Rosary beads are just one example from a growing trend of accessories inspired by religious orders. What is the significance behind rosary beads and why have they become so prominent in recent years? From pop stars wearing them over corset dresses and vintage rock t-shirts to popular novels that celebrate the significance of rosary beads through their main characters, rosary beads have generated a new-found interest in the accessory.

With the comeuppance of rosary beads as a fashion trend, more designers have come to embrace the trend and put their own spin on the Catholic jewellery. Subsequently, there is more selection available for followers of the Christian faith to express their individuality. These days, rosary beads have moved from more obscure fashion to bigger and bolder versions that can be seen dangling from necklaces, bangles, earrings, and even belt buckles.

Expressing spirituality through fashion accessories is seen by many as a natural progression in the fashion world and now with more choice out there, followers of the Christian faith can proud display their belief with elegance and class.

If you are considering religious jewellery as a gift, rosary beads are not the only options to consider when it comes to faith-based jewellery. Other offerings include cross bracelets, pendants, cross earrings, and special medallions that are perfect for men and women. There are also different precious metals and gems that offer people the chance to express their religious views with unique jewellery that appeal to a broad range of enthusiasts.

Blog submitted by Christian.Jewelry.: Offering Christian jewelry in Silver and Gold, such as cross pendants, necklace, rings, earrings, bracelets and chains.

According to Cynthia Findley Antiques, there are many reasons you might want to downsize your inheritance. There will inevitably be some pieces that have no sentimental value to you, and do not fit your style. You may also run into the problem of storage, which can be a challenge. If you’re looking to sell off older estate jewellery, and unsure of how to get the best price, hire an appraiser.

Downsizing: Some opt to downsize an estate before they pass. This serves a few purposes, it can help the person who owns the estate to consolidate the wealth and build a bigger inheritance for family. Those assets essentially get re-allocated in other ways. Appraisers help these people get a fair price for their assets.

Inheritance: When a close family member passes, they sometimes leave an inheritance for you. Not everyone is prepared to keep vintage engagement rings. Either they do not have the space, or the jewellery does not fit the style. Appraisers help you sell off what you don’t want from the collection, so you can use the money to create a new tradition for your own family.

Explorer: If you’ve ever gone to an estate sale, you’ve probably found more than a few pieces you’ve wanted to take home. Some of us actually do, and an appraiser is useful in identifying antique engagement rings and assessing value. Who knows, you might have stumbled across something truly valuable.

For pieces that are less valuable, but still sentimental, you might consider re-using the metals. You can melt older pieces and have them remade as custom designs to start your own traditions.

Walk through any museum or store selling some vintage engagement rings, and you’ll quickly notice how elaborate and beautiful every piece can be. Handmade jewellery from antique eras shines brilliantly, but buying authentic pieces can be a difficult task. This guide aims to help anyone identify jewellery, including which qualities are most useful in determining which era your jewellery comes from.

Basics

During the 1930s, and even as early as the 1700s, costume jewellery fashioned after real pieces became fairly common place at public gatherings. There were a variety of reasons for that, but essentially jewellery production had three grades that corresponded with the materials used: fine, semi-precious and base. When you’re looking at antique engagement rings, a good question to ask about is the type of stone used. The answer to that question can give some clues on whether the piece is an authentic piece or costume jewellery.

Style

World War II greatly disrupted the flow of precious metals and gemstones throughout the world, so gold was in short supply in the post war era for about one or two decades. During that time, jewelers would frequently combine silver and gold to make a new metal called vermeil. According to Cynthia Findlay Antiques, one clue that a piece is post war is that is contains more metal than gemstone because of the supply challenges from Europe to the US.

Inspirations

Custom jewellery from Toronto is designed to look like the real thing, but these pieces are inspired by the era rather than a direct copy. Custom jewellery can be handed down from generation to generation, just like antique counterparts. If you like the style of vintage rings but can’t find a specific one you like, create one. Skilled jewelers can duplicate the methods used back then, creating one-of-a-kind pieces made specifically for you.

Written by Cynthia Findlay Antiques.

Buying an engagement ring should be one of the happiest moments of a person’s life. However, for many men it’s a moment of stress and aggravation, especially when it comes to finances. Despite what some in the jewellery industry have suggested, you don’t need to spend several months’ salary on a ring in order to get a stunning and special piece that your partner will cherish.

