At Aloha Estate Jewelry it truly is the case that we have no idea what type of Jewelry we will encounter next.  Of late, however, we have begun seeing more and more exceptional pieces of Jewelry with uncommon Gemstones. 

When it comes to Precious Stones we typically think of Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire and a few others.  Semi-Precious Topaz, Amethyst, Citrine, and possibly Tourmaline.  But in especially the Semi-Precious there are so many, many other fabulous Gems to be found, and we just wanted to point that out.

There's Tsavorite, and Chrome Diopside having gorgeous, almost neon, shades of deep green; Peridot - the lime-green gemstone and birthstone for August.  There's Tourmaline in colors from deep green to bright red; and Labradorite in browns, yellows, reds, and blues.  There's Heliodor in its distinct yellowish-green cast.  We love the Beryls - such as Precious Beryl and Golden Beryl - same family as Emerald, but in colors of gold, golden green, green, and pink. And let's not forget Apatite and Iolite and their beautiful colors of blue.

Many of these stones are considered "Collector Gems."  Collectors such as gemologist, jewelers, and geologist who have a professional appreciation for these gemstones and their color, crystal structures, and polished brilliance.  So, if you encounter a gemstone that you don't recognize, take the time to do a little research.  Everyone can own the more well-known semi-precious stones.  Be the one to own the beautiful but uncommon. 
​

To start, we can tell you that these are very good pearls.

In our opinion, the industry benchmark for fine jewelry from Akoya Pearls is Mikimoto.   There is a "Hanadama" Grade of Pearl, and we have discussed these individually certified pieces in other posts.  Also as we have said in other posts, although Mikimoto does not produce Pearls, they do reap the best of the best of the Akoya Pearl harvests.  In fact, they select the top 5% of production Akoya Pearls. (Consider Hanadama as the top 1% of the top 1% !!!)

In 1893 Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls. Ever since then, Mikimoto has been seeking to harness the allure of pearls, keeping alive Kokichi Mikimoto's dream of “adorning the necks of all women around the world with pearls.”

To possess Mikimoto Pearls is a testament to good taste, and appreciation for the finest pearls.  

"Blue Lagoon" is a company directly owned by Mikimoto Pearls.  They offer a fine quality of Akoya Pearl and they are produced to the same exacting Mikimoto standard.   The difference?  Whereas Mikimoto Pearls represent the top 5% of the finest Akoya Pearls, Blue Lagoon represents the finest of the top 6% - 10% of all Akoya Pearls.  To only the most discriminating eye, the difference physically is almost unnoticeable.  But for that up-to 5% difference, there is a nice price difference, and it brings Kokichi Mikimoto's dreams of "adorning the necks of all women around with world with pearls" one step closer to reality by their being more affordable.  And they are still very good quality pearls!

But remember, both Mikimoto and Blue Lagoon are "Trademark Names,"  not pearl types or pearl classifications.  Both will carry their own distinctive Trademark - ALWAYS.  For Mikimoto Pearls the clasp will be adorned with the "M-In-Clamshell" Mark;  Blue Lagoon will be marked with "BL" on the clasp.

Aloha.  Since the death of Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, there has been a renewed interest in Pearls.  Amongst the die-hard "Classicist" Pearls always have a place in any collection of fine jewelry, but seeing so many pictures of The Queen adorned often in Pearls has created wider interest.
​
Your question would actually be, "What is the difference between Matinee Length and Opera Length Pearls."  It is not so much that one length of Pearls is worn to Matinees and others to the Opera, but rather these terms describe the length of the strand - whenever and wherever worn.

According to the American Gem Society (AGS), Pearls Strands are classified  according to length:

• A collar fits directly against the throat
• A choker rests at the base of the neck
• The princess length reaches near the collarbone
• A matinee length is usually 20-24 inches
• The Opera length is 30-36 inches
• The longest length, known as a rope, refers to all strands longer than 36 inches

Necklaces can also be classified as uniform (where all pearls are about the same size) or graduated (pearls change uniformly from ends to center).

Hope this helps.

