Welcome to Heirloom Jewels' Gallery of antique and estate jewelry.

In addition to the rings, brooches, necklaces, earrings, and objets d’art featured for sale in our Web site Boutique, Heirloom Jewels has an extensive collection of diamond jewelry, precious gemstones, and jewels in prices ranging from the affordable to the extravagant which you can explore in our Gallery.

Our Gallery will help educate those who seek more information on various jewelry styles, as well as reflect the wide range of jewels and exquisite pieces available in Heirloom’s collection.

For more information about any of the items featured in our Gallery, please call Diane or Renee at 410-323-0100, or email us at info@heirloomjewels.com.

Click image for detail Click image for detail	Early Victorian Jewelry The early Victorian period, 1837-1860, dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria of England. Popular motifs in jewelry during this period include classical Greek and Roman designs, gothic and medieval designs, and hearts. Cameos, made by carving away background material to make a design in relief, were popular during the Victorian era. For women they were set in rings, brooches, earrings and bracelets; men wore them in watch fobs, rings, and pins. The ancient Serpent motif (believed to be a symbol of good luck) was revived during the Victorian era, as rings, bracelets, or coiled on brooches. The Victorians had a special love of coral jewelry (believed to possess the power to ward off evil and danger). Other fashionable stones throughout this period include amethyst, bloodstone, goldstone, jet, opals, topaz, and garnets. Gold (all colors except white), gold-plated and rolled gold were also commonly used in early Victorian period.
	Mid-Victorian Jewelry The mid-Victoran era, 1860-1885, saw the popularity of Etruscan motifs, archeological motifs, as well as acorns, bells, crosses, buckles, fringes, tassels, monograms, and insects. The most commonly used stones include amethysts, diamonds, emeralds, coral, pearls, sapphire, cornelian, aquamarine, and tourmaline.
	Late Victorian / Edwardian Jewelry The late Victorian / Edwardian Period lasted from 1885 - 1910. Platinum was a new entry into the jewelry world, typically paired with diamonds and designed with delicate detail, a characteristic which distinguishes the jewelry of this period. King Edward’s passion for racing caused the horseshoe to become a decorative motif — cuff links, fobs, pins and brooches were either made in this shape or carried its motif. Also popular were good luck motifs, clovers and shamrocks, crescents and stars, single and double hearts, birds, flowers and insects.
Click image for detail	Art Nouveau The Art Nouveau style evolved during a very brief time — between 1890-1915. It developed at the end of the century, at a time when there was a popular desire for the dramatic in dress and jewelry. Characteristic of Art Nouveau designs are flowing lines and asymmetry, with motifs including exotic flowers, plant shapes, dragonflies, peacocks, sinister looking reptiles, and women with mystical faces and long flowing hair. Materials used were varied — horn, copper, tortoise-shell, ivory, carved glass, shells, pearls, and semi-precious stones cut in cabochon. Amber and near colorless stones such as opals and moonstones were also frequently used in Art Nouveau jewelry, as was enameling. Popular pieces included choker type necklaces or “dog collars,” worn to compliment the popular high necklines, straight bar pins, screw back and pierced earrings, and pendant necklaces.
Click image for detail	Art Deco Jewelry Art Deco jewelry, popular during the 1920’s and 1930’s, featured modernistic designs (geometric lines, abstract designs, stylized floral motifs) and dramatic and shimmery colors, inspired by the French “Art Decoratif” movement. Jewelry was used to compliment the fashions of the period and to soften the effect the popular short hair styles had on the features. Dangling earrings, long ropes of beads (amber, bakelite, jeweled hat ornaments, and wide jeweled bracelets, worn in numbers. Crystal and rhinestones had become fashionable, along with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, onyx, marcasites, cornelian, jade and ivory.
Click image for detail	Retro Modern Jewelry Produced during the 1940’s and 1950’s, Retro Modern jewelry often features stylized flowers, stylized feathers, bows, and birds in heavy designs with rubies and diamonds. Rose and yellow gold were often used in retro modern jewelry, incorporating pearls, faceted and cabochon stones, aquamarines, and synthetic stones. Sterling Silver was used following W.W.II.
Click image for detail	Bracelets From elegant bracelets of platinum and diamonds, to fun-to-wear bangles of gold and cabochon stones, Heirloom Jewels has an ever-changing selection in a wide range of prices.
Click image for detail	Rings Heirloom’s extensive selection of rings for every occasion — traditional diamond engagement rings, extravagant gem stone cocktail rings, and every style in between.
Click image for detail	Pins Heirloom Jewels has become known for its extensive selection of quality diamonds and gem stones, from a simple collar pin to an elegant evening brooch.
Click image for detail	Necklaces Heirloom’s wide selection of necklaces ranges from Victorian pendants, to classic pearls, to diamond chokers.