New Life For Old Treasures
Sustainability is gaining momentum in the jewelry industry. By upcycling and recycling old, beloved pieces of jewelry, demand and consumption can be drastically (and cost-effectively) minimized once and for all. Noble antique jewelry withstands the ravages of time. The materials used for fine jewelry are designed to last. Take diamonds and gold, for example. Both are timeless and desirable and also extremely durable. The value of gold increases over time, and diamonds are so hard they are practically indestructible. With no manufacturing process required and no cost involved, antique jewelry offers an advantage in both sustainability and financial terms. The price-performance ratio is exceptional when you consider the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship. High-quality real jewelry therefore retains its value even after years and is a good investment for that reason alone.
Passion for collecting
In terms of quality or aesthetics, no compromises have to be made either. As any collector knows, antique jewelry has character, authenticity, and style that are very difficult (and expensive) to replicate. This is actually nothing new. The British royal family has been following this approach for a long time. She has made it a tradition, for example at weddings, to lend tiaras from the existing collection to the newlyweds instead of having new ones made. Only the rebellious Princess Diana chose a new wedding ring with an impressive sapphire, an 18-carat stone surrounded by diamonds, for her wedding in the 1980s. However, the same ring was later passed on to Prince William and Kate Middleton in turn - so the circle is complete.
Versatile in use
The so-called transformers play a special role in connection with antique pieces of jewelery and their sustainable development: objects that serve a double or even multiple purpose. A bracelet that can be converted into a diadem, a brooch that can be transformed into a pendant or ring. It's hard to say exactly how this trend came about. However, it is a fact that around the same time, in the mid-18th century, there was a great demand for such a design in Europe and Russia. Back then, high society was not very interested in economy and even less in the environment. However, these transformers were the masterpieces of metamorphosis, skillfully combining both. Even more, jewelers could use it to showcase all their skills. Allegedly it was the ambassador's wife in France who longed for more attention at the time. Immediately after arriving in Paris, she bought a floral ring with large diamonds from a local jeweler. Despite its quality and craftsmanship, she didn't seem convinced by her ring and quickly had it reforged so that it could also be worn as a hairpin. At the first reception in her new villa, when she mingled with the guests, she carefully removed the flower from the ring and put it on a hairpin. Then she neatly tucked the jewel into her neatly pinned up hair. A most indecent gesture. She responded with an innocent smile and was delighted with all the looks.
Show stopper
A ring that transforms into another piece of jewelry is what interests collectors the most around the world. Another example would be a pendant from the mid-19th century. It is adorned with an emerald surrounded by diamonds. A pin holds the round part with diamonds on a ring or pendant. Its wearer: a stately lady like in the stories of Anton Chekhov in a long, light blouse and an exaggerated skirt. As a modern lady, she detested the luxury of the nobility, but still wished she could wear her mother's ring - put around her neck, it corresponded to the contemporary attitude and may shine today as it did then. Such designs should be carefully protected so that future generations can enjoy them.
Photos: provided
