Journal
The Journal
Field notes from inside the antique and estate jewelry trade — what to look for, what to walk away from.
Old Money Jewelry: The Pieces That Look Inherited, Even When They're Not
Old money jewelry explained: the signet rings, pearls, gold chains, tank watches, diamond studs, antique engagement rings and cufflinks that look inherited,...
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Ruby Buying Guide: Pigeon's Blood, Origin, Heat and Glass-Filled Rubies
Ruby buying guide: what makes a ruby valuable, what pigeon's blood really means, origins from Myanmar to Mozambique, heated, flux-healed and glass-filled...
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Rose Gold, Red Gold and Russian Gold: Why Antique Gold Looks Pink
Why antique gold looks pink: how copper makes rose, pink and red gold, what 56 zolotnik and Soviet 583 mean, why rose...
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Diamond Color Scale D to Z: Why Warm Antique Diamonds Deserve a Second Look
Diamond color scale D to Z: the five GIA colour groups, how colour is graded against master stones, how setting metal and...
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White Gold vs Platinum vs Silver: How to Tell Them Apart
White gold vs platinum vs silver: how to tell them apart by marks such as PT950, IRIDPLAT, 750 and 925, by weight...
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Birthstones by Month: The Full List, What Each Means, and the Antique Versions
Birthstones by month: the full modern list and its alternatives, the 1912 origins and later additions such as tanzanite and spinel, traditional...
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Diamond Clarity Chart: FL to I3, Eye-Clean, and What Actually Matters
Diamond clarity chart from FL to I3: what each GIA grade means at 10x, the inclusion types on a report, which grades...
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How to Tell If Silver Is Real: 925, Sterling Marks and Simple Tests
How to tell if silver is real: what 925, Sterling and the lion passant mean, which marks such as EPNS and nickel...
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How to Clean Antique Jewelry at Home Without Ruining It
How to clean antique jewelry at home safely: the gentle method that works, what never to use on emeralds, opals, pearls, enamel...
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