12 Days of Gifts, Day 10

What's old is new again - take brooches. These gorgeous emblems are badges of style. They may seem antiquated but in truth are significantly more modern than given credit for. Though less utilitarian than a necklace or earrings, they're no less useful in creating a splash. We've got a lovely collection - an all-seeing eye framed in pearls, a sterling spider, a basket of fruit set with precious stones, a cameo forged from lava! See what I mean - unique, daring & beautiful - just like you.

New Antiques Available Online!

We have been working hard to collect some more amazing antiques, and have only now had enough time to post them to our web store. There is a small collection of new antiques posted on the site, you can check them out here. These are some photos to show you some of the great pieces that are now being offered. Of course, because they are all one of a kind be sure to grab them quickly! And check back often for more antiques or stop into one of our stores.

Antiques, Day 5

 

Today's stunner is a large Georgian Black Dot Paste Stick Pin in pristine condition. At 175 years old we should all look this good! Paste is a very hard form of glass that was originally used as a substitute for diamonds by a growing middle class that couldn't quite afford them. Black Dot Paste is known as the highest quality form of the genre & has a tiny black dot painted on the very bottom underside of the stone, thought to have mimicked the open culet of early diamond cuts which often look quite dark or black. Apart from the substitution of paste for diamonds there was little difference between them. In fact, the craft required to cut paste is said to be more demanding and difficult than the art of cutting diamonds.