The Vintage Jewelry Blog

Worth Point Review Update

2012-01-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

Do you value your items based on Ebay closed auction prices? Worth Point does. I do and I don't and here's why.

Why I sometimes do:

If there are a lot of your item on Ebay in the closed auctions, you can generally take an average of the closed prices and that will give you a general "Ebay value" for your items. This is helpful if you are selling on Ebay or to a dealer or auction house. If there is only one of your item in closed auctions, you may have a better idea of retail value because collectors are willing to pay more if an item is harder to find, even on Ebay. If you are an average person looking to sell some of your items to dealers then Ebay may be a good reference point for you. As a dealer, you should expect to basically double to triple the auction price to find a true retail value.

Why I usually don't:

When finding the true value of an item, you should use as many sources that are available in helping you determine worth. Reliable sources include reference books, reliable internet sites, and experts found on many forums online. Ruby Lane shows their sold items for a period of time on the last page of the listings. This can be a starting point to determine worth although sites like Ruby Lane are going to be, on average, lower than book value because it is a mall with many competing vendors.

Due to the fact that Wroth Point seems to get most (maybe all - keep reading to find out why I'm not sure) of their values from Ebay, I think it is highly overpriced for what you get.

Here are their fees (taken directly from their website):

Basic $9.99 / Month 25 Worthopedia Price/Item Lookups per Month 5 Classified Ads Free Profile

Professional $24.99 / Month 75 Worthopedia Price/Item Lookups per Month 20 Classified Ads Premium Profile

Power $49.99 / Month Unlimited Worthopedia Price/Item Lookups per Month 40 Classified Ads Premium Profile

I signed up for Power with unlimited lookups. I looked up a few items (you get only 5 with your trial) and was cut off from using the system again during the 7 days of my free trial. I cancelled my subscription immediately. What I received for the trial was not even close to enough to be indicative of this service's value or to give me a true idea of how they work. This was enough to make me question their business and run for the hills.

In closing, I just want to say, use the power of the internet. Do a bit of research to find out which sites are reliable for pricing and information. Combine that with resource books and experts in forums (if you have the time and desire to do so). My valuation of Worth Point is unfortunately not very high.

Worth Point Review

2011-12-20T19:58:00.001-08:00

Worth Point (dot com) is a website that will apparently tell you what your vintage or antique item is worth. Recently, I am going through a shift in selling. I have an entire room full of vintage items that need to be cleared out from a recently deceased step father who loved to buy anything and everything he could at auction. My husband and I were looking for values of the first box of items: Franklin Mint series "Birds and Blossoms of the World". I signed up for the "free" trial on the Worth Point website which gives you a month of unlimited searching for items on the site for about $50.00 USD. Be careful if you do this! After the 7 days of trial, if you don't cancel, you will have to pay the money for the program you signed up for! After I signed up, it became apparent that the values for the items were based off Ebay auctions and various internet sites that have closed more than three years ago.

So, overall, what I have to say about Worth Point is that it is not worth your money for a number of reasons. First of all, Ebay auctions are not a reliable source for the valuation of your vintage items. Secondly, they base the worth of your item off one auction that closed (in my case) more that three years ago. This does not seem like a realistic valuation of my items. In looking further into Worth Point, it seems that what they do is pull values off different internet sites like Rubylane or Tias or Ebay. So if I have the same item that you have and I have no idea what it is actually worth and I price it at $25.00 on Rubylane or Tias, Worth Point will pick up the sale and state it as a value on their site with no extra valuation expertise or experience. I suggest instead, going directly to rubylane.com or tias.com or etsy.com to get the true internet value of your items. If you do the footwork yourself and take an average of the value of the items sold or listed that are like your item, you will get a better idea of value than if you went only to Worth Point. In addition, you should consider buying some of the many valuable resource books that are available to the general public on the topic of vintage collectibles.

