Today’s Jewelry Collection Story comes from Alice of @madamefrong – she is based out of Australia and has a jewelry collection that will have you screaming “GOALS!” Her love for bold and colorful gems is admirable and what started out as a hobby has led her to selling some pieces as well! I was excited to see more of her collection and hope you are too:
“I’ve always been interested in gems and minerals, since I was a child I could spend hours in that wing of the Museum of Natural History. Most of my life however I wasn’t too interested in the adornment or jewellery aspect of gems, though I did have one Great Aunt who was always had the most fantastic neckmesses and wrist stacks – which was clearly making an impression somewhere in the back of my child brain. Before she passed she gave me a coral apple pendant which I had bitten a chunk off whilst chewing it as a baby, this is probably my first piece of jewellery!
I started collecting gems and jewels during a difficult time in my life around 6 years ago – lots of “life events” were happening, not the least of which I have been pregnant/breastfeeding/childrearing/not sleeping a lot pretty much continuously for the last 10 years. The new (to me) world of antique and vintage jewels was a revelation. I wouldn’t say it made anything easier but it was beautiful distraction, and also a kind of channeling of positive energy into curating pieces to pass to my kids, and enjoy along the way of course!
Early on I was very drawn to Victorian and early 1900’s pieces, interesting links, ornately worked long guards, delicately crafted fobs and lockets were my main interest. I’ve been lucky to acquire some beautiful pieces that I still marvel at – both at the workmanship as well as imagining how and where the original owners wore the pieces. I particularly enjoy thinking about what the very proper Victorian gentlemen who were the original owners of the watch chains we’re all sporting around our necks would think if they knew 🙂 They’re probably turning in their graves.
As I’ve collected more I’ve become drawn to the bold style of the retro era, coveting vintage Bvlgari, and though I don’t own any I particularly love the work of Suzanne Belperron.
One of the wonderful things about collecting jewellery (in my book) is that there are no rules, if you love it, it speaks to you, go for it! Don’t feel you have to justify it to anyone.”
“I love anything with wings or feathers, also love leaves and flowers and find the Art Nouveau period wonderous, in particular the works of Lalique. The Victorian crescent and star I also love but only have a few. One of the fantastic things about this community on Instagram is being able to enjoy other people’s pieces which normally would remain unseen in private collections.”
“There are so many aspects to collecting jewellery that I love, for me it’s the interface of a naturally occuring gem or precious metal with human ingenuity. There are so many steps and levels of the craft that have to all align to create a wonderful piece – the miners, gem cutters, designers, setters, metal smiths, etc, through to amazing curators finding and making pieces available to us. I’m so thankful to be living in this privileged time and place to be able to collect pieces I love.
I particularly enjoy unexpected pieces, ways of wearing or combination of pieces. Mixing antique/retro/contemporary, white metals and gold, expensive with more affordable, unexpected colour combinations. A few IG creators whose style I particularly love are @francescagrima @jasmyntea @bigohbijoux @foxytangles @themoonstoned and of course @gemgossip!!”
“I have particular sellers on Instagram who I love following, seeing the pieces they find and make available. @estatejewelrymama, @sincityfinds, @1122andco @plattboutiquejewelry @gildedlane @foxytangles @bigohbijoux are only a few of many but their distinctive curations are enjoyable to look at even if I can’t have them all!
Also just for general wonderment that the pieces they showcase even exist – @bijouxancienslyon @frankbeverett @theadventurine
I love poking around in @greeneandgreeneantiques but don’t get to do it much!”
“My method of jewellery storage is not to be emulated, it’s fairly haphazard and probably a study in ADHD – I have two antique jewellery boxes lined with velvet by @goldenponyworkshop and a bunch of vintage cigar or chocolate boxes which have been retrofitted with velvet by @diamondsandbourbon. Absolutely recommend the boxes, just not my method of storage :-)”
