Who wants to see my haul from today?

[ChickityChicken]

How long is the chain? It is so pretty! great steal! Also, the oval textured silver hoops in the first picture are very pretty!

Also, do you know what stones are set in the 14k studs?

 

[stracci2000]

Also, do you know what stones are set in the 14k studs?

The 18k chain is 27" long, and is heavy at 15.64 grams!
The stones in the 14k hoops are CZ and low quality sapphire.
The oval hoops are costume jewelry.

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

This baby needs a clean, but I wanted to share a couple quick pics:

0.9ct OEC that I picked up for $300!!!




The setting has seen some major wear, but I'll enjoy wearing it at home until I decide what to do with it. Pendant maybe?

 

[stracci2000]

This baby needs a clean, but I wanted to share a couple quick pics:

0.9ct OEC that I picked up for $300!!!




The setting has seen some major wear, but I'll enjoy wearing it at home until I decide what to do with it. Pendant maybe?

Nice! A smokin' deal!
So where did you "pick this up"?
Online? Pawn shop? Estate sale? Do tell.

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

Nice! A smokin' deal!
So where did you "pick this up"?
Online? Pawn shop? Estate sale? Do tell.

Online!! I feel like there have been fewer deals online over the past few years, so I was surprised it hadn't been snapped up. The pictures were terrible, but the seller allowed returns and had good reviews so IDK how it didn't immediately sell. The seller even included the estimated carat weight and identified it as old european cut.

That's a visable white inclusion, but overall I'm very pleased that it's prettier in person. Definitely was a bit of a gamble.

 

[stracci2000]

Online!! I feel like there have been fewer deals online over the past few years, so I was surprised it hadn't been snapped up. The pictures were terrible, but the seller allowed returns and had good reviews so IDK how it didn't immediately sell. The seller even included the estimated carat weight and identified it as old european cut.

That's a visable white inclusion, but overall I'm very pleased that it's prettier in person. Definitely was a bit of a gamble.

You did great! Yes, it's hard to find low priced antique diamonds online.
And the inclusions, in my opinion, are OK in antique pieces. Within reason, of course.
$300! I think you got the deal of the century. Maybe the seller has more good stuff you need to pick up!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Ontheblackrock15 well I think you win the prize for best deal of the year here, wow what a great size! I'll tell you that my avatar ring is .85 in the center and in paid a lot more than $300!

It is so pretty too!

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

You did great! Yes, it's hard to find low priced antique diamonds online.
And the inclusions, in my opinion, are OK in antique pieces. Within reason, of course.
$300! I think you got the deal of the century. Maybe the seller has more good stuff you need to pick up!

I looked today and didn't see anything, but will be checking regularly!!

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

@Ontheblackrock15 well I think you win the prize for best deal of the year here, wow what a great size! I'll tell you that my avatar ring is .85 in the center and in paid a lot more than $300!

It is so pretty too!

Thank you!! It's not perfect by any means (chips, inclusions, etc), but I'm enjoying it for sure!!!

 

[CoffeeAndDiamonds]

I love freshly cleaned diamonds!!


Thankfully none of the small stones fell out during cleaning.

Up close of the largest inclusion:


Is this a feather?

Here's the chip:

And the one super wonky prong that looks like it's one good hit from breaking off:




The setting is really growing on me!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The setting is pretty, I know you have plans to reset it but at least you can wear and enjoy it in the meantime!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Found this at the ReStore today! We needed a desk for our youngest but needed it to not scream desk since it will be in our dining room.

These pics were taken before I had a chance to dust it off, the test tube holder was in the desk

 

[stracci2000]

Found this at the ReStore today! We needed a desk for our youngest but needed it to not scream desk since it will be in our dining room.

These pics were taken before I had a chance to dust it off, the test tube holder was in the desk

Beautiful!! 1920s-30s I think. Good find, sister!
The drawer pulls are valuable all by themselves.

When you get some test tubes, you can mix up some witchy antique jewelry potions!

 

[stracci2000]

Yesterday we went to visit DH's parents who are both in their 80s. They gave us some boxes containing stuff that belonged to great-grandmother Ferguson.
DH didn't even know about her, since grandpa never says much about his family until you ask, which I think is weird. But that's beside the point. Anyway.....

A fantastic portrait plate marked "Prussia".
From about 1908


Some old Bavarian dishes, a biscuit jar, and Nippon salt cellars.


Now before you say "Oh, those green things are horrible!" ---I will tell you that they are Bohemian blown Vaseline glass from about 1900, made by a company called Kralik.
So I sorta like them now.



A nice group of glass insulators


A cool 1947 Zenith radio that works!


Old irons that say 1932 on them.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

Oh I love this whole thread

 

[glitterata]

I collect antique silver, and I'm especially fond of 19th century calling card cases. I found this one the week before last listed on etsy as a retro metal business card holder, $28. (They usually go for around $350-$800.) It's coin silver (900 silver; sterling, which is 925, didn't become standard in the US until around the 1870s), and was made in Philadelphia in the late 1840s-early 1850s--the company that made it was in business for only 5 years. It's monogrammed with the name of a woman who was born in 1829, so it would probably have been a gift when she became an adult and began paying social visits. The church on one side is Trinity Church, Wall Street, which was completed in 1846; not sure what the other building is.









Here's the maker's mark:

 

[stracci2000]

I collect antique silver, and I'm especially fond of 19th century calling card cases. I found this one the week before last listed on etsy as a retro metal business card holder, $28. (They usually go for around $350-$800.) It's coin silver (900 silver; sterling, which is 925, didn't become standard in the US until around the 1870s), and was made in Philadelphia in the late 1840s-early 1850s--the company that made it was in business for only 5 years. It's monogrammed with the name of a woman who was born in 1829, so it would probably have been a gift when she became an adult and began paying social visits. The church on one side is Trinity Church, Wall Street, which was completed in 1846; not sure what the other building is.









