Bedecked. Bedazzled, and Bejeweled

Today hubby and I went to the Charleston Museum.

They have several special exhibits, in addition to the regular displays, one of which was a collection of antique jewelry.

I figured some of my blogland friends might want to join us to view this amazing display of sparkling treasures so I took plenty of pictures:).

The first case was filled with hair jewelry, a very popular form of jewelry during the Victorian era.

The back side of the pieces in this picture can be seen in the mirror below the brooches.

These little treasures are specifically for mourning.

Look at the detail in this ring!

(and yes, that's hair in the design).

This piece has the hair applied over the cross shapped base.

There were two ways to weave hair,

palette work and table work.

Some pieces utilize the hair of several people.

Hair jewelry was also given and worn as tokens of love.

This bracelet has ornamentation added to the braided hair.

The small pendants and other fittings could be ordered from catalogs.

Some people used their own hair while others ordered hair from catalogs.

Remember when Jo in Little Women sold her hair?

Now you know why:).

If you didn't want to make your own jewelry there were many jewelers that did it for you.

If you did do your own hair work you would have used a table like this one for table work (unless you were doing palette-work then you would use something similar to an artist's palette).

There were also lovely treasures from the sea like this demi-parrure set done in seed pearls.

Or this peacock brooch laden with pearls.

Let's not forget the cameos carved from shells.

This cameo set was complete with earrings, necklace, and hair comb. 

These cameos are made from lava.

Of course, pocket watches and fobs were also featured.

This was my favorite pocket watch with pearls surrounding the watch face, chatelaine hook, and elaborate watch chain.

Take note of the woven hair piece with tassels and fob dangliing delicately below.

This watch sports a fob and a watch key.

A watch fob with seal.

Detail of watch fob.

Here are some other treasures that caught my eye.

Well that's the jewelry exhibit.

I hope you enjoyed it!

Come back soon for the clothing and fans exhibit:).