Notes & stories
The School of Fine Jewelry
lessons in antique & vintage jewelry
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Antique Diamonds vs Lab Grown: Which Should You Buy?
I'll show you why lab grown diamonds lose their value while antique stones hold theirs, so you can choose the one that truly suits your...
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What Should You Do With Inherited Jewelry?
Learn what to do first when jewelry arrives from someone you loved, so grief never costs you her true value.
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14K vs 18K Gold: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Choose?
Find out what really separates 14K from 18K gold, and let me help you decide which one deserves a place on your hand every day.
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Can Antique Rings Be Resized? What Is Safe and What Is Not
Wondering if your grandmother's ring can finally fit your hand? I walk you through which antique rings resize beautifully, which need extra care, and which...
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What Is a Rose Cut Diamond?
Discover why rose cut diamonds glow instead of sparkle, how to spot a genuine antique one, and what makes them such a lovely, affordable way...
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How to Tell if Gold Is Real: The Tests That Work and the Ones That Do Not
Discover which simple checks, from marks to magnets to the feel of real weight, actually tell you if a piece is gold, and which ones...
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Old European Cut vs Old Mine Cut: What Is the Difference?
Learn to spot a squarish, hand-cut old mine cut from its round, early-machine-made cousin, the old European cut, and see why the shape changes what...
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Is It Real Gold? How to Read Hallmarks on Antique Jewelry
Learn how to read hallmarks, spot gold-filled or plated pieces, and tell Swedish crowns from Danish towers so you never overpay for a piece she...
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How to Date Antique Jewelry: A Practical Guide to the Eras
Learn how to read a piece of jewelry the way I do, from her back and metal to her clasp, cut and hallmark, so her...
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What Is an Old Mine Cut Diamond? A Collector's Guide
Learn how to spot an old mine cut by eye, why she glows differently than a modern diamond, and what she is really worth to...
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Introducing Nextmine: A Circle of Collectors
I'm excited to introduce Nextmine, my new marketplace where collectors can buy and sell their pre-loved fine jewelry directly from each other, letting each piece...
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Why I love vintage jewelry
Discover why she believes vintage jewelry beats anything new, from the soul in her craftsmanship to the stories she carries and the sparkle she gives...
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