Archive for April, 2010

Apr
30

Vintage Silver Jewellery

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Looking for some vintage jewellery to go with your summer outfit? Silver looks good in the sun and because its cheaper than gold you can afford something much chunkier. 

Some lovely pieces of vintage silver jewellery can be found from the 1970s which goes great with boho and rock chick fashions.

How about a silver bangle ? You can wear more than one at the same time – either one on each wrist or several on one wrist. This bangle is a cuff type silver bangle and is super stylish

silver bangle

silver bangle

A wonderful Modernist Silver Cuff type Bangle. This bangle is made of sterling silver and is fully hallmarked. It measures about 4 cms wide and can be adjusted slightly depending upon the size of your write although I would recommend this for a medium size wrist. This is quite a chunky piece of jewellery weighing about 50 grams

To go with the silver bangle a silver Torque . A Torque is a type of necklace made from a solid piece of metal rather than a chain. This type of necklace has been popular since Celtic times when they were worn as the sign of a chieftain or war lord.

Silver Torque

Silver Torque

 A beautiful silver torque necklace with a hammered effect finish. This necklace is made of sterling silver You could hang a pendant from the lower loop if you wish or wear this stylish piece of jewellery on its own. The necklace is 4mm wide and is suitable for a medium sized neck

Vintage silver rings. What a wide variety there are available. You can have a plain silver ring or one set with a semi-precious stone such as rose quartz or marcasites.   

What pretty pieces these are and sure to be admired wherever you go. These pieces of vintage silver jewellery would also make an excellent gift for someone with a summer birthday.

Categories : Silver, Style
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Apr
28

Types of ring

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A list of the types of ring, here are all the ones I can find and will update this post as more come along:

Wedding Ring  are the simplest form of ring that can be made. A flat wedding band basically consists of a strip of metal that is bent around into a loop and joined where the ends meet.

Solitaire rings are rings with a single large stone as a centrepiece, usually a diamond.

Eternity rings are rings with stones, usually diamonds, of the same cut and size, set in one row all around the ring. The stones are usually round or square, and the setting is usually either claws or a channel setting. When the stones do not continue around the entire ring, but stop halfway around the finger, it is called a half-eternity ring.

Trinity rings or Trilogy Rings are three rings to be worn at one time.

Cluster rings are rings with a group of stones in a cluster setting, forming the focal point of the ring. The cluster setting usually consists of one large stone (usually round or oval) in the center surrounded with several smaller stones.

Aqiq ring A carnelian or Agate ring worn by some Muslims, especially Shi’ah, in imitation of Muhammad and the twelve Imams.

Birthstone Ring set with the wearers birthstone

Championship ring A ring presented to members of winning teams in professional business leagues as well as college tournaments in North America.

Claddagh ring An Irish friendship ring. It is traditionally used to indicate the state of romantic availability.  This ring is symbolised by two hands clasping a heart.

Class ring Worn by students and alumni in commemoration of their graduation.

Cocktail ring: Large and showy ring with precious or semi precious stones which is mainly worn at parties and special occasions

Costume Jewellery ring: A ring made of none precious materials eg not made of gold, silver or platinum

Cross over ring The syle of ring popularised in the Art Deco era where the stone is set into a cross over setting.

Dress Ring or Dinner Ring An over sized ring, set with non-precious or semiprecious stones.

Eclarian ring A ring worn by gay men to represent their beliefs. This ring has a separate centre which rotates.

Engagement ring A traditional ring worn by a woman to indicate her engagement to be married.

Engineer’s Ring, Iron Ring A ring worn by engineers on the pinky finger of their working hand to remind them of their ethical obligations.

Eternity ring A ring symbolizing eternity with a partner.

Fashion Ring Made by well know designers or sold through big name chain stores

Finger armor ring Typically it spans from the base of the finger to just below the nail or middle of the second joint and includes a bending joint.

Friendship ring Friendship rings are used to symbolize a close relationship that has no romantic undertone.

