In different cultures wearing coral has different meaning. In Slavic countries coral beads were a part of the national costumes. The ancient Romans believed coral protected their kids from danger. Same in Italy, where in the beginning of 20th century coral jewelry was believed to be an anti-evil eye protection.
Today coral is worn as a chic accessory with meaning and admired for its exceptional natural beauty. The silky coral texture and a variety of coral colors attract jewelry lovers all over the world.
Once considered as a plant, coral acquired the nickname “garden of the sea”. In fact, coral is a brunch forming by microscopic species called the coral polyps. It grows in the ocean and forms massive colonies.
Coral value is based on color, size, cut and polish. Generally, there is red coral, light and deep pink coral and orange coral. Other colors such as brown, gold and even blue and black are more exotic. They are shown in conchiolin corals that grow not as branches but as concentric circles.
Mediterranean red coral is the most valuable due to its deep red color. It is harvested as deep as 200 meters in the Mediterranean Sea. Pink coral is dense and covers the whole spectrum of hues, from close-to- white, pale pink to salmon red. It is mostly found near Japan.
Due to its glassy, hard texture, coral is loved by carvers and engravers.
Vintage Jewelry:
Vintage jewelry is something we can talk about for days. Since the subject is that big and has multiple aspects to discuss, we’d like to focus on the most important parts of it. So, what is vintage jewelry? Why it's so appealing? And how to buy your vintage jewelry online?
In the industry, different sellers and makers have different opinions on the time period when vintage jewels were made. Here at Nadine Krakov, we consider vintage as anything being made between 50 and 100 years ago. Therefore, all jewelry produced from 1930 to 1980 called vintage.
This time frame is comprised of Art Deco , Retro and styles Mid-Century
Why do we love vintage jewelry so much? It's all about the quality of making and – of course – the look.
Vintage pieces were mostly made by hand or at least hand-finished while modern jewels are mainly cast. As the lifestyle back in the days was much slower, jewelry makers literally had more time in their hands. Skilled craftsmen honed their craft and reputation. They couldn’t allow a flimsy, poorly done piece to ruin that. Mass market jewelry didn’t exist at that time. Each little detail of a piece was executed thoughtfully and with the high quality in mind.
How to shop your vintage jewelry online? Ask questions about maker's marks and hallmarks, request a video of the piece, and show it to your jeweler. The easiest way to be confident with your purchase is to find a trustworthy, reputable seller. And if you are happened to be in Beverly Hills area, just google “vintage jewelry near me”, find Nadine Krakov Collection store and stop by for a good chat with a sip of champagne.
