Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Final (3rd) price list of jewellery, circa 1976 & 1996. =>10 photos

 In this final three-essay price list, I've included some prices of jewellery-related tools, bench grinders, and hammers. 

 The name "Eaton" is not a fictitious name, as the name was that of the original owner of "Timothy Eaton". This Canada-wide company closed down only a few years ago.


  Cubic Zirconia gemstones were the 'best deal in jewellery'.



 It's interesting to read the 'promotional advertising' from those earlier days. BTW, as this was a Canadian jewellery company, our spelling is slightly different from that in America.


  Many of those designs are not often seen; there was a heavy emphasis on engraving. For example, in #12 'set of rings'.


  Here are the various shapes of hammers that were used in Canada 30 years ago.
 
 I still have this bench grinder of number #6, being shown. I keep it to 'grind and shape' my gravers.
 
 Here are some 'costume jewellery' pieces that even today can be created in gold.


This engagement ring is named a "Flat Top" setting.


Prices of jewellery circa '1990 & 1975' (ver. #2) 10 photos

 I'm aiming for designs & jewellery patterns from 30 to 50 years ago. To list these designs is no easy task, I shall endeavor to make our blog readers smile.
 In those earlier days, 1975, the price of gold was only a mere pittance of what it is today. Gold was selling (U.S.) at $195.00 an ounce; today, it broke through the $3,800.00 level.
Silver was only $4.45 an ounce; it is now at $49.00 per ounce.
(These metal quotations were viewed on "Google" on September 29th. 2025.)





 I will supply MORE photos and prices in the next essay.






 

Monday, 29 September 2025

RETAIL Catalogues from 1976 => 1996 (Ver. #1) 7 photos

This catalogue (on the right) was the epitome of home shopping, circa 1976; it had 698 pages to saunter through. 
 I'm basically looking for jewellery photos with historical value. Some of those designs are still popular even today.
 The most obvious thing that has changed are the prices.







 Some of these (Canadian) catalogues are between 24 & 49 years old, and many are still in excellent reading condition. 

 In version #2 of this two-part essay, I'll be including jewellery prices of the very popular Cubic Zirconia, as well as Diamonds. Catalogues were very popular decades before the Internet came into existence.

 In my search for these items, if I come across jewellery-related machines, I'll post them as well. (but no promises).


Sunday, 28 September 2025

WAX TO METAL (spacing of holes) => 7 photos

 In this essay are the 'rudimentary techniques' in spacing for drilling the holes for setting gemstones. This process is very useful and should be explained; there are no shortcuts in this process.
                ============================ 
     How were these holes drilled with such precision?
 It's easier to 'realign the holes' in wax than in the metal, as there won't be any soldering required if a mistake occurs.

 When the holes are to be drilled in the wax. There shouldn't be any wax residue remaining around or in the holes.

                          SPACING IN A METAL RING 

  There is one serious error. Can you figure out just where it is?

  

  The major error is that the gemstone that is nearest to the centre stone is too close to the claw settings.

 When the hole is fully drilled, the circumference of the stone will be too close to create any Pave' setting.

 The 'inside spacing' seemed good, but the '3 holes' are not acceptable. WHY?

   Together as a unit, I moved the '3 stones' further away from the claw setting. This is before any drilling was to commence.

 I scribed a faint line on the surface of the ring. These lines will be where the Culet of the stones will be situated.

 

 How much space is required? The rule is that 'the minimum distance must be one third of the width of the gemstone'. That distance allows for the raising of the beads in Pave' Setting.

 If there are 2 or 3 sizes of gemstones, the largest stone should be adjacent to the claws. The result is a 'nice tapering effect'. Always measure the stones before any drilling is initiated.


  When drilling individual holes, it is very important to maintain an even space in between all of the stones.