Christmas Gifts for Her: Vintage Bracelets
In our humble opinion, the tinkling melody of a charm bracelet sounds more beautiful when the charms are at least a few decades old. Imagination? We think not.
RUBY-AND-DIAMOND TENNIS BRACELET
Tennis bracelets are easily one of the most gifted jewelry items for women. This classic tennis bracelet serves up red rubies with exceptional brilliance and glittering diamonds in 14-karat white-gold fittings ($1,500; Booth S-530). This bracelet, discovered at an estate sale, includes 7.25 carats of rubies and 31 diamonds equaling .60 carats.
VICTORIAN CHARM BRACELET
A charm bracelet is a must-have for any jewelry collection. Here’s a Victorian gold-filled charm bracelet that features antique fobs that once hung from pocket watch chains ($495; Booth S-505). This absolute treasure of a bracelet also features a locket and tiny shields—what a gorgeous gift for some lucky lady.
VICTORIAN BANGLE BRACELET
Three garnets and scrollwork adorn this hinged bangle bracelet from the Victorian era ($165; Booth S-506). The bright, gold-filled metal is silky smooth with a slightly frosted finish. This antique bangle is a wearable work of art, perfect as a Christmas gift for a lady with true style.
CHINESE EXPORT BRACELET
This vintage Chinese export bangle bracelet is made of genuine jade in a rich emerald color ($300; Booth S-540). It features 14-karat-gold findings on the clasp and hinge that are faintly stamped with floral motifs; this was a typical style for Chinese export pieces of the 1940s. This midcentury modern bangle is in excellent condition: The jade’s surface gleams with a high polish, and the bracelet’s clasp features the original safety chain.
STERLING SILVER CHARM BRACELET
This sterling silver charm bracelet – created by some adventurous traveler decades ago – follows a travel theme ($88; Booth S-115). The vintage charms include an España shield, a poodle, a frog, a palm tree, the Eiffel Tower, Murano glass and dice. At $88, this is a unique and inexpensive gift for a niece or daughter.
CHINESE SILVER BANGLE
Four cabochon-cut pieces of jade adorn this vintage Chinese silver bracelet ($225; Booth S-115). Designed in a tubular bangle style, the bracelet is silver and is topped with blue and turquoise cloisonné enamel flowers and leaves. The bracelet is likely a piece of Chinese export silver.
FLOWER LINK BRACELET
This vintage flower link bracelet is made of sterling silver and features motifs that were popular in Midcentury Modern jewelry, including wheat sheaves ($95; Booth B-106). This bracelet is an unusual piece for the woman whose jewelry wardrobe is built on sterling silver.