Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-71.229.243.181-20130223232312/@comment-4975807-20130224002943

I assumed the apple worked in a land without magic (while storybrooke was still under the dark curse) because Regina got it from the past Enchanted Forest when the apple was still within her power to use as a sleeping curse.

I belileve Rumplestiltskin's Dark One blade didn't work when August tried to control Mr. Gold with it once he had it in his hands because the dagger was directly connected to his powers. So, if he lost his powers due to the dark curse, the dagger wouldn't work, either.

Regina's engagement ring had magic in it, but the ring's magic was not connected to her own powers at all.