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Blog CF - Fine Jewellery & Antiques

Vintage Graduation Gifts - 2016-06-03

Vintage Graduation Gifts

Something Antique or Vintage for a Lovely 2016 Graduation Present

Time has flown, it's moved too fast and now your baby's classes are past. Where did the time go?

June marks the end of the Educational journey of both Secondary and Post secondary students. As your heart swells with pride and your eyes with tears over the upcoming graduation of someone special you might also experience the confusion and pressure of finding the perfect gift to mark the occasion. Fear not, Cynthia Findlay's has you covered with a unique selection of timeless options just perfect for the New Graduate in your life!

Is your Grad off to conquer the business or writing world? Tired of the same old standard graduation pen as a gift suggestion? Why not jump back in time to the beginnings of the formal written word with a unique desktop Inkwell accessory? Antique and Vintage Inkwells are a perfect feature for any desk that shows a maturity and a respect for the written word. Their trays are also ideal for pens while various office accessories fit seamlessly in the ink pots (who says historical pieces can't be modernized?).

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Antique and Vintgae Inkwell

Vintage & Antique Inkwells

Maybe the student you're buying for would rather have a graduation gift that they can wear and demonstrate the pearls of wisdom that they've picked up over their time in school. Give your grad a gift with class (and no homework!), with a strand of Graduated Pearls. Although these pearls may not have sat through lectures or pop quizzes to get their degree they are created and perfected overtime in nature. Graduated pearls are carefully strung in a pleasing arrangement that accentuates any neckline. A Princess length strand (17-19 inches) will leave your graduate feeling like the belle of the ball and provide an air of sophistication that pairs with any interview outfit!

vintage graduated double strand pearls

Vintage Pearls

Marilyn Monroe famously said 'Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world'. We look with pride on students who are wishing for the world and reaching for the stars as they graduate, but sometimes the makeup helps to put a little colour in those cheeks when life gets a little tough. Give your graduate the gift of a beautiful classic compact, and the confidence to take on the world. These fun and intricate pieces can be filled with a favourite makeup and the mirror inside offers a reminder to smile and be proud of all that they have accomplished.

antique vintage gold enameled compact

Antique & Vintage Compacts

Another timeless Graduation present that never goes out of style is the gift of a watch, in honour of the time that has flown by. You've watched them grow and now it's time for them to make their way into the world. Wristwatches are still a necessity in life and work; despite the clocks on our cell phones, and there is a sense of purpose and maturity that comes from wearing a watch that doesn't light up with digital numbers or pictures of cartoon characters. For an interesting antique flare why not buy a pocket watch as a gift? You can have it engraved with an inspirational message that will always be treasured.

Antique Vintage Pocket Watch

Vintage & Antique Pocket Watches

Graduation is both the start and end of a journey. Celebrate this June not only for the accomplishments that have been earned but also for the possibilities and the bright future that lie ahead of your favourite student. Don't let the stress of choosing a present stand in the way of the pride and the joy of Convocation; let the friendly staff at Cynthia Findlay's give you a hand with that one of a kind present that you're searching for.

Emerald - Birthstone of May - 2016-05-10

Emerald - Birthstone of May

A look at Emeralds in vintage and antique rings & jewellery

"A Livelier Emerald Twinkles in the Grass" (Tennyson - Poet Laureate 1880-1892)

Mappin Edwardian Emerald and Diamond Ring

In true Tennyson fashion let's wax poetic about Emeralds, one of the rarest and most beautiful of gemstones, and the place they've held in Vintage and Antique jewellery. (Not to mention their place in the hearts of modern brides!)

The Beryl species' most precious Gem is also the Birthstone of May, and with its lush green hues it captures all the natural Spring shades of Green.  Emerald rings are historically tied to Ancient Greek and Roman goddesses of Love and passion.  What woman wouldn't love a ring whose history places her among the likes of Venus or Aphrodite?

Not enough to convince you that a Vintage piece of Emerald jewellery makes a great gift for not only May birthdays, but also for that special someone? 

Cleopatra started the trend of Famous Beautiful women decked out in Emerald jewelry in Ancient Egypt.  During the Victorian Era (1835-1900) it became popular to wear your birthstone as the center stone of your engagement ring.  Before May "Two-Four" became the 'official party holiday' it was officially a celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday.  As a May baby Queen Victoria happily sported a particularly unique serpent and Emerald ring as her engagement band.  

Following in the footsteps of these Great Queens Elizabeth Taylor brought the rare and beautiful Emerald back to popularity during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Emeralds boast a rich and unique backstory that is perfectly framed by a vintage setting carrying a story of its own.

Vintage Emerald rings can be found in many cuts but one of the most popular ones takes its name from the stone itself: the Emerald cut (pictured above). The Emerald cut was in fact created for the Emerald stone as the carved edges helped to strengthen the stone's profile and durability by providing less exposed edges in the setting.  Because a stone's natural imperfections are more visible in this cut Vintage Emerald cut Emeralds (yes that is the technical name!) were traditionally chosen for their clarity and tend towards higher quality stones.

 

Antique Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring

These beautiful green stones are made all the more interesting for their flaws. It is rare to find an Emerald without a natural inclusion visible to the eye. These inclusions make the Emerald a more delicate stone less durable than Diamonds or Sapphires. It's exactlythese flaws and temperaments that make Emeralds so Unique and valuable!

Vintage Emerald and Diamond Ring

If this blog about Emeralds left you Green with envy, or inspired by thoughts of Love and loyalty symbolized in the form of a 'Lively green' Vintage Emerald ring, come on down to Cynthia Findlay on King or shop online.  We've got a vast selection of Vintage Emerald Rings and jewelley that makes a perfect gift for that Someone special!

Vintage Engagement Rings & Modern Brides - 2016-02-13

Vintage Engagement Rings & Modern Brides

A Great Write Up In The Star About A Couples Cute Vintage Engagement Ring Story

Vintage-Engagement-Rings-Finds-Favor-With-Modern-Brides-Toronto-Star-Cynthia-Findlay-Antiques

For the full story please visit our press page by following this link. 

www.cynthiafindlay.com/press

RVP