Maine Antique Digest, April 2017

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20-D Maine Antique Digest, April 2017
- FEATURE -
14-D
“Curating an estate
jewelry store is creative
and exciting work.”
Antique Jewelry & Gemology
A Virtual Visit with Attos Antique and Estate
Jewelry, Portland, Maine
by Mary Ann Brown
Photos courtesy Attos Antique and Estate Jewelry
This month we view the antique jewelry
market from the perspective of a jeweler
and store owner, Attos Santana, and his
company, Attos Antique and Estate Jewelry in
Portland, Maine.
During the February storms that happened
in Maine the week of Valentine’s Day (when
traveling to Portland from the midcoast area was
not an option), I visited the store via the website
) and found a
wide variety of jewelry available for sale in the
following categories: Victorian, Edwardian, Art
Deco, retro, mid-century, and modern.
By the time you read this, spring will
practically be arriving in the Northeast, and a
visit to Portland, Maine, will be a wonderful idea.
Though we don’t usually find ourselves saying,
“Thank heavens for the Internet,” it did come
in handy in this case. I e-mailed questions, and
Santana and employee Nicole Souter answered
them in a comprehensive way that lent itself to
a question-and-answer format for this column.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of the
jewelry business?
A: Our favorite aspect of the jewelry business
has to be a tie between buying and working
with our clients. Buying is great fun. Curating
an estate jewelry store is creative and exciting
work, and there’s nothing like seeing an unusual
piece of antique jewelry for the first time. It’s
like holding a beautiful piece of history in your
hands.
But just as important and enjoyable to us is
our relationships with our clients. As small, local
estate jewelers, much of our business comes
from repeat customers with whom we have
built strong relationships over the years. We get
to know folks in such a unique way, working
with young couples looking for engagement
rings and bridal jewelry, all the way up through
30th wedding anniversaries. It’s a truly unique
view into someone else’s love story, and we feel
honored to be a part of that.
Q: How long have you been in Portland? Is
there anything you’d like to say about your
background?
A: Attos got his start in the jewelry business
almost 30 years ago, and our shop has been in
the same location in Portland for 17 years. Attos
Estate Jewelry is a small family business, and
Attos Santana holds it all together. He is owner,
curator, and designer-by-request. The company
exudes his vision, and his wealth of knowledge
cannot be overstated. Nicole started working
with Attos over ten years ago. As she learned
more and more about estate jewelry, she found
it especially fascinating how the history and
culture of a time period was reflected in the
jewelry. Soon she found herself reading every
book she could find on the subject, and today she
is certified in diamonds and diamond grading.
Q: How do you think the antique jewelry
market is doing? Is there a specific period
that is more popular with your clients? Are
your customers a range of ages?
A: We feel blessed to work in the estate
jewelry market. Though our pieces tend to be
in a higher price range, they hold their value
tremendously well in comparison to most
modern jewelry. This means that even though it
is a luxury item, folks know that estate jewelry
is a sound investment. That makes our market a
bit different than other luxury items.
This pair of 2" long Victorian 14k yellow
gold and banded agate earrings is priced
at $475. This pair of antique 18k yellow gold and
coral earrings with openwork shield-
shaped chandeliers suspending coral
pieces is $925.
This 2" x 2" Art Nouveau
ruby, pearl, and diamond
gargoyle pendant with
French hallmarks is set
with an oval Burmese ruby
measuring 6.75 x 5.5 mm. The
pendant suspends from a fine
cable chain measuring 19"
long. The pendant necklace is
priced at $15,000.
This silver over gold circa 1860
shield-shaped Georgian brooch
is set with 80 old-mine- and
rose-cut diamonds weighing
approximately 3.50 carats total.
It is priced at $4250.
This 14" long Victorian
14k yellow gold bead
necklace, the gold beads
measuring 5.5 mm wide,
is priced at $295.
This Victorian 14k yellow gold,
enamel, pearl, and diamond ring
is centered with a 5.6 mm cultured
pearl, surrounded by 13 old-mine-cut
diamonds weighing approximately 1.00
carat total. It’s priced at $2500.
This Victorian 14k yellow gold, pearl,
and diamond mesh-style 7½" long
bracelet is set with two European-cut
diamonds weighing approximately
.40 carat total and one cultured
pearl. The clasp is decorated with
bead- and wirework. It’s $2500.
This 1900s French 18k yellow
gold and seed pearl 16" long
necklace with openwork links
decorated with seed pearls
centered by a large yellow gold
leaf is priced at $2400.
This 1830s 14k yellow gold and amethyst
18" long necklace, with 13 graduated
oval amethysts, measuring from 20 mm x
15 mm to 12 mm x 10 mm, set within an
openwork twisted wire and granulated
frame, is priced at $8750.