Vintage and Antique Jewellery ~ Family Heirlooms

The popularity of vintage jewelery never wanes. Instead, it seems to grow with each passing year. Rings, brooches, necklaces, charms, bracelets, lockets and other adornments quickly become families’ most precious heirlooms as they pass from one generation to the next.

I've always enjoyed wearing jewelery; glitzy brooches and dangle earrings. When my 12 year old grandson was little, he liked to wear my pretty brooches and help me make dangle earrings!

What is more fun to a young girl than to poke about in her grandmother’s jewelery box searching through these treasures? The memories alone of such ventures, coupled with the historical accounts of each item of jewelery, can endear grandparents to their descendants in unexpected ways, forming close personal ties forever.

The cost doesn't necessarily determine the value. Even inexpensive trinkets can bind lives and hearts becoming a woman’s most cherished possession if they once belonged to her mother, her grandmother or her great-grandmother.

Of course, although antique jewelery can be fun to flaunt in front of friends, family and associates, it can also be a great investment. Even if the component parts of jewelery have little inherent value, it can become something of value by virtue of its maturity. Jewelery can become valuable just by surviving to a ripe old age. Many people love to adorn themselves with jewelery from various periods such as Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro and Art Nouveau, or even older when it can be found.

If you plan to make purchases from jewelery dealers, make sure you use reputable ones. With reputable dealers you can be more certain that you are buying authentic pieces.

At estate sales, auctions, collectible shoppes or even yard sales, you may be able to find some nice antique or vintage jewelery items. However, if you aren’t a jewelery expert you may be disappointed with some of your purchases. Some items may not be as valuable as you hope. Still, much of the pleasure comes with the search.

CLICK HERE for this comprehensive antique jewelry reference guide may help you become your own expert! Learn about history, design, hallmarks, precious gem stones, metals, etc.

Surname Saturday ~ CLARK

We know that my grandmother's father was Robert CLARK, Scottish, emigrated from the US, and was an engineer (of what?). Robert was married to Sarah SMITH, an American. I found Census records that confirm he was born in Scotland and show his occupation as "Engineer in a Mill."

My grandmother, Emma CLARK, was the tenth of twelve children, born between 1854 and 1875.

Emma CLARK was born 17 February 1874, Penetanguishene, Simcoe County, Ontario. She died 25 November 1956, Rosetown Hospital and is buried in Milden Cemetery, Village of Milden, Saskatchewan.

George Albert JOHNSON and Emma CLARK were married 13 September 1899, Penetanguishene, Simcoe County, Ontario.

Their marriage was witnessed by one of Emma's younger brothers, Wesley CLARK and one of Emma's older sisters, Mary Jane CLARK, both of Penetanguishene. The ceremony was performed by Reverend G. M. Kingston.

They were married for 57 years, until the time of Emma's death in 1956. George lived on for another eight years, until 30 January 1964, aged 89 years.

This photograph had been tucked away for 45 years by a cousin of mine. Although it was badly damaged, the restoration worked quite well. Also, this is the only photograph that we have as Emma as a young woman. Other photographs of her are when she is a grandmother in her 60's.
SOURCE:  © private collection.