These sites will give you a more realistic view, however, not the full retail value. That is because they are malls with many competing vendors. That is why the values at these sites should be consistently less than book value.

I will continue with my "free" trial and let you know how it plays out. Hopefully I will find some worth in Worth Point.

Featured Items This Month At Vintage Jewelry Girl!

2011-09-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

Article - Unique Ways To Display Vintage Jewelry

2011-07-11T15:48:00.005-07:00

I thought this was an interesting article from styleathome.com. I display my grandmother's Sherman jewelry on, around and draping out of an old musical jewelry box I received from her. Do you have any interesting ways of displaying your jewelry?

http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/styling-secrets/unique-ways-to-display-vintage-jewelry/a/21731

Here are some of our mall displays for your viewing pleasure. You can see my grandma's jewelry box in the top left of the second picture. I "borrowed" it to my booth at the antique mall to display my jewels.

SALE For Facebook Fans of Vintage Jewelry Girl!

2011-07-11T13:11:00.002-07:00

Vintage Jewelry Girl on FACEBOOK!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Jewelry-Girl/156478367739918

WOW! So many new likes! Welcome all. To thank you for joining, I would like to offer our dealer discount of 15% on all items during the month of July. Just mention that you are a Facebook fan when placing your order and I will adjust your total before sending a final invoice. Buy three or more pieces and receive a 20% discount. For Facebook fans only!

http://www.rubylane.com/shop/vinjgirl

Vintage Jewelry Girl! from vinjgirl on Ruby Lane

www.rubylane.com

Adorn, express, reminisce.. Selling collectibles and antiques online since 1999! Customer service is our top priority along with providing quality jewelry with accurate descriptions. We enjoy finding and sharing beautiful and unusual glass beads and anything that scre

Sherman Vintage Jewelry Guide

2011-05-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

Jewelry marked Sherman was manufactured in Canada between 1947 to 1981 and was made using fine Austrian crystal rhinestones. Metal on these pieces can be found in rhodium or gold plate although some was also japanned. Floral, wreath, and leaf themes were a popular choice for the company although they also made abstract and figural pieces. Pink, purple, fuchsia, and red are the most sought after colors and pieces with opaque stones are generally hard to come by. Rhinestone brooch and earring sets, as well as less intricate necklaces are common. Wide glitzy bracelets are a collector favorite. You may also find crystal beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings by this company. Not all pieces are always signed so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with comon elements and construction of this popular designer.

Topaz colors are less sought after but the brooch is large and sets bring more money.

This is a sought after color and long earrings are of interest to collectors.

Aurora Borealis stones like the ones in this necklace are very attractive and Sherman jewelry with purple stones is highly sought after.

Deep red is always a favorite by Sherman collectors. The florette on the top of the earring is common to Sherman design.

Sherman manufactured beaded sets such as this one. Only the earrings are signed which means that there are likely a number of beaded necklaces out there being bought and sold without either party knowing that they are Sherman pieces.

Kenneth Jay Lane Vintage Jewelry Guide

2011-01-23T19:45:00.001-08:00

Kenneth Jay Lane (1963-present)
- started out as a shoe designer working for Delman Shoes and later Christian Dior Shoes
- began designing earrings (1963) for which he immediately started receiving orders
- Saks Fifth Avenue sold out of his designs during the first day of sale
- designed shoes during the day and jewelry at night and on the weekends until it was profitable to become a full time business
- Kenneth Lane Jewelry is well known for being large, daring, flashy, imaginative, and fun. It is also known to be worn by the "rich and famous"
- His "pearls" have been worn by royalty

Marks Used:
Kenneth Lane
Kenneth J. Lane
K.J.L.
K.J.L. For Avon
K.J.L. For Laguana
The exact dates of when these marks were used is unclear. Personal research indicates that earlier pieces were marked K.J.L however this mark has been seen on recent pieces although it is accompanied by the words Tiawan or China.

