Our Latest News & Blogs
Georgian Jewellery – Part 3
The 18th Century As the century turned neoclassicism was at its height. Napoleon became an emperor, while the Prince of Wales married but continued to philander and run up huge debts. Both sides of the channel were a riot of pomp and splendour with glittering...
Georgian Jewellery – Part 2
The Rise of Neoclassicism By the mid 17th century, the flamboyant rococo style was at its peak, with ladies towering hair and huge skirts were festooned in glittering gem encrusted flowers, scrolls, and feathers. However, the frivolities were soon to come to an...
Georgian Jewellery – Part 1
Glamour, light, and revolution! The Georgian Period Usually described as lasting from 1714 when George I of Hanover inherited the British throne, through the reign of George II, III, IV and William IV, concluding with the ascent of Queen Victoria I in 1837. Lasting...
November’s sunny birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
If you were born in November, you have a choice of two birthstones, topaz and citrine, both of which will add sunny hues to your jewellery collection. Topaz and citrine are colourful gems that are totally unrelated but have often been mistaken for each other over the...
Mourning Jewellery
As the nights draw in and Halloween approaches, we look at one of the more macabre aspects of antique jewellery. In the beginning From ancient times jewellery has been used as an amuletic device to protect the wearer from the ever-present threat of death, disease,...
Opal: October’s birthstone
Opal is the October birthstone and is the focus of the next article in our series looking at birthstones for each month. Opals have a long history and at various times have been considered to bring both good and bad luck. From making a person invisible to having...
The History of Diamonds
What is the history of Diamonds? Prized for millennia and imbued with history and drama, diamonds are so much more than just a 'Girl's best friend.' How much do you know about these beguiling gems?Diamond Formation Formed deep within the Earth billions of years ago, a...
August’s birthstone: Peridot
It is fitting that peridot is the birthstone for August, the sunniest month of the year, as the ancient Egyptians called peridots “the gems of the sun” and believed that they fell from the sky, but that is not the only reason that peridot is out of this world.Ancient...
July’s birthstone: Ruby, ‘king of the gemstones’
Those fortunate enough to be born in the month of July have ruby as their birthstone. The red form of corundum, ruby's name comes from the Latin ruber meaning red. The ancient Indians called ruby ratnaraja, 'king of the gemstones', for its rarity, hardness, and...
Pearl, June’s birthstone and ‘queen of gems’
‘The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens’ - Grace Kelly The birthstone of June is a unique and timeless gem: pearl. Pearls are exclusive among gems as they are found in their alluring natural state, gifts of nature that require no fashioning to...
In the Media
Harrogate jewellery expert sells rare brooch for £80,000
Article in local news about the rare Castellani brooch reaching £80,000 in inaugural join auction with Dore & Rees. Click here to read.
Rare Castellani Brooch set to beguile collectors at 6th July Auction
A rare Castellani micro mosaic Brooch is the star lot of the first Jewellery Auction collaboration between Susan Rumfitt Fine Jewellery and Dore and Rees Auctioneers on 6th July 2022. The Jewellery Auction has over 200 lots to capture the imagination of collectors of...
Christmas Stocking Fillers
Susan's latest column in The Stray Ferret talks about one of Elizabeth Taylor's extravagant Christmas Stocking gifts and highlights other jewellery gift options. Click here to read.
Jewels with the James Bond Seal of Approval
Susan's latest column in The Stray Ferret features some jewels in a local auction that could easily appear in a James Bond movie. Click here to read.
Gold Rush
Susan's latest column in The Stray Ferret covers the importance of gold in Victorian Jewellery. Click here to read.
A Heads up on Tiaras
Susan's latest column in The Stray Ferret is all about the etiquette and history of tiaras and features one recently sold at a local auction. Click here to read.
Celebrating the Brands
Susan talks about vintage jewellery by Designer Brands that feature in an upcoming Elstob & Elstob sale in her latest The Stray Ferret 'Stray Jewels' column ', featuring pieces by Bulgari, Chopard and Baccarat. Click here to read.
Sapphires Aren’t All Blue
Susan talks about the many different colours of Sapphire there are in her latest The Stray Ferret 'Stray Jewels' column ', featuring the stunning multi coloured Sapphire Bracelet by Gübelin from a recent Basic, Better, Best Challenge on the BBC Antiques Roadshow....
Art Deco Jewellery
Susan takes a closer look at the delights of art deco jewellery, including how it developed and the key influencers in her latest column in The Stray Ferret. The results of a recent local Fine Art Sale at Morphets Auctioneers which included pieces from two private...
Amethysts and Aquamarines
Big and bold gemstones are a big hit at the moment, particularly amethyst and aquamarine which are the Birthstones for February and March respectively. Click here to read Susan's column in Harrogate's Stray Ferret.