This magpie’s nest in Beacon Hill is crammed with costume gewgaws and finer jewelry painstakingly culled from estate sales and individuals. As you scour the cornucopia of bangles, brooches, and tie clips, staffers can cheerfully school you on jewelry basics, like the differences between 1940s and 1950s cameo pins.

Twentieth Century Limited | 73 Charles St., Boston, MA | 617-742-1031 | http://boston-vintagejewelry.com/