Hans Wilsdorf – The Exceptional Man Behind Rolex Hans Wilsdorf moved to London in 1904, bringing with him Wilsdorf and Davis watchmakers. Feeling uncomfortably Germanic during World War I, Wilsdorf wanted the brand name to be easily pronounceable in any language, and short enough to fit on the face of a watch. He also thought that the name "Rolex" was onomatopoeic, sounding like a watch being wound. Wilsdorf relocated his business to Geneva and changed the name to The Rolex Watch Company Ltd in 1915. Wilsdorf and the team at Rolex spent the inter-war years crafting and perfecting their chronographs, from the first water- and dustproof watch, the Oyster, in 1926 and the world’s first self-winding ‘Perpetual Movement’ watch in 1931 to stress testing Rolex with Sir Malcolm Campbell as he … [Read more...] about How Rolex survived World War 2
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Hallmark Silver vs Silver-plated
Do you have a prized silver antique collection, but do you know if it is solid silver of simply silver plated? Does it really make a difference? Silver plating was developed as an inexpensive way for people who couldn’t afford sterling (or solid silver) to enjoy the beauty of the metal without the hefty price tag. In fact, some manufacturers got so good at creating silver plated items that it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the two. Unfortunately, when it comes to the value of your items, whether you have solid or plated silver makes a big difference, so it is important to be able to differentiate between the two. What is Silver-plate As the name suggests, a thin layer of silver plate is is placed over the item, typically copper, nickel or brass. Often … [Read more...] about Hallmark Silver vs Silver-plated
Diamonds are forever …
Diamonds are known for their extreme hardness, unmatched brilliance, and rich sentimental value. Did you know: The first known use of a diamond engagement ring took place in 1477, when Archduke Maxmillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring featuring an M spelled out in diamonds. Diamonds weren’t always available to the general public. During the twentieth-century France laid down a law, which indicated that only the King was allowed to wear diamonds. If a peasant or non-royalty member of the community was seen wearing the fascinating gemstone they would be dealing with serious consequences. Around this time, diamonds were exceptionally rare. It was the discovery of diamonds in South Africa that changed the world diamond industry forever. Legend of Diamonds The Ancient … [Read more...] about Diamonds are forever …
June – The timeless Pearl
Celebrate your June birthday or 30th Wedding anniversary with Pearls, this beautiful stone is the only precious jewel that is created by a living animal. Pearl Symbolism Pearls are very much associated with the feminine world. It has its origin in the water. The round shape has it connected to the moon. The pearl represents purity, love and also sexuality. It is also associated with hidden wisdom, patience and peace. Pearls have been throughout the ages a sign of wealth. Color Meaning of the Pearl Pearls come in different colors and each color symbolizes a different meaning. The blue pearl was traditionally associated with love. The brown pearl was worn for protection. The pink pearl was thought to promote fame and success. Black pearls was used … [Read more...] about June – The timeless Pearl
Is your brooch vintage or antique?
How to date a vintage brooch • If you see a brooch, the first thing to do is to check out its clasp mechanisms. The ‘T-bar hinge and c-clasp’ types (see photos below) were generally used from the 19th Century up until the around 1920s. Some modern artisans still prefer to use a c-clasp – but on modern brooches you’ll probably never see a T-bar hinge. • Check the length of the pin itself – generally speaking, the longer the pin, the older the brooch (this was perhaps due to clothing being much thicker and heavier in the old days, so a long pin was needed to keep it in place securely). PINS - Generally, the greater the diameter and heavier the material, the older the pin. Heavy pins were acceptable in the loosely woven natural fabrics of the 19th century. The finer … [Read more...] about Is your brooch vintage or antique?
Do Collectors World sell items on Bid or Buy and other online platforms?
The antiques and collectibles category is one of the most popular on bidorbuy.co.za. Unsurprisingly, most of our antique and collectible objects listed on the bid or buy site are sold in the auction format. In the past, the antiques and collectibles world used to be a restricted affair, confined to regional or, at best, shops and markets. The Internet, and all the social media and selling platforms have changed that. It has opened a global market place, connecting overseas buyers and sellers. The items out buyers would normally spend months or even years tracking down are now available at any time, from a computer at their home. We have shipped to so many countries already, USA, England, Japan, Latvia, and so many more … We pride ourselves on our knowledge on the items we … [Read more...] about Do Collectors World sell items on Bid or Buy and other online platforms?
What is white gold? How is it made? And how does it differ from yellow gold?
Here we will take an in-depth look at white gold, it’s pros and cons – and gives you buying tips for when you’re buying jewellery. What is white gold? White gold is an alloy of gold. This means that it is made up of pure yellow gold, mixed with alloy metals that have a silvery-white color, such as palladium and silver. Why is it mixed with alloy metals? In all gold jewelry, pure gold has to be mixed with harder metals for added durability and strength. This is because on its own, pure gold is a very soft metal. Without the harder alloy metals keeping it rigid, pure gold would easily bend out of shape – and that’s no good in jewelry. This is the case whether the jewelry is made from yellow gold, rose gold or white gold, because in any of these variations, gold on its own … [Read more...] about What is white gold? How is it made? And how does it differ from yellow gold?
Deceased Estate Valuation Service
Collectors World offers a supporting function to Deceased Estate Administration services. With over 20 years in the antiques, collectables & luxury goods industry, we use our knowledge and experience to conduct comprehensive deceased estate valuations. We value the contents of movable goods at their replacement, depreciation and current market related value. Pricing for valuation services are based on the type of valuation requirements. For an estimate, please send us more details of what requirements you may have. … [Read more...] about Deceased Estate Valuation Service