Gimmal ring Ring made of 2 or 3 linking hoops, popular for betrothals in 16th and 17th century Europe

Iron ring Ring worn by Canadian engineers.

Magic ring A fictitious ornament that appears frequently in fantasy stories and fairy tales.

Mood ring A novelty ring which changes color in response to body temperature, using a thermochromic liquid crystal.

Mother’s ring A ring worn by a mother displaying the birthstone of each of her children, and sometimes including those of the mother and father.

Mourning ring A ring worn in memory of someone who has died.

Multi-Finger ring Two or more conjoined rings, designed to be worn across two, three, or four fingers; popularized by hip-hop culture.

Pinky ring A ring worn on the pinky finger.

Posie ring A ring with a short inscription on its outer surface.

Pre-engagement ring A small, inexpensive ring given to a partner, to promise not to court a rival.

Promise ring A ring worn to remind oneself of a promise one has made.

Purity ring A symbol of virginity in some religious cultures.

Puzzle ring Interlocking rings forming a single band; difficult to reassemble if removed from the finger.

Poison ring

or Pillbox ring A Ring consisting of a pillbox fitted into the ring, either for keeping medication or poison.

Regard ring A Victorian engagement ring with an implicit acrostic: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire.

Ring of O A ring inspired by the Story of O, Pauline Reage’s novel, in which the heroine, “The O” is presented with such a ring as a symbol of her submission.

Rosary ring A rosary ring is a ring worn around the finger with 10 indentations and a cross on the surface, representing one decade of a rosary. The rings are used to keep track of place in the prayer by rotating the ring on a finger and feeling the marks.

Signet ring An emblematic, often familial, ring, often bearing a coat of arms, fit for use to imprint a wax seal on documents etc.

Sovereign ring A typically large, gold ring, set with a gold sovereign as its decorative feature.

Thumb ring This largest of finger rings is worn on the thumb primarily for fashion, but is also worn as a symbol of will power or internal energy, sexuality, and other beliefs or attitudes.

Toe Ring Made to be worn on a toe – usually quite a plain band.

Watch ring A small analogue or digital watch to be worn around a finger.

Wedding ring A ring presented in many marriage ceremonies to signify marital commitment. Originally worn only by the woman, it is now common for both spouses to wear such a ring

Categories : rings
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Apr
28

Ring Size Chart

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What Ring size do you need?

As with most other things, rings are measured differently depending which country you live in. I provide UK and USA sizes in all my ring descriptions. There is a different sizing system used in Europe. You can buy ring sizing gauges but if you don’t have one handy you can estimate your ring size. Take a piece of string and wrap it around the widest part of your finger (possibly the knuckle joint?) – you can now measure the string in millimetres and use the chart below.  If in any doubt please do ask before buying.
UK SIZE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
USA SIZE
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.25
3.75
4.25
4.75
5.25
5.5
6
SIZE
MM
37.8
39
40.2
41.4
42.6
43.8
45
46.2
47.4
48.5
49.7
50.3
52.1
UK
SIZE
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
USA
SIZE
6.75
7
7.25
7.75
8.5
9
9.25
10
190.5
11
11.25
12
12.5
SIZE
MM
53.4
54.7
65
57.2
58.5
59.8
61.1
62.4
63.6
64.8
66
67.2
68.4
Categories : rings
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Apr
28

Types of ring

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A list of the types of ring, here are all the ones I can find and will update this post as more come along:

Wedding Ring  are the simplest form of ring that can be made. A flat wedding band basically consists of a strip of metal that is bent around into a loop and joined where the ends meet.

Solitaire rings are rings with a single large stone as a centrepiece, usually a diamond.

Eternity rings are rings with stones, usually diamonds, of the same cut and size, set in one row all around the ring. The stones are usually round or square, and the setting is usually either claws or a channel setting. When the stones do not continue around the entire ring, but stop halfway around the finger, it is called a half-eternity ring.

Trinity rings or Trilogy Rings are three rings to be worn at one time.

