Yearning for Yurman?

 If you have a yen for jewelry created by famed designer David Yurman, we have a collection of pieces by this maker currently in our trove, including this sterling silver and pave diamond ring.

The ring alternates diamond-set bands with twisted cable wire, the latter used in Yurman designs since 1982. In 1997, Yurman became the first major designer of fine jewelry to set diamonds in sterling silver jewelry with the introduction of the Silver Ice collection. This ring reflects both of these Yurman innovations.

Inside the ring is stamped with the David Yurman initials and "925," the assay mark for sterling silver.

The David Yurman Company was founded in 1980 by David Yurman and his wife, Sybil. Both partners had an extensive background in art. Among their many artistic endeavors, David made sculptures using direct welding, a technique developed by Picasso in which a torch is used to melt and shape bronze rods, while Sybil experimented with raku pottery. They traveled in artistic circles on both coasts, eventually meeting in New York City in 1969, where David had set up his sculpture studio. They became major figures in the American studio craft movement, which sought to elevate crafts to fine art through innovation and experimentation, and collaborated on designing wearable art. In 1971, Sybil wore a bronze necklace sculpted by David to a gallery opening, resulting in multiple orders for the piece. Subsequently, in 1973, the Yurmans founded Putnam Art Works, designing unique artisanal jewelry pieces. They married in 1979 and founded their company the following year.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

17125-33

A Wise Choice. . .

 . . . is what you will have made when you select this stunning signet ring in gleaming 18 karat gold. The ring features the helmeted profile of Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. 

The image of Athena is actually a replica of a coin issued during the reign of Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great, from 336 BC to 323 BC. The obverse of the coin, visible from the inside of the ring, spells out "Alexander" in ancient Greek letters and includes the images of the club and bow of Hercules, which often appeared on coins of the era. Alexander claimed to be a descendant of this mythological hero. 

The inside of the ring is stamped "750," the assay mark for 18 karat gold, meaning that the metal is 75 percent gold.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

14130-114

A Thoughtful Gift

This extraordinary enamel ring features a pink and deep purple pansy flower set with a gleaming white pearl. "Pansy" comes from the French word "penser," meaning to think. Pansies have long been associated with thoughts, particularly the romantic kind. In the language of flowers, a gift of pansies symbolized that the giver was thinking of receiver. Because of this symbolism, pansies were often incorporated into jewelry, making them a most "thoughtful" gift.

The ring is made of 14 karat gold and carries the double "B" mark of Baskin Brothers, a New York City jewelry company that operated from the early 1900s through 1950.

 

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

3-14018

A Kiss on the Hand. . . .

May be quite continental,

But diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949)

And ladies, your new best friend is waiting for you at Next-to-New! The antique Edwardian ring has been tested as 14 carat white gold (shout out to Ricky Wilson Jewelers!) and is set with a sparkling white diamond. 

This pretty petite ring has a delicately detailed openwork shank.

For its dainty size, this elegant antique ring makes a substantial statement. 

Diamonds

Diamonds

I don't mean rhinestones

But diamonds are a girl's best 

Best friend!

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

12482-1582

Royal Purple

Since Roman times, purple has been the color associated with royalty. You will certainly feel like a queen when wearing this regal ring. 

The simple but elegant 14 karat yellow gold setting frames an astounding scintillating (and sizable) stone of rich purple. We are not gemologists and certainly cannot make any guarantees, but considering the fine quality of this ring and the workmanship of the setting, the stone could well be an amethyst.

The inside of the shank is stamped "14K."

On the other side is what appears to be the maker's mark.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly.

16095-55

Fire for Your Finger

This outstanding opal ring features a large and fiery stone with flashes not only of vivid blue and green, but scarcer, and therefore highly desirable, red. Eight glowing red rubies complement the opal's brilliant colors. The beautiful vintage setting of gleaming 14 karat gold features stylized flowers with ruby centers and textured oval leaves.

The birthstone for October, in ancient times opals were considered extremely lucky and powerful talismans, as they were said to possess the virtues of every gemstone whose color was represented in the opal's ever-changing colors. An opal wrapped in a bay leaf was thought to grant invisibility. 

While we cannot promise this rich and refulgent ring will make you invisible, it certainly will get you noticed! One of the rubies has a ding, but overall the stunning ring is in wonderful shape and ready to wear.

 All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New but things can sell quickly!

15545-196

Ring in the New Year!

If you want to start the coming year with a big bold gesture, this large and lovely antique ring is just the accessory you need.  Handcrafted in gold with a gleaming oval black onyx stone, this ring sits in its original green velvet box from Carl Mayer.  

As is often typical of artisan antique jewelry, the metal does not carry an assay mark.

Born in Prussia, Carl Mayer opened a jewelry store in 1865 at 618 Congress Street in Austin. He died in 1916 and is buried at Austin's historic Oakwood Cemetery. Carl Mayer Jewelers was a fixture in Austin for many decades. In the book, Lady Bird Johnson; An Oral History, the former first lady reminisces about how she and Lyndon Johnson selected her engagement ring and wedding band at the Carl Mayer store.

It is possible, considering the age of the ring and its style, that it is a piece of Victorian mourning jewelry.  During the Victorian period, strict rules regarding the etiquette of mourning the loss of a loved one were developed, partly influenced by Queen Victorian, who wore mourning for the rest of her life after the death of her beloved Prince Albert in 1861. The etiquette set wide variety of rules regarding behavior, including what one should wear and how long a person should properly mourn. Failure to comply would not only be seen as dishonoring the dead but also would reflect adversely on the violator's moral character. For example, a woman was expected to be in deep mourning for two years after her husband’s death, wearing only black garments and accessories. Mourning etiquette applied to jewelry as well. Victorian mourning jewelry used somber, dark-colored materials, such as jet, or, in this example, deep black onyx.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

6881-172

Ring in the Holidays!

Who needs five golden rings when you have one as beautiful and elegant as this?  Cast in gleaming 18 karat gold, with a center band of sparkling diamond baguettes, this shimmering ring resembles a bow, making it the perfect holiday gift.

It is stamped inside both "18K"and "750" (this number indicates that the metal is 75 percent pure gold, another way of denoting 18 karat gold), as well as a maker's mark.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

1-74738

Reach for the Golden Ring. . .

. . . especially one as beautiful and elegantly understated as this one.

Of gleaming 14 karat gold, the streamlined band supports a single oval faceted stone that sparkles with the warm colors of amber and honey.  This striking ring is the perfect accessory for any outfit and would make a wonderful gift.