Since February is the month of love (Valentine’s Day!), we’re visiting how love was historically expressed through jewelry in the form of pieces from the Doyle & Doyle collection.

Here are a few pieces of antique and new jewelry that represent love’s many symbols:

Hearts, love’s most ubiquitous symbol, were popularized during the Victorian era. Check out our Victorian Malachite Heart Pin, $1200, Diamond Heart Locket, $150 and Diamond Heart and Bow Bracelet, $1800.

Malachite Heart Pin, $1200

Diamond Heart Locket, $150

Diamond Bow and Heart Bracelet, $1800

Lovebirds are a fitting image of love because they mate for life. Our Moonstone Lovebird Necklace, $295, from our Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line is a sweet reminder of that.

Moonstone Lovebird Necklace, $295

Snakes may not seem like a symbol of love, but when a snake is biting its tail in a piece of jewelry, this symbolizes everlasting love. And who can forget the story that Queen Victoria’s wedding ring from Prince Albert was a snake biting its own tail. The story may not be true, but that doesn’t mean our Diamond Snake Ring, $950, isn’t a great gift for a loved one.

Diamond Snake Ring, $950

Bows in jewelry are symbols of fidelity and remembrance. These Grosgrain Bow Earrings, wg, $425, and this Grosgrain Bow Necklace, yg, $595 will stay on your mind long after they are given.

Grosgrain Bow Earrings, $425

Grosgrain Bow Necklace, $595

Flowers, given in real or jeweled form, are always a nice gesture. Especially when given in the form of this Orchid Link Bracelet, $275.

Orchid Link Bracelet, $275

Tags: Earrings, Necklaces, Rings, Snakes.

Oh Mommy Dearest. One of the hardest people to buy for, and that’s why she is first on my list of great holiday gift picks:

Under $500

Moms love stud earrings. I know this for a fact. Pick her favorite color and go to town. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Amethyst Stud Earrings:

Amethyst Stud Earrings, $175

Under $1000

Moms love anything sentimental, especially if it involves something cute that you once did when you were 11. Hard to believe that someone would want to keep a photo of you wearing an ugly dance costume, but if anyone does, it’s your mom. Give her something much prettier to put these questionable keepsakes in. I recommend this Heart Locket:

Heart Locket, $850

Must Have

Brooches have always seemed to me like that perfect ‘mom gift’. At this point, you know mom has that one necklace that she won’t ever take off, or that she refuses to wear any ring but the one she got on her wedding day. Brooches occupy that safe space of a piece of jewelry that mom would always be happy to have. Why not give her the most glamorous one you can find? My favorite is this Retro 1940s Diamond Flower Brooch, go mama!

Diamond Flower Brooch, $2950

Tags: amethyst, Brooch, Locket, stud earrings.

The holidays are here and besides offering many opportunities for together-ness and festive fun, it’s also the time when we are in full on gift mode.

With all the people to buy for it’s no wonder festive-ness can quickly turn to ‘what am I going to get them this year!’ panic.

Let me make it easy for you – for the next week, I’ll be posting some great antique and vintage jewelry gifts that I’ve hand-picked from the Doyle & Doyle collection. You’ll be able to find something for the people on your list – mom, dad, sister, your man, your woman, best friend – and in a range of prices – Under $500, Under $1000 and Must Haves.

Let the giving begin! But first, a few things I wouldn’t mind getting this holiday season:

Under $500

I love all of the figural stud earrings from the Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle line. Our Fleur de Lis Stud Earrings in yellow gold are already my everyday earring staple, so I think it’s time to switch it up.

I really like mixing metals, and the Swallow Stud Earrings in white gold are a customer favorite, as well as a personal favorite:

Swallow Stud Earrings, wg, $125

Under $1000

Although I’m a small girl, I love chunky jewelry, I also love black jewelry – it’s both gothic and romantic and I like the idea that you don’t just wear black clothing, but can incorporate it into your jewelry options, too.

This Black Enamel & Hematite Shield Locket incorporates all of those favorite things:

Black Enamel and Hematite Shield Locket, $985

Must Have

Sometimes, something comes your way that you just have to have, like a really good sandwich, a cup of coffee in the morning and, in this case, a really beautiful piece of jewelry. I’ve been drooling over this Sapphire Cabochon and Diamond Gypsy Set Ring since it found it’s way into Doyle & Doyle. It’s antique Victorian, and also my birthstone. It’s bold without being too large and the thick band makes it a bit more masculine feeling, which I especially like. Maybe it’s time to finally take the plunge?

Sapphire Cabochon and Diamond Gypsy Set Ring, $2950

Tags: black jewelry, lockets, Rings.

