Journal
The Journal
Field notes from inside the antique and estate jewelry trade — what to look for, what to walk away from.
How to Tell If a Vintage Rolex Is Real: What Buyers Should Check
A detection-only checklist for buyers of vintage Rolex: serial and reference between the lugs, cyclops, dial and lume, caseback, crown and bracelet...
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What Is an Arthritic Shank? The Ring Band Designed Around a Knuckle
What an arthritic shank is, how hinged, adjustable and expanding shanks differ from sizing beads and ring guards, who needs one, how...
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JAR Jewelry: Joel Arthur Rosenthal, the Most Secretive Jeweler in Paris, and Why Collectors Chase Him
JAR jewelry explained: Joel Arthur Rosenthal's Place Vendôme house since 1978, colour-graded pavé, titanium and aluminium, tiny output and no advertising, the...
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Vintage Gold Watches for Women: Cartier, Rolex, Patek, Omega and the Jewelry Watch
The vintage gold watches for women worth looking for, from the Cartier Tank, Baignoire and Panthère to the gold Lady-Datejust, Golden Ellipse,...
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How to Tell If a Gemstone Is Real or Glass: Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds
How to tell if a ruby, sapphire or emerald is real, glass, synthetic or a doublet. The loupe signs that give imitations...
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Cufflinks Guide: Styles, Metals and How to Wear Them Without a Tuxedo
A dealer's cufflinks guide: swivel, bullet, chain and fixed-back fittings, which shirts take them, what the gold stamps mean, vintage makers worth...
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Buccellati Jewelry: The Hand-Engraved Gold of Milan, and What to Buy Pre-Owned
Buccellati jewelry explained: Mario Buccellati's 1919 Milan shop, the D'Annunzio connection, rigato, telato and segrinato engraving, the silver animals, how pieces are...
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How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home (and When Not to Trust It)
The home ring-sizing methods that work, the ones that do not, and a US, UK and European ring size chart. Plus wide...
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Emerald Engagement Rings: Beauty, Durability and What to Know Before You Buy
Are emeralds good for engagement rings? An honest look at hardness vs toughness, oiling, protective settings, emerald as centre stone or accent,...
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