Who wants to see my haul from today?

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure she originally had a gold frame, and it was sold for scrap.
Too bad, isn't it?
I will definitely post an update when make her a new mounting!

your treasures are so lucky that its you that finds them

 

[stracci2000]

At another antique mall that I frequent........
These earrings called to me!
They appear to be baroque freshwater pearls.
And the cameo! This one is Ceres, because she has wheat on her head. Maybe carved 1880-1910?
Too bad her frame is long gone. I will concoct something from sterling and wear her as a pendant.

Here's the frame I made for the cameo.

 

[stracci2000]

Today in my travels, I stumbled upon a little antique mall that has lots of jewelry.
These two items are sterling.
This ring was speaking to me, so I had to have it.....
The manufacturer is Vargas, and the mark corresponds to about 1947. The pattern goes all the way around.




And then I fell in love with this sterling bracelet.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Love them both @stracci2000

 

[stracci2000]

Love them both @stracci2000

There were so many things there that I liked!
I will definitely go back when I pass by there next month.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Today in my travels, I stumbled upon a little antique mall that has lots of jewelry.
These two items are sterling.
This ring was speaking to me, so I had to have it.....
The manufacturer is Vargas, and the mark corresponds to about 1947. The pattern goes all the way around.




And then I fell in love with this sterling bracelet.

the ring is pretty But OMG i love the braclette
but everyone would hate me because id have my polishing cloth out and have it looking like shinny tin in no time !
(im not into patina ...yet)

 

[stracci2000]

the ring is pretty But OMG i love the braclette
but everyone would hate me because id have my polishing cloth out and have it looking like shinny tin in no time !
(im not into patina ...yet)

I really fell for the bracelet! It is unusual.
I resisted using the polishing cloth on them.
The blackened look of the ring is something that I won't mess with.
I will wear them the next few days and see if the bracelet will brighten up.

 

[lala646]

Ooh, both great finds, @stracci2000! Please leave the patina! Depending on the item, I know shiny and bright is great for some things, but I love silver that shows it's lived a little.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Me every time I’m in a pawn shop

 

[stracci2000]

Ooh, both great finds, @stracci2000! Please leave the patina! Depending on the item, I know shiny and bright is great for some things, but I love silver that shows it's lived a little.

Yeah, I'm gonna wear 'em as is.
The blackened recesses in both pieces should stay intact.

 

[stracci2000]

Me every time I’m in a pawn shop

I only work till noon today. I was thinking of visiting a new pawn shop. Talk me out of it, please!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I only work till noon today. I was thinking of visiting a new pawn shop. Talk me out of it, please!

No chance, I want to see what you find!

 

[RMOO]

Yeah, I'm gonna wear 'em as is.
The blackened recesses in both pieces should stay intact.

If you wanted to brighten the high spots, try putting your polishing cloth on a hard surface, like a counter top and rubbing the ring or bracelet across it, instead of the other way around. If you still need to polish the rounded edges of the hearts, etc., fold the cloth in half and run the ring/bracelet over it again.

 

[lala646]

No chance, I want to see what you find!

Same!!! I need to live vicariously!

 

[stracci2000]

If you wanted to brighten the high spots, try putting your polishing cloth on a hard surface, like a counter top and rubbing the ring or bracelet across it, instead of the other way around. If you still need to polish the rounded edges of the hearts, etc., fold the cloth in half and run the ring/bracelet over it again.

Good idea!
I've noticed that having handled the ring just since yesterday, the high spots have become shiny. I expect the bracelet will respond as well.

 

[stracci2000]

This is what happens when @YadaYadaYada encourages me to go into the pawn shop.
A super sparkly .20 diamond solitaire pendant for $40, and no tax! One inclusion hidden under prong, my chain.

 

[RMOO]

This is what happens when @YadaYadaYada encourages me to go into the pawn shop.
A super sparkly .20 diamond solitaire pendant for $40, and no tax! One inclusion hidden under prong, my chain.

Okay, so I have considered trying out local pawn shops, but I've got to ask: Do you go to pawn shops in higher-end neighborhoods? Does it matter the neighborhood? Do you take your loop or IS with you? Do they mind that?

You just have the most incredible luck in finding treasures!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Ahhhh very nice @stracci2000 that is a good deal for a diamond necklace and the diamond is so pretty too.

@RMOO, I don’t find amazing deals like our friend here but the amazing things I have found have been in the exact opposite of pawn shops in nice neighborhoods. Not sure if that’s the stigma or perceived danger but in my experience the more urban, the better.

 

[RMOO]

Ahhhh very nice @stracci2000 that is a good deal for a diamond necklace and the diamond is so pretty too.

@RMOO, I don’t find amazing deals like our friend here but the amazing things I have found have been in the exact opposite of pawn shops in nice neighborhoods. Not sure if that’s the stigma or perceived danger but in my experience the more urban, the better.

I keep debating with myself if I'm just going to see frozen spit mall diamonds, or Grandmama's antique OEC. I guess I will have to try in order to find out.

 

[stracci2000]

Okay, so I have considered trying out local pawn shops, but I've got to ask: Do you go to pawn shops in higher-end neighborhoods? Does it matter the neighborhood? Do you take your loop or IS with you? Do they mind that?

You just have the most incredible luck in finding treasures!!

