A little further light reading....

METAL ALLOYS used in vintage jewellery - a little science for you

We see many mysterious metals used in the vintage and antique jewellery which passes through our hands. Whilst we can test the various carats of Gold, Silver and Platinum (sometimes even these give us surprises), much of the base metal we can't test and so have to be circumspect in our descriptions. The information about many of these alloys is almost lost to time; except that we happen to have a copy of SPON's Workshop Receipts (recipes to you and I) which gives the following information, taken directly from the text:

Amethyst, the beguiling birthstone for February, is a gemstone we find irresistibly captivating for its rich, royal purples and timeless elegance.

Garnet, the radiant birthstone of January, is a gemstone that never fails to captivate us. With its deep, velvety reds and flashes of fiery brilliance, Garnet has a rich and enduring beauty that’s perfect for those who adore classic elegance.

Zircon, another of December’s captivating birthstones, is a gemstone we at Fetheray hold in special regard for its fiery brilliance and deep historical significance.

Turquoise, the enchanting birthstone of December, carries a timeless charm that we at Fetheray find truly irresistible. Its serene, sky-blue hue with hints of green feels like a breath of fresh air, evoking images of sunlit skies and tranquil waters.

Topaz, also one of November’s birthstones, carries an air of timeless elegance and versatility that we at Fetheray find simply captivating. It’s a gem that radiates both strength and beauty, offering a wide range of colours.

Citrine, November’s radiant birthstone, is like a drop of sunlight captured in gemstone form. At Fetheray, we love the warm, honeyed glow of Citrine, a gem that brings a cheery brightness to any jewellery collection.

Opal, October’s enchanting birthstone, is a gem of myriad mysteries, both physical and esoteric. At Fetheray, we adore the ever-changing allure of Opals - their beguiling, kaleidoscopic flashes of colour dancing in the light.

Antique hand cut Diamonds which can be re-used and recycled time and time over (as jewellers have for centuries) are, we feel a far better alternative when considering both ethical and environmental concerns around choosing Diamond jewellery. 

At the heart of the Aesthetic Movement (1860-1890) was the rejection of Victorian materialism, morality, conformism and industrialism. Art was to be for art’s sake, and to be considered solely for its beauty, and not for its deeper meaning or financial value.

Sciacca Coral has an exceptional and different colour from all other types of Coral ranging from paler to the most intense pink salmon. It is composed of long, tapered branches and generally does not exceed 8-9 millimeters in diameter, the clumps are not large and they were used mainly to create little balls, buttons, beads, cops and "cannette" (a typical cut in the shape of a very narrow tube). 

Every piece which passes through our hands holds a story, but this was too intriguing a mystery to put aside, so we decided to research the story. Evidently a men’s ring (due to the size) and as the inscription tells, a gift from one to the other with ‘Gratitude’ this was not your everyday event.

Ever since the art of alchemy began, there have been attempts to produce precious metals and gemstones from base metals and ordinary ingredients.

Cameo is a method of carving an object such as an engraved gem, shell, or piece of stone.

Opal is one of the most recognisable and enjoyed gems used in jewellery today...

We have within our collections quite a few pieces of intricate and beautiful jewellery which come within the 'Chinese Export' category. We'd like to share here a little of the background to their history and creation. A craze for orientalism and Chinoiserie first started in the West in the Georgian era,...

The Queen of gems, seen in many famous antique pieces such as Napoleon’s Engagement Ring for Josephine or Kate Middleton's Sapphire and Diamond cluster engagement ring, the Sapphire is a highly sought after gemstone that is a variety of Corundum (a crystalline form of aluminium oxide), and also contains traces of the...

As a natural Pearl collector, and a Brit I’ve always wanted to add a rare Scottish Freshwater Pearl to my collection. ‘Scottish’ Freshwater Pearls are found in the rivers of The Tay most famously, but also other fast flowing rivers such as the Spey. The Margaritifera Margaritifera species of Mussel...

The City of Chester on the banks of the river Dee, has a long history of prosperity, being founded as a fort by the Romans in AD 79. They built an amphitheatre which could seat up to 10,000 people, and it is the largest in Britain, giving some idea about how important the...

Intaglio is the art of carving a design or crest into precious metal or a suitable gemstone, so that all the design remains below the surface. It is the opposite of a ‘relief’ sculpture such as a Cameo, and is carved into metal, precious and semi-precious stones, which produce a...