Turquoise: The December Birthstone, a Success Story

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: November 24, 2010

In 1870 Tiffany & Co. pontificated,

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate’er you do.

In 1870 Tiffany & Co. was making and selling beautiful pieces of jewellery. Now, in 2010, Toronto Antiques on King specializes in jewellery of that vintage, some of it even from Tiffany. It is fitting, then, that we are enamoured of this little poem.

Turquoise has a rich spiritual and mythological history. Turquoise’s is most commonly associated with success. Turquoise itself has enjoyed enormous success as one of the oldest gemstones. Toronto Antiques on King wishes you success during the holiday season. If Turquoise is your birthstone, wear it and enjoy your success. If turquoise is not your birthstone, wear it anyways—we could all use a little success.

Check out a selection of our turquoise jewellery online at www.cynthiafindlay.com/turquoise

Posted in Birthstones, Cynthia Findlay, Estate Jewellery, Gemstones, Gift Ideas | Comments closed

Toronto Antiques on King Lends Dining Ware to Style at Home

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: November 17, 2010

The holiday edition of Style at Home has hit news stands and it brings tidings of great joy to home decorators. Do you want to learn how to make a garland out of green ornaments? Do you want to sparkle with gold and silver? Do you want to learn how to set an amazing Christmas dinner table? If you do, check out the December edition of Style at Home. If you want to use the actual table settings that Style and Home used, then come to Toronto Antiques on King. Style at Home borrowed some fabulous green and red dining ware from our store. See our photos of what they borrowed. If you have any question you can, as always, call us (416.260.9057) or check out our website: www.cynthiafindlay.com

Cynthia wants to know: what is your holiday colour scheme?

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House and Home Features Casual and Fine Dining Items from Toronto Antiques on King

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: November 10, 2010

Toronto Antiques on King is thrilled that so many of our casual and fine dining items made it into November’s edition of House and Home. This edition has caused quite a stir among home decorators and Toronto Antiques on King is happy these heirlooms are finding new homes as a result. House and Home featured items from our store that denote cozy dinner parties, yummy home-made baked goods, and comfortable living. In short, this latest edition of House and Home reflects a general tendency to nest that comes to most of us in the late fall. I dare you to read this edition of House and Home and not throw a casual dinner party for four and then cozy up with a book and a hot tottie by the fire, sounds nice doesn’t it? After a summer of vacations but before the hectic holidays people are enjoying restful time at home. This is the time of year that Toronto Antiques on King sells the most china and silver flatware to people who enjoy eating elegantly and who know they do not need to leave home for a perfect meal.

Below are group shots of some of the items from Toronto Antiques on King that appeared in House and Home. Soon they will all be up on our website with descriptions and prices but if you must know sooner give us a call (416-260-9057), we love helping you set the table.

Check out the Mexican wedding balls displayed on our pedestal dish (page 102).This recipe calls for pecans. When I was growing up in the Maritimes my mom loved Mexican wedding balls, except her recipe called for hazelnuts. What kind of nut do you use in your Mexican wedding balls?

www.cynthiafindlay.com

Posted in Antiques, Cynthia Findlay, Gift Ideas, Holiday, House & Home Magazine, Magazines, Style at Home, Toronto Antiques, Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

November Birthstone: Topaz!

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: November 2, 2010

Topaz reminds me of fall. The stone looks like the autumn leaves that this week have gone from the top of trees to the bottom of our feet. Topaz looks like the fabulous fall squashes that have been abundant in gardens this year. It looks like the colour of cocktails that are served in tea cups, a very fashionable trend. Perhaps this is why topaz is the November birthstone, its rich yellow-amber colour invokes luxurious warmth.

Topaz is the traditional anniversary present for the 4th, 19th and 23rd wedding anniversaries. Although there are many mythological and mystical meanings for Topaz (including one that promises the topaz wearer invincibility) the most common meaning associated with topaz is that it is the stone of friendship and fidelity. It’s no wonder it is an anniversary gift three times over. Our website has a selection of our natural topaz jewellery. Go check it out! www.cynthiafindlay.com

Posted in Birthstones, Bridal Jewellery & Accessories, Cynthia Findlay, Estate Jewellery, Gemstones, Gift Ideas, Toronto Antiques on King | Comments closed

Toronto Antiques on King Loves “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”, Especially its Vintage Jewellery

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: October 30, 2010

The staff at Toronto Antiques on King are squinting today and it’s not because we’ve been looking directly at the sun. It’s because we’ve been selling a lot of vintage costume jewellery and boy, does it sparkle something fabulous. Nothing excites our enthusiasm for vintage costume jewellery more than Mirvish Productions’ Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. What a fabulous show! To be in the audience at opening night was to be among Toronto’s A-list of celebrities and fabulous drag queens, all wearing their glam-fab best.

Drag-queens and costume jewellery go together like peanut butter and jam. No other sub-culture has done more to promote glamour than drag-queens. Queens not only push the boundaries of sex and performance, but also of fashion. The vintage jewellery industry is successful today in part because of queens and their historically controversial performances. At Priscilla the fabulous jewellery was not just on stage, but also in the audience. I saw both queens and non-queens bedecked in glitzy costume jewellery, proof of the impressive effects that drag-glamour has had on mainstream culture. (I even saw uniformed police wearing pink boas!)

Visit us and have a look at our vast selection of fit-for-a-queen vintage costume jewellery. Soon we will have a selection of our Sherman costume jewellery up on our website—Just in time for your Christmas shopping.

What kind of jewellery do you wear to holiday parties?

http://www.cynthiafindlay.com/sherman+jewelery

Posted in Entertainment District, Events, Gift Ideas, Holiday, Musicals | Comments closed

Breakfast Television Star is Wearing our Jewellery on Monday October 25th!

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: October 23, 2010

When the holiday’s come Toronto Antiques on King gets ready for a happy onslaught of clients looking for jewellery that sparkles. Gone is the fabulous chunky-plastic summer jewellery and out comes the glamourous glitz. One of the best ways to sparkle at the holiday parties is to put on some vintage costume jewellery. Perhaps this is why Judith Miller  borrowed some vintage Sherman accessories from Toronto Antiques on King to wear on Breakfast Television on Monday October 25th. Costume Jewellery originated as a way to have the impact of a diamond at a fraction of the cost. Over the years however, costume jewellery has become important in its own right. Nobody knows the intrinsic value of vintage jewellery better than Judith Miller, who is appearing on Breakfast television to promote her new book on costume jewellery. Toronto Antiques on King is so thrilled that she chose pieces from our collection to help her celebrate her book release. Look for her between 7am and 9am on Monday, October 25th!

To shop our online selection of either Sherman or Stanley Hagler Jewelery click this link and for a much larger selection please visit our store.

www.cynthiafindlay.com/jewellery/vintage

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Upcoming Textile Show!

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: October 21, 2010

Our good friend Roushell Goldstein visited Toronto Antiques on King on Tuesday. In addition to being an avid antique collector, Roushell is also a textile artist. We were excited to hear about her upcoming show—so excited that we thought you would be too! Roushell is part of a group show, pieceWORK, at the Gladstone Hotel on Saturday Nov 27th and Sun Nov 28. Check it out!

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