Cutting is also important for smaller stones. Here’s an example of how cutting affects a gemstone’s appearance. These are 3.5mm yellow sapphires going into a bracelet. Stone #1, in addition to having better proportions, has a flower, or star pattern at the base/culet of the stone. The result is a much brighter looking stone.
It’s amazing how the smallest detail of a piece of jewelry provides us with so much information. In this simple video, you’ll see how the catch on a brooch is used to identify the time period in which it was made. From the early 1800’s to the 195o’s, catches were popular for phases, just like any other jewelry trend (bet you didn’t know about the trombone catch!).
Buying antique or estate jewelry can be a risk…and for obvious reasons. Most people cannot authenticate jewelry with the naked eye. But with some due diligence, you can get closer to the bottom line.
First and foremost, buy from a reputable dealer. (Major auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s stand behind the authenticity of their pieces and usually provide gemological certifications.)
And just like any work of art, the signature means everything.
According to a recent article in Forbes:
In the world of antique, vintage, and estate jewelry, signed pieces by the maker can mean the difference between a lovely item and an appreciating asset. A signed object also makes it harder to knock off. The blue-chip makers remain the standard-bearers: Bulgari, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels continue to be coveted by savvy collectors.
So if you’re a serious estate jewelry shopper, bring the needed equipment, like magnifying glass or jewelry loupe, Examine each item for valuable identifying signatures and other related marks.
When buying estate jewelry, be your own detective!
The “real deal.” Étourdissant Cartier brooch in platinum, emerald, rock crystal, onyx, and diamonds.
After reading Know what Feeds You in PsychCentral, it got me thinking: can the way you dress improve your sense of well-being? (I’ll get to the answer in a second.)
This piece does a great job detailing the fact that most women slowly but surely evolve into caretakers and often forget what it means to take care of themselves. We get that! Between family and work, it’s often hard to manage time for self-care.
As time marched on, you began to identify your needs and found ways to feed yourself. Perhaps some habits you have developed work well while others need working on. The concept of self-sustenance conjures up dietary needs but demonstrates physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well. Break down the necessities for your personal sustenance to connect with your overall best self-care routine.
Yet this type of self-nurturing is critical to our overall well-being. Along with some great advice (like asking for help when you need it…hello, stop doing it all!), I’d include the external aspects as well. When you dress in a way that represents and expresses who you are, you’re taking care of your self from the outside in.
So today:
Sure, self-care is in an inside out job ultimately. But its alright to dress the part of an amazing you too!