Here's the maker's mark:

Oh my stars!!! Swoon........!!!!! The workmanship is truly stunning.
And $28--------whaaaaatt??? Some Etsy seller didn't do their research!!
Bad for them, good for you!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000 oh free treasure is the best treasure and I like those Vaseline glass vases they are super cool. My phone insists on capitalizing certain words apparently!

So you would be the person to ask about enamel repair, I picked up an enamel table and it has some damage, can I repair it and how? I actually already have an enamel table and chairs but the enamel on my set is in really good condition.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

That is really neat @glitterata!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000 here is an example, there are three or four areas on the table like this although this is the worst.

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000 here is an example, there are three or four areas on the table like this although this is the worst.

Now you could simply go out and find nail polish that matches and apply a few coats. But if the chips are significant, I would fill them in with my secret recipe.

I fix everything with this putty like substance.
You will need:
-Durham's Rock Hard. (It is a powdered substance. Sold as a wood filler. Available from any hardware store, about $5.00)
-Elmer's glue,
-Craft or acrylic paint
-Clear nail polish.


Clean the chipped area well with soapy water and an old toothbrush.
On a flat surface, mix about 1 teaspoon Rock Hard with a small squirt of glue. Mix together well with a toothpick till like a firm dough. Add more of either product if necessary.
With your finger, spread a micro thin layer of the Elmer's into the recess you are going to fill. This is to help the putty to stick.
Then quickly take some dough, and press it into the recess.
Slightly dampen your finger from a wet sponge and spread the until you are satisfied that the recess is filled and the Rock Hard is perfectly even with the old surface. Wipe away excess with a wet finger. Let dry, maybe an hour or 2. After drying, wipe away the dry residue gently with a damp cloth.
After completely dry, paint the new filling with craft paint.
It can be very hard to replicate some colors. Be creative and mix colors freely till you achieve the correct tone.
One you are satisfied with the color, and the paint has dried, then seal the area with two generous coats of clear nail polish. Letting dry about an hour between coats.

Good luck! I wish I could be there to do it for you!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000, I wish you were here too! I'm actually debating about messing with this table because it is essentially just to put the cat food on in the kitchen so the dogs can't get it. Currently we have their food on the portable dishwasher but I hardly use it so we are going to sell it.

Maybe I will try one of the smaller areas to see how it goes, thanks for giving me your secret recipe! These tables sell for quite a bit here, I just like them because they are virtually indestructible.

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000, I wish you were here too! I'm actually debating about messing with this table because it is essentially just to put the cat food on in the kitchen so the dogs can't get it. Currently we have their food on the portable dishwasher but I hardly use it so we are going to sell it.

Maybe I will try one of the smaller areas to see how it goes, thanks for giving me your secret recipe! These tables sell for quite a bit here, I just like them because they are virtually indestructible.

I added to my post above, that you could simply apply a few coats of nail polish in the right color. But finding the right color can be a real challenge.
And if the chips are deep, the polish wont fill it in, and it will still look bad. It depends on how perfect you want the fix to be.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000 Hmmm, I'll have to think about this, I lack confidence that I can pull this off

So what is your favorite treasure from G.G. Ferguson's treasure box?

 

[1ofakind]

I’m still in a drought over here but I was glad to find this vintage ceramic Christmas tree yesterday. It is missing the base but I’ve never seen one with holes that make a lighted garland. The bulbs are melted/glued and orange which I don’t love but I’ll get them out. I couldn’t resist lighting it up to see the pretty patterns it throws. It’ll look great With the other ceramic trees this Christmas.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I love the ceramic Christmas trees @1ofakind, got one myself this year!

This one is so pretty, love the frosted look.

 

[stracci2000]

I was doing my rounds the last few days and I came up with a few new treasures.

This sweet antique locket was at the Goodwill for $5.00.
Marked 10k gold filled, and P.S. Co
Made by Plainville Stock Co, Plainville MA. Probably 1880s-1900 or so.
Missing a little red stone, but I will fix it soon.


And today I stopped at that little flea market where I found the rose gold band.
The same guy sold me a mid-19th century Chinese export ware platter for $5.00
OMG-I am so thrilled with this piece!!!



And the same guy sold me this New Martinsville jadeite glass rocket vase. 8" high

 

[YadaYadaYada]

It would appear you have found the goose that lays the golden eggs @stracci2000! Love all your finds and the locket is of course amazing, can't beat it for $5

 

[stracci2000]

It would appear you have found the goose that lays the golden eggs @stracci2000! Love all your finds and the locket is of course amazing, can't beat it for $5

Here's a little story about yesterday.
After the flea market, I went into a little pawn shop in that area. Now this is rural New Mexico.
So think old mining town, pickup trucks and pawn shops with mostly guns and tools.
I spot this half eternity band with bright stones. the tag says $109. I ask the guy to see it.
He tells me that it is white sapphire. I'm thinking--"that's the best white sapphire ring I have ever seen".
He says "I'll take $75."
I thought "Should I gamble $75 that this ring is really diamonds and he is mistaken?"
So stupidly, I said "Hmmmm, white sapphire, you say?"
He says"Well, I have this new diamond tester I just got and I'm not too good at using it yet--let me check again" (uh-oh)
So he touches the stones with this GemOro tester and he says--"Oh , now they are testing diamonds, But I'll still take $109"
But I decided to pass because the prongs were really worn down, and it would need at least $75 worth of work, and I just bought a car, so I shouldn't be spending money on bling.
Moral of story--go with your gut.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Ahhhhh @stracci2000 as soon as I think it's something good I throw money at them and run! $109 is still amazing but yes the repairs for prongs are expensive.