Collecting Vintage Costume Jewelry

Go Green-Eco friendly jewelry

2008-07-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

No only can you dress in an eco friendly way you can also accessorize in a way that does not hurt the environment. And, it's easier than you think.
Recycle!
Yes, there is new jewelry out there made of recycled and reused materials....but even better, we think, is simply recycling the jewelry itself. No need to re-purpose old jewelry when there are so many styles and varieties already in existence. Old jewelry is not only about rhinestones. There are plastics, metals. stones and other materials. They are flashy looks and tailored looks. There are all sorts of designs from the elegant to the funky.
So, no mater what your jewelry style...go green! Buy used vintage jewelry that compliment all of today's modern looks.
Visit our 'in fashion' page for just a few ideas of vintage pieces that follow today's trends. And, there are more throughout the store.
If you don't see the design you're looking for, please email us, we'll be happy to point pieces that fit in with current looks.

Holiday Jewelry Pick 9/30

2007-09-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I should have known I'd never be able to keep up with a pick a day. But at least I was ablw to get back to it before the week was out.
And, now that Sept is just about officially over, we start holiday shopping season in earnest. At least online we do.
Here's todays pick, I love the colors, perfect for most of my wardrobe:

Found at Jennifer Lynn's Timeless Jewelry

For more period Deco jewelry, visit the Art Deco page in my store.

Today's Vintage Jewelry Pick

2007-09-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know I collect vintage bowling theme jewelry, I have a pretty extensive collection. One genre missing are bakelite bowling pieces, they are usally out of my reach. But, since hubby's going to buy (we hope) I've found this brooch:

Found at Time Dances By

For other fun themes, see the figurals page in my store.
What do you collect that's really unusual? What jewelry collection can you begin this holiday season, something that speaks to your individuality? Like mine.....guess what? I'm an avid bowler! Did you guess? :-)

Vintage Jewelry for the Holidays

2007-09-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

Continuing my search for vintage jewelry to put on my holiday wish list.
I found this Art Deco black bakelite and clear rhinestone bangle:

Found at Roslyn's 24 Hour Vintage Cafe
I love Deco, you all know it's my personal favorite by now. And though I'm usually not to much into bakelite, I think this one is quite striking with the clear rhinestones.
More bakelite from my own store is here.

What vintage jewelry do you want for the Holidays?

2007-09-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new feature and plan to run it through Christmas, maybe longer. It's called, simply enough "What do you want for the Holidays?" or "If Santa-hubby-partner (or whoever brings you gifts) could bring you any vintage jewel, what would it be?"
I'm going to scout the vintage jewelry world online and every day (I hope) find some piece of jewelry that I have to have. My husband will have access to this blog, in fact, he'll be sent a copy to his work email every day. :-)
I will post my find every day, with the picture and which site I found it on.
I invite you to join in. If you find a jewel you want, post it here, whether on my site or elsewehere, just be sure to mention and link back to the site where you found it. Feel free to send this blog to your gift givers as well.
I love pink and I LOVE Schiaparelli, so the first piece on my list is this pink glass Schiaparelli bracelet:

Found at Morning Glory Antiques & Jewelry.
More Schiaparelli is available in my store here.

SCS Cure....Matchme Service Update!

2006-08-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
After several years of providing a free vintage jewelry matching service, I've finally found a way that actually works! Thanks to my host and the photo gallery service they provide on my site, I can now offer a way for ANYONE to list pictures of the jewelry they are looking for matching pieces to.
If you have a set and want to find matching pieces, otherwise known as SCS or set completion syndrome, or if you have a single orphaned earring to which you hope to find the mate, or if you have any single piece of vintage jewelry, a brooch, bracelet or necklace, and you wish to find additional matching pieces, the Matchme Service is the place to post it.
In fact, if you have any sort of vintage costume jewelry related ISO (in search of) or WTB (wanted to buy), feel free to post to the Matchme Album, click here:
Matchme Service Album
You can add either photos and/or text. You'll need to upload a photo from your computer, and while a phot is not required, it certainly will help other looking to see what you need. Text should in include your email address in case someone has what you want and needs to contact you. Remember, the email you list will go out on the net as the album has been submitted to SE's.
You will require a login user and password to access the album, so please contact adrienne@costumejewel.com for that info.

Summer Jewelry! What vintage jewelry lovers are wearing

2006-07-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

A survey of hundreds of vintage jewelry collectors and dealers reveals that fun and funky, lightweight, easy to wear and delicious colors are the 'must haves' of summer jewelry.