Aloha.  A great, and fair, question.  And the answer in your case is, No.  Your Jadeite originated in Myanmar, Burma and was likely carved there.
But before further discussing Jade, let me further my explanation about your box labeling.  In dealing day-to-day with Estate, Vintage, and Antique pieces of jewelry we would like to provide each piece in its original box.  Unfortunately, that is usually not possible.  Either the original box has been long since discarded, or it is in such bad condition as to be unusable.  We source packaging through a provider who acquires fine and attractive presentation boxes for pendants, rings, bracelets, watches, and so on from suppliers worldwide, including China.  When we receive an order of packages we usually will remove the "Made in China" label to prevent confusion between the origin of the box versus the origin of the item.  In your case, the pendant display case was "Made in China" - is of excellent quality, by the way, and we merely missed one of the labels.  
But more to your Jade and Jade, generally.  There are numerous sources for Nephrite and Jadeite Jade across the globe, and Jade in its "Raw" form is purchased by buyers around the world.  These buyers may again retail the raw Jade, or they may transform the raw Jade into a beautifully carved piece of jewelry or other item.  China, incidentally, produces some of the world's most beautiful pieces of jade jewelry, and many of our Jade pieces can be traced to Chinese carvers.  Nonetheless, we thought it important to distinguish between the source of packaging versus the source of the item contained in the packaging.  ​

Aloha Marsha.  Great Question.

We presently group items from "Broad" to "Narrow."  For example, if you select "Rings" you'll find a sub-menu to the left that allows you to select "Diamond Rings," "Colored Gem Rings," "Wedding Rings," and so on.  Because there are so many possible variations, however, if we tried to create sub-menus for everything it would quickly become confusing.  So instead, we have added a robust "Search" Function.

In any "Search Box" - found on the Home Page, Our Collections Page, and Jewelry Blog Page, you can enter the specific type or sub-type of jewelry you would like to find.  For example, "Amethyst" will show all the jewelry contained the Amethyst Gemstone; "Antique" will show all the jewelry classified as antique; or "18K" will show all of our jewelry with gold of 18K purity.

Below we have shown how these searches would look.  Give it a try!  And, of course, should you need any assistance, please, please reach out using our "Contact Form" found on the "Contact" page from our main menu.

​

A great question.  One that volumes of books have been written to answer.  And even with all those books, it  can still be confusing.  While our answer may be greatly simplified, it will be a good overview.
First, there are really only 3 categories of Pearls:
1.  Shell Pearls.  These are manufactured pearls that use ground shells and other ingredients to create a pearlescent appearance and luster.  They are cast in many shapes: round, near-round, and baroque, knotted and strung, and often embellished with gold clasps.  While they are legally called "Pearls" the industry, generally, does not accept them as such.
2.  Natural Pearls.  Natural Pearls occur in mollusks in both Fresh and Saltwater.  While Fresh Water Natural Pearls of gem quality are somewhat rare, Natural Saltwater Pearls are virtually non-existent.  Many argue that all Natural Saltwater Pearls have long since been harvested.
3.  Cultured Pearls.  These are the mainstay of the Pearl Industry.  Cultured Pearls, like Natural Pearls, are created within the bodies of mollusks.  The mollusk responds to irritants within the shell by coating them with successive layers of Nacre.  In Natural Pearls, the irritant is introduced by nature and may be of any shape.  In Cultured Pearls, the irritant is introduced by man and is round, resulting in most cases in round pearls.    Cultured Pearls may be Fresh or Saltwater.  In both cases the mollusk creates the pearl in the same way.  However, the industry position is that Pearls cultured in Salt Water result in a better quality and more lustrous nacre than the Fresh Water counterpart, although BOTH fresh and salt water have pearls of beautiful quality.  

In the Salt Water Cultured Pearl Category there are essentially 3 types:
a. Akoya Pearls.  So called because MOST of the world's quantity of cultured Salt Water Pears originate in Japan in the Akoya Region.  You may have heard of Mikimoto Pearls - often considered among the best of the best Cultured Pearls.  What isn't routinely known, however, is that Mikimoto Pearls, too, are cultured pearls and are purchased, not produced, by Mikimoto.  What's the difference then?  Believe it or not, it's the Mikimoto Clasp and hallmark.  Take a strand of Mikimoto Pearls and replace the hallmarked clasp with any other, and you have Akoya Pearls.
b. Tahitian Pearls.  These are the beautiful, large, and expensive multi-colored pearls that are highly coveted by Pearl enthusiasts worldwide.  These Salt Water Cultured Pearls are grown in the area of Tahiti.
c.  South Sea Pearls.  These are the beautiful, large, and expensive white pearls that sell in the range of tens of thousands of dollars - and higher.  From the brilliant whites, to softer creams, to the highly coveted Golden Pearls, there are none better.

