About Aesthetic Engineering Fine Jewels and Antiques

Our Service Pledge

Authenticity 100% Guaranteed. COAs are issued free of charge on any ancient items and jewelry pre-dating 1700 AD. Outside appraisal services available at reasonable prices to both private collectors and the trade.

About Us

Welcome to Aesthetic Engineering Fine Jewels and Antiques!

I founded Aesthetic Engineering Antiques in 1988, long before the internet became the new worldwide marketplace for antiques. I began to specialize in antique jewelry in 1990, and became active in the internet market in 1996. My fine antique jewelry now accounts for 95% of my annual sales.

I hold a Master's Degree in English Literature, and am an ABD Ph.D. in Victorian Studies. I have collected and studied antiques independently and intensively for 30 years in the following areas: ancient, medieval, late-Renaissance, Stuart, Georgian and Victorian jewelry, portrait miniatures, Western world antiquities, historic costume, early American furniture, and decorative objects spanning six centuries. I am a specialist in Stuart, Georgian and early Victorian jewelry, ancient Western World jewelry, historic costume, and portrait miniatures dating from 1600-1850.

Often, I lecture at trade conferences, antiques shows, museums, and universities. In July 2000, I was honored to deliver my first series of lectures on Georgian and Victorian jewelry at "The 21st Annual Antique Jewelry and Gemstone Conference," the world's oldest and best-respected professional antique jewelry conference. I have since served as a member of the New York lecturing faculty from 2002-2015. In 2004, I hosted "Atlanta's First Antique Jewelry Roadshow," and appeared in a related segment on FOX network's "Good Day Atlanta." I have also guest lectured at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design on "The Context of Jewelry in Fashion: 1550-1750."

More recently, I have contributed as a consultant on Georgian-era jewelry for the essential new edition of "Warman's Jewelry - A Reference and Price Guide, 4th Edition" (ed. Kathy Flood, 2010). On March 10, 2016, I delivered a lecture to the American Society of Jewelry Historians at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and returned to NYC to give a new lecture on identifying Georgian jewelry and reproductions for the American Society of Jewelry Historians at Bonhams Auction Gallery, on October 7th, 2019. I was a guest lecturer at The Timken Museum in San Diego for their exhibit "Fashion and Masters" on January 26, 2020, and most recently delivered a Zoom lecture for the American Society of Jewelry Historians in March, 2021. As the COVID19 crisis is abating, I plan to be lecturing back in person in 2023!

I am a member of ASJH (The American Society for Jewelry Historians), and I possess a very thorough library of reference materials and use them constantly. I also have an in-house lab for testing, and I am happy to provide jewelry authentication and valuation services to collectors and the trade. My motto is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!! I love this business, and feel that every item that passes through my hands, for however brief a time, is special, and deserves to be examined and well understood. I also provide identification, education, and valuation services for both collectors and dealers of antique jewelry.

Thank you for stopping by, and enjoy your shopping experience!

Methods of Accepted Payment: Paypal (preferred); US-based personal and business checks; domestic and international money orders made out in USD. Sorry; no wire transfers.

My Layaway Terms: We do not charge for layaway plans. All items priced over $500 are eligible for layaway. Terms are 1/3 down, with from 30-180 days to pay the full balance depending on the price of the item. This includes any reduced or sale items priced over $500.00. Please note that all layaway payments are non-refundable, and layaway items are considered final sale.

My Dealer-To-Dealer Discount Policy: Ruby Lane shop owners get a 10% discount on all items that have been listed for at least two weeks. Discounts cannot be combined. Please provide your shop name and tax ID!

For all other Sales and Return Policies, please click on the "Terms of Sale" link provided!

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