They’re two of the most important men in your life, so why shouldn’t there be a little overlap in the gifting department? Just don’t let them know anything about it…

Under $500

Dads really love crazy gifts. Because then they can wear them to work and be all like ‘Look at this crazy tie! My daughter loves me so much!. He’ll totally be showing off these Monkey and Banana Cufflinks to anyone at work who will listen:

Monkey and Banana Cufflinks, $350

Under $1000

Owls are wise, just like dear old dad. If he is an avid bird watcher, or just plain cool, he will flip over this Diamond Owl Ring, we certainly have:

Diamond Owl Ring, $885

Must Have

Whether your man was a history major in college, is a hardcore Lord of the Rings reader or a hipster who likes his figural jewelry, they’ll all find common ground wearing this Diamond Lion Ring:

Diamond Lion Ring, $2500

If you’re gonna get him cufflinks, why not get him the nicest ones you can find? These Diamond and Ruby Cufflinks are Art Deco and are perfect for all the galas you are planning to attend. Or are at least the best accessory ever for a New Year’s Eve party:

Ruby and Diamond Cufflinks, $1400

Tags: cufflinks, men's, Ring.

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.

October is Halloween’s month – a time when all things scary, dark and a little bit weird are allowed to come out and play.

Victorian-era jewelry is fashioned from some uncommon design materials – hair, black enamel, coral and seed pearls – and utilizes  themes and motifs such as animals, flora and memory to a fetching end.

Whether it be coral grape cluster earrings, a black enameled locket or a ruby-set snake ring – draping yourself in Victorian jewelry is so much better than wearing a Halloween costume.

Here are a few dark beauties that have me under a spell:

This Knights of Pythias Fob on a Hair Chain ($350) is indeed made from real hair.  Weaving hair jewelry became a popular drawing room pastime during the Victorian era.  As photographs weren’t common, or cheap, at the time, wearing someone’s hair on your person became a tangible substitute.

Knights of Pythias Hair Necklace

Made from calcareous skeltons of marine animals, otherwise known as coral, these  Coral Grape Cluster Earrings ($1500) are a great example of the popularity of coral jewelry during the Victorian era. Victorians loved coral, both because it was believed to posses the power to ward off evil and danger, and for its ease to work with – it also fills the perfect niche for designs calling for accents of leaves and flowers.

Coral Grape Cluster Earrings

It’s crazy that not even the delicate seed pearls of this Victorian Pearl and Enamel Locket ($1200) are its most beautiful design feature. The face is also decorated with fine lines of black enamel and a raised floral pattern that gives it a feeling both goth and romantic.

Victorian Pearl and Enamel Locket

After being a hit at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851, enameling was revivied in many forms during the 19th century. A fine example is this Black Trace Enamel Gold Bangle Bracelet ($985). For me, the design conjures aspects  of embellished 19th century architecture.

Black Trace Enamel Gold Bangle Bracelet

I will not repeat that snake line from Indiana Jones when describing snake jewelry ever, ever again. That said, I love snakes, as did the Victorians. While some may view them as slithery, and slightly creepy, I say yes, they are, and that is just their allure. This Ruby Set Snake Ring ($850) has slithered its way into my heart, and perhaps onto my hand?

Ruby Set Snake Ring

Tags: coral earrings, hair jewelry, Locket, snake ring, 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.

August is filled with golden beaches, golden tans and bodies bedecked in gold bangles and necklaces.

Maybe that’s all just wishful thinking, or possibly too much sun, but one can’t deny that from Columbus’ voyage to the Americas, to the California gold rush, gold has always been a prize to possess.

Gold is the most malleable of all metals, explaining its widespread use in jewelry.

We know gold best in its yellow form, but other colors can be produced by adding other metal alloys – copper for pink gold, silver for green gold and zinc, silver or palladium for white gold.

The higher the karat (or percentage of pure gold) that is present in a piece, the more yellow it will be.  For me, when you really like a piece, karat is more a matter of taste  – many jewelers of the Victorian era preferred 10k gold and a recent trend in pieces made in the Roman and Byzantine style is that they are fashioned in bright yellow 22k gold to emphasize their exoticism.

Of course at Doyle & Doyle, we are surrounded by many representations of gold, in forms like embossed chain link bracelets, gold beaded necklaces and colored-gold rings in pink and green.

With all this variety, you’d think it difficult to find a favorite, a ‘gold standard’ of a piece if you will, but I’ve managed to pick out a few, with emphasis on the interesting multi-colored gold pieces and that we’ve recently acquired:

I love how this 14k yellow gold piece uses gold instead of stones as embellishment.

Victorian Bead & Drop Festoon Necklace

O.m.g. – the leaves of this ring are 14k green gold, and the flower is 14k rose gold!

Diamond Rose and Green Gold Band

The links of this bracelet alternate between 14k white and 14k yellow gold.

Retro Geometric Link Bracelet

Although this bracelet looks chunky, the 18k yellow gold embossed links are hollow, as was common during the Victorian era.

Embossed Link Bracelet

Ok, this necklace isn’t all gold, a part of the chain is made in platinum, but the rest is fashioned in warm 14k rose gold.

Engraved Perfume Flask

For those looking for something a bit different in their wedding band, a 22k vintage band (this one is vintage Tiffany & Co.!) will stand out from the 14k crowd.

3mm Comfort Fit Band

For tips on how to clean your gold piece, go here and here.

Tags: Bracelets, Necklaces, Rings.