eBay Sadness and Goodness

eBay seller: gemsymons

eBay is an exciting place–the search is riveting, the bidding is intense, and the win in triumphant.  But what about the bidding losers? Or the amazing finds that you miss out on?  It is sad when you find a piece of jewelry that is so perfect and beautiful, only to see a bidding war, followed by a “Bidding has ended on this item” alert.  This is exactly what happened to me with this gorgeous ruby and diamond navette style ring.  My search for the perfect navette ring has been a long one, and when I clicked on this little stunner I felt that it was a sure win.  Final bidding price?  $236.26  Still clearly below any retail or boutique would have marked on a ring like this, but man, just too much for me at the moment.  Oh well…the search continues!

>>Do any of you have a certain piece of jewelry that you have been searching for, but just haven’t found the perfect one?

The Sunday Paper

The weeks are passing by so quickly–everyday it gets darker a bit earlier, and a littler cooler than it was before.  Brooches are not a top pick for many jewelry collectors and they were never my favorite.  It was only until my first purchase of this Victorian brooch with enameling that I became an overnight fan. I like the immense versatility of brooches–you can seriously pin them anywhere you’d like.  So far I’ve used mine on button up shirts, to close a cardigan, pinned to a suede headband, and on purses (like above).  I’ve seen tiny Victorian bar pins that I think are so beautiful, I am on the hunt!

Do any of you have bar pins?  Any bar pin collectors out there?

My Pick of the Week:

The Fulvia ring from Wendy Brandes’ Jewelry Collection. This ring is done in 18k yellow gold with an exquisite 6.5 carat green tourmaline. Anyone who would wear this ring would put me under a spell–I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off of it! I love the architectural design of the ring, it goes so well with the tourmaline’s cut and color. Price: $5000

My eBay Pick of the Week:

I’ve had my eye on necklaces of this style: sort of like a bib but not that drastic. This one is from eBay seller: doverjewelry whom I’ve purchased from before, very reputable. The necklace is done in 14k rose gold with a single buttercup set diamond. Love the filigree work (sidenote: you can have a fun time typing in keyword: filigree into eBay). Only thing, I wish the necklace length were a bit longer. Wonder who the lucky high bidder will be?!

Treasure Hunting with Gem Gossip Fan, Trevor

Check out this beautiful Edwardian ring that was purchased by Gem Gossip fan, Trevor. He is an antique jewelry enthusiast and has been collecting for quite some time.  The recent ring acquired (pictured) has quickly become one of his favorites.  It is all done in platinum, with a mine cut center diamond, which is over a half carat.  He purchased the ring on eBay.  Amongst his other rings in his collection, a few favorites include a ring once owned by the last empress of Iran, as well as a GIA certified .60 pear cut diamond ring.  In the works for Trevor is a special project he is excited about.  A family heirloom brooch is being fully restored–sounds like a story that needs to be added to our “Family Heirlooms” section!

Trevor says when he is searching for antique jewelry he looks for anything unusual or eye-catching, pieces with filigree work is a plus!  Diamonds that are colored, rather than white are something he looks for as well.

We thank Trevor for sharing a peek into his antique treasure trove of a collection.  Trevor says, “The thing I love about Gem Gossip is that I get to see some amazing finds, stories and jewelry pieces from all over.  I also like the information about antique stores that are visited and adventures.  It’s very interesting.” Thanks Trevor, and there will be more adventures to read about in the future!

Becoming a Southern Belle

Free days from work are few and far between, and I have taken advantage of those that seem to suddenly come up by antiquing and treasure hunting.  Can’t forget about a favorite that has become easier, at least for me, to scoop up a deal: eBay!  I’ve been spending nights lately looking for steals in the Fine subcategory of Antique and Vintage Jewelry.  

I came across this ring sold by seller name: jgoldilox and was so surprised that I was the final bidder at the last moment (I always lose!)  What is interesting about  a few of her rings is that they actually used to be antique stick pins.  The seller has turned them into rings by carefully bending the stick portion into a ring.  So clever!  I am wearing the ring on my middle finger in the photo below. Be sure to check out her jewelry she sells, she is great!

As far as antiquing, I’ve narrowed down the top places to find the best antique jewelry in the Nashville area.  Yes, they are ranked in order, #1 being the best.   If you have any suggestions of other places around here, let me know!