Cluster rings are rings with a group of stones in a cluster setting, forming the focal point of the ring. The cluster setting usually consists of one large stone (usually round or oval) in the center surrounded with several smaller stones.

Aqiq ring A carnelian or Agate ring worn by some Muslims, especially Shi’ah, in imitation of Muhammad and the twelve Imams.

Birthstone Ring set with the wearers birthstone

Championship ring A ring presented to members of winning teams in professional business leagues as well as college tournaments in North America.

Claddagh ring An Irish friendship ring. It is traditionally used to indicate the state of romantic availability.  This ring is symbolised by two hands clasping a heart.

Class ring Worn by students and alumni in commemoration of their graduation.

Cocktail ring: Large and showy ring with precious or semi precious stones which is mainly worn at parties and special occasions

Costume Jewellery ring: A ring made of none precious materials eg not made of gold, silver or platinum

Cross over ring The syle of ring popularised in the Art Deco era where the stone is set into a cross over setting.

Dress Ring or Dinner Ring An over sized ring, set with non-precious or semiprecious stones.

Eclarian ring A ring worn by gay men to represent their beliefs. This ring has a separate centre which rotates.

Engagement ring A traditional ring worn by a woman to indicate her engagement to be married.

Engineer’s Ring, Iron Ring A ring worn by engineers on the pinky finger of their working hand to remind them of their ethical obligations.

Eternity ring A ring symbolizing eternity with a partner.

Fashion Ring Made by well know designers or sold through big name chain stores

Finger armor ring Typically it spans from the base of the finger to just below the nail or middle of the second joint and includes a bending joint.

Friendship ring Friendship rings are used to symbolize a close relationship that has no romantic undertone.

Gimmal ring Ring made of 2 or 3 linking hoops, popular for betrothals in 16th and 17th century Europe

Iron ring Ring worn by Canadian engineers.

Magic ring A fictitious ornament that appears frequently in fantasy stories and fairy tales.

Mood ring A novelty ring which changes color in response to body temperature, using a thermochromic liquid crystal.

Mother’s ring A ring worn by a mother displaying the birthstone of each of her children, and sometimes including those of the mother and father.

Mourning ring A ring worn in memory of someone who has died.

Multi-Finger ring Two or more conjoined rings, designed to be worn across two, three, or four fingers; popularized by hip-hop culture.

Pinky ring A ring worn on the pinky finger.

Posie ring A ring with a short inscription on its outer surface.

Pre-engagement ring A small, inexpensive ring given to a partner, to promise not to court a rival.

Promise ring A ring worn to remind oneself of a promise one has made.

Purity ring A symbol of virginity in some religious cultures.

Puzzle ring Interlocking rings forming a single band; difficult to reassemble if removed from the finger.

Poison ring

or Pillbox ring A Ring consisting of a pillbox fitted into the ring, either for keeping medication or poison.

Regard ring A Victorian engagement ring with an implicit acrostic: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire.

Ring of O A ring inspired by the Story of O, Pauline Reage’s novel, in which the heroine, “The O” is presented with such a ring as a symbol of her submission.

Rosary ring A rosary ring is a ring worn around the finger with 10 indentations and a cross on the surface, representing one decade of a rosary. The rings are used to keep track of place in the prayer by rotating the ring on a finger and feeling the marks.

Signet ring An emblematic, often familial, ring, often bearing a coat of arms, fit for use to imprint a wax seal on documents etc.

Sovereign ring A typically large, gold ring, set with a gold sovereign as its decorative feature.

Thumb ring This largest of finger rings is worn on the thumb primarily for fashion, but is also worn as a symbol of will power or internal energy, sexuality, and other beliefs or attitudes.

Toe Ring Made to be worn on a toe – usually quite a plain band.

Watch ring A small analogue or digital watch to be worn around a finger.

Wedding ring A ring presented in many marriage ceremonies to signify marital commitment. Originally worn only by the woman, it is now common for both spouses to wear such a ring

Categories : Ring Types
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Apr
28

Ring Size Chart

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What Ring size do you need?

