November sets off the season of family gatherings, and life gets a bit more hectic.

Our friend and familial obligations bring us together -  in pairs, in trios and in large groups.

You should do the same with your jewelry.

A great pair of earrings that go perfectly with a statement ring makes getting dressed for events and gatherings much easier; having more than one piece that you are completely in love with doesn’t hurt either.

And, like in life, your jewelry suite doesn’t have to be matchy matchy to work. Sometimes the most unlikely pairings are also the best.

Below, some of my favorite combinations of current Doyle & Doyle antique and vintage jewels, and some things to think about when picking out your duo:

Tip #1 – Take the High (End) Road.

I picked this pairing because what goes better with diamonds then, well, other diamonds? The Opal and Diamond Ring may be fashioned in yellow gold, and the Deco Diamond Drop Earrings in platinum, but their glamour is their commonality.

Opal and Diamond Ring

Deco Diamond Drop Earrings

Tip #2 – Be Prepared for the Unexpected.

Like seeing a so-so dress on a rack that looks amazing on, you never know when two pieces will just go together and look great, despite evidence to the contrary.

Take the Georgian Foil Back Garnet Pendant that I’ve paired with these Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings – their physical shape is similar (round and oval), and they are both yellow gold, but the visual similarities stop there.

But there’s no denying it – something about them together just WORKS.

Georgian Foil Back Garnet Pendant

Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings

Tip #3 – It’s in the Details…

Rather than finding matching colors for your two pieces, why not concentrate on their smaller, style details?

This Victorian Turquoise Bangle has a rope pattern that surrounds a line of turquoise stones. As soon as I saw this beautiful bracelet, I was reminded of our Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle Diamond Knot Earrings.  Finding similarities such as this make make your jewelry pairing more subtle than bold.

Victorian Turquoise and Rose Cut Diamond Bangle

Diamond Knot Earrings - Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle

Tags: Earrings, garnet, georgian, opal, Rings, rose cut diamonds, turquoise, victorian.

September is a month of change – the weather becomes cooler, children go back to school and time seems to return to its speedy pace.

Changes abound at Doyle & Doyle in September. Besides the recent addition of tons of new pieces to our Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line, including Acrostic charm bracelets and necklaces and Scroll Vine earrings and necklaces, we’ve also been busy searching out the best antique and estate pieces out there.

Although there is a lot to choose from, a few of the staff here at Doyle & Doyle have managed to pick out their favorites:

Jessica’s favorite new piece is the Miniature Portrait Pendant Locket (091836N):

“This exquisitely painted portrait set at an angle, the single bloom on the reverse and the swirling frame are quintessentially romantic.”

Says Joanna about her favorite, the Emerald Filigree Ring (090800R):

“This emerald looks like it holds an entire world. It’s not often you see emerald cabochons of this size and color in a ring; it’s really striking. Georgian jewelry is easily my favorite time period.”

Gemologist Laura can’t help but love jewelry centered upon beautiful precious or semi-precious stones, so it’s no wonder her current favorite is the Coral, Seed Pearl and Turquoise Necklace (091726N):

“As a young girl I often visited, and eventually worked, in my father’s  jewelry store.  Among the many unusual and unique  pieces of jewelry that he had in his store were the coral beads, which he imported from Italy.  My love affair with coral started then. I love the look and feel of coral beads. These tapered tear drops are gorgeous, especially how they are accented by the turquoise buttons and seed pearls, – I can’t think of a better combination to wear together.”

History buff Alison is a fan of the Lady’s Portrait Pin Pendant (091326P):

“I love how this charming portrait pin pendant combines the decorative and fine arts – the painting of the lady is so finely done! And the Gothic quatrefoil shape is a nice contrast to the feminine seed pearls. Pieces that have convertible fixtures give you so many options: you could wear it in your hair, or to fasten a sweater, or as a necklace on a chain.”

Tags: Necklace, Pin, Ring.

There’s always tons of excitement in July – the long weekend of the 4th, music festivals, outdoor activities, beach excursions and long summer nights.

So, in the jewelry world, it’s only fitting that the stone of the month is the fiery ruby.

Among natural gems, only diamond is harder, one reason for the ruby’s popularity in a variety of jewelry styles.