1. Walton’s Antique & Estate Jewelry, 410 Main St., Franklin, TN 

2. Steve’s Pawn Shop  113 E. Side Square, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

3. Joseph & Company Estate Gold Jewelry featured at the Nashville flea market at the TN State Fairgrounds

4. Arbor Antique & Estate Jewelry, 202 S. Margin St., Franklin, TN

5. Lysbeth Antiques at the Factory in Franklin TN

6. Gas Lamp Antiques, 100 Powell Place, Nashville, TN

My Newest Addition to my Collection

eBay is always a fun site to browse during spare time, and even more so a vintage jewelry enthusiast’s dreamland. My list of items I am watching is usually three pages long. I only bid if it is really a piece that is unique and different from what I’ve seen. I also like items that do not have a reserve price and start out very low. It is good to have a price in mind that will serve as what you feel the item is worth, averaged with how much you are willing to pay. I was able to get this great Art Deco ring at a price of $79. It is 14k yellow gold with green jade and lapis stones. The ring came from a great seller [bre-chlo] and I couldn’t be more satisfied with my eBay purchase!

Buy a Piece from my Personal Collection

Just listed a vintage pendant from the 1980s on eBay.  Check it out and bid if you love it! It was hard to let it go, but it is that time of year!  Hopefully it brings someone else a smile to their face and passed down through future generations.

eBay Steals & Deals of the Week!

Wow has eBay really impressed me with their selection of vintage jewelry this week.  Finally!  I feel like there was not much being offered these past few weeks.  I’ve put these items on my radar and may even bid myself.  I will add the seller names below the photos.  Try your hand at “treasure hunting” on eBay, and post your finds in the comments section.

Art Deco Brooch, seller: lonestarestates

1940s diamond ring, seller: alexanderauctions

Art Deco Sapphire & Diamond Ring, seller: jewelryagain

eBay: Pick of the Week!

Haven’t looked at eBay in awhile! I think it is because I am still mad at their changes, especially the high costs of seller’s fees. My dad had me list his Girard-Perregaux wristwatch, and it cost $45 just to list it! And it did not even sell! Anyways, I think I’ve found a new seller to add to my favorites list, beverlyhillsantiques.com They have some really pretty antique stick pins and bar pins. Here are a few stick pins that are ending this week. A few things you could do with a stick pin: stick it in an updo in your hair, take it to a jeweler and remove the stick and make a pendant out of it, or secure your trendy scarf with a beautiful platinum & diamond stick pin!

This stick pin is decked out in platinum and 18k gold. The sapphires, diamonds and filigree work make this piece stunning. I could see this used to secure a scarf that is wrapped around your neck. The starting bid is $223.

You’re looking at a half carat in this pear-shaped diamond, with a pearl attached to the end. This one is in platinum and 18k gold as well. I could picture this one being poked into a sleek updo. Starting bid is $493.

This bird is encrusted in diamonds that are rose cut and sees with ruby eyes. With this stickpin, I would turn into a pendant at a local jewelry store. You could remove the stick part and use that gold to sell as scrap. Then, a jeweler could easily make the bird into a pendant. The starting bid is $385.

You may have thought stickpins don’t have much use–but hopefully my ideas will inspire you!

eBay: Pick of the Week!

I feel like eBay has been slow this week–maybe it is the economy or maybe it is just me, but this is a good time to make some good “steals” on eBay. In my search, I found two vintage rings, both very different in style, but unique at that!

The first one is a 14k yellow gold ring with turquoise stones. It looks like a piece from ancient Egypt! The seller’s name is spunkymonky19d80. It should probably do at least $300…

The next ring I spotted is such a stunner…0.55 carats in this single diamond, alongside a 1.10 carat blue sapphire. It is 14k white gold and a size 5.5, from the 1930s. I like all the filigree work in the gold–it makes it a true vintage piece. The seller’s name is alexanderauctions.

Happy bidding to all, and ‘lucky you’ to whomever bids highest on those!

eBay: Pick of the Week!

Searching on eBay for jewelry can be fun and exciting.  It is like having an antique mall at your fingertips–and a very large one at that!  I usually look every other day, using the categories: Jewelry & Watches > Vintage, Antique > Fine > Diamonds.  From there, you can narrow your search even more by choosing a specific time period, like Art Nouveau or Edwardian.  Since I don’t have a favorite time period, I usually leave it broad.    This week’s top picks come from member: ashland_investments.  Both are lots of vintage bar pins, which are in excellent condition and at a great price.  I like the sapphire and diamond ones.  I might have to make an offer on these!

A great idea to wear these vintage bar pins is for all the brides-to-be out there.  If you have a silk ribbon or sash going around your waist of your wedding dress, pin one of these to the very front or even in the back.  It will look stunning and it could even work for “something old.”