As with most other things, rings are measured differently depending which country you live in. I provide UK and USA sizes in all my ring descriptions. There is a different sizing system used in Europe. You can buy ring sizing gauges but if you don’t have one handy you can estimate your ring size. Take a piece of string and wrap it around the widest part of your finger (possibly the knuckle joint?) – you can now measure the string in millimetres and use the chart below.  If in any doubt please do ask before buying.
UK SIZE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
USA SIZE
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.25
3.75
4.25
4.75
5.25
5.5
6
SIZE
MM
37.8
39
40.2
41.4
42.6
43.8
45
46.2
47.4
48.5
49.7
50.3
52.1
UK
SIZE
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
USA
SIZE
6.75
7
7.25
7.75
8.5
9
9.25
10
190.5
11
11.25
12
12.5
SIZE
MM
53.4
54.7
65
57.2
58.5
59.8
61.1
62.4
63.6
64.8
66
67.2
68.4
Categories : Ring Size
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Apr
28

Costume Jewellery Materials

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What is costume Jewellery made of? When we are looking at vintage jewellery materials we see all sorts of lovely pieces, Necklaces, rings, earrings, bangles, brooches which are made of costume jewellery .  The term is used to cover all Jewellery which is not made of Precious stones and metals.

Semi Precious Costume Jewellery stones

Semi Precious stones are all naturally occurring gemstones which are not Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds. For example amethysts, Citrines, aquamarines and opals are all considered to be semi precious and can be found as costume jewellery or fine jewellery depending upon the other materials they are made of.  If the semi precious stones are set with gold or platinum or silver then the Jewellery is generally considered to be fine Jewellery rather than costume Jewellery.  A string of amethyst chip beads would be costume jewellery as would a pair of opal earrings in a gold plated setting.

Agate Brooch

Agate Brooch

Costume Jewellery Metals

All metals except for gold, platinum and silver are costume Jewellery as is base metal plated with gold, silver or platinum. The metal in costume jewellery could be a metal we can name such as copper or brass . More likely this metal will be a mixture of metals . Pot Metal is is the term given to some base metal used in costume jewellery . Other metals I have found in costume jewellery include stainless steel, aluminium and Iron ( remember Iron nail necklaces in the 1970s?)

Costume buckle

Costume buckle

Natural costume Jewellery materials

Many many different materials have been used in costume jewellery throughout history. Early materials would have included animal bones , feathers, river washed pebbles, leather and shell.  These are still used today in many ethnic style costume jewellery.  Cultured pearls are a natural costume jewellery material which has only been available for a little over 100 years.  The Victorians made wide use of costume jewellery materials , polishing agates into slabs.  A few more naturally occurring costume jewellery materials include Jet, Wood, fossils and amber.

Man Made Costume Jewellery materials.

Ceramic Jewellery, Lucite, Bakelite and all other plastic Jewellery, imitation gemstones ( CZ, Paste, Glass crystal). The beauty of costume jewellery is that these materials can be mixed and matched to create something beautiful to wear at a reasonable cost compared to fine jewellery.

Many pieces of costume jewellery are made of mixed materials, Take a look at this vintage brooch or art deco  glass necklace to see a couple of nice examples.

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Apr
28

Design a ring

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Want to have a little fun with Rings? The V& A museum ( Victoria and Albert) have a cute little programme where you can design your own ring and add it to a gallery if you like. The rings are quite simple but it does allow you to see some of the steps involved.
There is nothing to design quite as ornate as this marcasite and art glass set ring which you can find on antiquesavenue.co.uk                Vintage Ring

Categories : rings
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Apr
28

Design a ring

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Want to have a little fun with Rings? The V& A museum ( Victoria and Albert) have a cute little programme where you can design your own ring and add it to a gallery if you like. The rings are quite simple but it does allow you to see some of the steps involved.
There is nothing to design quite as ornate as this marcasite and art glass set ring which you can find on antiquesavenue.co.uk                Vintage Ring

Categories : Ring Design
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