Signed 'Vogue' necklace set
Lightwieght plastic and glass beads top the list of the choice of necklaces for summer, plastic beacuse they're lightweight, glass beacuse it's cool on the skin. Yummy summery citrus colors and light, cool pastels are the colors most mentioned.

Canary yellow glass bead droplet necklace

Chunky pink lucite flowers and clear leaves necklace
Longer plastic beads necklaces worn with simple tanks

Orange and yellow plastic flower moonglow beads
and big, fun glitzy earrings worn with embellished tops are perfect in hot sticky weather when necklaces are just too much.

Pink aurora beads dangle earrings
Bangles are favored over bracelets, and anything lightweight and fun will work:

Tropical painted wood bangle

Heavily carved orange bakelite

Hot pink plastic bypass bangle
Of course, nearly everyone mentioned summer's basic staple: white. White beads are a hit, as are faux pearls this season:

White and red glass bead necklace

Faux pearl and glass bead lariat
While most metal jewelry such as copper and gold or silver plated pieces are put away in the hot weather, Mexican and Native American sterling are popular choices with summer boho fashions, especially pieces with turquose and other natural stones

Navajo turquoise sterling cuff

Rhinestones and glitz, except in earrings to go with glitzy tanks, were almost unanimously put away in favor of the more fun and lighter looks of the season. But those who love glitz and glam, don't worry, Labor Day is not too far off, and after that, out come the rhinestones, especially all those yummy fall topaz and amber colors.

Update: After seeing this article yesterday, Ginger Moro, author of European Designer Jewelry and others, contacted me and showed me this phenomenal Coppola e Toppo necklace, which she wears in the summer. Ginger describes it as 'light and frolicsome', and even with a centerpiece of glass beads measuring 6" x 10", it manages to be just that! Perhaps the quintessenial piece of summer jewelry, satisfying all the survey responders most important qualities: fun, citrus-y and/or pastel colors, glass beads and a little funky:

Ginger's Coppola e Toppo summer necklace.

July 4th: Vintage Patriotic Jewelry

2006-06-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

The wearing of patriotic jewelry has been popular for decades. But, especially during WWII, to show support, woman not only wore jewelry depictunf patritic themes and colors, but they wore 'sweetehart' jewery. Jewelry to remember loved ones, to show support of a service or brance of the military and/or jewelry made by they men in uniform, known as trench art.
Patriotic jewelry has also been worn over the years for political reasons, such as jewelry depicting the name of a canditate, or just to show patriotisn, such as the popular red, white and blue jewelry from the 1976 bi-cenntenial.
Here are several examples of vintage patriotic jewelry:
1940's bakelite anchor:

WWII hand made Trench Art cuff bracelet:

1940's Lucite Air Force sweetheart bracelet:

Mid 1970's patriotic beads necklace set:

Patriotic pot metal dove of peace:

Patriotic bakelite bar pin, the original white has turned butterscotch, the navy turned almost black:

Hobe patriotic beads set:

To see more patriotic jewelry, just click the title of this post.
Enjoy your 4th!

Collecting Vintage Costume Jewelry: St Paddy's Day Shamrocks & other Irish jewelry

2006-03-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Mexican Sterling Concha Shell Clover Brooch from Illusions Jewels
And, from Sunday and Sunday:

Tara Ware Dublin Ireland Clover Shamrock Sterling Silver Enamel Bracelet

Sterling Silver Victorian English Clover Shamrock Pin

St Paddy's Day Shamrocks & other Irish jewelry

2006-03-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

With St Patrick's Day almost upon us, it's time to showcase Shamrock and Irish jewelry.
I currently only have one shamrock to feature, so I'll need help. Email me the link to your vintage shamorck or Irish jewelry and I'll add it here.
To get the ball rolling, here's a lovely Victorian 10k gold shamrock with genuine pearls:

Don't forget....you'll be needing green jewelry so click the title of this post which will lead you to our latest additions, we added a whole lotta green!

WOW! More Valentine's Day Vintage Jewelry Hearts

2006-01-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

First, from Carolyn of Sunday and Sunday:

Carl-Art Repousse heart locket

Krementz Art Nouveau 14k opal and diamong heart pendant

Meka Reklamegaver Denmark enameled sterling heart brooch

Dangling hearts charm bracelet

From Georjean:

Striped lucite heart

Fun! love meter pin

From Sharon:

Rhinestone heart key

From Jan:

Craft heart brooch

From Cynthia:

Mignon Faget Vine Wrapped Heart and Cupids Arrow

Gold hearts brooch and earrings with red stones

Amethyst and pearl heart pendant

What a great show of hearts! Keep 'em coming. Email me the link to your pictures, I'll add them to the Blog.

