1. What is the difference
between antique and estate jewelry?
Technically to be classified
antique the item is over 100 years
old.
Estate jewelry refers to previously
worn jewelry, which may or may
not be over 100 years of age.
2. Has jewelry always been
popular?
Jewelry predates clothing
and was originally worn to show
rank, wealth,
or as a protective amulet. In the
late 18th century, jewelry was
almost superseded by decorative
buttons, watches, and snuffboxes.
But in the 19th century, cameo
adornments and bracelets revived
jewelry. It has been popular ever
since.
3. What is the difference
between precious and semi-precious
gems?
Gems are classified
on the basis of their availability
and
their
hardness. You might expect to pay
more for a precious gem than a
semi-precious one, but not always.
A high quality semi-precious gem
is worth substantially more than
a poor quality precious one.
4.
I feel strange thinking about wearing
someone else’s jewelry.
Does LoveJoy
carry any new products?
Good quality jewelry
was designed to last for hundreds
of years. Some of the vintage
designs are no longer made today
and it
would be a genuine shame for
those artisans, who spent months designing jewelry pieces, to not have their
good work on display. Consider if paintings such as the Mona Lisa were deemed
to have no value, because they were old and previously owned. Good jewelry
is like that, and if it has been
well cared for and cherished, the
jewelry reflects
that care. Further, the prices on estate jewelry are frequently much less than
what one would have to pay to have a new piece of the same quality cast today.
Yes, LoveJoy does carry some new products. If we find a beautifully crafted
piece of jewelry at an auction or if we know of particular designers whose
work stands
out because of its quality and uniqueness, we will purchase a few items to
share with the discriminating collectors who come to LoveJoy Fine Estate Jewelry
because
of our high standards.
