Vintage Seashell Pendant

This vintage fish pendant is such a wonderful piece to collect, or gift. The idea of fish as good luck exists in many cultures but most likely has its origins in China, where the character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for surplus (yu 余), thus the connection between fish and prosperity. Also, Pisces friends, this little fish is especially perfect for you! The figural fish is beautifully articulated, so the body moves— almost like magic! I love that he has a red stone for his eye. The color of the metal is very iridescent, with tones of both gold and silver, so it works on a chain of any tone, and is easy to mix with other jewelry. Measures 34 mm total with bales; the actual fish is 27 mm long. The pendant is sold individually, or a chain can be added if you need one; please contact me if you would like a chain. * The Vintage 14k Gold Jade Fish Pendant...

This piece is so special and so rare: it dates to the Victorian era, more specifically the 1860s, and was likely made in Britain. It is crafted from vulcanite and features a teardrop shape with a high relief bunch of grapes in intricate detail, surrounded by a border of carved beads, strung on a fine black ribbon, to be worn as choker. (I love it strung on the Victorian Jet Choker pictured, which is also available in my shop.) The vulcanite has this truly stunning, relatively matte finish, with a rich warm glow— it's just so unique and unlike any other material. What is vulcanite? It is made by combining the sap of the Euphorbia or Ficus trees from Malaysia, with sulphur. It was originally invented in 1843 by Thomas Hancock. His timing just happened to be spot-on: black had long been considered essential to mourning jewelry and mourning dress, but thanks to Queen Victoria's extended 40 years of grieving (for her husband, Prince Albert), from about 1860-1890, black was considered a highly fashionable color, and began to be worn outside mourning dress. During this period, vulcanite became a very fashionable material for jewelry, and it loaned objects that gothic, romantic, dramatic black cast that Victorians just loved. Victorian mourning jewelry is rife with grape motifs; for one, grapes were a symbols of Christ (as wine is the blood of Christ). On Victorian grave markers, a cluster of grapes typically means that the deceased was of mature years. Victorians are well known for using flowers and botanicals as a means of communication. Wild grapes, according to The Language of Flowers published in 1913, are symbols of Charity, a favorite Victorian theme. NOTE: The Victorian Hair Mourning...

I have a long-held fascination with Victorian hair art and mourning jewelry, and this piece is full of amazing details. In the 19th Century Europe a...

There is something so magical to me about vintage and antique cameos: the way the portraits are rendered in such incredible detail seems to tell a person's mystery. This cameo is carved from genuine shell with such impressive precision, and it's set in solid 18k gold. It is both a pendant, and a brooch; the pin back is not visible when it's worn as a pendant, and I love the way the bail dangles down and disappears when it's worn as brooch, making it truly two pieces in one. It was likely made in the 1930s, but it's also possible that the cameo itself was made even earlier, and the brooch fastener was later added around the 1930s or 1940s. This cameo depicts a Spanish woman, wearing a mantilla comb...

This antique mother of pearl Gobbo charm is a powerful talisman; if you're not familiar with Gobbo charms, they are thought to offer the same protection and good luck as the ubiquito...

This antique goldstone cross was made in the 19th century, but it has a decidedly modern appeal. The cross's goldstone surface is a burnt orange color, with metallic flecks that spar...

This large 1860's Austro-Hungarian antique cross pendant is set with many turquoise and garnet gemstones. The four cabochon cut garnet stones on front of the cross are all set in rai...

The “Into the Woods” bracelet is part of our Work of art Jewellery collection. This Jewel is handcrafted completely by Workmaster Fabergé Stefano Vigni, who created the piece, chisel...

This fine vintage 9ct gold cigar piercer is the perfect functional piece of jewellery. It would make a magnificent gift for the cigar lover or an intere...

RELIQUARY PENDANT WITH PEARL Spain or Spanish Netherlands, c. 1620 Gold, rock crystal, enamel, pearl, bone relics Weight 12.9 grams; dimensions 40 ...

Exceptionally rare 18th century diamond set calcedony intaglio pendant depicting the famed Roman marble Bocca della Verita, the Mouth of Truth. The eni...

Boucheron Paris 1940s Art Deco sterling, gold & ruby jeweled compact - necklace The exquisite Boucheron compact is designed with a beautiful gold pie...