Chrysoberyl, chrysocolla, chrysolite and chrysoprase. That’s a lot of gemstones with confusingly similar names. And then there’s chalcedony, which in my head I lump in with the four named above because of its “ch”. It can be hard to keep them all straight. Do you know the differences between them? It’s chrysolite I really want […]

As a dealer in antique jewellery based in Sydney, Australia, I’ve sold countless antique and vintage engagement rings over the years. I could have sold many more … but I’ve turned several potential customers away. That’s because my rings they most admired just weren’t suitable for everyday wear. When it comes to engagement rings, some […]

What makes a good piece of antique jewellery? Why are some jewels more desirable than others? And what is a piece really worth? These are questions that new and not-so-new collectors ask themselves constantly. The short answer is that a jewel is worth as much as you are willing to pay for it. Jewellery is […]

Vanity drove me to buy and thus collect good antique earrings in my early days of dealing. I was 28 and my face seemed more attractive when I added earrings, especially if they had movement. Rings weren’t for me – my hands have always been short and square with unloved nails. So, as a fledgling […]

Nothing beats holding a piece of antique jewellery when it comes to making a decision about buying it. My photographs and videos do their utmost to put my rings, necklaces and earrings into my online customers’ hands … and I’m so grateful to them for putting their trust in mine. The photos are taken by […]

      I often add a gold enamel locket on an antique snake-link chain, or a lily of the valley Essex crystal on a slightly finer snake chain. I bought these core pieces during the time I was a jewellery dealer in London, from 1978 until 1986. It was my great adventure, and my […]

You’re looking at an English-made antique ring from the Edwardian era, featuring an amethyst, a peridot and a natural pearl. It must be a suffragette ring. Or is it? The pretty colour combination of green, white and violet – later claimed to stand for “Give Women Votes” – from this period was adopted by the […]

Whenever I sell an antique or vintage engagement ring, I give its new owner a list of instructions for its care. Diamonds might be hard, and gold and platinum strong, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be damaged. As I said in my last blog, I’m passionate about condition. I like to do my […]

When I began my career in antique jewellery in London nearly 40 years ago, I quickly realised the importance of condition when it comes to reselling a piece. Seemingly slight damage made not just a vast difference to price but also to whether that jewel was desirable – at any price. As I was only […]

Hello, I’m Karen Deakin. As this is my first blog for my new website, I thought I should start by introducing myself and tell you a little of what I’m about. I’m an antique jewellery specialist based in Sydney, Australia. I sell vintage jewellery and offer antique and vintage engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings, […]