And More Valentine's Day Vintage Jewelry Hearts

2006-01-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

These are from Terri:

The Trifari "sweetheart" pin (also in Marcia Brown's "Signed Beauties" book) -- the acrostic of the "jewel" names of the rhinestones starting at the top right spells "D-E-A-R-E-S-T":

This Barclay charm bracelet isn't just one heart, but it's also a sweetheart piece -- the heart charms are set with rhinestones that spell out DEAREST (start with the "diamond" rhinestone next to the clasp and go counterclockwise):

Still More Valentine's Day Vintage Jewelry Hearts

2006-01-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

Cathy's hearts:

More Valentine's Day Vintage Jewelry suggestions

2006-01-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

And here's more:
From Linn:

From Carolyn:

From Jim:

From Dinah:

Valentine's Day Vintage Jewelry suggestions

2006-01-20T22:43:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Looking for a Valentine's Day gift? Of course there's always jewelry, but what's better than jewelry? Vintage jewelry, of course.
There's a huge variety of vintage heart jewels available, the heart has been a popular theme for centuries.
Here are just a few examples:

Victorian mourning carved jet heart

Huge French Depose rhinestone heart fur clip

Huge, funky red plastic heart dangling earrings

1940's gold filled heart locket

Victorian micro-mosaic heart pendant

Trifari fruit salad heart brooch

Trifari rhinestone baguette heart brooch

1940's sterling vermeil double heart pins or chatelaine.

And there's many more great Valentine's Day gifts and ideas. Visit our latest additions page for more great items.

MATCHME-Jewelry Matching Service

2006-01-20T22:22:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
By popular request, the MATCHME service from my site has been contiuned/expanded here to the BLOG where it's easier than ever for you to post your own MATCHME requests.
Simply post a link to this topic by clicking 'Creat a link'! You can add or link to pictures of your jewelry items, just type you link into the text box that appears. Please include a description of what you'll looking for, i.e. mach to orphaned earring, or whatever, and also a way someone with that match can contact you.
You can post about any item you're looking for the match too; orphan earrings, other pieces to complete a set, whatever, as long as it's jewelry.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

What's been hot in Vintage Jewelry-This Month!

2005-12-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Since it comes up from time to time in various online list groups, I thought I'd add a topic about what's hot in vintage jewels!
Based on what's moving at Garden Party Collection, brooches have lost much their impact (thought not dead by any means) and necklaces are back in! Beads are back, back, back! Big beads, multi-strand glass beads, unique faux pearls.
We didn't see as much Christmas jewelry sell this year as last, but holiday jewelry was still an important staple for the season. Particularly the more unique items, such as a vintage W.German plastic Santa, harder to find vintage Christmas trees, and contemporary pieces by Swarovski and Radko. The usual glitzy rhinestone necklaces are selling, in all colors. They're a great compliment to any holiday outfit!
Art Deco designs remain strong as do quality higher end or more scarce designer pieces.
Looking towards the spring, I'm hearing that chunky turquose beads will be big and hope to add more of that Southwestern 1970's look to the site. We'll be starting a new update right after the new year, and plan to add some very unique hearts for Valentines' Day including a HUGE rhinestone heart Depose (French) fur clip and some gorgeous pink and red rhinestone pieces, knowing Valentine's Day will be right around the corner. But, let's get through Christmas, Hanukah and New Years first! Not necessarily in that order, this year.
If you have any requests for the type of look you'd like to see more of, please post your comments. We have tons and tons and tons more inventory and while we do try to keep as big a veriety of styles, eras and designs as possible on the site, there's always more that hasn't been listed yet. Suggestions and requests are always welcome and helpful.
If you're a dealer, please feel free, also, to post your ovservations about what's hot in your store! We'll add to this thread every month or so, as an ongoing feature, keeping our thumbs on what's hot in collecting vintage costume jewelry!
Happy Holidays everyone and have a GREAT New Year!!!!!!!!

Vintage Jewelry FAQ

2005-11-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

Question: Can anyone recommend a book that shows backs of jewelry, and clasps?