In Victorian jewelry, rubies were set in the heads of snake rings; in Art Nouveau pieces, which are often nature-inspired, they were set to resemble the petals of flowers; and you’ll see rubies often in Retro jewelry, boldly set in yellow or rose gold

Below, a look back in time to where  (and how!) the ruby was worn:

Victorian Era

It’s widely circulated that Queen Victoria’s wedding band was a snake biting its own tail. Whether or not this factoid is true, we  may never know, but what I do know for sure is that there are tons of snake rings to be found (in a variety of styles) from the Victorian era.

They are often set with precious stones in their eyes or on top of their heads, and this particular one is set with a ruby, as well as a diamond and a sapphire.

Ruby, Diamond and Sapphire Snake Ring

There was a period of time during the Victorian era when jewelers were fixated on the design techniques of the Etruscans (ancient Romans). This 18k yellow gold necklace showcases both this design inspiration and beautiful old cut bezel set rubies.

Etruscan Revival Emerald & Ruby Necklace

Art Nouveau Era

Art Nouveau jewels are rife with organic shapes and motifs. A bright ruby (the color of flowers, fruits and other natural delicacies), only enhances this naturalistic beauty,  as seen with these two curvaceous Art Nouveau pieces.

Art Nouveau Enameled Lady Festoon Ruby & Diamond Necklace

Ruby & Diamond Art Nouveau Necklace

Retro Era

Due to the dearth of platinum and other jewelry materials during the Retro era (which spans World War II, from 1940 to 1950), jewelers used alternative metals  such as yellow and rose gold, and alternative stones such as citrines,  amethysts and, of course, rubies.

Their lack was our gain, because ruby jewelry from this era is always some of the boldest.

Retro Ruby Wire Frame Earrings

Diamond and Ruby Retro Flower Ring

Contemporary

With the Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line, we take inspiration from the motifs and designs of some of our most favorite antique pieces and fashion them anew. A great example are these serpent earrings, accented with ruby drops.

Ruby Drop Serpent Earrings

With all these great examples, it should be easy (or very, very hard if you are indecisive like me!) to add a ruby jewel to your collection.

Tags: Art Nouveau, Earrings, Heirloom, Necklaces, Retro, Rings, Ruby, Snake, victorian.

Paris in the springtime may have a song, but New York City at this time of year is really where it’s at.

It helps that the city, with all its boroughs, is one of the greenest urban areas in the United States. New Yorkers have landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux to thank for two of its verdant parks – Central Park in Manhattan, and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, and warmer weather means more time frolicking in these parks, enjoying the simple pleasures of spring and summer

I’m way more interested in baking pies and laying on picnic blankets than deciding what to wear on a beautiful day, but I can never go completely unadorned. That’s why I rely on my simple jewelry staples of an everyday pendant, a small ring and delicate earrings during days spent outdoors.

Here are a few of my recommendations for your carefree jewelry wardrobe:

Pendant Necklaces: I’ve started wearing a simple stone pendant necklace lately, taking it off only when I go to sleep, or when I step into the shower.

I like the lozenge shape of the amethyst in this necklace, and the flowy gold Nouveau border really makes this piece stand out.

Art Nouveau Amethyst Pendant, $425

We just added this charming Diamond Pair of Owls Necklace to our Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line, and it already has a lot of fans. Besides being completely cute, this pendant also holds meaning – owls symbolize truth and wisdom.

Diamond Pair of Owls Necklace, $575

Flies are an ancient symbol of protection and this Diamond Set Fly Necklace is one of my favorite pieces from the Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line.

Diamond Set Fly Necklace, $350

Small Rings: Although I have more than a few cocktail rings or larger statement rings that I bring out for special occasions, during the warmer months, I like the delicacy and ease of a small, everyday ring.

Even though this clover isn’t four-leafed, it can still bring a little bit of luck into your life. The use of three precious stones makes it especially charming.

Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Clover Ring, $950

I like that the shape of this Victorian ring has a slightly masculine edge to it, but that the smaller size if the ring keeps the look feminine.

Pink Sapphire Embossed Ring, $1200

This old mine cut diamond gives this solitaire ring some edge; the fineness (22k) of the gold, makes it especially bright, both in color and in beauty.

Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring , $750

Yes, another clover ring, but this one is in a navette shape and fashioned in rose gold!