    Now, while the above 3-Types of Salt Water Pearls is true, it's important to discuss one additional type of Pearl and that is the "Keshi" Pearl.  The word ”Keshi” is Japanese for ”seed pearl” and indicates a very small irregularly shaped Pearl that was originally produced as a by-product of Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearls.  Today Keshi Pearls can be found in larger sizes, as also the big South Sea and Tahiti Pearl Oysters produce Keshi.
Keshi is virtually all nacre and considering its growth pattern, very close to a Natural Pearl. A Keshi Pearl comes into existence in the Akoya, South Sea, and Tahiti oysters by coincidence when the Pearl Oyster has managed to rid itself of the inserted pearl nucleus, but the process of creating nacre continues. The South Sea and Tahiti oyster will always present either a Pearl or a Keshi. As a difference to this, the Akoya Keshi can be found in the mantle tissue of the oyster and can be additional to the cultured pearl.
Just as Champagne must originate in France to be called Champagne (otherwise it's just Sparkling Wine using the Champagne Method) the name Keshi can only be used for pearls coming from saltwater pearl oysters.  Still, but incorrectly, you will frequently see the term "Freshwater Keshi Pearls."  And don't dismiss this Pearl Type - some incredibly beautiful Keshi Pearl Jewelry is created and is perfectly at home with your other fine jewelry pieces.

Pearl Shape.  Pearl shapes vary from round to near round to baroque.  ALL can be excellent quality pearls, and in most cases shape is a personal preference.  Some prefer completely round as the standard of a well produced pearl, others find the variations in shape attractive and more natural as found in the baroque pearl.
​
Pearl Quality.  Now that you know the types, here's a few words on quality.  There are really only 4 discriminants of quality amongst pearls.  Size, luster, nacre, and inclusions.  You may see AAA, AAAA, AAAA, AAAA+ gradings and similar, but these are mostly gradings provided by re-marketers or producers.  Most are surprised to learn that there is NO international standard for pearl grading, and gradings within the industry vary greatly from producer, to wholesaler, to retailer.  

Pearl Color.  So much to be said about color.  white to cream with various overtones such as rose and peach.  The multi-colors of Tahitian Pearls.  The almost legendary Golden South Sea Pearls.  To us, they're all beautiful and we believe color is both subjective and personal choice.

Bottom line.  Fresh and Salt Water Cultured Pearls can both be of excellent quality.  Look for a good size -   6 - 8 millimeters is normal.  Look for a medium to thick nacre - these are less prone to chipping.  Look for a high to very high luster - this is the "Glow" that fine quality pearls possess, and which varies from strand to strand.  Finally, the pearl should be free or mostly free of inclusions - pitting on the surface of the pearl.  Highest quality pearls with have from 0 to 10 percent surface inclusions, depending on pearl type, but the less incisions on pearls, like Diamonds, is always best. 

Aloha!  Yes.  Yes we have.  Black carbon flecks that are eye-visible in a natural Diamond resemble flecks of ground black pepper.  Following is an example of a Marquise Cut "Salt And Pepper" Diamond.  The clearness or whiteness of the Diamond would be the "salt."  So a Salt and Pepper Diamond is a way of saying the Diamond is included by black carbon spots/flecks.  These are usually very low-grade diamonds, typically having a clarity rating of I-3 (very heavily included).  Mahalo for the question.  We don't sell such Diamonds so we don't often hear that term.

Our "Make Us An Offer" Page received quite a bit of attention.  Regrettably, not the best of attention.  It became a target for anonymous submissions that, unfortunately, was consuming too much time to review and screen.  This has necessitated our removing the page temporarily until our back-office can come up with an innovative way to screen out the insincere (we received 50+ offers for 90%+ off using invalid return email addresses - all of which had to be screened-out).  We hope to have this sorted soon.  Mahalo for your understanding.  In the interim, please use our "Contact" form should you like to extend a good-faith offer on any item in our collection.  

As we've mentioned before, we think our prices are well below retail on any item-to-item comparison of quality and cost.  Still, we, like most jewelers, want our customers to be completely satisfied with their purchase.  Not only with the item itself, but the price they've paid.  So if we can help by shaving a percent or so on this item or that, of course we will.  Any merchant should extend that courtesy.  In fact, yours is such a good question that we've added a "Make Offer" Page to our website.  If you see an item but think the price could be a little bit better, let us know.  Worst we can do is say no, and if we have to do that we will say it politely.  Mahalo for your question.

