A SNEAK PEEK OF THE RARE JEWELS YOU WILL FIND AT LUEUR
Yafa Signed Jewels’ circa 1960s Boucheron necklace
Excalibur’s Art Deco Brooch
As both a jewelry enthusiast and an avid collector of antique jewelry, always on the hunt for rare pieces, I was thrilled to see a preview of what some of the exhibitors at the U.S. Antique Shows’ LUEUR event (at the Jacob Javits Center, Oct 28-31, 2016) will be showcasing.
After attending various contemporary fine jewelry previews and seeing the international spring 2017 ready-to-wear collections, it is interesting to note that modern, antique and vintage jewelry trends are crossing over in silhouettes, metals, details and gemstones. And, many of the directions we are seeing in current jewelry are inspired by pieces from Victorian era through the 1970s. Brooches, statement necklaces and earrings, bold gold heavy link chain bracelets, dem-suites, charm necklaces, chokers, and variations on blue gemstones return to the jewelry scene in both segments of the market.
For the antique and vintage connoisseurs, this translates into collectible and exceptional jewels from various time periods, which you will be able to discover while shopping LUEUR. A glimpse of the jewels that will be displayed include:
A FINE VINTAGE
Mid-century signed jewels have been witnessing an increased demand with collectors who prefer pieces that are more wearable and adaptable to our fast past lifestyles, then pieces that are over 200 years old and somewhat fragile. These are the type of pieces you can wear every day and won’t want to lock away and take out only for special occasions. Yafa Signed Jewels offers an awe-inspiring selection of ‘50s-‘70s pieces from renowned houses such as Boucheron, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels. Statement necklaces which offer two completely different vibes but are equally stunning and indicative of their time periods are the 1960’s Boucheron marquise shaped turquoise cabochon, shell-shaped link necklace with a center turquoise drop and Cartier’s circa 1970 18k yellow gold hexagonal openwork malachite and diamond pendant necklace.
Yafa Signed Jewels circa 1970s Cartier necklaces
BROOCH-ING THE TOPIC
Brooches are back and have been trending for the past several seasons in a diversity of motifs and from various time periods. Roy Rover’s group of gemstone and rose cut diamond set Victorian butterflies, dragonflies and bees in silver over gold can be worn as a grouping on a sweater or jacket or each piece can stand on its own, depending on your individual tastes in styling your jewelry.
Roy Rover’s group of antique gem set insects
While other motif-driven brooches will be featured such as those meant to bring luck and protection and others in celestial motifs, there will also be a strong showing of Art Deco clip brooches. Betteridge Jewelers has quite a number of these styles in various diamond cuts and in diamonds mixed with other gemstones. These are often designed as one large brooch with fittings in the back that allow them to detach and become separate clips that can be worn in numerous ways—attached to the shoulders of sleeveless dresses, the collars of jackets, on shoes and handbags. You can also style one of the pieces by slipping it over a chain and wearing it as a necklace.
Betteridge Jewelers Art Deco diamond and peridot clip brooches
STAMP OF STYLE
Necklaces featuring a variety of charms, pendants medallions and fobs from various time periods have become one of the most popular styles coveted and worn by both the novice and consummate collector. One of the larger pieces to add to your ‘charm’ necklace is a watch fob, which originally was worn on a chain with a hunting watch. They often feature three-dimensional motifs at the top of the fob with the underside featuring intaglios of stones that range from agate to amethyst and can feature motifs and mottoes. Excalibur’s range of antique, retro and vintage jewelry is extraordinary and their fobs are some of the most intricate that you will find at the show.
Excaliburs antique fobs
Roy Rover’s antique turquoise rings
THE BLUES
During the early Romantic and late Aesthetic periods of the Victorian era, turquoise was one of the most popular stones in cabochon, calibre and bombe cuts. This vivid colored gemstone was crafted into forget me not floral designs for all classifications of jewelry. The most desirable among a new generation of collectors are turquoise rings and pendants which are available in a wide variety at Roy Rover.
Roy Rover’s Victorian turquoise and moonstone pendant
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Signet rings, which were originally created in hard, stone intaglios or metal bearing seals and crest, which were equivalent to a signature. These could be impressed on wax or clay to authentic documents and ownership of property. As time went on, the signet took on different roles and represented everything from mythology to hobbies. After the industrial revolution, signets were manufactured for monogramming of initials or to be inscribed. These had intricate patterns in relief on the shanks. When you find one that was not engraved on the front, it usually means that it was a sample from the manufacturer of the time. This signet from Haig’s of Rochester is the type of style you should snap up and personalize for your own gutsy mark of distinction.
Haigs of Rochesters gold signet ring
There are a lot more treasures of the past as well as contemporary designs and vintage timepieces to uncover at LUEUR.
In Collaboration with U.S. Antique Shows
(Complimentary admission is available to all Bejeweled readers who register with the following code 16LUFBEJW )
