Why I Love My Antique Jewellery Box – And How You Can Own One For Your Jewellery
Many women have fond memories of jewellery and jewellery boxes from their childhood. Often we have learnt about jewellery from older women mentors, whether grandmothers, mothers, aunts or sisters. Our memories of a relative’s antique jewellery box or the children’s jewellery box we were given remain with us into adult life.
A Family Affair
I remember my Aunt Maude’s precious antique jewellery box, which stood on her dresser, surrounded by bottles of lavender perfume and talcum powder. Aunty Maude forbade my five-year-old self from touching the antique jewellery box without her adult supervision. This she gladly provided. Aunty Maude loved telling me stories, some of them undoubtedly fabricated, about the many pieces of jewellery in her dazzling collection.
Aunt Maude’s beautiful antique jewellery box was a finely crafted case of rich, shining maple wood with a glistening lock and a velvet inlay. Upon turning the small key in the lock and lifting the glossy lid of the box, a sparkling display of colourful gems was revealed. It always took Aunty Grace a good few minutes to show her jewellery collection. It may have been a consequence of her advanced age, but I suspect my aunt took her time for my benefit. I watched her eagerly as she gradually turned the key and slowly lifted the lid of her beautiful antique jewellery box.
Aunty Maude was the only surviving relative on my mother’s side of the family. She acted as a surrogate grandmother, complete with wispy grey curls and a face of happy wrinkles, wrinkles from a life well-lived. Uncle John, whom I never met, was a diplomat who loved his wife dearly. Because they travelled throughout their marriage, Aunty Maude’s antique jewellery box included pieces from far away places like India, Russia and South Africa.
Aunt Maude was very fond of antique jewellery and, of course, needed an antique jewellery box in which to store her glistening treasures. Her collection included a Victorian necklace dripping with rubies and an Art Deco brooch with emeralds and diamonds.
Favourite Favourite Things!
Of all the pieces in my grandmother’s antique jewellery box, my favourite was an Edwardian engagement ring with intricate, lace-like detail. When my aunt took this ring out of her antique jewellery box, she would hold it up to the light and admire the champagne diamond shimmering in the light. She would always recount the story of Princess Mary, who received the most petite diamond engagement ring at the age of two on the occasion of her betrothal to Dauphin of France, son of King Francis I. When Aunty Maude passed on in 2012, I inherited her champagne diamond ring.
How To Find An Affordable Antique Jewelry Box For Your Jewellery Collection
If you’re like me, then you’re undoubtedly one of those people who are fond of old things. If you are one of those people who are fascinated with antique items, consider getting an antique jewellery box for your jewellery collection. Antique jewellery boxes do not necessarily cost a fortune. Although some antique jewellery boxes are costly, there are also some affordable antique pieces. You just have to look in the right places to find them. To help you find the right jewellery box for your jewellery, here are some of the best places to start your hunt.
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Car Boot Sales And Flea Markets
Flea markets and car boot sales are amazing places, and if you spend time going around them, you will most likely find many exciting things. Find a flea market near you and go there early in the morning just as the stallholders start opening up so that you avoid the crowds and catch the good items before later visitors snap them up!.
With the crowd pushing you around, you can take time to rummage through the things on display at the different stalls. Moreover, since the sellers are still not so busy, you will have time to talk to them and ask them if they have some attractive antique jewellery boxes hidden somewhere that you have not yet seen.
It will probably take you more than one trip to the flea market to find what you want, so be patient. If you cannot find a good antique jewellery box on your first visit to the market, you can always come back some other day and hunt for that lovely antique that captures your heart. Who knows, you might even find other treasures in the flea market other than that much-coveted jewellery box.
Online Bidding Sites
There are several online bidding sites, including eBay, that are offering some unique items such as antique jewellery boxes for very reasonable opening bid prices or very sensible Buy It Now prices. To get the best deals on these online bidding sites, bid towards the end of the bidding time. This way, you can already see how much the other bidders are willing to pay for that item up for bidding.
If you think that the item up for bidding is well worth more than the present highest bidder is willing to pay for it, place a higher bid to win. Just make sure that you do not bid more than the item is worth in the open market or end up on the losing end.
Buy A Good Jewellery Box!
Just because you like the look of a box and it appears to be in good condition does not mean that it is the right box to buy! There are a few things to look out for that apply to all jewellery boxes, no matter old or new they might be.
We think of diamonds as being hard, and they are, but diamonds and other precious stones can be damaged by being kept close together. Look out for a box with a soft lining; velvet or silk are good choices. Avoid any jewellery box that does not have enough compartments to keep all your jewellery separate. This will enable you to prevent scratching, and, of course, necklaces and bracelets will not get tangled up with each other!
If possible, look out for a box that is large enough to hold all your jewellery but is portable enough to be hidden away, out of sight of housebreakers or visitors you do not fully trust!
Thanks for reading this article and sharing my memories. I hope that you find precisely the right antique jewellery box for your collection and that you create memories to pass on to your daughters, nieces and grandchildren!
Of course, you need beautiful jewellery to go in your antique jewellery box, so, please take a moment and look through our collections of beautiful diamond jewellery. All our jewellery is designed and handcrafted in the United Kingdom. There will be something that will make your jewellery box complete!
