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.

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.

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.

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.

During the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression, everything became much simpler, even once lavish wedding styles.

The great thing about antique jewelry is that it will always be in style. Jewelry fashion trends come and go, but there are always the classic staples to have in your jewelry box. The social climate of the 1930s resulted in a going back to the simple and basic.

Check out this bride in a simple but beautiful pearl strand.

Our Cultured Pearl Necklace ($350) is a great strand that will last well beyond your wedding day.

This bride wears her slightly over sized pearl studs well.

And these Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Stud Earrings ($275) are elegant, but with the same edge that really pulls of the effortless glamour above.

Tags: Earrings, Necklaces.

Some of the best wedding-day inspiration comes from the past, and I found tons when looking for blushing brides of the 1920s (my favorite style era!).

Check out this bride’s impressive side headpiece.

In an era where close-cropped bobs were popular, women of the 1920s had to get extra creative on their heads to substitute for wavy locks.  I think this Pearl, Rose Cut and Old European Diamond Pendant would look great pinned to the site of a cute cloche hat (with veil attached, perhaps?)

Long necklaces are soooo 20s to me, especially pearl neckaces.

I think our Seed Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Lariat Necklace would pull off the above look beautifully.

Gorgeous, just knock your socks off, the cat’s pajamas gorgeous!

Tags: Brooch, Necklaces.

Looking for something… blue?

Then check out some of our beautiful aquamarine jewelry. The color of these semi-precious stones can vary from transparent, to greenish blue to bluish green.

Besides its versatility in color, aquamarines lend themselves to a wide variety of form and style. A dark blue stone looks great in the form of glamorous earrings, especially when accented by diamonds; while a more iridescent shaded stone set in a pendant necklace is all subtle beauty.

Incidentally, aquamarines are the birthstone for March, and Doyle & Doyle always has a wide-selection of aquamarine jewelry in many forms and styles.

Just one more ‘to do’ that we can help check off your list.

Tags: Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces.

Keep it secret, keep it safe.

Put a hint of your lover’s perfume in this Art Nouveau perfume bottle to remember them at all times. Or keep a few drops of your own sweet scent on hand for whenever you are in need…

Art Nouveau Ruby and Diamond Perfume Bottle, $1800

Tags: Art Nouveau, Necklaces.

The weekend begins with a classic – this Engraved Star Diamond Heart Locket.

What better way to show her you care than gifting her with a piece of jewelry representing the world’s most quintessential symbol of love?

Don’t forget to include a cute picture of yourself in the locket, lest she mistake her favorite pooch for #1 in her heart over you…

Engraved Star Diamond Heart Locket, $175

Tags: Necklaces.