reclaimed, restyled and reinvented vintage jewelry

The Two Girls Gems collection is made by hand selecting quality vintage pieces and combining them with modern beads, chains and gemstones. Buckles, clips, brooches and chains are all reinvented; the transformation of each piece inspired by its unique vintage elements. The result is heirloom pieces for the next generation. We take pride in primarily using sterling silver or 14K gold or gold fill.
To see our full collection visit our website www.twogirlsgems.etsy.com.




Saturday, November 29, 2014

Long Layering Necklaces 

The Layering look for winter elegance is sophisticated, elegant and easy. This season we are particularly into our long layering necklaces, they are so easy to throw on and versatile. Long or short the look you want is easily achieved.



We love using antique gentleman's pocket watch links combined with new beaded gemstones. In addition the two toned combination makes it easy to mix and match with either gold or silver. Labradorite is a great gem that brings out the hues of both gold and silver. Mixing the different textures of the chains and making them asymmetrical can give the illusion of multiple chains when you double just one up around your neck for a shorter chain look.

 Long chains became a popular look in the 1920s with the flapper dress. The long chains created movement and drama and along with the short flapper dress the elongated strands seemed to flaunt the provocative hemline.









Friday, November 28, 2014

                        Happy Thanksgiving

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble 

Monday, November 10, 2014

                           Gearing up for the Holiday shows 
 This year we have four holiday shows to gear up for. The picture above is Sarah setting up at the WAC the Women's Athletic Club downtown Chicago just off Michigan Avenue. What a beautiful historic building. They still have an elevator man who operates the motor controlled lift. No automated landing positions so you have to "watch your step" as the elevated cage door opens for you on your floor. 
Our next stop this season will be November 14th at the Northbrook Hilton Hotel for the 10th annual Girlfriends Breakfast & Boutique sponsored by Friends of Youth Services. Visit our website for all the details and our other events.
www.twogirlsgems.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Game On!

Game Dice Pendant 

This fun pendent came to us from France but may be originally from China. A common three dice game that spread quickly from Asia is Cee-Lo. Cee-lo is a gambling game played with three six-sided dice. There is not one standard set of rules, but there are some constants that hold true to all sets of rules. The name comes from the Chinese Sì-Wŭ-Liù (四五六), meaning "four-five-six". In America it is also called "See-Low," "Four-Five-Six," "The Three Dice Game," "Chinchirorin," and by several alternative spellings, as well as simply "Dice." In China it is also called "Sānliù Bàozi" (三六豹子), or "three-six dice".
As shown above the dice come out of the pendant and are ready for play. This kitsch piece is one of a kind, and a conversation piece! We have but it on a gold vermiel chain. $78.00 with free shipping (limited time) check out our website for other one of a kind gifts.  


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

                          Marvelous Micro Mosaics 

We have long been a fan of Micro Mosaics. When we first started visiting flea markets in our youth micro mosaic jewelry was on our hunting list. Back then they were affordable for a teen age girl and unusual shapes were not hard to find. I started putting my favorite ones on my jackets. I still have my jean jacket with my favorite mosaics and brooches given to me by friends. One of my friends has since past on which makes my jacket even more special and a warm reminder of my friend. 
Soon we started finding broken micro mosaic brooches. The mosaic tiles were all in place but the pin part was broken. So that is when we decided to salvage these pieces and transform them into pendant necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. 


The term “micro mosaic” (also spelled “micromosaic” and “micro-mosaic”) was coined by wealthy 20th-century collector Sir Arthur Gilbert in reference to Roman mosaics composed of little glass bricks called tesserae. Popular and sold to Victorian ladies in the early and mid-19th century, when the tourism trade blossomed in Rome. Today, two other types of jewelry—Florentine "pietra dura" and Venetian mosaic—also fall under the umbrella of micro mosaics from the Victorian era. Most commonly found are brooches and pendants, although bracelets and rings were not uncommon.
The imagery on micro mosaics, as well as cameos, reflected the renewed interest in antiquities and all things from the Classic period. Victorians on holiday in Rome would take home micro mosaic jewelry which served as a modern-day souvenir, a wearable image from the trip.

   These pieces now are a forgotten art, and although they are not made of gold they are heirlooms that we should treasure. They tell a story of a brief period in history and a type of artistry and craftsmanship that has long been forgotten. The pieces we have restyled and transformed are all one of a kind. They have been lovingly restored and re-imagined for the next generation. 



Vist our website to see our entire collection of these amazing mosaics www.twogirlsgems.com

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Metalworking technique Repousse vs. Chasing

This locket is a great example of repousse. The word repousse (with an accent on the e) is French and means "pushed up" ultimately from Latin; Pulsare, which means to push. Repusse is a metal working technique in which a malleable metal is ornamented by hammering on side. This technique creates a raised design on the front side. This is a relatively economical method that produces a diversity of effects. 
Chasing is the opposite of repousse. The background on the backside of this locket has used chasing to create the sky.  Chasing is from the noun "chase" which refers to a grove, channel or indentation, also known as embossing. Often these two methods are used in conduction to create a finished piece. Both these methods date back to Antiquity. 


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Inspired by Spring 
The Daffodils by William Wordsworth 

I wandered lonely as a cloud
  That floats on high o'er vales ad hills, 
When all at once I saw a crowd, 
A host , of golden daffodils;
  Besides the lake, beneath the trees, 
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
  They stretched in never-ending line 
  Along the margin of a bay:
 Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
  A poet could not but be gay, 
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and-gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
  In vacant or pensive mood
They flash upon that inward eye 
 Which is the bliss of solitude:
And them my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils. 

Flowers are the gems of nature 



Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy Valentines

                              I love this video and the dreamy imagery, and Kate Spade  Happy Valentines Day

Thimble Necklace

















Thimbles have a long history and were often given as love tokens in the Victorian era when gifts between men and women were discouraged.  When married the women would remove the bottom of the thimble to form a wedding band. The one above has a beautiful grape motif and is sterling silver (English hallmark) with a frame for engraving. We have hung it on a sterling chain with Labradorite and it can be worn long or wrapped around your neck - lariat style. We love these forgotten treasures of an era that has changed but not forgotten.