Ask The Dealer
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Hello. This is Ann, so please don’t be shy about using our very special service.
This ‘Ask The Experts’ section is NOT restricted just to Members (although they get more input) but is available to anyone who has a question relating to Jewelry and Gemstones, and for me, Antique and Vintage Jewelry.
I have always had a love of old jewelry, probably because my Grandmother used to Dress up all the local Children in fancy clothes and sprinkle them in Sparkling Costume Jewelry.
It may have just been Glass and Lead, but they were the Crown Jewels to me, although my brother was not impressed 
After ‘Growing Up’ I fulfilled my childhood fantasies by opening my own Antique and Secondhand Jewelry Stall, working from the local Markets until I opened my first shop (BrombilAntiques) in South Wales in the UK.
Over the years I became well known around the auctions, and my little shop on the High Street continued to become ‘THE’ place to go for Antique, Vintage, Second-hand and Fine Old Estate Jewelry.
Then my life kind of changed, when my husband was transfered to Australia to pursue his career in Mining. Naturally I brought as much jewelry as I could with me, but when I look back it seems a little thin, as we only had about 64 rings, a few chains and bracelets, plus about thirty brooches and stickpins.
Our first store in Australia soon sold out and we found ourselves traveling back and forth to the home country to ‘Top Up’ stock and expand our business. It was an idyllic lifestyle, one which many of our friends envied, but I told them it was ‘Bloody Hard Work…’
Now, as the jewelry industry has become more global, I was approached to become part of this exciting new adventure.
My Grandmother would have been proud.
So here is you chance to find out, create the dream and prove it doesn’t really matter if it’s just glass and lead. Old Jewelry is still better quality than the rubish found in most Shopping Mall Jewelers windows, and they are all so full of character.
- So what’s your story?
- Why not write and ask me?
- That’s what I am here for as your personal Antique Jewelry Dealer.
Just use the form below and I will try and help you. As Members, you will also get more of my feedback in the Members Forum with questions on British Hallmarking and Period Jewelry and so much more.
There’s a world of beautiful things just waiting to arrive…
For less than two dollars a week you can get access to experts in their field, courses, information, gemstone Lab Reports and the very best Members forum devoted just to Jewelry and Gemstones.
Make sure you fill in a REAL email address or else I won’t be able to get back to you with the answer.
See you on the inside.
Use this link to my Antique Jewelry Forum where I moderate Antique and Vintage jewelry questions. Just Ask me (or any of the other experts) as we simply love to hear about your treasures.
P.S. If you know someone else who might benefit from this complimentary service, please use the ‘Share This’ link below to send them a short email telling them about us
Please Note: Any question which is suitable may be published here on our blog for the benefit of all. By sending a question, it is implied that you accept that. There will be no information passed (other than a first name) which could identify any individuals privacy - ‘No Publicity Please’ shall be the order of the day
Thank you - and please watch the road. David and Faculty Staff.
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March 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I have an opal ring [big opal] several pieces of jewellery were remodled in the ’80’s and make into a ring…..the opal, it self, is 30mm long by 20mm wide and 10mm thick and has 18 diamonds about possibly 2 points each so approx. 0.36ct yellow gold band and setting with diamonds is white gold. Opal has nice colour. I would like to know if the opal is saleable, so I suppose I am asking if I could sell it for a reasonable return and who might I approach. I have photos to email as well……regards L. Byfield-Papworth
March 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
HI, I am not a member but I have a ring my Aunt gave me that I am trying to find something about, and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction? Its a Alexandrite ring that turns from purple to blue instead of green to red. It is from Egypt as far as I know and its rose gold. The marks on it a heiroglyph (spelling sorry). She bought it in the sixties in Egypt, please help me find some information.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Janine
janinewills@bigpond.com
April 13th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I have a 14k white gold ring that I bought in 2002. With six diamonds three on each side, and tanzaine stone in the middle can anyone tell me what is the cost of a ring like this.
May 11th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hi
I am hoping you may be able to help me. I have an antique brooch that belonged to my great (or great, great) grandmother.
It depicts cranes and ‘bushes’ all in different-coloured gold: pink, yellow, grey, black. I had no idea gold came in these colours - I was given this info from a jeweller. He put me onto an antiques ’specialist’ he thought may be able to appraise the brooch for me, however she didn’t know its history and suggested it may have been an ‘award’ of sorts which was perhaps later inserted into a Georgian mourning brooch surround. Given that the brooch depicts cranes, it has been suggested the brooch could be Japanese. At one stage, another person suggested damascening, but that has been knocked on the head. The ‘picture’ in gold that has been etched into the backing is very intricate. The backing is ‘black’ until you rub it - then it rubs up to gold, but could be copper. My relative’s initials appear on the back of it, however one of the initials doesn’t fit. She only had three names and there are four initials. I have asked my father (it was either his grandmother’s or his great-grandmother’s) however he has no information to help. The brooch has been dated as 18th century by a second jeweller and the antique specialist.
I would love to know the history of this brooch. So far I have parted with about $100 for conflicting information, so I’m very confused. I’m hoping you may be able to assist me, as my relatives are English and I’m guessing the brooch may have origins there (but really, who knows!). My great (or great great) grandfather was an explorer from England, surname Richardson. That’s one of the initials on the brooch. I’m obviously not scoring top marks in genealogy!
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation,
Anna
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Dear Anne,
I have two sterling silver vintage belt buckles which I believe to be from the early 19th century. They are both marked. One with the initial CW STERLING with the number 601 underneath. This buckle is heavily engraved with fronds and flowers. It is a very unusual shape. The second silver buckle is oval and has two tongues. The mark is a flower with a P in the centre and what looks like an N on the left side of the flower and another initial on the right side which I can’t quite make out. I wish to reproduce these buckles and being a person of integrity I am concerned about copyright etc.
Like you I love the detail and beauty from by gone eras so I am coming from a place of respect not merely financial.
Where can I find out about copyright and/or is there a council on reproductions.
I know it sounds like a cheap word but I want to make a quality item that showcases the original artists work. Any advice you give will be well received and appreciated.
Many thanks,
Sharron