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Jewelry History

  • The Ring of Latvia

    Maybe you wore the same school ring as your graduating class in college or high school. Or you and a friend or lover wore a ring that symbolize how two halves make a whole (like wearing a half heart, for instance.) But collective ring wearing is still a rarity.

    Unless you’re from Latvia. Then the same ring is ubiquitous to its entire small population. A whole country wears the same kind of ring…now that’s some serious solidarity.

    The ring that mostly all Latvians wear?

    The Nameja Gredzens

    Latvian Ring "Namejs". It's popular amongs Latvians that live outside of Latvia because it shows their love for Latvia and recognition of their heritage.:

    The Nameja gredzens or Ring of Namejs [NAH-mays] consists of:

    Three separate bands of silver twisted around each other and forming a braid
    A thread-like chain wrapping them together, making them one
    Four separate elements that come together in a single shape

    And while the overall design is the same, no two rings are exactly alike. Each one is handcrafted.

    The Nameja Gredzens are old!

    This style of ring has been excavated from sites along the Daugava River dating back to the thirteenth century. These rings were simple yet contained the same components as ones designed today. Each ring is still forged by hand, braiding three bands of silver (traditional) or gold and then wrapping them with a chain.

    The

    Nameja Gredzens

    are worn with pride!

    The Nameja gredzens are give to a man as rite-of-passage (from boyhood to manhood, for example). Women also wear the braid of Namejs in the shape of rings, necklaces, bracelets or brooches.

    The Nameja Gredzens are symbolic.

    The three bands on this style ring represent Vidzeme, Kurzeme, and Latgale, the three ancient tribal regions of present-day Latvia.

     

    If you’d like one of the powerful and symbolic rings (you don’t have to be from Latvia!), let us custom design your very own Nameja gredzens

  • Pairing the Perfect Necklace for your Bridal Gown

    Sure, your bridal gown carries a lot of weight fashion-wise, but let’s not discount the importance of the necklace you pair with it. Consider your jewelry the “cherry on top” bringing your whole finished look together and sends a powerful message since its so enhanced by the beauty of the gown.

    Here are some smart necklace pairing tips for your bridal jewelry. (Remember: many of the same pairing tips apply with any outfit.)

  • The Mystical Qualities of a Talisman

    Most of us probably have an amulet or talisman or two in our jewelry box, whether we know it or not. It’s that piece we wear for luck, like a job interview. Or we don for protection, like before going on a long trip.

    Some may simply call these powerful pieces lucky charms” but the meaning runs deeper. Amulets and talismans have been around since the beginning of the human race…certainly not a passing trend!

    According to Wikipedia:

    Amulets and talismans are often considered interchangeable despite their differences. For example, the amulet is an object with natural magical properties, as opposed to a talisman which must be charged with magical powers by a creator. It is this act of consecration or “charging” that gives the talisman its alleged magical powers. The talisman is always made for a definite reason whereas an amulet can be used for generic purposes such as averting evil or attracting good luck.[2]

    The Seal of Solomon, also known as the interlaced triangle is said to have been the emblem by which the wise king ruled the Genii. As a talisman it was believed all-powerful, being the ideal symbol of the absolute, and was worn for protection against all fatalities, threats, and trouble, and to protect its wearer from all evil.

    Christian talisman (Breverl), 18th century.

    Avert Evil Eye to Ward off Jealousy.

     

     

  • Dali, the Iconoclastic Jewelry Designer

    When most of us think Salvador Dali, we think of boldly surreal, flamboyant artwork. But Dali was an incredibly original and prolific jewelry designer as well. His collection currently resides in Dalí-Joies at the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain.

    All the pieces in the collection are unique items, and the combination of materials, dimensions and shapes used by Salvador Dalí make this a one-off set in which the artist managed to express in a unique way the wealth of his singular iconography. Gold, platinum, precious stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines, topazes, etc.), pearls, corals and other noble materials combine to form hearts, lips, eyes, plant and animal forms, religious and mythological symbols and anthropomorphic forms.

