Show me your Heirloom Jewelry!

[Rockcollector]

This ring was given to my aunt from my grandmother when she was a child, in the 1930s. The rubies (2) were in a ring with a diamond given to her in the early 1900s (prior to 1909) by her first husband who supposedly was in the family of the Pullman Palace car company(not verified). When they broke up, she took the two rubies and made them into rings for her daughters. My mother lost hers☹

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This ring was given to my aunt from my grandmother when she was a child, in the 1930s. The rubies (2) were in a ring with a diamond given to her in the early 1900s (prior to 1909) by her first husband who supposedly was in the family of the Pullman Palace car company(not verified). When they broke up, she took the two rubies and made them into rings for her daughters. My mother lost hers☹

I love it !
But feel sad your mom lost hers

 

[Rockcollector]

I love it !
But feel sad your mom lost hers

Me too! There is no one left alive that I could ask about my grandmothers history. She probably sold the diamond as she had two young sons to raise by herself. She left San Jose and came back to Virginia. (Her family was not wealthy by any means)

 

[Rockcollector]

This ring was given to my aunt from my grandmother when she was a child, in the 1930s. The rubies (2) were in a ring with a diamond given to her in the early 1900s (prior to 1909) by her first husband who supposedly was in the family of the Pullman Palace car company(not verified). When they broke up, she took the two rubies and made them into rings for her daughters. My mother lost hers☹ . My mother and her twin sister were from
her 3rd marriage. None of subsequent husbands had $.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Me too! There is no one left alive that I could ask about my grandmothers history. She probably sold the diamond as she had two young sons to raise by herself. She left San Jose and came back to Virginia. (Her family was not wealthy by any means)

I wish when we were younger we had asked more questions. I have my great grandma's wedding ring - i had to look her name up on the internet

 

[Yanni_815]

Whoops posted without the pics somehow -

I wouldn't know about how old it is, but I know that it is a traditional style of Indian Jewellery. Most probably, if it is truly from India, it might have come from the city of Jaipur, which is well known for these type of jewelry. The emeralds are carved, instead of faceted. A lot of old stones from old Indian jewellery are actually carved or faceted differently or are in cabochons. It was actually with the advent of British colonization and the subsequent westernization that the Maharajahs and Nizams of India, have their jewels and heirlooms recut and reset by Parisian jewellers such as Cartier to more western styles.

The setting of the stones are done in the kundan style, which is achieved by covering the sides of the jewel with layers of tinfoil as opposed to the claw settings of western jewelry. It is an interesting process, as can be seen in this video.

And that enamel work at the back is very characteristic of fine Indian jewelry craftmanship. It is not visible to anyone but the wearer, as he/she puts it on. But really, if I have a piece of such jewelry i would most certainly wear it reversed sometimes haha.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I wouldn't know about how old it is, but I know that it is a traditional style of Indian Jewellery. Most probably, if it is truly from India, it might have come from the city of Jaipur, which is well known for these type of jewelry. The emeralds are carved, instead of faceted. A lot of old stones from old Indian jewellery are actually carved or faceted differently or are in cabochons. It was actually with the advent of British colonization and the subsequent westernization that the Maharajahs and Nizams of India, have their jewels and heirlooms recut and reset by Parisian jewellers such as Cartier to more western styles.

The setting of the stones are done in the kundan style, which is achieved by covering the sides of the jewel with layers of tinfoil as opposed to the claw settings of western jewelry. It is an interesting process, as can be seen in this video.

And that enamel work at the back is very characteristic of fine Indian jewelry craftmanship. It is not visible to anyone but the wearer, as he/she puts it on. But really, if I have a piece of such jewelry i would most certainly wear it reversed sometimes haha.

You know, interestingly, I’m indian and I’ve never been able to find a definitive source to pin down what to call this style of jewelry. V&A calls the entire style kundan, but from what I see in the north (including in Rajasthan) I would call this jadau jewelry, which is what I see it colloquially being called (jad means embedded, so it’s the act of embedding the gemstones in lac and, in the case of polki, the reflective gold underlayer). Kundan jewelry within india most commonly refers to the usage of glass cut like polki in the place of actual polki (uncut diamond). Then again that’s just my experience. It’s possible that no one truly knows what to call it usually if you go into a store and ask to see kundan jewelry they will show you pieces set with glass, but if you ask for jadau the stones are more likely to be other gemstones including polki. But yes, this is extremely traditional, with the exception of the clasp which looks non traditional (a hinged bracelet like that would traditionally either have a corded closure - though I think that is more common for necklaces - or a screw closure I would think). I find jadau absolutely gorgeous and so unbelievably intricate.

The enamel work on the back is called meenakari in case you’re interested. You can buy Meena jewelry which has the enamel facing upwards too

 

[Yanni_815]

I would like to share heirloom pieces we have in the family.

First would be the necklace my mother inherited from her aunt. My mother actually grew up with her aunt as her aunt is childless, and she is like an adopted daughter.



