How do I care for antique jewellery?

Keep items away from harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and moisture to protect vulnerable stones like turquoise, pearls, and coral. Store pieces individually in lined compartments to prevent metal and gems from scratching one another. Regularly check stone settings with a loupe to ensure prongs remain secure. Professional cleaning by a specialist familiar with historical pieces is safest.

What materials were commonly used?

Jewellery makers utilised gold, silver, and silver-gilt alongside diamonds, garnets, rubies, turquoise, and pearls. Organic materials such as coral, amber, agate, and horn also appeared frequently. For boxes and cabinets, craftsmen selected rosewood, walnut, coromandel, and mahogany, often enhanced with brass stringing or marquetry.

How can I identify Victorian periods?

Look at the overall style, choice of materials, and manufacturing techniques, which often align with specific decades like the 1860s or 1890s. British hallmarks on gold and silver provide precise assay office marks and date letters. Stylistic shifts, such as the transition from early romantic motifs to later aesthetic or revivalist designs, help narrow down the date of creation.

Were these boxes used daily?

These decorative containers served as practical storage for rings, brooches, and dressing accessories on dressing tables or desks. They protected valuable personal items from dust and damage in the home. Travelling cases included fitted interiors with glass bottles and velvet compartments designed for journeys by carriage or train.

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Nineteenth Century Jewellery

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Nineteenth century jewellery brings together gold, silver, diamonds, and coloured stones in brooches, rings, pendants, and bracelets that collectors prize for their intricate craftsmanship and enduring designs.