Single and Rose Cut Diamond Clover Ring, $195

Delicate Earrings: I like the subtlety of a smaller pair of earrings, and they hardly ever get caught in your hair.

The small diamond drop earrings are a great alternative to a pair of diamond studs.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Drop Earrings, $225

Studs are always a great choice as an everyday piece, and although these yellow gold Fleur de Lis Studs are small, the detail of the design makes them stand out. Plus, they are also an everyday piece in my personal jewelry wardrobe!

Fleur de Lis Studs, $85

I’m partial to purple, but if I were you, I would get a few pairs of semi-precious stone studs and alternate which color I wear depending on my mood.

Amethyst Stud Earrings, $175

Tags: Earrings, Necklaces, Rings.

Still haven’t picked out the perfect gift for mom? Don’t worry, I haven’t either, but I do have a few ideas. (Mom, stop reading this blog now…)

I’m thinking a great pair of colored stone stud earrings would be a perfect gift – she can wear them when she goes to dinner in the city (and by city, I mean Philadelphia), and maybe even to all those yoga classes she’s been going to lately.

Oval Amethyst Studs, $150

Emerald Cut Peridot Studs, $250

I have a special place in my heart for the guy that comes into Doyle & Doyle looking for the perfect gift for his wife on her first Mother’s Day.

To them, I would recommend a more sentimental piece, like a locket or a figural pendant necklace:

Heart Locket, $450

Double Wishbone Necklace, $150

Of course telling a mom you love her, by giving her a glamorous piece that makes her feel beautiful whenever she wears it, is a good idea, too…

Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Earrings, $1500

Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, $7800

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A pair of Doyle & Doyle pearl stud earrings are featured in the June issue of Glamour magazine in a piece about how to look chic at work. Check it out here:

That got me thinking about more Doyle & Doyle pieces that can be labeled ‘SFW’ (Safe for Work). While I would recommend most any piece in the store as safe for work, I understand that other people’s work get-ups  require some subtlety in their fashion choices.

That’s why I think stud earrings (like those featured in Glamour) are a never-fail daily grind choices. Pearls, colored stones and figural pieces are a great  addition to your work look.

A pendant necklace easily transitions from day to day wear to 9 to 5, and it also adds a personalized and classic touch.  Figural pendants, colored stones and diamond pieces all fit the bill.

Whatever you choose, when it comes to work jewelry, keeping it simple doesn’t always mean playing it safe.

Tags: Earrings, Necklaces.

Your best defense for your antique jewelry or new jewelry against time and wear  is always routine maintenance and upkeep.

For jewelry that you wear every day, it can’t hurt to give the piece a gentle scrub with a soft bristle brush and gentle soap every night.

Think of your jewelry like a good car, it needs a little maintenance every once in a while to run smoothly. Or in this case, shine bright.

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Think fast!

Here’s a quick tip for cleaning both your antique jewelry and your new jewels in a rush:
A quick scrub with a soft bristle brush and warm soapy water is a always a great quick pick-me-up if you’re heading out and noticed your piece could use a little bit of a clean. (Remember to keep the previous tips in mind, though!)

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The thing about cleaning pearls is maintenance – if you take good care of your pearls now, you won’t have to worry about it for the future (of course, this should be the way for all your precious jewels…)

A good rule to have is that your pearls should be the last thing you are putting on when you are getting dressed, and the first thing that you take off. After removing your piece, quickly wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any chemicals or skin oils, and store them separately from all your other jewelry.

If you have to do a cleaning , clean your pearl jewelry with something gentle on the hands, like diluted dish detergent. Let the pearls  soak for a bit, and then rinse gently with water.

Tags: Pearls.

We’ve covered diamonds, silver and gold, now on to the next jewelry cleaning conundrum: precious and semi-precious stones.

When cleaning something with stones, always take into consideration the many elements of the piece: how old it is, how exactly the stone is set (prongs, bezel-set, etc.), what the stone is set in (silver, gold), and even what is set behind the stone.

In general, sapphires, rubies and diamonds are pretty resilient, but more delicate stones, such as opals, emeralds and pearls, require special attention.

As always, keep in mind that every piece of jewelry is different, and there is no one rule that can apply to all stones or pieces.  So, if there is something you aren’t sure about, take the piece to your jeweler before doing anything.

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