ABOUT US

Located in the historic Pike Place Market, Isadora’s has specialized in exquisite antique jewelry for 38 years. Our discriminating collection includes pieces from the early 1800’s through the 1950’s, without a reproduction to be found. Our precious pieces are sent to North American Gem Lab for independent appraisals. We invite you to call our toll free number for applicable discounts. On many of our pieces, we are able to offer between 10-25% off of appraisal value.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Oh, Amethyst: February's Birthstone

Just back from Europe and we have beautiful Amethyst! And the time is near for all of our lovely February Birthdays! Visit us online or in the store. And make sure to ask for any holiday sales!

A Few February Babes:

February 15, 1820- Susan B. Anthony 





And of course:
February 27, 1932-  Elizabeth Taylor





Monday, January 23, 2012

Just in Time for Valentines Day - European Arrivals


Just in time for that special day of love... We have about 150 European Arrivals that would make anyone swoon. Click here to see our most recent!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Garnets! January's Birthstone...

Now is the time to celebrate our wonderful January babe's. 
Isadora's has a selection of beautiful Garnets. Ranging from brooches, earrings, necklaces, and of course rings! Come and indulge. 

For the Queen in your life, here is the perfect garnet brooch.




Thursday, January 5, 2012

Plique-a-jour Jewelry

It is a new year and there are new and fantastic old jewelry pieces to explore.  One of my favorite new/old pieces at Isadora’s is a rare and beautiful Plique-a-jour enamel necklace dating from the 1920’s.

Circa 1920 Plique a jour Necklace

Plique a jour is one of the most rare types of enamel.  It takes a truly talented and dedicated jeweler to even attempt to learn plique a jour as one piece of jewelry can take up to four months to create and one misstep and the jeweler most restart the piece from the very beginning.


Painting in the cells
Why is it so difficult you ask?  Like with cloisonné enamel there are tiny metal cells in the jewelry that the jeweler paints in.  He often uses multiple layers of paint to created the textured beauty of a piece.  And after each layer the piece most be fired.  While painting there is a temporary backing.  This backing is dissolved after the firing of the final layer.  This allows the enamel to be more transparent than other enamels, almost like stained glass.  

Plique a jour was a favorite technique of both Lalique and Fabrage.  The name “Plique a Jour” is French for “letting in daylight”.