Yes. There will be a Christmas/Hanukkah Sale. We like to think that we already offer the lowest prices around, but we do offer 10% off during the Christmas/Hanukkah Period. Look for our sale to begin 15 November and run through 25 December. Just use the Coupon Code HOLIDAYS21 at checkout, or we will deduct 10% if using Venmo via Venmo email or our Contact Form. Mahalo for asking. 

Yes.  As of 18 Sep 2021 we are accepting venmo.  When purchasing with venmo you will not use our Shopping Cart, however.  Go to our "Payment, Shipping, & Returns" Page for details for using venmo.  Just 3 steps:  1) Use our "Contact" page to let us know you would like to use venmo; send us a note with your venmo @username, phone, or email, and SKU or Ref: Number of the item you would like to purchase; 2) We will send you a venmo request for payment/invoice; and 3) Your jewelry will ship immediately upon receipt of payment.  Yes - it's that easy!

Most jewelry buyers are familiar only with the traditional "White" or "Yellow" Gold.  However, Gold actually is produced in a number of colors.  To achieve the different possible colors of Gold, pure Gold is alloyed with different metals.

Let's take, for example, Red, Rose, or Pink Gold.  Here some historical background, and the percentages of Gold alloyed with different metals to achieve these colors:

Rose Gold is a Gold–Copper alloy widely used for specialized jewelry. Rose Gold, also known as Pink Gold and Red Gold, was popular in Russia at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and was also known as Russian Gold, although this term is now obsolete. Rose Gold jewelry is becoming more popular in the 21st Century, and is commonly used for wedding rings, bracelets, and other jewelry.
​
Although the names are often used interchangeably, the difference between Red, Rose, and Pink Gold is the Copper content: the higher the Copper content, the stronger the red coloration. Pink gold uses the least Copper, followed by Rose gold, with Red Gold having the highest Copper content. Examples of the common alloys for 18K Rose Gold, 18K Red Gold, 18K Pink Gold, and 12K Red Gold include:

• 18K Red Gold: 75% Gold, 25% Copper
• 18K Rose Gold: 75% Gold, 22.25% Copper, 2.75% Silver
• 18K Pink Gold: 75% Gold, 20% Copper, 5% Silver
• 12K Red Gold: 50% Gold and 50% Copper

In this image nine different colors of gold are shown from Green to Grey.

Good question!  Simple answer - No Difference.  Transparent/Transluscent and primarily Clear Jadeite used to be called Water Jade or Glassy Jade.  Crystal Jade was coined as a commercial name for this Jade.  Today the name has evolved in common usage to become Ice or Icy Jade.  Here’s a great article by Eric Hoffman that further clarifies how Glassy Jade became Icy Jade.

Very good question.  The answer is both simple, and not-so-simple.  The simple answer is that "Genuine" fine Coral, like fine Jadeite, is both rare and expensive.  Vintage pieces in particular are sought by collectors and jewelry connoisseurs and, accordingly, command very high prices in a very competitive marketplace.
The not-so-simple answer is that the jewelry marketplace is literally flooded with counterfeit Coral being marketed as genuine, gemstone quality, Coral.  There are any number of materials that are used in the fabrication of counterfeit coral from plastics, to glass, colored ceramics, to actual Coral fragments that have been ground to powder, dyed, mixed with resin, cast and polished, and sold as natural, untreated, Coral.  In the latter case of resin-based powered Coral, the seller can legitimately advertise the item as "Coral" - albeit not as "Natural and Untreated Coral."  
It is very, very difficult for the average buyer to discern the real from the counterfeit.  You cannot rely on the setting used for the Coral, as Silver, Vermeil, and Gold are used as settings to create the perception of the setting holding a genuine piece of quality Coral.
Below is an example of a bracelet found for sale in a local Antiques & Collectibles Shop. It was presented as a genuine Vintage Coral Bracelet with an asking price of $250.00.  It is absolutely counterfeit.  The owner, whom we know, was not intentionally selling counterfeit goods, but not being experienced in Coral, genuinely believed it was good Coral.  He has since removed it from sale.  Were it a genuine, gemstone grade, Vintage Coral Bracelet with this detail, you could expect a fair market value of $2000.00 or more.   Also below are a pendant and pin in gem-quality Coral and their realized auction prices.
Just as you would be suspicious of anyone advertising 1-Carat Diamonds for $100 you should equally be suspicious of Coral being sold at low prices.  Your best defense is to familiarize yourself with Coral-as-a-Gemstone, and do some basic research before you buy.  Visit reputable sites: Sotheby's, Christie's, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, even 1stDibs, and note their prices for custom, high-quality, Coral.  Finally, buy from trusted dealers and ONLY those who will offer you a full money-back guarantee on your purchase if found to be anything other than natural, untreated, Coral.
We offer that guarantee on all of our items.  Simply, "It is what we say it is, or your money back."

