Robinson's Jewelers Blog / Antique Jewelry

Discover the latest trends, tips, and insights in the world of fine jewelry with Robinson's Jewelers' official blog. Dive deep into the mesmerizing realm of precious metals and gemstones. Whether you're a jewelry aficionado or seeking styling advice, our curated articles are here to enlighten and inspire.

Close-up of a person inspecting an intricate antique gold ring with a jeweler's loupe, looking for hallmarks and signs of alteration.

How Can You Tell if an Antique Piece Has Been Altered or "Made-up" From Parts? Your Guide to Being a Vintage Jewelry Detective

So, you’ve fallen head over heels for a stunning estate & vintage jewelry piece. It...
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Close-up of ancient-looking gold coins and jewelry artifacts with a nautical map background, representing shipwreck treasure authentication.

How Do Historians Authenticate Jewelry Supposedly From Ancient Shipwrecks? Uncovering the Nautical Detective Work

Imagine holding a gold ring in your palm, feeling its cool weight, and knowing it hasn'...
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Close-up detail of an antique en tremblant diamond brooch, showcasing the delicate spring mechanism that allows the floral elements to tremble and catch the light.

What is "en Tremblant" in Jewelry, and How Does the Mechanism Work? Unlocking the Secret of Jewelry That Dances

You know that feeling when you're wearing a stunning piece of jewelry and you catch it ...
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Close-up detail of a stunning antique Roman micromosaic jewelry piece showing tiny glass tesserae forming a classical scene.

What is "Micromosaic" Jewelry and Why Are Roman Scenes So Prized? | The Tiny Art That's a Huge Treasure

Picture this: you're holding a piece of jewelry so intricate, so detailed, that it look...
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A close-up photograph of intricate Victorian mourning jewelry featuring braided human hair set in gold, displayed on dark velvet.

Why Did Victorian Mourning Jewelry Often Incorporate Human Hair? The Intimate, Touching, and Beautifully Creepy Answer

Today, we might save a baby's first curl in a tiny envelope, but can you imagine braidi...
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Close-up of a goldsmith's hands engraving a delicate hallmark onto a piece of 22k gold jewelry, showcasing traditional Somali craftsmanship.

The Secret Language of Hallmarks Only Somali Goldsmiths Know: Unlocking the Hidden Stories in Your Gold

Have you ever flipped over a beautiful piece of gold jewelry and squinted at the tiny, ...
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Antique and modern diamond jewelry showcasing the evolution of design after the South African diamond discovery

How Did the Discovery of Diamths in South Africa Permanently Change Jewelry Design? A Sparkling Revolution You're Wearing Right Now

Picture this: it's 1867, somewhere along the banks of the Orange River in South Africa....
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A collection of antique Victorian mourning jewelry, featuring a jet brooch, a gold ring with black enamel and hairwork, and a locket on a dark velvet background.

Analyzing the Symbolism of Mourning Jewelry and Hair Art (Victorian): Love, Loss, and Lockets

Let's be honest, our modern idea of a sentimental keepsake is pretty tame. A photo on o...
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Close-up of a deep purple Siberian amethyst gemstone set in an ornate, antique-style gold necklace, showcasing the royal color prized by the Russian Imperial family.

The Role of Siberian Amethyst in Early Russian Imperial Jewelry: A Royal Romance in Violet

Have you ever found yourself completely mesmerized by an amethyst ring, lost in its dee...
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A curated collection of vintage, antique, and estate jewelry including rings, brooches, and necklaces displayed on velvet.

Vintage vs. Antique vs. Estate Jewelry: What's the Difference? (The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Loved Treasures)

Does the world of pre-owned jewelry feel like a fabulous but confusing cocktail party w...
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Close-up of an antique Victorian bloodstone signet ring, showing the dark green stone with red speckles set in intricate yellow gold.

The Historical Significance of Bloodstone Jewelry in Victorian Men's Rings: Unraveling the Green Stone of Courage

Picture a proper Victorian gentleman, decked out in his finest frock coat, looking ever...
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Close-up comparison of a genuine vintage art deco ring and a modern vintage-style reproduction ring side by side on velvet

The Difference Between Vintage & Vintage-Style (Reproduction Tips): A Collector's Guide to Timeless Treasure vs. Modern Magic

Ever fallen head-over-heels for a dazzling piece at Estate & Vintage Jewelry only t...
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Close-up view of a turquoise cabochon being carefully set into a silver bezel setting by a jeweler's hands.

The Challenges of Re-Setting a Soft Cabochon Stone (e.g., Turquoise): Don't Crack Under Pressure!

So, you’ve inherited your grandmother’s beautiful turquoise ring, or maybe you’ve final...
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An exquisite signed Art Nouveau pendant featuring a woman's profile with flowing hair, crafted in gold with enamel and pearl details

How to Identify and Appraise a Signed Piece of Art Nouveau Jewelry: Unlocking the Secrets of Whiplash Curves and Nature's Magic

So you’ve inherited a mysterious piece of jewelry that looks like it was designed by a ...
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A curated collection of vintage and estate jewelry featuring intricate flower motifs, including brooches, rings, and pendants with floral designs.

The Symbolism of Different Flower Motifs in Vintage Jewelry: A Secret Victorian Love Code

Picture this: you're at a stuffy Victorian garden party, desperate to tell the dashing ...
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Close-up photograph of an intricate antique shell cameo pendant with a classical female profile, set in a yellow gold frame with a micro-mosaic border.

The Use of Micro-Sculptures and Cameos in Neoclassical Jewelry: Tiny Masterpieces with Epic Stories

Imagine holding an entire epic poem, a declaration of love, or a portrait of a goddess,...
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Close-up view of a jeweler using a laser welding machine to perform a precise repair on an intricate gold ring.

The Secret Behind the Magic: The Process of Laser Welding for Intricate and Heat-Sensitive Repairs

Ever had a piece of jewelry break and thought, "Well, that's the end of that"? Maybe it...
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A collection of Edwardian-style jewelry featuring amethyst, pearl, and peridot gemstones in gold settings, representing the suffragette colors.

The Short-Lived Trend of Suffragette Jewelry and Its Colors: How to Wear History's Most Defiant Sparkle

Let's play a game. I say 'political protest,' and you picture... well, probably not a d...
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Close-up view of an antique Italian micromosaic jewelry piece showing intricate glass tesserae forming a detailed landscape scene, set in yellow gold.

The Use of Micromosaic Techniques in Italian Grand Tour Jewelry: Wearable Masterpieces from a Bygone Era

Before there were Instagram stories or fridge magnets, there were micromosaic jewels—th...
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Close-up of a beautiful honey-colored amber pendant with natural inclusions, resting on a soft velvet cloth, demonstrating proper jewelry storage.

The Best Practices for Cleaning and Storing Amber Jewelry: Your Guide to Keeping Its 50-Million-Year-Old Glow

So, you've got a piece of ancient sunshine in your jewelry box—a gorgeous amber pendant...
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