M.S. Rau takes pride in offering enchanting things that evoke curiosity and awe, and that cannot be found any place else. That principal most certainly applies to our beautiful antique jewelry collection. Whether you’re searching for a perfectly cut white diamond, rare and unusual colored gemstones or antique jewelry designed and signed by the world’s most influential jewelry designers, you will find something that delights you within our collection. We offer a diverse, radiant collection of gems that hold up to high standards of expertise. 
It delights us to source perfect Colombian emeralds, dazzling antique opals full of fire, large fancy colored diamonds and so much more. And, with a passion for the highest-quality antique jewelry comes a deep knowledge and expertise that we strive to share with our collectors and the public. These educational resources come in the form of blogs and articles written by our in-house experts. It is our hope that these resources will help deepen your appreciation of fine jewelry and help you make informed decisions when acquiring this wearable art. Below are some of our favorite resources, but we are always thrilled to answer further questions.
Gem Guides
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THE 4 CS: WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A WHITE DIAMONDAny journey down the path of jewelry knowledge begins with the white diamond. The most desired of all gemstones, white diamonds are both iconic and timeless. This short article will shore up your understanding of the “4 cs,” namely color, cut, clarity and carat weight. |
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FANCY COLORS, DEFINED: WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A COLORED DIAMONDDid you know that the presence of trace minerals cause colored diamonds to take on their varied hues? For instance, it is nitrogen that gives yellow diamonds their color, while boron is the element responsible for highly rare blue diamonds. Click here for a deeper understanding of how colored diamonds are evaluated, graded and more. |
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LEGENDARY GEMSTONES: RUBIES AND SAPPHIRESMined and highly valued for centuries, rubies and sapphires are versatile, both for their varieties of color, as well as their hardness. Ranking a 9 on the Mohs Scale, these corundum minerals are second only to diamonds in their hardness, meaning they are durable and well suited to regular wear (and adoration). Learn more about these storied stones here. |
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RICH IN MEANING AND COLOR: A GUIDE TO EMERALD EVALUATIONGreen with envy? The emerald has provoked this feeling since at least 330 B.C.! Read this article to better understand the enduring beauty of emerald jewelry, as well as why those of Colombian origin are especially valuable. |
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PEARLS: A COLLECTOR'S GUIDESouth Sea? Tahitian? Akoya? This article will help you understand the nuances of pearls, including origin, shape, size and quality. Read on to deepen your appreciation for the gems of the sea. |
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LIGHTNING TRAPPED: A GUIDE TO OPALSUnique in their formation process and ability to diffract light, opals hold a particular air of enchantment. With the vast majority of gem-quality opals hailing from Australia, the stone has been declared the National Gemstone of Australia and is considered a national treasure. Opal gemstones and opal jewelry can range from fire opals, black opals, white opals and crystal opals. Browse our exclusive collection of antique opal rings. |
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TREASURES FROM BRAZIL: PARAIBA TOURMALINESSeduced by the “swimming-pool-blue” of Paraba Tourmalines? We certainly are too. This short read will inform you about the discovery and ensuing desire for this stunning colored gemstone. |
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A CONSUMER'S GUIDE: 20 JEWELRY TERMS TO CONSIDERReady to take your newly acquired jewelry prowess to the next level? This practical jewelry glossary provides definitions and explanations for 20 terms that one encounters daily in the world of antique jewelry. A quick study will elevate your understanding of important regions, technical terms and more. |
Jewelry and Style Guides
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GLITZ AND GLAMOUR: ART DECO JEWELRYWhat do antique bracelets, antique rings and antique brooches have in common? They are all particularly chic and classic when created in the Art Deco style. The urbanization and industrialization of the 1920s spawned an era of design whose influence we continue to see and feel today. This quick read will provide additional context for these geometric gems. |
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MAJOR JEWELRY MAKERS AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN COLLECTINGLarge, rare gemstones are marked by inherent material value. Often used for antique brooches, colored gemstones are a popular choice for collecting antique jewelry. However, there is an added cultural value when these gemstones are singed or set in designs by major makers. Here you will learn about some of our favorites, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and others. |
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A SPARKLING HISTORY: FIVE ICONIC PERIODS OF JEWELRY DESIGNInterested in the evolution of antique jewelry by design period? This article will help you understand and identify antique jewelry from the following periods and styles: Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro. |
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POCKET WATCHES: THE GENTLEMAN'S TIMEPIECEFunctional and highly collectible, the pocket watch has appealed to time-savvy collectors for generations. Click here for an overview of their history and enduring allure. Browse our exclusive collection of antique pocket watches for sale. |
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THINK OUTSIDE THE RING BOX: YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE IDEAL NON-TRADITIONAL ENGAGEMENT RINGPrefer to stand out in a crowd? With such a wide array of colored gemstones and colored diamonds available on the market today, it is tempting to invest in a non-traditional engagement ring. With a little bit of expert insight, this can be easily achieved. This guide will provide some inspiration and recommendations, along with a historical perspective on antique engagement rings. |
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ETERNAL CLASSIC: WHY WHITE DIAMONDS WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLEIf you're not convinced about the above, this blog will reinforce the idea that “A [White] Diamond is Forever.” Read on to learn more about their timeless allure. |
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has encouraged a newfound appreciation and understanding of jewelry. Now that you have studied up on gemology, as well as the history, cultural and market value of various rare gemstones, we invite you to put this knowledge to use by perusing our current antique jewelry collection. Have a look at these glimmering antique earrings, mesmerizing antique rings and enticing antique necklaces.
Do you want to dive deeper or inquire about a specific piece of antique jewelry? One of our experts would be delighted to assist you. It is our goal and promise to help you Buy With Confidence, and you can learn about our special jewelry acquisition program here. To speak with an expert, call us today at 1-800-544-9440.
