Pre-1850 Jewelry

Berlin Iron Jewelry
It sounds massive, but Berlin iron jewelry is actually some of the most lacy-looking, delicate antique jewelry you're ever likely to see. This glossary-style article defines and describes the brief vogue of Berlin iron jewelery, supplemented by several lovely illustrations.

Cloisonné Enameling
Cloisonné is an ancient enameling technique. This glossary-style article defines the cloisonné method of enameling jewelry, and is illustrated with several examples of this painstaking procedure.

Fob Definition and Examples
Don't be fobbed off with imprecise definitions. This illustrated glossary-style article describes the two types of fobs in jewelry. Learn when fobs -- an early version of a charm bracelet for both sexes -- developed and what they look like.

Memento Mori Jewelry
Skull jewelry is nothing new -- in the 16th and 17th centuries, people wore them often, as memento mori. You can easily remember what memento mori means in jewelry with this article. This glossary-style article describes memento mori, a macabre type of jewelry, distinguishing it from mourning jewelry and providing several illustrations.

Pinchbeck "False Gold"
Back in the 1800s, if you couldn't afford gold jewelry, pinchbeck would do in a pinch. This article defines and describes pinchbeck, used in costume jewelry to imitate gold. See what a pinchbeck piece of jewelry looks like, how it developed, and when pinchbeck pieces flourished.

Antique Enamels: Painting in Glass
Illustrated guide to enamel jewelry decor including cloisonné, guilloché and plique-à-jour.

Buying Antique Jewelry: Don't Be Bedazzled
Tips from the Antiques Roadshow on assessing the condition of antique jewelry.

Collecting Cameos: Ancient Beauties
This Antiques Roadshow tip offers information on what you need to know before buying a cameo for your jewelry collection.

Gazing into Lover's Eyes
An Antiques Roadshow "tip of the trade" looking at a popular form of late 18th century jewelry featuring very mysterious illustrations.

Ghoul Jewels
Before designers like Tarina Tarantino and Tom Binns made it chic, jewelry with macabre motifs like skulls and coffins was quite the rage. View a range of antique jewels, aka memento mori, with ghoulish themes.

giardinetti
Giardinetti means little gardens in Italian, and beautiful little floral pieces in jewelry. This glossary-style article defines giardinetti and traces their popularity, with pictures, through two centuries.

Claddagh ring
Remember on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Angel gave Buffy a Claddagh ring? Learn the long history of the Claddagh ring -- what it looks like and what it symbolizes -- in this illustrated glossary-style article.