Additional and Suggested References:
Kenneth Jay Lane: Faking It, Kenneth Jay Lane, Harrice Simons Miller, John Bigelow Taylor (Photographer), ISBN 0-81093-579-1, Published October 1996, Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Costume Jewelry: The Great Pretenders (Schiffer Book for Collectors) Third Edition With Revised Price Guide, Lyngerda Kelley, Nancy Schiffer, ISBN 0-7643-0613-8, Published April 1996, Revised 1998, Published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Fifty Years of Collectible Fashion Jewelry 1925-1975, Lillian Baker, ISBN 0-89145-319-9, Published April 1986, Published by Collector Books.

Popular Jewelry of the 60s, 70s & 80s (Schiffer Book for Collectors), Roseann Ettinger, ISBN 0-88740-998-9, Published March 1997, Published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Art Deco Vintage Jewelry Guide

2011-01-20T18:16:00.009-08:00

What is Art Deco?

Art Deco is known as a style or era relating to the years 1920-1935. Of course, it didn't start on January 1, 1920 and end at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1935, but the years mentioned are when we see the strongest examples of Art Deco characteristics. As the Deco era approached and as it faded away, we see signs of it mixed in with the era that preceded it and the era that followed. These times are known as transitional times as one era transitions into another.

• • • • • • •

Costume jewelry from this time consisted of (but is not limited to):

geometric shapes
angles
strong lines
bright color contrasts
copied from expensive Paris examples
Czech jewelry
German jewelry made with sterling silver, dyed chalcedony (made to imitate chrysoprase), and marcasites
marcasites (faux and real) or what is known as marcasite that is actually pyrite
butterfly wing jewelry
speed related themes such as greyhounds, rockets, airplanes, etc.
Bakelite
Celluloid
filigree
enamel
"fruit salad" jewelry
real and synthetic gems such as jade, coral, onyx, mother of pearl, ivory, lapis, rock crystal, chrysoprase, carnelian, rubies, emeralds, smoky quartz, amozonite
dress clips
duettes
"white" metal made to resemble platinum, often rhodium plated
birthstone jewelry

Art Deco Sterling Glass Cameo Necklace

Enamel and Glass Stone Link Bracelet

• • • • • • •

Influences

Egyptian themes (following the discovery of the Pyramid tombs)
African and Japanese influences
modern technology influences (The Machine Age)
Jazz Age influences
Hollywood influences
the Paris Exposition - the International Exposition des Arts Decoratifs
the Russian Ballet
Cubism

the Bauhaus

Vintage Egyptian Revival Enameled Bib Necklace

• • • • • • •

Art Deco Jewelry in Different Forms

Necklaces

long flapper beaded necklaces
Czech necklaces with angular glass stones and marcasites
long necklaces worn together with short chokers or wrapped around the neck once to simulate a choker look
faux pearls and glass beads
use of Venetian beads
amber beaded necklaces
rectangular pendants with "Lalique-like" crystals

Czech Signed Deco Glass Necklace

Bracelets

many worn at one time on both wrists (as a symbol of fashion as well as status)
the "bangle" and the "tennis bracelet"
flexible link bracelets

Deco Red Molded Glass Bracelet

Earrings

long dangles worn with "bobbed" hair
screw-back

Art Deco Reverse Carved Sterling Crystal Earrings

Brooches and Pins

circle and oval shapes
"white" clear rhinestone pave set brooches
Florida theme (flamingos and palm trees)
Scottie dogs (Franklin D. Roosevelt had a Scottie dog in the 30's)
gazelles
arrows
air travel themes

Clear Pave Set Vintage Rhinestone Brooch

Rings

use of large synthetic or semiprecious stones (commonly seen is chrysoprase or onyx)
filigree settings
rectangular shape

Sterling Marcasite and Chrysoprase Glass Deco Ring

Dress Clips

enamel
rhinestones / paste
worn just about everywhere on the body
a staple for the stylish woman

