May's Birthstone: Emerald

May is the heart of Spring, making the Emerald a very fitting birthstone for the month with its colour matching the lush growth and landscapes of the season. Just as Spring is associated with renewal, in the eyes of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the emerald is a symbol of rebirth.

The Egyptians also valued emeralds, considering them to have protective powers, which led to them using the gem in jewellery and burial ceremonies. Cleopatra is possibly the most famous character in history with a fondness for the emerald, using them heavily in her personal adornment and even taking ownership of all the emerald mines in Egypt during her reign.

Some of the oldest emeralds are estimated to be 2.97 billion years old and are still among the most valuable gemstones to own today.

In honour of the dazzling jewel, here is a selection of our favourites from Alfies:

Emerald and diamond baguette ring, 1980s. Available from Kieron Reilly

French Art Deco emerald and diamond filigree earrings, 1920s. Available from Pari's Jewellery

French Art Deco diamond and emerald platinum ring, 1920s. Available from Kieron Reilly

A diamond and emerald bow brooch, 1940s. Available from Zeeba Jewels

A Columbian emerald and diamond gold ring, custom made, 1970s. Available from Pari's Jewellery

Diamond and emerald drop earrings, 1970s. Available from Kieron Reilly

Diamonds are Forever

The birthstone for April is the show stopping diamond, said to be a girl's best friend, we have plenty on display around Alfies.

Almost every civilisation has had some form of lore surrounding diamonds. In Ancient Greece warriors wore diamonds because the stones were thought to strengthen the muscles and bring invincibility. They have also been considered the adornment of winners and were worn as a talisman by many leaders including Julius Caesar, Louis IV and Napoleon.

Throughout history the diamond has also represented eternal love, possibly symbolic of one of the diamond's key features - strength. Diamonds have the hardest structure of any gemstone, are believed to be the hardest substance known to man and can only be cut with another diamond. For all of these reasons, the diamond has become the traditional gem used for engagement rings. However we believe that diamonds look good on everyone!

A 1960s platinum and diamond leaf brooch. Available from Kieron Reilly

An onyx and diamond ring, c1930s. Available from Kieron Reilly

A Victorian silver and diamond brooch. Available from Pars Jewellery

An onyx and diamond ring, c1930s. Available from Kieron Reilly

A pair of Art Deco diamond earrings. Available from Kieron Reilly

An Edwardian platinum and diamond brooch. Available from Pars Jewellery

Dazzling Diamonds

We've all heard the the old adage, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend," and with its brilliance, scintillation & dispersion it's easy to see why. Diamonds, the most popular gemstone, are also the symbol for steadfast love. Another slogan we've heard many times is that, “a diamond is forever.” This is because of the stone’s symbol of deep, everlasting love, as well as the fact that it’s the hardest substance known on earth.

The diamond is also the stone that marks the 60th anniversary of marriage, and is the birthstone for the month of April. Here's a beautifully curated collection of dazzling diamonds available at Alfies.

Old cut diamond (approx 1.2 ct.) on 18ct white gold. Available from Pars Jewellery.

18ct diamond bracelet. French. c1860s. Available from Kieron Rielly.

18ct white gold and diamond ring. Available from Gareth Brooks.

1900-1910 Lizard brooch in 18ct gold with rose cut diamonds. Offered by Pari's Jewellery.

Georgian ruby & diamond ring. 18ct. Offered by Zeeba Jewels.

November's Birthstone: Citrine

Although paired with the gloomy month of November, citrine is often referred to as the "Happy Sunshine Stone" and takes its name from the French word for lemon, “citron". They can be found in a range of pale yellows, to golden browns, and even a lovely burnt amber. 

Citrine was historically known as ‘The Merchant’s Stone’. This harks back to the myths of the Sun Gods in ancient civilisations, when anything golden coloured was seen as being touched by the Gods and therefore extremely beneficial and lucky. It is a beautiful stone and one renowned for bringing the wearer abundance, prosperity and joy.

Below are some of our favourite citrine picks available at Alfies...

Citrine and garnet cross on 18k, c1880, from Zeeba Jewels

Pearl & citrine pendant, c1900, offered by Zeeba Jewels

Edwardian diamond and citrine marquis shaped ring c1900, available from Gareth Brooks

Pearl & citrine brooch, c1900, offered by Zeeba Jewels

18 Ct gold monkey ring with citrine, diamonds, sapphire and tourmaline, available from Pari's Jewellery

Birthstone of August: Peridot

The peridot is a lustrous yellowish-green gem that is not as commonly worn as some other birthstones. For this reason, many people are curious about this underated gemstone when they begin a search for peridot gifts, for those born in August. 

In ancient times, Egypt was the primary source of the peridot, called the ‘Gem of the Sun.' The Egyptians were extremely fascinated with the stone, and they were made into Talisman to ward off evil. Interestingly, the gemstones worn by Queen Cleopatra were not emeralds as it was widely believed, but actually the peridot.

While all peridots are green, it is found in different shades spanning from pale green, olive-green to even bright lime. The most expensive Peridots are sparkling lime-green without brown or yellow hues.  

Below are our top peridot picks at Alfies...

1940s 14k gold ring, available from Pars Jewellery

9kt yellow gold ring, c1960s, available from Pars Jewellery

Peridot & diamond 18kt gold ring, c1920s, offered by Naneen Brooks

Russian 14k gold ring and earring set, with peridot, blue topaz and amethyst, c1960s, available from Pars Jewellery

9kt gold peridot & amethyst pendant, c1920s, available from Naneen Brooks

Bachelor's Day

Leap days are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun. It is still associated with age-old customs, folklore and superstition. One of the most well-known traditions is that women propose  to their boyfriends on this day (also known as “Bachelors’ Day”) instead of the other way around. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how leap day balances the calendar. 

According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men. If refused, the man was obliged to buy her new gloves on Easter Day, the intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring.

At Alfies our dealers have an exceptional collection of men’s jewellery guaranteed to make your loved one shout “YES!”, here's a small selection all offered by Pars Jewellery....

1980s 18ct diamond ring

Vintage signet ring, 18ct yellow gold

18ct gold diamond ring, 1938.

Victorian diamond ring

Jade and white gold diamond cufflinks, 1930s.

St Valentine's Day

St Valentine's Day - hated by some, loved by others - is approaching again. Now associated with mass produced greetings cards and overpriced roses, this celebration actually has simpler roots. Popular legend tells us that there was once a Saint Valentine of Rome who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, and also for ministering to Christians, at that time persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to the tale, during his imprisonment he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

The day was not recognisable as it is to us now until the Middle Ages, when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote 'Parliament of Fowls' containing the first reference to “Saint Valentine’s Day” as an occasion for romance. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "Valentines").

These days the 14th of February is whatever you make it and here at Alfies we advocate love all year round! However, for those of you who still like the tradition of giving gifts, here is our pick of romantic offerings at Alfies Antique Market:

1980s white and black diamond baguette ring, 18ct white gold, available from Pars Jewellery.

Victorian gold acorn earrings, offered by Gareth Brooks

18ct white gold earrings by "Asprey", diamond & aquamarine, offered by Gareth Brooks

Taittinger poster backed on linen, 46cm x 62cm, available from Dodo Posters.

Collection of  Wedgwood candle holders from 1967, available from Robinson Antiques.

Gilded bronze, enamel frame, 1890-1900, available from Hayman & Hayman.

Christian Dior silk gown, 1950s, available from June Victor.

1960s 18ct gold swirl ring with 0.5 carat centre diamond, available from Pars Jewellery.