The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-09
LATE FASHIONS
IN EWELRY.

There is at present quite craze for
charms wrought In gold. precious stones
and enamels. and every wise jeweler IL
busy doing his best to bring out some-
thing completely new A recent achieve
ment is perfectly delightful Jack In
the box" exquisitely modelled in gold
and made to shut up and open exactly
like the toys that children favor half
fearful of their witchery. half inthrall-
ed. At touch of the spring in the lit
tie gold box the lid jumps up. and from
the inside springs tiny Jack, ablaze
with colored gems.
Dutch dolls have provided many jew
elers with the means of exhibiting their
workmen's skill. About as long as q
thumb nail, these rather hideous little
golliwogs are jointed and enameled in
precise miniature of the wooden proto-
types of the nursery. One famous nrm
is making speciality OF cufr links
which, may well be called the farfnyard
series. On one side is seen a tiny duck.
on the other bunch Of vegetables, such
as lettuce. asparagus or tomatoes. col
ored to the life Trinkets like these may
well bring a smile to the faces OF staid
ting point Of view OF half century ago.
when every ornament was really
heavy and elaborate piece of workman-
ship ana baubles OF this kind were sim
ply made OF base metal instead OF the
exquisite gold and enamel used now.
Then fallals OF the sort hailed from
Paris, and no self respecting woman
thought OF wearing them-false gew-
gaws, as they were contemporary and
generically termed.
People are prone to talk OF the good
old days when jewelry was really ad-
mirable. placing all stones below the
value OF the diamond. sapphire, emcr-
aid, ruby and turquoise as minor gems.
indeed admitting the turquoise into the
charmed circle of their approval merely
because 40 or so years ago that stone
enjoyed vogue almost as pronounced
as the one 1t has gained again durinA
the past five. Garnets, moonstones.
opals (because they were considered UNI
lucky) and the topaz they contemplated
with indifference. 1t was thought. in
deed, that only second rate people. who
did not possess diamonds. sapphires.
emeralds and rubies, would condescend
to wear the lesser gems.
Happily we OF the present hour are
more catholic in our tastes. Moreover.
we are aware that the trinkets OF today
are In their way splendid evidences OF
the godsmith's craft. There must be an
artist to design those lifelike ducks and
golliwogs, modeler who understands
the anatomy Of birds and beasts and
dolls to put them into shape and
craftsman OF consummate skill 10 touch
in with the necessary delicacy all the
parts that require enamel. Think Of q
drake, for instance and the multitude
nous tints that must go to cmbellish its
head and neck!
There never was day when jewelry
was made to play more occult part.
mingled with a decorative one, than
now. A fiance gives his beloved q per-
fectIy modelled little Cupid, worked in
gold, to dangle as a mascot from the
porte bonheur she wears upon her left
wrist. Pigs are hugely favored. and h
black cats with topaz eyes are held to
convey mysterious good fortune. What
with birthday gems. lucky month jew
els and such possessions as mystic
Jumps OF uncut jade. coral and amber,
women present a very barbaric appear
ance, or would II the exquisite taste OF \
the modern jeweler did not secure to
these baubles an infinity of grace and
elegance.
Every age has its particular Tine"
and that line Is catered TO by the jewell
ers. At present we are distinctly SUI
and more than little child
ish. which accounts for the luck bau-
bles'' and what may well be called the
Above all. we do love
pretty things" and these things that
the jewelers. show are distinctly very
pretty.