Intro to Antique Jewelry: History and Materials

image courtesy Gray & Davis
C1707966 seeable

Taught by Anna Rasche

Anna Rasche is an author, gemologist, and historian who has previously worked in the jewelry collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her debut novel, The Stone Witch of Florence, was an October 2024 Indie Next pick, and was recommended by the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, BookRiot and many others. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, CrimeReads, and elsewhere.

She is currently working on her second novel, THE MIDNIGHT DIAMOND, forthcoming from HarperCollins/Park Row.

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Jewelry has been an important part of human culture since time immemorial. An understanding of the aesthetics, ethos and technology surrounding antique jewelry can provide surprising insights to the greater history of the world. Or perhaps you’d just like to understand the difference between carats and karats.

This class will explore the history of jewelry, focusing on pieces produced in the Western World c.1700 – WWII, as well as some of the ancient jewels that provided inspiration for later pieces. Learn the basic terminologies of precious metals, gemstones (diamonds especially!) and stylistic eras.

Whether you are thinking of starting your own little collection, planning on making a big purchase or like looking at lots of pictures of old, beautiful things, this class is sure to set you on the right path. 

This class is presented in partnership with Gray & Davis. Gray & Davis has been a fixture in New York City’s Diamond District for more than a decade, offering a carefully curated selection of bridal jewelry and antique collector’s pieces from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras.

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