    As well as designing the forms of the jewels, Salvador Dalí personally selected each of the materials used, not only for their colours or value but also for their meaning and the symbolic connotations of each and every one of the previous stones and noble metals. Some of the jewels that form part of this collection, such as The Eye of Time (1949), Royal Heart (1953), or The Space Elephant (1961), have become key works and are considered to be as exceptional as some of his paintings.

    Wikipedia

    The Bleeding World

    The Bleeding World. 18 karat yellow gold; 18 karat white gold; Diamonds (6), diamond cut (round) of 1.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter, approximately; Natural rubies (corundum) (2), irregular shaped fragments (in the shape of teardrops); Pearls (17), of 3.0 to 3.5 mm in diameter

    Tristan and Isolde

    Tristan and Isolde. Technique: 18 karat yellow gold; Platinum; Diamonds (39), diamond cut (round) and 8/8 (the smallest), of 1.0 to 3.0 mm in diameter, approximately; Almandine garnet (1), triangular cabochon

    The Honeycomb Heart

    The Honeycomb Heart. 18 karat yellow gold; On the pin, 13-14 carat yellow gold; Diamonds (13), diamond cut (round) and 8/8, of 1.5 to 3.0 mm in diameter approximately; Natural rubies (corundum), mixed cut (round and oval) of 2.0 to 4.5 mm approximately.

    Ruby Lips

    Ruby Lips. 18 karat yellow gold; Natural rubies (corundum), mixed cut (round and oval), of 2.0 to 4.0 mm, approximately; Pearls (13), of 4.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter, approximately.

    Necklace with Entwined Limbs (Choreographic Necklace)

    18 karat yellow gold (on the figure and on the untied ring); 16 karat yellow gold (on the pieces of the necklace); Natural Amethyst (quartz) (1), fantasy cut (oval) of 50.7 x 46.0 x 26.0 mm, approximately; Natural green sapphire (corundum) (70), mixed cut (oval) of 5 to 9 mm, approximately; Diamonds, diamond cut (round, oval and marquise), of 2 to 6 mm, approximately.

  • Flapper Fashions of the 30’s

    What about this look still maintains its chicness and fun after all these decades? The daring haircuts, the Art Deco jewelry…and of course the swing of the short skirt.

    What were flappers exactly?

    According to Wikipedia:

    Flappers were a “new breed” of young Western women in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior. Flappers were seen as brash for wearing excessive makeup, drinking, treating sex in a casual manner, smoking, driving automobiles, and otherwise flouting social and sexual norms.[1] Flappers had their origins in the liberal period of the Roaring Twenties, the social, political turbulence and increased transatlantic cultural exchange that followed the end of World War I, as well as the export of American jazz culture to Europe.

    http://default.vintagedancerllc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/1929-Louise-Brooks-in-The-Canary-Murder-Case-jewelry.jpg

    1929 Louise Brooks, The Canary Murder Case

    Longer pearls were fashionable in the early 20’s and became shorter as the decade progressed. Real pearls not necessary.

    Violet Romer in a flapper dress.

     

    Actress Norma Talmadge.

  • Dog Tags – Jewelry that’s Saved Lives and Healed Families

    On this Memorial Day, let us all take some time amidst our festivities to remember those who have fallen for our freedom. In honor of our fine soldiers, take a look at the dog tags used throughout history (thanks to AgileWriter.com). Remember these tags were often the only way a solider could be identified and provide their family with closure.

    Civil War Dog Tags
    Civil War Dog Tags

    WWI Dog Tags

    WWI Dog Tag

     

    WWII Dog Tags
    WWII Dog Tags

     

    From TOP Vietnam Vets:

    Mel Tatrow, in his Marine dress green uniform, and the dog tag returned to his family.
    Mel Tatrow, in his Marine dress green uniform and the dog tag returned to his family by TOP.

    “Thank you all so very much for what you have given back to my family. No words can tell you how much honor, joy, pride, sorrow that I felt when I opened the beautiful box containing my brother’s tag. Mel was a Marine thru & thru, he was such a caring person.”

