Antique Jewelry and Application of Gemstones



Jewelry has to be seen....

They are big images... but worth to be seen. Jossic's 1050 Jewelry designs is simply amazing. (This links to first photo page) Page 1 shows the designers names and descriptions).

As examples: 15-16th century German Jewelry; French Jewelry Designs 1920's - 1930's

 

 

Definition of (American) Scotch-Jewelry. Trends and which gemstones were used

 

Cutting and Mounting of Gems

Cutting and Mounting of Gems in the 19th century. See here for a great illustration (Agate cutting in Idar Oberstein)

 

Story of the Ruby Spoon and the Tara Brooch

A big spoon of precious stone designed with comets.... The Caliph never having seen such an object, asked where it came from.... My father suggested blood letting. Read the full story (and more) by 10th century Al-Biruni.

Tara Brooch: Read Orpen's 26 page long story on the Tara Brooch: one of the most important artifacts of Christian Irish Art, at present in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin

 

Essays on Antique Jewelry

The (in)famous lost Pearl Necklace of Marie Antoinette and other famous jewelry.

Castellani on Etruscan Jewellery

 

 

Jewellry Announcement

WE ARE WORKING ON A REDESIGN OF OUR SITE. LATER THIS SPRING WE WILL UPLOAD A FEW DOZEN JEWELLRY BOOKS AND CATALOGUES DEALING WITH ANTIQUE JEWELLRY

 

 

Greek, Roman, Egypt Jewelry etc

Which gemstones were used in antique jewelry ?

Sacred Jewelry in different antique cultures

 

Gemstone Imitations

Extensive overview of glass imitations (and other so called "pastes") of gemstones, intaglio's and camei. Many such pastes were particularly hard, and after polishing easy to mistake for the real stone. Overview covers antiquity to 19th century.
 
Read the the specific "recipes" for (Strass) imitation of Amethyst,  Topaz, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald etc.