Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals/Expert Profile

Expertise

We are collectors, hobbyists and dealers in memorabilia and antiques - especially antique vintage and costume jewelry items. For 10 years we owned an antique shop here in Central Florida but retired and reopened a site on the internet that specializes mostly in antique jewelry and accessories such as perfume bottles, etc. Bill is informed on general antiques specializing in china and silver or sterling tablewares while Sally tends to jewelry and paper/advertising ephemera. We receive a lot of general questions from our site and would be glad to try and answer or give direction not considered for official appraisal purposes, i.e. estate or insurance.

Experience in the area

10 years as antique shop owners 8 years as a jewelry designer supplying designs to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and MGM as well well as other limited outlets.

What do you like about this subject?

Always something new to learn about our past.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Continue the enjoyment of finding, researching, collecting and to share knowledge with others.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Reproductions of thousands of antiques, including jewelry items are being made and are increasingly difficult to tell from the originals.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Proceed with caution, know your dealer and your subject. Always read full descriptions and ask questions before buying.