Journal
The Journal
Field notes from inside the antique and estate jewelry trade — what to look for, what to walk away from.
Paraíba Tourmaline: Why Neon Blue Can Outprice Diamonds
Paraíba tourmaline owes its neon glow to copper, and its name now describes chemistry rather than origin. What drives the price, Brazilian...
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Vintage Gucci Jewelry: Eras, Marks, and What's Worth Buying
How to read vintage Gucci jewelry marks, including the Italian 750 and star-number-province maker's mark, tell solid gold from gilt and fakes,...
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Gold Plated vs Gold Filled vs Vermeil vs Solid Gold: What “Waterproof” Jewelry Really Is
Gold plated, gold filled, vermeil, PVD “waterproof” and solid gold, defined by the FTC standards. How long each lasts, what it is...
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Cartier Love Bracelet: History, Serial Numbers, and How to Spot a Fake
Cartier Love bracelet real vs fake: Aldo Cipullo's 1969 design, where the serial number and hallmarks sit, screw and motif alignment, weight...
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Is 9k or 10k Gold Worth It? Low-Karat Gold in Antique Jewelry
9k and 10k are real gold, and in antique jewelry they are often the smart buy. The karat maths, the 1854 British...
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How to Tell If a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Is Real
How to tell if a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra is real: the perlée border, stone fit, clasp, serial number and hallmarks,...
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Vintage Tiffany & Co. Jewelry: How to Date It, Authenticate It, and What's Worth Buying
How to read vintage Tiffany jewelry marks, tell real from fake (including Return to Tiffany), why gold pieces are so much rarer...
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What $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 Buys in an Antique Engagement Ring
An honest guide to antique engagement ring cost: the realistic trade-offs at $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000, where value hides in old cuts...
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Old European Cut Diamonds: What Actually Drives the Price
Old European cut diamonds do not price like modern rounds. How carat thresholds, spread, warm colour, recutting and the grading report really...
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