You can shop smart and maximize your budget while still purchasing a stunning engagement ring. Here’s a few ways you can do this:

Choose ring types that favor smaller gems. Not every engagement ring has to focus on a single diamond. Many items such as Art Deco rings are beautiful because of intricate or bold use of elements in the band as much as with the gem. Focus on the overall beauty of the ring rather than the sheer size of the stone.

Consider vintage rings. In many instances, you can get a vintage engagement ring that is significantly more affordable than what you might pay for a new ring with a similar size and cut of diamond. These rings are often even more treasured by women because of their history and unique look. You’ll need to be vigilant in finding estate jewellery but the search often pays off with the reward of an affordable, one-of-a-kind ring.

Consider other precious gems. Some of the most stunning engagement rings in the world don’t have a single diamond on them. There are plenty of opulent and eye-catching engagement rings that use alternatives to diamonds such as pearls, rubies or topaz.

Cynthia Findlay Antiques has been helping customers find the right vintage and custom jewellery in Toronto since 1978. Today, the collection is available for purchase at a 6,000-square-foot space in downtown Toronto and at the jeweller’s website.

Written by: Cynthia Findlay Antiques

Summary: If you are looking for an engagement ring, you need to be sure that you find the right jeweller that will help you through the process.

When you are looking to purchase fine jewellery, you want to find a jeweller that is experienced and knows their craft inside and out. Here some common things that you should know to ensure that your jeweller is right for you.

Check for Accreditation

Be sure that your jeweller is properly established and accredited. There’s nothing worse than dealing a large amount of money with a fraudulent party. Be sure to do some major research on the company’s reputation and contact their references, which should be easy for them to release on account of their networking status.

Test their Knowledge

Ask your jeweller questions. Test their knowledge to see how well they know their craft. That’s not to say you should interrogate the poor salesperson but you want to be sure that they have sufficient knowledge on anything revolving jewellery. While some may be focused on a pure sales pitch, you want to find the ones that know everything from the personalities of art deco rings to the rarity of the gemstones.

Have them Guide You

A jeweller should be able to walk you through the entire process of purchasing your ring. You come to a jeweller for guidance and a purchase. Many times you will see jewellers explain the details and characteristics of a stone, or the market value for estate jewellery these days. You may even get some training on how to distinguish a diamond’s “4 Cs”.

An engagement ring is one of the most prized and intimate possessions a person can have. As much as you want a great ring, you’re also going to want to be able to explore the different options that stores have to offer. You and your jeweller should develop a rapport to where his or her knowledge is passed on to you. Trust is a key focus when it comes to finding the ring of your dreams.

Bio: Cynthia Findlay Antiques carries a collection of almost every genre of antiques. If you want quality custom jewellery from Toronto, be sure to visit one of Canada’s beloved retail jewellery shops.

Written by Cynthia Findlay Antiques.

The Art Nouveau jewellery that was popular from 1890 to 1910 played an important role in transitioning the styles of rings, necklaces and other pieces from the formal looks of the 1800s to the modern designs of the 20th century. Many Art Deco rings were heavily influenced by Art Nouveau styles; the fact that Art Deco jewellers thought of themselves as artists first comes from the legacy of the Art Nouveau movement.

Art Nouveau jewellery was only in vogue for two decades yet the romance and beauty of these items are still some of the most popular pieces of estate jewellery. Here’s what to look for when buying Art Nouveau rings:

Soft Curves: One of the main characteristics of Art Nouveau jewellery is the use of flowing curves intersecting with each other to create a soft and romantic look. These curves could represent anything from growing ivy to the lines of a woman’s body.

Natural Influences: Art Nouveau artists and jewellers were influenced by Japanese art, so it’s not surprising that a naturalistic influence can be found throughout Art Nouveau jewellery. Many pieces have engraving that depict scenes found in nature such as butterflies, bird, floral patterns and vines.

Natural Materials: The influence of the natural world can also be found in the materials used in Art Nouveau rings. Along with traditional metals such as platinum, many jewellers used natural materials such as wood and animal bones. Diamonds were also augmented or even replaced by semi-precious stones such as moonstone, amethyst and opal.

Cynthia Findlay Antiques has been supplying newlyweds-to-be in Toronto with engagement rings since 1978. The company specializes in vintage engagement rings along with their custom jewellery designs.