Journal
The Journal
Field notes from inside the antique and estate jewelry trade — what to look for, what to walk away from.
Is Antique Jewelry a Good Investment? An Honest Answer
An honest look at whether antique and vintage jewelry actually holds value — what appreciates, what doesn't, the liquidity nobody mentions, and...
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Gemstone Hardness: What the Mohs Scale Means for Jewelry You Actually Wear
Mohs hardness tells you which gems survive daily wear and which belong in earrings. Here's how to read the scale and choose...
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Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamonds: An Honest Comparison (and the Alternatives Worth Considering)
Natural or lab grown? The honest breakdown on cost, value, and resale — plus the antique-world alternatives that give you more stone...
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What Is a Toi et Moi Ring? The Two-Stone Design Behind 2026's Biggest Trend
Two stones, one ring, and a love story that starts with Napoleon. Here's what a toi et moi ring actually is, and...
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Old European vs. Old Mine Cut Diamonds: How Antique Cuts Compare to the Modern Brilliant
Old European, old mine, and modern brilliant cuts are three different ways of seeing light. Here's how to tell them apart —...
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How to Choose a Vintage or Antique Engagement Ring: A Collector's Guide
A collector's guide to choosing a vintage or antique engagement ring — how to read the eras, judge the diamond, check condition,...
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How to Read a Hallmark: Dating Antique Jewelry
A hallmark is a piece of jewelry telling you its own story — metal, maker, sometimes the exact year and city. How...
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How to Tell If a Gemstone Is Fine: A Collector's Field Guide
"Fine" is about the quality of the material, not the age of the piece. What separates a fine gemstone from a merely...
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How to Start an Antique Jewelry Collection (Without Getting Burned)
Most people start collecting the expensive way — they buy first and learn second. A collector's honest guide to building an antique...
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