Vintage SeidenGang Jewelry Buying Guide

Looking for Vintage Seidengang Jewelry? Learn about history, jewelry marks, materials used, collectible pieces, and where to buy in this guide.

Each piece of SeidenGang Jewelry, timeless and luxurious, will be kept as an heirloom passing from generation to generation. It is not only an excellent investment, but the glorious patina becomes more beautiful as time goes by.

Brief History of SeidenGang Jewelry

SeidenGang Jewelry was founded in the 1980s by Carol Seiden and Carolyn Gang. They were inspired by a rare collection of Greek and Roman mythological plaster bas-reliefs. (Bas relief is a sculptural technique in which figures or other design elements are raised from the background.) The duo created jewelry that was stunningly beautiful, meticulously crafted and exact in its detail. They were also pioneers in the now-popular concept of antiquity-inspired jewelry.

Carol and Carolyn created jewelry for women like themselves: passionate, enthusiastic, stylish and elegant. They are famous for the process they developed in creating a unique alloy of 18k green gold that resembles the warm color of the high-carat gold used in ancient times. They also created a buzz with their hand-woven chains with hidden clasps, double safety catches, and detachable convertible pendants. In addition, they broke ground in being one of the first lines to target women directly as customers.

Up until the 1980s, women waited to receive jewelry as a gift rather than buy it themselves. The 1980s also saw gender barriers in the jewelry industry beginning to fall by the wayside. Previous all-male clubs such as the 24 Karat Club began to admit women members, and women initiated their own place with the Women’s Jewelry Association was founded in 1983.

SeidenGang Collections

The Classic Collection combines ancient motifs with innovative modern designs that strike a balance between the larger, bolder 1980s styles and classical delicacy, resulting in contemporary classics.

The Odyssey Collection is reminiscent of weathered ancient frescoes that capture the enduring mystery of ancient Greece and the “thrill of discovery” as many of the pieces feature fissures that appear to have brilliant diamonds spilling from them.

The Diamond Jubilee Collection is made up of various shapes of diamonds set in uniquely textured 18k gold.

The Laurel Collection is inspired by 18^th - century French ironwork and the age of romance and and sophisticated elegance.

The original SeidenGang items are highly sought after today.

Today, Carolyn Gang is the President of SeidenGang that sells now directly to the consumer; however, the signature textured 18k gold and lavish use of diamonds and gems remains the same.

SeidenGang Jewelry Hallmarks

• "SG" initials, usually with 18k and/or ©
• Sometimes with “Thailand" or “Athena

Materials Used in SeidenGang Jewelry

• Gold
• Sterling silver
• Bronze
• Diamonds
• Emeralds
• Sapphires
• Tourmaline
• Amethyst
• Garnet
• Aquamarine
• Peridot
• Citrine
• Blue topaz
• Tiger’s eye
• Bloodstone
• Obsidian
• Amber
• Carnelian
• Onyx
• Lapis lazuli
• Tourmaline
• Quartz
• Tanzanite
• Agate
• Serpentine (green minerals found in serpentinite rocks)
• Hematite (black to reddish-brown iron oxide)
• Iolite (blue to violet mineral)

Favorite Collectibles: Vintage SeidenGang Jewelry

Vintage Gold Diamond Bow Ring

Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, the design features a heavy 80's style bow with a 0.15ct Round Brilliant Cut Diamond center.

Vintage Gold Diamond Brooch

From the Odyssey Collection this triangular shaped pin brooch features a figure to the center below a diamond encrusted accent on a textured field. This is a trimmed with raised bars of gold housing diamonds in a bezel settings at the corners.

Yellow Gold Tassle Earrings

Fabulous Signed SEIDENGANG 18kt Gold tassle earrings with heart shaped Tourmaline and Amethyst along with tiny pave diamonds.

Tips for Buying Vintage SeidenGang Jewelry

• You would be very very lucky to find SeidenGang at a flea market or yard sale. You will likely need to stick to high-end estate sales, auctions and consignment shops.
• Vet those venues and the vendors carefully. Referrals are very helpful, but then you need to have complete confidence in the one referring.
• Deal with vendors who have been around for a while. That may be doing a disservice to vendors just starting out, but there is a lot of money involved.
• SeidenGang is fairly difficult to copy, but due to its price, you must be alert to the possibility. So question a piece that is too much of a “bargain.”
• Begin by buying what you love. Later on, it you become a “Collector” with a capital C, you can buy with the sole idea of reselling. To get there takes time and research, but is certainly worth the work.
• Be sure you are knowledgeable about the return policy and pay for the piece with a secure method.

Conclusion

Buying SeidenGang is much like buying a work of art. You can think of your treasure as an investment—and it usually is. SeidenGang has stood any test of time. But you also want your collection to have aesthetic value, so that you can enjoy it for its beauty. 

Please see the SeidenGang pages on Etsy and eBay.