Green Glass Geometric Deco Dress Clip

Buckles

carved and molded glass

• • • • • • •

Sources:

Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry, 1840-1950 - 5th Ed by Jeanenne Bell, G.G. C. Jeanenne Bell, C. Jeanenne Bell (Producer)

Warman's Jewelry: A Fully Illustrated Price Guide to 19th and 20th Century Jewelry, Including Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Costume (2nd Ed) by Christie Romero

Guide created: 17/08/06 (updated 01/19/11)

Unusual, Strange, Unique Vintage Jewelry and Value

2011-01-19T17:47:00.004-08:00

Why Would You Wear That?!

There are many pieces of jewelry out there the average consumer would look at and think are too strange to wear. Some might think they are just plain ugly! But others look at them and appreciate their oddly unique appeal and collectability.

Collectability is individual and is about you, the buyer. Don't ever let a guide book or dealer tell you the value of something. You determine market value as a consumer. Only ever pay as much as the item is worth to you and don't buy something just because it has a high perceived market value. These are some ways you can maintain the actual worth of your collection.

Sometimes, it's these distinct pieces that are worth the most money for a few reasons. First, they often have a strong emotive attachment, meaning that it stirs, in the potential buyer, a strong emotional reaction due to subject matter, uniqueness and/or unconventional beauty. Also, jewelry that was produced in larger quantities was generally more streamlined, less interesting and easier to construct so unique pieces are harder to come by which increases market value. Sometimes, it takes a strong knowledge of art, design and construction to appreciate a piece so what the average person doesn't see in it, a trained eye might.

Having said that, just because something is bizarre or peculiar, doesn't mean it's worth anything. There are other factors involved such as availability, designer, construction, condition and theme.

Here are some of the strange and unusual pieces I have had over the years. Do they appeal to you? Would you wear them? What kind of value would you expect them to have and why? What do you have in your collection that you think would fit in this discussion?

Whimsical Bakelite Flower Earrings - click to see in store

Lucite bubble ring

Elzac Lucite face brooch

Coro snake and lampwork glass eggs brooch - click to see in store

After a Long Hiatus The Vintage Jewelry Blog is Back!

2010-12-17T15:58:00.001-08:00

I do hope you'll join me in discussions on vintage jewelry of every kind! Here are some images to wet your whistle. ;-)

Plastic and chrome European chunky bracelet.

Unsigned but attributed to Trifari glass flowers bracelet.

HUGE glass cabochons with embedded rhinestone European bracelet as seen in Ginger Moro's book on European jewelry.

Unsigned but recognized as Canadian Designer Robert Larin Modernist pendant. REFERENCE LINK

Unsigned but attributed to Sherman, crystal necklace.

Bakelite flower pot earrings.

Richard Kerr red rhinestone GLAM earrings.

West Germany tile ring.

The Results Are In! Vintage Jewelry Survey

2008-06-11T06:10:00.014-07:00

Vintage Jewelry Survey - Results Published June, 2008

What do other people who buy vintage jewelry collect? What kinds of designers do people enjoy? How many pieces do they own? Are their interests similar to yours? Here are the most popular answers given by our newsletter subscribers.

Q. What is your primary reason for buying vintage jewelry?
A. I enjoy collecting it.

Q. What types of costume jewelry do you enjoy buying?
A. Rhinestone, designer signed and "Whatever I like."

Q. 3. Where do you like to buy your jewelry?
A. Antique malls and shops.

Q. Have you bought any vintage costume jewelry in the last year?
A. Yes.

Q. How many pieces do you currently have in your collection?
A. More than 100.

Q. What sources do you use for learning about vintage jewelry?
A. Mostly internet, then books.

Q. How many vintage costume jewelry resource books and guides do you own?
A. 1-5.

Q. Do you have a favorite vintage jewelry designer?
A. No, I like many different designers.

Q. If you had to pick a few, who would be your favorites?

RESULTS (each list of designers is ordered from most to least votes within each category)