    Acyne Tatrow Yrjana,
    Mel Tatrow’s sister

     

     

  • The Stylish Neandrathals

    One can only imagine the creative abilities of a Neandrathal from 130,000 years ago. Well actually, we can do more than imagine. Witness their jewelry making abilities below. (The Neandrathals appear to be more stylish than one would think. I may have seen a similar necklace at Burning Man.)

    Long before they shared the landscape with modern humans, Neanderthals in Europe developed a sharp sense of style, wearing eagle claws as jewelry, new evidence suggests.

    Researchers identified eight talons from white-tailed eagles — including four that had distinct notches and cut marks — from a 130,000-year-old Neanderthal cave in Croatia. They suspect the claws were once strung together as part of a necklace or bracelet.

    Image: Talons
    Source: NBC News
  • What to Look for When Digging Through a Box of Vintage Jewelry

    If you’re a thrift store shopper or an estate sale shopper, undoubtedly you’ve probably come across boxes or bags of jewelry, usually at a reasonable price. But what makes a vintage piece of jewelry worthy of taking home? What pieces might really be worth something? This woman is an expert on vintage jewelry and offers up a few tips:

     

  • The Queen’s Favorite Jewels

    It’s hard to imagine the Queen of England having only one piece of jewelry that she loves above all others considering the bounty of jewelry she possesses. But rumor has it, this is her fave:

     

    The Flower Basket Brooch which is said to be Queen Elizabeth's favorite piece of jewelry. Comprised of ruby, diamond and sapphire flowers, the brooch was given to Princess Elizabeth by her parents to mark the birth of her first child, Prince Charles, in 1948. There are numerous photos taken from 1948 to the present day which show the Queen wearing this.

    The Flower Basket Brooch which is said to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite piece of jewelry. Comprised of ruby, diamond and sapphire flowers, the brooch was given to Princess Elizabeth by her parents to mark the birth of her first child, Prince Charles, in 1948. There are numerous photos taken from 1948 to the present day which show the Queen wearing this.

     

    https://cdni.condenast.co.uk/320x480/a_c/Brooches05_V_30May12_rex_b_320x480.jpg

     

     

     

  • The Long, LONG History of Charm Bracelets

    It truly is amazing how far the history of jewelry stretches back and still influences the way we adorn ourselves today. Nowhere is that more apparent than the charm bracelet. So the next time you wear one (or let us make one for you), remember that you are part of a trend that is thousands of years old.

     

    The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet to ward off evil spirits or bad luck.

    During the pre-historic period, jewellery charms would be made from shells, animal-bones and clay. Later charms were made out of gems, rocks, and wood.[1]

    For instance, there is evidence from Africa that shells were used for adornments around 75,000 years ago. In Germany intricately carved mammoth tusk charms have been found from around 30,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt charms were used for identification and as symbols of faith and luck. Charms also served to identify an individual to the gods in the afterlife.

    During the Roman Empire, Christians would use tiny fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify themselves to other Christians. Jewish scholars of the same period would write tiny passages of Jewish law and put them in amulets round their necks to keep the law close to their heart at all times. Medieval knights wore charms for protection in battle. Charms also were worn in the Dark Ages to denote family origin and religious and political convictions.

    Charm bracelets have been the subject of several waves of trends. The first charm bracelets were worn by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Hittites and began appearing from 600 – 400 BC.[2]

    For example, Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets that started a fashion among the European noble classes. She was instrumental to the popularity of charm bracelets, as she “loved to wear and give charm bracelets. When her beloved Prince Albert died, she even made “mourning” charms popular; lockets of hair from the deceased, miniature portraits of the deceased, charm bracelets carved in jet.”[3]

    In 1889, Tiffany and Co. introduced their first charm bracelet — a link bracelet with a single heart dangling from it, a bracelet which is an iconic symbol for Tiffany today.

    Source: Wikipedia

     

    Queen Victoria with the charm bracelet she was never seen without.

    Inside one of the lockets was hidden a lock of hair from her husband, Prince Albert.

     

    Elizabeth Taylor with her beloved charm bracelet.