Great question!  When we talk about antique jewelry we often ascribe jewelry pieces to the styles of any of six jewelry "Eras."  These six eras are:  Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro.  (From: Estate Diamond Jewelry)
The Georgian Era (1714-1837):   The Georgian Era lasted for over 100 years and spanned four English Kings: King George I, King George II, King George III, and King George IV. While the era is impressive simply because of the length of time it encompassed, the reality is that Georgian Era jewelry advanced more slowly than the jewelry styles of other eras.
High-quality Georgian Era jewelry is difficult to find today. Most of the fine Georgian jewelry is sitting in museums, is lost, or is part of an heirloom.
Typically pieces from this era consisted of high karat gold and silver. The common stones found in Georgian jewelry consist of foil-backed diamonds, topaz, and garnet and primitive cutting tools and techniques were used. The diamond cuts are point-cuts, table cuts, Old Mine cuts, cushion cuts, single cuts, and rose cut.

The Victorian Era (1837-1901):
The Victorian Era is a reference to Queen Victoria of England. She reigned during this time and was responsible for much of the great changes in the jewelry styles. The era itself splits into three periods. Each of these three stages correlates to the different periods of Queen Victoria’s life.

• The Romantic Victorian Era
• The Grand Victorian Era
• The Aesthetic Victorian Era

Jewelry from the Victorian Era is far more prevalent than during the Georgian Era and easier to find. Gold and silver remained the most popular metals in Victorian Era engagement rings and other pieces. Stones popular during this time were garnets, amethyst, turquoise, sapphires, pearls, and diamonds. Motifs involving animals, especially snakes were very popular.
​
The Edwardian Era (1901-1915):
The Edwardian Era follows the reign of England’s King Edward. King Edward reigned from 1901-1910 and was the last monarch to serve as a namesake in jewelry history. This period, also known as La Belle Epoque Era, is the first time platinum was officially a part of the jewelry scene. Although platinum was first crafted together with gold, it very quickly grew in popularity and was later an item of its own.
Diamonds and pearls retain their prestigious status during this period.
Compared to those of the Victorian Era, Edwardian engagement rings and other pieces from the Edwardian Era are ornate, intricate, and flowery. Contributing to this style are the techniques of openwork filigree and fine milgrain introduced during the Edwardian times.

The Art Nouveau Era (1890-1910):
The Art Nouveau period, derived from the French for “New Art,” was named after the 1895 opening of Siegfried Bing’s Parisian gallery “Maison de l’Art Nouveau.” This era’s aesthetics is also Arts and Crafts, Jugendstil, Liberty Style, and Secession, to name a few.
Designs of this era are organic, flowery, and draping. While the timeframe of the period overlaps with the Edwardian Era, the styles were entirely different. While Edwardian Era jewelry is full of detail, symmetrical, and delicate, Art Nouveau jewelry is a celebration of free form. Art Nouveau style contains an organic structure with no symmetry.
Genuine Art Nouveau jewelry from the early 1900’s is very difficult to find. The Art Nouveau jewelry that has survived is very hard to obtain.

The Art Deco Era (1920-1945):
The Art Deco period, emerging after the conclusion of World War I, took its name from the French architect Le Corbusier. He titled the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes simply “1925 Expo: Art Deco.”
A far cry from Georgian Era jewelry, Art Deco pieces are known for being geometrical, angular, and clean. The Art Deco style inspired many architects to design landmarks using these concepts.
Platinum was the primary metal of the Art Deco Era. The diamonds, sapphire, rubies, onyx, and emeralds helped assert the bold and prominent aesthetics of the time.

The Retro Era (1939-1950):
The Retro Era concluded with the end of World War II. The style is heavily inspired by the war and the victory that followed. 
The symmetrical element from the Art Deco Era was not disregarded with the shift into the Retro Era, but rather was interpreted into a bolder and stronger design.
Retro Era jewelry will always be very large and bold. Gemstones are large and colorful. Platinum and yellow gold are both common. White gold began to gather traction.
Which jewelry era is your favorite? What is your favorite era among the six eras of antique jewelry? Tell us in the comments below.
​- - - - - - - - -
Attributed to "The Six Eras of Antique Jewelry" https://www.estatediamondjewelry.com