Jane Vandell discusses the current trend for bigger and bolder jewellery.

'Forget tentative gold lockets and discreet chains, the current fashion is for bold, in your face effects. Whether the glamour is achieved through fine stones or cheap resins and plastics, jewellery is reverting to the pizzazz of the 70s and 80s, with the more dramatic pieces attracting buyers, whose primary motivation is adornment rather than investment. At antiques fairs across the country, some of the most exciting designs are both progressive and encouragingly cheap...'

Bill Jackman admires the prestigious jewellery created for the Friendly and Fraternal Societies of the 18th and 19th century.

'Not only was my Grandad a buffalo; but my Dad was a moose! They might also have been a Druid or an Odd fellow, a Forester or even a Mason as these were all names given to the highly respected Friendly Societies and Fraternal Societies from the 19th century. Some of these societies even date back to the 18th century...'

Brooches, pendants, miniatures and cameos from the Georgian period onwards are things of timeless beauty as well as highly collectable.

'From Prehistoric times jewellery has played an important role as a symbol of beauty and power. However, whilst the glories of ancient and medieval jewellery are largely the preserve of the museum world, there is still scope for the private collector to purchase jewellery from the Georgian period onwards...'

Arts and Crafts to Art Deco The Jewellery and Silver of H.G. Murphy By Paul Atterbury and John Benjamin.

'With a reputation second to none during his lifetime, Harry Murphy was arguably Britain’s most versatile and innovative jewellery designer of the first half of the 20th century and one of the most influential silversmiths of the Art Deco era. His friends, supporters and clients included major figures from the worlds of art, craft, design and education, for example Sir Edwin Lutyens, Eric Gill, Henry Wilson, Frank Pick, Harold Stabler and Percy Jowett...'

Diamond rings are highly collectable and can be surprisingly affordable. Clare Blake explores the magical world of Tiffany and Cartier.

'It’s easy to see why these intriguing stones have exerted such a fascination over the minds of men - and of course women - with their flawless brilliance. There is a blaze of fire at the heart of every diamond. For centuries diamonds have been coveted objects, prized for their lustre, their extreme hardness and the way they catch and reflect light, making them obvious candidates for jewellery to impress...'

Fascinated by Faïence? A unique sale of Faïence ware is to be held in Torquay this October.

'A former chairman of the Torquay Pottery Collectors Society, Mr Kenneth Hall, who died suddenly last November was an avid collector of Torquay pottery. He, especially in his later years, concentrated on Faïence wares made largely by Watcombe and Longpark. His absolute passion was for scenes with titles and he loved to visit the places depicted and find out their history. Scenes with animals were also favoured, especially the ones with funny images...'

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