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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20215 min read

A history of jewellery

Ancient jewellery Jewellery is a universal form of adornment. Jewellery made from shells, stone and bones survives from prehistoric...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20214 min read

Synthetic gemstones.

In 1873 Auguste Verneuil, who was based at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, began to work to synthesise corundum. In 1876, after...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20212 min read

Rings with a secret meaning

Acrostic jewellery Acrostic jewellery, which originated during the Georgian era, utilises various gemstones to convey a secret message....

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20214 min read

Symbolic rings

Very symbolic rings given during the Victorian era are called fede or gimmel ring. Representing loyalty and dating back to the days of...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20215 min read

Lalique glass

Lalique glass has long been a world-famous brand, internationally admired and still in production today under Swiss ownership. But for...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20214 min read

English Drinking Glasses

English drinking glasses have a long collecting pedigree. Certain types have been sought out for many centuries as ceremonial...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20212 min read

Antique jewellery with rock crystal

Rock crystal is transparent, colourless quartz. Pliny the Elder reported that rock crystal was ice that had been permanently frozen. The...

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Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20218 min read

ALL ABOUT PLIQUE-À-JOUR ENAMELLING

Plique-à-jour enamelling is where ribbons of precious gold and silver filigree wire are fused with specially formulated glass to create...

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Art Deco jewellery: A revolution in form and function

Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20215 min read

Art Deco jewellery: A revolution in form and function

World War heralded a revolt against the excesses of the Edwardian and Belle Epoque eras. The Great War had ravaged European cultural...

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Tips for buying antiques and issues to be aware of

Antiques in Oxford

May 2, 20211 min read

Tips for buying antiques and issues to be aware of

Jewellery Useful to test the gems if possible like diamonds and sapphires Beware of fakes and copies If buying mourning jewellery check...

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What should you look for when buying a ring?

Antiques in Oxford

Feb 11, 20212 min read

What should you look for when buying a ring?

The most important thing to consider when buying a ring is taste of the person you are buying it for. Whether you go for a regal sapphire...

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Antiques in Oxford

Jan 29, 20211 min read

January Birthstone: Garnet

As we enter 2021, we have been researching the birthstones for the months at the beginning of the year. The garnet is the January...

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Antiques in Oxford

Dec 28, 20202 min read

Looking after antique jewellery

Buying antique jewellery at auction is growing in popularity with a new generation of jewellery enthusiasts. The combination of unique...

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Antiques in Oxford

Dec 6, 20201 min read

3. Snakes and serpents

The serpent bracelet and necklace was designed to show a serpent coiled around the wrist or neck. Often the head is encrusted with...

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Antiques in Oxford

Dec 6, 20201 min read

2. Snakes and serpents

Snake rings were made in a number of different styles. The bodies of the snake were made up of one, two or three gold bands sometimes...

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Antiques in Oxford

Dec 6, 20201 min read

Jewellery with secret meanings

1. Snake or serpents Queen Victoria’s engagement ring from Prince Albert was a snake with its tail in its mouth. This was a symbol of...

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Late 19th Century Japanese Shakudo Buttons

Antiques in Oxford

Dec 1, 20201 min read

Late 19th Century Japanese Shakudo Buttons

I recently sold a pair of beautiful buttons, depicting a foliate scene with birds. Each one is hexagonal in shape and in a gold mount....

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Antiques in Oxford

Nov 28, 20202 min read

Top tips for #investing in #Jewellery

1. Small, but high quality is better than large medium quality. 2. Post-war jewellery has experienced a large rise in values between 2007...

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Vesta cases a highly popular novelty gift.

Antiques in Oxford

Nov 28, 20201 min read

Vesta cases a highly popular novelty gift.

Originally used for carrying tobacco, today they are a wonderful size for holding small keepsakes. There is an enormous variety of...

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Novelty silver such as these bear peppers make a great gift

Antiques in Oxford

Nov 27, 20202 min read

Novelty silver such as these bear peppers make a great gift

Antique pieces of novelty silver are renowned for their one of a kind style and design. They are sold for their uniqueness and humour. ...

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