WHO TO CALL:
Fashion Editor
Layne Christensen

985-2131 (118)

NEWS photo Grad Ledwidge

GRACE REAGH, Birks’ resident gemologis? can “read” a piece of jewelry, fixing
“on clues that will reveal its age, value and stylistic period of origin. Our.
impromptu. model, three-year-old Amanda Bailey, wears a 1925 diamond and

platinum cloche clip, signed by Cartier and valued at ‘$21, 000.

OR COLLECTORS Lay ee , lace with Burmese rubies
of estate jewelry it’s bat and South American aqua-
the thrill of the: Christensen : marines that belonged toa
. lancouver Woman and now
chase that makes the prize - : 7 ".- sits in the showcase at Birks
that. much more coveted. Gs * downtown store. It’s price
ke shopping for vintage 14 ; ~ “> tig? Eight thousand dollars.
clothes when you happen upon “ef : Victorian”
that special piece, you know it es! : ;
_was meant for you, even if it ae : During the mid-.tu late
~ was created 30, 50, 100 years ' . 1800s, jewelry wearers took
ago and has probably had a suc- | / their lead from Queen
_ cession of wearers. It brings as: notes Wictoria. All of England
with it a special piece of history, went into mourning when
and it’s that history that Birks” the queen’s consort, Prince
resident gemologist. Grace Reagh. concems Albert, died: Symbolisin and sentiment
herself with when appraising each item of that reigned and memorial jewelry like lockets,
‘makes way through Birks’ grand brass-han- with a photo of the dearly departed in front
., dled doors. ; os —
' Reagh “reads” each piece to determine its See Designs page 26°.
“age and value and get a handle on its history. . ; peated
The jewelry i is sold! on consignment and may
-conie from #. variety of sources, but usually its
“wearer is someone local...
Each piece has a story to tell and generally
‘can be placed in a stylistic period, the most -
common of which are listed below.
. Georgian

As a decorative period, “Georgian” coin-
cides with the reign of the Hanoverian kings,
George L through 1V, between 1714 and 1830.
Gold was exceedingly rare in these pre-Gold
- Rush days. Even so, the: high-karat omuate and
jewelled pieces that surface from this period
are surprisingly inexpensive.
Garland necklaces with jewelled drops that
detach and can be worn‘as brooches or hair
ornaments were popular and can still be found =. THIS DIAMOND and platinum spray’

"NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge today. Reagh points to a'double-garland neck- , was made in France j in the 50s.

eglneray te ae S|

‘8 Enzo ‘ Kenneth Cole ® Aerosole 0 Unisa

By : 4

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