It is made in the old Style of Filipino jewelry we call Tamborin. I think these came from the 40's or 50's. Older ones are more grander; some , which dates to Spanish colonization times actually contains what is supposed to be relics beneath the glass on the center of the pendant. This one contains a gold design. The purity of the gold is low in these jewellery, mostly 10 karats and below like my mom's. The necklace is quite long. It reaches to my mom's navel when she wears it.



This one, which is passed on to me is from my maternal grandfather. The orange-brown stone is citrine and the three stones are white sapphires. My mom told me that it was designed by my grandfather himself, and it was supposed to spell his initials, JC. If you look at it from the side, it looks like a nike logo, which stands for the J. It is not clear in the picture, but the ring has a slightly raised design on the top and bottom of the citrine stone, which almost wore out (in here, the top part looks like a notch on top of the bezel). Combined with the curve of the three sapphires spell out the C. I don't use it often as it has worn out quite thin and delicate. My grandpa wore it on a daily basis says my mom said.

The next heirloom piece isn't jewellery, but it is too pretty to pass so I would like to share it.
This is a brass reticule my mom rescued from the trash. This belonged to the Aunt of my mom's aunt(the one where she inherited the gold necklace from). Apparently, her aunt threw it in a pile of trash which she set fire to and my mom, when she was not looking snatched it out of the pile and kept it. I saw similar pieces being sold today, but the craftmanship of this one is superior. Even the chain has a beautiful scroll design.

 

[Yanni_815]

You know, interestingly, I’m indian and I’ve never been able to find a definitive source to pin down what to call this style of jewelry. V&A calls the entire style kundan, but from what I see in the north (including in Rajasthan) I would call this jadau jewelry, which is what I see it colloquially being called (jad means embedded, so it’s the act of embedding the gemstones in lac and, in the case of polki, the reflective gold underlayer). Kundan jewelry within india most commonly refers to the usage of glass cut like polki in the place of actual polki (uncut diamond). Then again that’s just my experience. It’s possible that no one truly knows what to call it usually if you go into a store and ask to see kundan jewelry they will show you pieces set with glass, but if you ask for jadau the stones are more likely to be other gemstones including polki. But yes, this is extremely traditional, with the exception of the clasp which looks non traditional (a hinged bracelet like that would traditionally either have a corded closure - though I think that is more common for necklaces - or a screw closure I would think). I find jadau absolutely gorgeous and so unbelievably intricate.

The enamel work on the back is called meenakari in case you’re interested. You can buy Meena jewelry which has the enamel facing upwards too

I see! I didn't know that you have enamel jewelry with the enamel work facing up. All examples I saw is the enamels at the reverse. And yes, clasps of Indian jewelry I saw are mostly the s shaped hooks.

I am totally fascinated with Indian jewellery. The designs are superb!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I see! I didn't know that you have enamel jewelry with the enamel work facing up. All examples I saw is the enamels at the reverse. And yes, clasps of Indian jewelry I saw are mostly the s shaped hooks.

I am totally fascinated with Indian jewellery. The designs are superb!

Im on the look out for an Indian wedding to attend
You can come as my plus one

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I see! I didn't know that you have enamel jewelry with the enamel work facing up. All examples I saw is the enamels at the reverse. And yes, clasps of Indian jewelry I saw are mostly the s shaped hooks.

I am totally fascinated with Indian jewellery. The designs are superb!

Enamel facing up is it’s own style, called Meena jewelry or meenakari jewelry. Some examples from the Internet:



As for clasps, I’d forgotten about S hooks, but those are super common as well, you’re right, as are hooks in general.

other common traditional clasps:

Cord (also called dori):


screw (can’t find a picture of the screw open):

 

[Yanni_815]

Im on the look out for an Indian wedding to attend
You can come as my plus one

That would be fun! I never attended one yet!

 

[Yanni_815]

Enamel facing up is it’s own style, called Meena jewelry or meenakari jewelry. Some examples from the Internet:



As for clasps, I’d forgotten about S hooks, but those are super common as well, you’re right, as are hooks in general.

other common traditional clasps:

Cord (also called dori):


screw (can’t find a picture of the screw open):

Oh so pretty! And the screw closure is interesting! I've seen screw closures on earrings. But not in bracelets.

 

[SandraLynn]

Charm bracelet and gemstone ring was my great grandmothers.

thinner wedding set was done by Brian Gavin with my great great grandmothers .82 G VS2

 

[Cunhaam]

Charm bracelet and gemstone ring was my great grandmothers.

thinner wedding set was done by Brian Gavin with my great great grandmothers .82 G VS2

Love the Brian Gavin combo. Might I as what is the setting that you choose for the ring and for the thinner band?

 

[SandraLynn]

@Cunhaam it was called fishtail pave. I’m pretty sure. I’m actually going to take the diamond out and make a pendant.