Jade is one of those stones most people know. Used for centuries and known for being tough enough to make bells and musical instruments from yet it can be easy scratched or carved. Many think they can identify it easily but they may be wrong.
First Jade come in two different types Jadeite and nephrite. Both have a monoclinic crystal structure with a vistreous luster, can come in mixed colors and are translucent to opaque. Then the differences start:
Nepharite's chemical makeup of Ca2(Mg,Fe)5(Si4O11)2(OH)2 jadeite is Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6.
Their hardness differs, Jadeite has a hardness of 6.5-7 vrs nephrite 6-6.5.
Their specific gravity/ density is jadeite averaging 3.34, nephrite averages 2.95
Nephrite is normally found in larger masses, so it is the common jade in sculptures.
Many fall in love with the look of jade but not the price. Our market, today and past, has answered that need with other stones as jade simulations. Such stones are given trade names meant to convey they are NOT jade. Some jewelry designers who purchase them are so used to hearing it they assume it means location mined. So what are they? Here is a short list:
African Jade is quartz
American Jade is idocrase
Ching Hai Jade is a blend of dolomite and fuchsite
Indian Jade aventurine
Korean Jade is serpentine
Malaysian Jade is serpentine
Mexican Jade is quartz marble
Mountain Jade is dolomite
New Jade is serpentine
Transvaal Jade is hydrogrossular garnet
Trade jade can be a lovely alternative on a budget. As a lover of all gemstones, I am not saying they are not to be purchased. I have seen amazing necklaces and earrings made with them. What I am saying is if you are purchasing jade for investment, know what you are buying.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Monday, November 25, 2019
Wistwatches are for detective lovers
They really are. The watch industry is ever evolving. If you line watches from over 20 years up in a line, even from the same manufactures, they will look vastly different. Watches is a very competitive part of the accessory market.
According to this Marketwatch article wristwatches are still a popular buy. In this article they divide them into 7 categories by style and 3 for use. People like watches and watch makers are always changing the style and features of watches to make them appeal to more people.
Antique and vintage collectors know a different part of the watch market. Those that specialize in vintage watches, to me, are amazing people. Many have encyclopedic knowledge of movements, styles and differences among brands by year. They know why Breitling is popular with aviators. How Rolex was able to craft the first truly water resistant wristwatch.
Anyone can say "vintage" your task is how vintage. The easiest way in some cases is the product numbers. Some make it tricky, Elgin stopped using serial numbers on their movements in 1956. Timex, before 1962, used to stamp the date inside the back making finding the age easy. Then they moved to using the date year at the end of serial numbers.
Aptly named watchsleuth helps you find the age of your Seiko watches and is a great all around resource.
Then you have novelty watches. Only available for a limited time or for companies no longer in business. Like this find:
According to this Marketwatch article wristwatches are still a popular buy. In this article they divide them into 7 categories by style and 3 for use. People like watches and watch makers are always changing the style and features of watches to make them appeal to more people.
Antique and vintage collectors know a different part of the watch market. Those that specialize in vintage watches, to me, are amazing people. Many have encyclopedic knowledge of movements, styles and differences among brands by year. They know why Breitling is popular with aviators. How Rolex was able to craft the first truly water resistant wristwatch.
Anyone can say "vintage" your task is how vintage. The easiest way in some cases is the product numbers. Some make it tricky, Elgin stopped using serial numbers on their movements in 1956. Timex, before 1962, used to stamp the date inside the back making finding the age easy. Then they moved to using the date year at the end of serial numbers.
Aptly named watchsleuth helps you find the age of your Seiko watches and is a great all around resource.
Then you have novelty watches. Only available for a limited time or for companies no longer in business. Like this find:
A mid 1990s Ford Mercury watch.
How can we tell it was mid 1990's? In this case, it is my watch so I know when I bought it. The clue here is the logo style is different then the latter one used until Ford ceased offering Mercury in 2011. Small things like that are what makes the world of watches so much fun. Finding the small differences and being able to describe them when needed.
I'd love to hear about some of your finds or favorite watch brands/styles. Please feel free to comment.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Lead Free Crystal Glass
You can tell them apart, with practice and light. This is not just for jewelry. It applies to bowls, goblets, flutes, anything crafted of glass and marketed as crystal.
True crystal has a rainbow of color caused by small amounts of lead being mixed with the glass while it is being made. It is not a coating on the outside. It does not scratch off. This makes crystal naturally heavier then true glass. It may just be a slight difference, but it will be heavier if it is crystal.
The color play is easy to see if you have natural light. Take this Swarovski bicone crystal bracelet I made:
You can see the colors, if you move it around, the colors shift too. Compared to these vintage clip on earrings which are cut glass, not crystal:
It reflects the blue under it well but does not have the color shifting property of the crystal shown above. It is also easier to see through for the same reason.
I hope this helps you identify crystal from glass. I would be interested in hearing your experience with misidentified crystal/glass. Feel free to comment below.
Vintage Must Mean Old
Vintage jewelry is a tricky category. For one thing vintage is a broad term, that means very little in value. It basically means over 10 years, which mean me and many of my friend qualify as "vintage" Still its is a popular term for old leading to the obvious question, "how old is it?"
There are ways to determine the age of jewelry, but few are foolproof. The thinness of the metal, the makers marks, the presence of pat. pending indicating pre trademark rules are only guidelines. I've seen old pieces in pristine condition like my 1960's Beau sterling silver and jet pin shown here
and 5 year old abused jewelry ignored until it looked over 100 years old. This is especially true of chains.
The design itself can be a clue, but since things have gone in and out of style repeatedly. So be wary of looks old. The above Beau pin is in an older classic style, but we know Beau jewelry only started in 1947. In this case the mark, gemstone, metal and setting indicate the age. The fact that this had been kept in the original box with the receipt also helped keep it looking pristine.
So if you are just beginning to collect vintage jewelry I urge you to research and learn. Many wonderful pieces are over looked because they look to new. Many newer items are passed off as vintage because it looks old.
There are ways to determine the age of jewelry, but few are foolproof. The thinness of the metal, the makers marks, the presence of pat. pending indicating pre trademark rules are only guidelines. I've seen old pieces in pristine condition like my 1960's Beau sterling silver and jet pin shown here
and 5 year old abused jewelry ignored until it looked over 100 years old. This is especially true of chains.
The design itself can be a clue, but since things have gone in and out of style repeatedly. So be wary of looks old. The above Beau pin is in an older classic style, but we know Beau jewelry only started in 1947. In this case the mark, gemstone, metal and setting indicate the age. The fact that this had been kept in the original box with the receipt also helped keep it looking pristine.
So if you are just beginning to collect vintage jewelry I urge you to research and learn. Many wonderful pieces are over looked because they look to new. Many newer items are passed off as vintage because it looks old.
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