Answer: There isn't a book that deals specifically with construction. Some books are better at showing backs than others. Most don't do much of it at all. Cathy [Gordon] & Sheila's [Pamfiloff] book is the only one I know if that deals with this in depth, and of course, theirs is only about Haskell.
The problem with studying backs and findings and construction is it really tells so little of the story. You can not ID a piece from the back alone, for the most part. There are some exceptions, but in general the back of a piece, the type of clasp used, etc. is really not the important part of jewelry.
Finishes and clasps and findings were bought in bulk and used for years and years. So, even using them to date pieces is not very accurate. The same earring clip back could have been used for he last 60 years. There are SOME clues, but they are general. For example, in general, textured finished on plated backing was not used much before the 1950's. Or, there's a certain type of hinged pin stem that was not used much after Victorian times.
The problem with focusing on the backs and construction is one forgets to look at the style and design of a piece. If one is trying to determine a maker of an unsigned piece, beginning with construction is the wrong starting point. One should look at the design, the style first. THEN, look at the construction which *may* help validate (or not) the age or maker of an unsigned piece.
Also, if one is trying to learn how to date a piece, again, using findings is not the place to start. Start with history, what was popular when, what were women wearing when, what developments were going on in industry at the time.
Wearing jewelry has a LOT to do with social customs, popularity, Hollywood, economic times....etc. Get to know some fashion history, and you will be able to date pieces a little easier.
Some easy things to remember and there are generalities, and like everything else, does not mean always or never BUT
For the most part..white and/or silver metals were popular in the 1930's. Platinum look. Remember, rhinestone jewelry as we know it today was just beginning to experience popularity in the 1930's. Costume (meaning jewelry without precious gems) jewelry certainly existed before that, but costume jewelry per se, was influenced by several factors: popularity of movies and Hollywood starting in the late 1920's (hence the term 'costume' jewelry), b) the depression (starting in 1932) when people could not afford the real thing c) developments in manufacturing of rhinestones.
All white rhinestone (diamond look) jewels were more popular in the first half of the 1930's with more colored gems (rubies, sapphires, emeralds) being added to the mix in the latter half of the decade.
1920's was an era of economic wealth, people wore lots of jewels, all over, many necklaces with many bracelets with hair pieces and brooches. Color was BIG as was influence of travel and other cultures.
1940's white metals went out of fashion, gold tones came in. Including lots of rose gold combined with yellow gold. And, as WWII approached, gold washed sterling as other metals were used for the war effort.
Women started to work in large numbers, for the first time ever. That created quite a shift in fashion, jewelry included. Styles became, at least for daytime wear, more mannish and tailored, to go along with the more mannish suits that became more fashionable.
1950's signaled and end to war, lots of glamour and glitz. Movies and the new TV were big influencers. Lots of new manufacturing techniques, lots of mass production techniques developed for the war effort and then filtered into the private sector. It made jewelry affordable for the masses. White metals became popular again, the golds of the 1940's faded.

Fashion and dating info like this IS in books. You have to go through them and look and compare. Warman's is great. Old Jewelry really good. Victorian Jewelry excellent. Jewels of Fantasy terrific, though nearly impossible to get. Also, books that focus on specific eras are good too, like Art Deco jewelry. And don't forget books on fine jewelry or books like 'Hollywood Jewels' which track fashion trends. Costume jewels trends followed fine jewelry trends, so those are important to look at too, even if you don't deal or collect fine vintage.
I say.....get as many books as you can. Get all of them. I'm pushing close to 100 books now and have about 6 on my holiday wish list.

I Collect....

2005-11-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

If you'd just like to share you vintage jewelry collections, fee free to add comment to this thread. You can post pictures and links!

I'm Searching For....

2005-11-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

If you have a piece of jewelry or style you're looking for, please click the comments link below and add your requests. You can add pictures or links.

Vintage Marcasite Rings

2005-11-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Today I'm looking for interesting and unusual VINTAGE marcasite rings. My mother collects, so I''m looking n time for the holidays. Post or send me links. Thanks.

Set Completion Sydrome

2005-11-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Welcome to my re-vamped blog. This blog is now all about collecting vintage costume jewerly.
If you'd like to add to your collections....post here.
If you'd like to share your collection....post here.
If you have SCS (set completion sydrome)....post here
This blog is archived, so you will be able to go back and see if anyone responded to your requests.
For example, I am looking for matching pieces to this Juliana brooch:

Please let em know if you have any matching piece available for sale.

Feel free to start your own threads, post in response to threads, etc.
Onky 2 rules....no advertisments and no spam. The posts and comments are moderated, so if you try that, it will not get through anyway. Other than that, feel free to post about what you collect or what you're looking to collect in the way of vintage jewelry. HTML and posts of pictures are OK.

Have fun and good luck with your search!