The pawn shops in my town are mostly located in strip malls on the fringes of middle income neighborhoods. Only one place would I say is in a low income area.
So what's in these stores reflects the area.
I have never seen a pawn shop in a high-end neighborhood.
Some pawn shops don't have much jewelry, and others have a lot.
Sometimes I have asked "where are the big diamonds?" And they might bring out a tray from the back. One guy produced a box with loose stones as big as 1.4 cts.
It's really a crap shoot. You just don't know what you'll find,from antique jewelry to yukky stuff from the jewelry counter at Walmart.
Today, I saw a real nice free-form emerald and diamond ring tagged at $519. The guy said he'd take 400. Very reasonable, as it was real nice. I should have taken a photo.

And yes, I bring my loupe! The guy today asked if I was a dealer, which makes me laugh. I told him no, just a collector!
I used to play dumb in the pawn shops, but lately I think they give you more respect when they know that you are educated about jewelry.

 

[Mreader]

The pawn shops in my town are mostly located in strip malls on the fringes of middle income neighborhoods. Only one place would I say is in a low income area.
So what's in these stores reflects the area.
I have never seen a pawn shop in a high-end neighborhood.
Some pawn shops don't have much jewelry, and others have a lot.
Sometimes I have asked "where are the big diamonds?" And they might bring out a tray from the back. One guy produced a box with loose stones as big as 1.4 cts.
It's really a crap shoot. You just don't know what you'll find,from antique jewelry to yukky stuff from the jewelry counter at Walmart.
Today, I saw a real nice free-form emerald and diamond ring tagged at $519. The guy said he'd take 400. Very reasonable, as it was real nice. I should have taken a photo.

And yes, I bring my loupe! The guy today asked if I was a dealer, which makes me laugh. I told him no, just a collector!
I used to play dumb in the pawn shops, but lately I think they give you more respect when they know that you are educated about jewelry.

If you go back take a photo! Most of the time when I go to pawnshops all they have is gold marijuana leaf medallions and 80s jewelry! I still try though!

 

[stracci2000]

If you go back take a photo! Most of the time when I go to pawnshops all they have is gold marijuana leaf medallions and 80s jewelry! I still try though!

Haha! But a pot leaf would look so cool on a neck mess!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Can you imagine a thread in SMTB?

“Show me your pot inspired jewelry”. I imagine that would not be well received.

 

[stracci2000]

I found these items in a thrift store yesterday.
A pretty sterling and amber bead bracelet.


I have a serious lust for lockets! I couldn't pass this one up. A sterling matte finish heart locket with etching.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Hey all, long time no post….

Some of you know that we lost our cat, Carly, last week, it was sudden and unexpected and we all really miss her. I’ve been thinking of getting something in memory of her but was having a hard time figuring out exactly what. One thing though, I didn’t want it to scream cat memorial piece, the idea was wearable and subtle but pretty, like her.

I considered trying to find something in emerald for her birth month or tourmaline/opal for her passing month but wasn’t finding the perfect thing. Also, all of those stones are rather fragile and more than I really wanted to spend. Then I thought of flowers and maybe that finding something with her birth flower would be perfect. I dug out our original adoption papers and the shelter indicated she was born in May so….lily of the valley.

There are a lot of options for lily of the valley on Etsy but many are mass produced spoon rings, a few lockets, I was looking for something silver to keep the cost down but more special than “5 left and 11 people have this in their cart”

Nothing there so looked at RubyLane and scrolled through the pages and found this adorable ring and in a large size! It’s coming from Sweden so it might take a while to get here, will share when it arrives!

Also sharing one of my favorite pictures of her, she was just the best cat.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Hey all, long time no post….

Some of you know that we lost our cat, Carly, last week, it was sudden and unexpected and we all really miss her. I’ve been thinking of getting something in memory of her but was having a hard time figuring out exactly what. One thing though, I didn’t want it to scream cat memorial piece, the idea was wearable and subtle but pretty, like her.

I considered trying to find something in emerald for her birth month or tourmaline/opal for her passing month but wasn’t finding the perfect thing. Also, all of those stones are rather fragile and more than I really wanted to spend. Then I thought of flowers and maybe that finding something with her birth flower would be perfect. I dug out our original adoption papers and the shelter indicated she was born in May so….lily of the valley.

There are a lot of options for lily of the valley on Etsy but many are mass produced spoon rings, a few lockets, I was looking for something silver to keep the cost down but more special than “5 left and 11 people have this in their cart”

Nothing there so looked at RubyLane and scrolled through the pages and found this adorable ring and in a large size! It’s coming from Sweden so it might take a while to get here, will share when it arrives!

Also sharing one of my favorite picture of her, she was just the best cat.

That's so sweet, and what cat wouldn't love just a little dangle? It's perfect.

 

[stracci2000]

What a beautiful girl she was

The ring will be a sweet reminder!

 

[lala646]

I'm so very sorry to hear of Carly's passing, @YadaYadaYada. What a sweet way that will be for you to keep your memories of her with you.

 

[rungirl]

I'm so sorry for the sudden loss of your dear, beautiful Carly. The ring looks like a lovely way to remember her.

 

[Lookinagain]

I'm so sorry that you lost Carly. I think that the ring will be a sweet reminder of her, and agree, a dangle ring seems very appropriate for a cat.