What is a "suite" of jewelry?

[Imdanny]

Is it two (or more?) particular pieces?

Or any two pieces?

TIA.

 

[that_someone_special]

Interesting. I think of a suite being the whole shebang ... earrings, necklace, ring, bracelet.

To me, only two pieces would be a "set" ??

I don't know if that is right or anything but that is what came to mind.

 

[LGK]

Three or more pieces is how I've seen it used usually, don't know that there's a hard and fast definition however. Parure or demi-parure is a term I see more often than suite, at work. Parure would be *everything*- that is, matching bracelet, necklace, earrings, brooch at minimum. Demi-parure would be any smaller combination of those.

 

[Imdanny]

Thank you both.

I think (don't quote me) I've seen it used different ways.

I'll try to post some examples if I find them.

There was a time when a Parure had to have a stomacher. Probably not so much anymore.

 

[Imdanny]

Ok, this is Lang's Victorian section up to page 40, suites and sets. Maybe I'll try to see how they are using these two terms (or you can gentle reader!)

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1914

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/90-1-816

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-3-1965

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-839

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-2373

Suite (again):

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-1685

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1995

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-2602

Suite (again):

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1994

 

[chrono]

When I see the word suite; I usually think of it as 3 or more pieces:
Ring
Earrings
Pendant
Brooch

Parure to means the whole nine yards to me: ring, earrings, pendant (necklace is better), brooch, bracelet, etc. I think royals are the only ones still wearing a stomacher today.

 

[Imdanny]

Ok, this is Lang's Victorian section up to page 40, suites and sets. Maybe I'll try to see how they are using these two terms (or you can gentle reader!)

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1914 pen/pendant AND earrings

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/90-1-816 a necklace, earrings, hinged bangle and brooch with detachable drop

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-3-1965 The pin measures 2 3/4 inches across and the drop earrings are 2 1/4 inches long

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-839 3 pins

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-2373 pin and earring set

Suite (again):

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-1685 an intricately detailed suite of a pin and matching earrings

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1995 pin and two earrings

A set:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/50-1-2602 brooch and two earrings

Suite (again):

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/20-1-1994 watch pin and two earrings


Ok, if Lang is using "suite" vs "set" in a consistent way, I'm not seeing it.

 

[JewelFreak]

Danny, when Sotheby's uses the term in their auction catalogs it refers to 3 or more pieces, which can also include one or more "sets." I've seen them call a set of cufflinks & a set of shirt studs, for instance, a "suite of gentleman's dress items."

I think a "suite" and a demi-parure are often used interchangeably. The website, All Info About Jewelry Making, defines a demi-parure: "A matching set of jewelry, such as a necklace/earrings/pin set. Typically not as extensive a collection as a parure." i've seen auction houses use "suite" to describe the same thing.

--- Laurie

 

[Imdanny]

Thanks.