Mexican Sterling Silver Ring With Red Turquoise Stone

I love this chunky Sterling silver ring which is marked "ATI" on the inside.  It features a beautiful red turquoise stone, most likely hardened and enhanced with a coloring agent.  I believe this ring is a modern piece, but it is absolutely stunning.  There was no information online about the maker mark, so any additional information would be greatly appreciated. 

So, let's look at the mineral turquoise.  Turquoise is a hydrous basic phosphate of copper and aluminum.  According to http://www.nevada-outback-gems.com/, turquoise is "formed when water of the right chemistry trickles through a host stone over many, many centuries, gradually leaving behind a turquoise deposit." Turquoise comes in a variety of colors, but the turquoise stones we see in various jewelry are not all created equally. 

Types of turquoise include: natural (all natural and the most desirable!), stabilized (natural turquoise that is infused with plastic resin to make it stronger), color-treated (natural turquoise that is injected with dye to enhance its color), reconstituted (natural turquoise chips and powder that are mixed with plastic and dyes to form a compressed stone), and imitation (made of pure plastic, sometimes infused with other minerals like pyrite to look like genuine turquoise). 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Nevada Outback Gems. Retrieved 4/14/2011 from http://nevada-outback-gems.com/turq_info_pages/Turquoise_inf_colors.htm

Engel Brothers Gold Filled Bracelet With Red Crystals

This gorgeous bracelet is marked 1/20-10K Gold Filled and was made by Engel Brothers in the 1930s.  It is an Art Deco piece with golden rectangular links and round red crystals.  Art Deco jewelry often featured circles, squares, rectangles, and arcs, influenced by the Cubist painters at the time.  Many designes also showcased Asian, Egyptian, and African themes.  Art Deco jewelry included bold rings, long necklaces, and the wearing of multiple bracelets (think "Flapper") and reflected the flamboyant attitude of Hollywood and the Jazz Era.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Collectible Jewels. Retrieved 1/4/2011 from http://www.collectiblejewels.com/art.html

Danecraft 12KT Gold-filled Flower Brooch

This stylized flower brooch was made by Danecraft, most likely in the 1950s.  It features swirling petals in a textured gold-filled metal.  Danecraft was officially started in 1934 by Victor Primavera Sr., but its roots stem from the designs of Victor and his father in Italy.  Danecraft produced high quality sterling, vermeil, and gold-filled jewelry over the years and they are currently located in Providence, Rhode Island, the costume jewelry capitol of the United States. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Danecraft. Retrieved 4/12/2011 from http://www.danecraft.com/index_files/Page459.htm

Collectible Jewels. Retrieved 4/12/2011 from http://www.collectiblejewels.com/danecraft.html

Wild Bryde Partridge Brooch

Here is another pretty natural design by Wild Bryde.  This brooch features a partridge and her two babies in hand-hammered 14kt gold plate.  Wild Bryde jewelry is light, durable, and made entirely in the USA.  Each piece is designed from an original sketch by artist/owner Mike Warner and their jewelry line includes motifs of over 5,000 different species of plants and animals. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Treasured Gifts Collectibles. Retrieved 4/11/2011 from http://www.treasuredgiftscollectibles.com/servlet/the-Wild-Bryde-Jewelry-cln-Earrings/Categories

Jonette Jewelry 1988 Santa Fe Pin

This fun pin was made by Jonette Jewelry (their jewelry is marked "JJ") and was from their Southwestern line produced in 1988.  I come across their pieces quite often, as they produced jewelry up until 2006, when they sadly closed their doors due to global competition and market conditions.  This is one of my favorite pins I have seen by them as I like its simplicity, design, and resemblance to sterling silver. 

Abraham Lisker started this company in 1935 as the Providence Jewelry Company.  The name changed to Lisker and Lisker in 1937 when his brother joined the company.  After WWII, the brothers decided to rename the company "Jonette Jewelry Company" after their mother and father John and Etta.  Jonette manufactured various accessories from a single location in East Providence, Rhode Island, but are best known for their whimsical pins/brooches.   
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

JJ Pins. Retrieved 4/10/2011 from http://www.jjpins.com/p/about-jj-jonette-jewelry.html

Spanish Damascene Fan Pendant/Brooch

This is another beautiful damascene piece made in Spain, most likely Toldedo.  It is stamped Spain and features moveable blades, with red, white and black coloring.  Damascene is the process of decorating non-precious metals with 18-24 karat gold which dates back to the middle ages.  Although still collectible, this pendant is considered to be "faux" or "tourist" damascene, and is most likely mass-produced.  Genuine damascene has a similiar, but distinguishable look, is hand-made, and always features precious metals in its detailing.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Vintage Jewelry Lane. Retrieved 4/8/2011 from http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/Damasceneinformation.htm

Trifari Goldtone Mushroom Pin

This cute little mushroom pin was a "must have" when I saw it.  It was made by Trifari, most likely in the 1960s or 70s, as the mushroom motif was extremely popluar during that time.  I highlighted a small mushroom charm by Sarah Coventry last month (March 8th to be exact!), but that piece was quite different, as far as its design, coloring, and texture. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Bonanza. Retrieved 4/7/2011 from http://www.bonanza.com/booths/pidley/items/Vintage_Crown_Trifari_Mushroom_Pin_Original_Tag