Comeback Guide
Learn where a brooch truly belongs, how to pin one without harming delicate fabric, and why so many antique brooches secretly double as pendants.
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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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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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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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What Is a Locket? Small Doors, Big Feelings
Step inside the tiny doors of lockets, from Renaissance miniatures to today's first-haircut curls, and learn how to open, value, and cherish one safely.
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Birthstones by Month: The Complete Guide
Find out which gem belongs to your birth month, why the Victorians loved them so dearly, and which stones can truly handle being worn every...
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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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