Have I found a favorite?

I think I've finally figured it out! I've finally narrowed down the type of jewelry I love the most!

The winner is: Etruscan jewelry. 

I found these words on the development of this type of jewelry work:

"During the latter part of the Queen Victoria's reign, archaeological discoveries greatly influenced jewelry design. One such discovery was of Etruscan jewelry. These pieces had fine gold granulation, which the modern jeweler could not reproduce. It was the Italian jeweler Castellini who found a remote village in the mountains of northern Italy where the ancient art of gold granulation had been passed down for generations. Castellini took the process back to Rome and made his fortune reproducing Etruscan jewelry."

If my readings are correct, the Etruscan society (modern day Tuscany) was at it's peak from 700BC-300BC. This style of jewelry was revived, like the article above states, in Queen Victoria's reign. 

I love this stuff! Take a gander. These are images I got from the internet; they are not part of the Cherche collection. I will work on that, though.

But who am I kidding when I say that this is my favorite style? We all know I could never really narrow that down; I love it all. 

Classic beauty

There's something about sapphire's that cause my mind to immediately think 'antique jewelry.'

Today, I'm featuring a rather old beauty. This ring is set in 14k white gold and has 3 sapphires. She is believed to date back to the late 1800s because of the type of filigree seen here. The less "scroll-like" filigree is associated with that of the 1920s and 1930s. 

Ain't she pretty?

I'm going to Paris today...in my heart.

Some days you just feel like going to Paris...

Doesn't that look nice. 

Except I'm not going to Paris. I'm going to Thibodaux, which ain't half bad because I'm going to visit and have a jewelry show. 

I can have Paris in my heart if I were to wear this 1930s Parisian souvenir bracelet though. Hurry before my mom buys it. 

Door knocker earrings

Sometimes I get on kicks: exercise kicks; baking kicks; homebody kicks; shopping kicks.

And in the world of jewelry, my kicks can be in the form of cameos, bangles, slides, or sterling, among other things.

Today, I'm into what's called door knocker earrings. They seem rich to me. I don't know why.

Take a gander.

I just love 'em! 

Be nice

"You get what you give."

"What goes around comes around."

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

We've all heard those words, but basically, be generous. It will bless someone's day.

And it will make you feel so good about it!

You're cordially invited

The ol' husband's work just keeps getting better and better, don't you think? The ad, of course, is what I am referencing. 

I must say my collection is getting better and better, too. Of course, the beauties come and they go. Come by Thursday so you won't be as remorseful as I am by letting this rare beauty go. 

That's the nature of this business I'm in: there is no re-ordering "one-of-a-kind's." 

Dream worthy

I had a dream last night and the ring shown above was the main feature in the film of my {crazy} brain. 

The dream was something to the effect of an auction, hideous other rings, and this one standing alone. I remember I so desperately wanted to have it and keep it. 

I thought I should share with you that I dream of jewelry. It's not the first time this has happened. I'm sure it won't be the last. 

This ring is still for sale. 

Particularly beautiful

I'm particular about the fleur de lis that I like. 

I'm partial to the old designs among other things. 

Today, I wanted to share this reproduction necklace that I have for sale. This is the first reproduction that I'm featuring in my collection. Please note that I will always be honest in telling you what is actually an antique and what is actually a reproduction. I won't name names, but I do know of other antique stores that aren't as honest. So be careful when buying antiques. Or in some cases "antiques."

Moving on to the details. This is a piece made to replicate one of the late 1800s. The seed pearls give away the era or the era that's being duplicated. The other stones are turquoise and is set in 14k gold. 

What for?

For an evening out.

For a Mardi Gras ball.

For a holiday party.

For New Year's Eve.

For your wedding.

For the theater.

For just because you felt like getting all dolled up, wearing heels, painting your nails and donning these crystals to go to Wal-Mart. 

Here's an extra long strand of vintage aurora borealis crystals by designer Les Bernard. This can be worn extra long, knotted, doubled or tripled. I particularly like the scallop design, a 1950s feature in my opinion. 

Junk or treasure?

It's true what they say, "One man's junk is another man's treasure." 

Except I don't always find treasures when digging through junk. I do; however, always have a good time.

{I did not purchase these 80s earrings.}

These are some pics from my time in the mountains with Dorothy. She wrote the cutest post describing our time in the mountains. Check it out here. 

Montgomery show recap

My Montgomery show couldn't have gone any better! I was so glad to be in Alabama and meet some really sweet girls, who apparently, love jewelry as much as I do.

It's nice to be in an area where dogwood's are in abundance. 

It's also nice to call these girls family. They were wonderful hosts. 

And the award for the most enthusiastic jewelry fan goes to this little one.

I know, Mae Mae. Jewelry is that exciting!