Very Popular (Chosen by more than 20 people): Miriam Haskell, Weiss, Trifari

Popular (Chosen by 10-19 people): Coro, Eisenberg, D&E (Juliana)

Moderately Popular (Chosen by 5-9 people): Sherman, Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL), Florenza, Har, Sarah Coventry, Hobe, Kramer, Boucher, Various Mexican Sterling Designers

Less Popular (Chosen by 2-4 people): Mazer / Jomaz, Lisner, Joan Rivers, Joseff of Hollywood, Hollycraft, Demario, David Andersen, JJ, Chanel, Art, Heidi Daus, Matisse, Ciner, Vendome, Schreiner, Nolan Miller, Cini, Pennino, Kirk's Folley, Van Dell, Monet, Whiting & Davis, Panetta, Alice Caviness, WIlliam Kerr

Special Mention (Chosen by 1 person): Bogoff, Hattie Carnegie, Schiaparelli, BSK, Barklay, VRBA, Staret, Sandor, Sweet Romance, Lunch at the Ritz, Piddley Links, Miracle, Sphinx, Butler & Wilson, Selro, Christian Dior, Avon, Jensen, DeRosa, Laguana

So why do all these people like to buy vintage jewelry? What do they do with it? Some answers may surprise you!

The answers in no particular order are:
- to restore
- to wear
- to study
- for re-enactment purposes
- to frame for art display and keepsake
- to re-sell
- for gifting
- to appreciate
- to remind of a loved one
- to brighten up the day
- to capture art and beauty of the past
- to play with

Do you have an interesting collection? Tell us about it!

Favorite Finds in Vintage Costume Jewelry

2008-05-24T17:00:00.013-07:00

Every now and then you find a piece that just grabs you for some reason or another. Sometimes it's just really glitzy or the style is one that really appeals to you. Here are some of my fave finds. What are yours? Post a link or a picture!

Unsigned Sherman Jewelry

2008-05-10T00:55:00.014-07:00

Hello! I hope your jewelry finds have been good thus far this summer!

I came across a doozy of a brooch and earring set in the most vibrant fuchsia color. The minute I saw it, my instinct said Sherman but I turned it over and no signature! So does this mean the set is for sure not Sherman? Not at all. There is some misinformation out there that all Sherman jewelry was marked. This is not the case. I have had two pieces side by side and not a difference to them and I do very thoroughly inspect my jewelry. Not only that but in beaded parures with the necklace, bracelet and earrings you'll often only find one piece marked although they have the same workmanship and use the same components and may have even came in the same Sherman box. I have a set like that right now that I'm struggling with as well. In addition, other dealer friends agree that they also have had unsigned Sherman.

So, what do you think about attributing unsigned items to a designer? Is it ethical? Should price be affected and if so, how much?

Vintage Jewelry Tip: Resource Guides

2007-06-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Vintage Jewelry Tip Of The Month:Most Useful Reference and Price Guides 05/07

There are so many resource and price guides available for vintage jewelry but how are you supposed to know which ones are most worth investing in? Our library contains over 50 of these books so we've outlined the ones we find most useful for identification, information, and pricing.

1. Unsigned Beauties of Costume Jewelry: Identification and Values by Marcia Sparkles Brown: A collector favorite! - This book has many photos of jewelry of all different kinds. It's fun to search through or pieces you already own! The price guide is reasonable although consideration is not given to unsigned pieces that are known to be from certain manufactures which results in an under pricing for some items.

2. Collecting Rhinestone & Colored Jewelry by Maryanne Dolan. - We like this book not only for the pictures and price guide (most pictures are in black and white) but for the extensive section on designer trademarks. It will encourage you to search for designers you had never heard of before! Almost half of the large 399 page book is dedicated to this topic with images of each mark included.

3. Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry: Covers 1840-1950 by Jeanenne Bell - This book has information about jewelry and fashion specific to each time period with pictures and values to support it. If you are purely interested in costume jewelry, you may be put off by the amount of fine jewelry represented in this book. However, it is a valuable resource for learning about fine pieces and styles which costume jewelry you collect was modeled after.

If you have a more refined, eclectic taste for vintage jewelry, we strongly recommend the following three books. I don't believe "American Costume Jewelry" is being produced anymore so you may have to find it in the second hand market. Please feel free to comment on this if you know more.

A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA by Carla and Roberto Brunialti

AMERICAN COSTUME JEWELRY by Carla and Roberto Brunialti

EUROPEAN DESIGNER JEWELRY by Ginger Moro

What are your favorite books on vintage jewelry? Let us and others know by leaving a comment.

Take Our Vintage Costume Jewelry Survey!

2007-06-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Share some of your collecting habits and find out what others around the world are doing with vintage jewelry. Results will be posted on our web page and blog when they are ready.

Go now!

Some New Jewelry Finds in San Francisco

2007-02-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

I've been shopping! If you ever go to San Francisco, be sure to visit Haight Street. There are lots of fun and eclectic stores including the following:

Information from The San Francisco Neighborhood Guide.

Urban Antiques: It's easy to pass the garage door that serves as the entrance to this shop, but inside is filled with 2,700 square feet of antiques. Turn-of-the-century music boxes and clocks are the specialties, though Urban Antiques also offers good deals on well-preserved furniture. Old phonographs and other musical items, such as a mahogany piano stool, are inside as well. 1767 Waller St., (415) 221-0194.

Off the Wall: While one side of Off the Wall focuses on colorful concert posters, mainly limited editions and signed, numbered and silk-screened specimens, the other half spotlights vintage French posters, black-and-white photos of old movie stars and fine-art prints by the likes of Van Gogh and Monet. All posters are in mint condition and can be purchased with the frame or custom-framed at the gallery. 1669 Haight St., (415) 863-8170.

La Rosa: This upscale vintage boutique focuses on clothes and collectables from the '20s to '50s, though there are some items from the '60s and '70s in stock. Dinner jackets, formal dresses, feather hats and other accessories come from all over the world. While shirts range from $65 to $265, some carry as much as a $1,000 price tag, while gowns can cost up to $2,000. 1711 Haight St., (415) 668-3744.

1. Jomaz Star Shaped Earrings

2. Celluloid Link Necklace

Vintage Jewelry Tip - Vauxhall Glass

2007-02-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

Here's our tip of the month for January. Do you know anything about his type of glass or have photos? We'd love to post them here!

Vintage Jewelry Tip Of The Month: What Is Vauxhall Glass?
01/07

Vauxhall glass was so named from a mirror glass which was made in Britain in the early 1700's at a glassworks which was located in Vauxhall, London. It was most commonly made in a deep burgundy color but other colors existed as well. It is considered quite hard to find because much of it became damaged in wearing. For more information, see A Collector's Guide To Costume Jewelry: Key Styles and How To Recognize Them by Tracy Tolkien and Henrietta Wilkinson. You may also want to check out this information on Vauxhall.

Vintage Jewelry Tip Of The Month - November 2006

2006-11-17T12:18:00.002-08:00

Vintage Jewelry Tip Of The Month: Testing Pearls
11/06

Can you really tell if a pearl is real by biting it? Well, not really but you can tell a few things about a pearl using just your senses. First off, do not bite, but rub the pearl against your front tooth. If it feels gritty, not dirty but more textured, chances are that it is a cultured or genuine pearl. If it feels smooth, it is likely glass or plastic.

Distinguishing the difference between cultured and genuine pearls is more tricky and it is recommended that you take your item to a jeweler to have it identified. If the pearl is drilled, look at the hole to see the thickness of the nacre. If it appears thin, it is a cultured pearl.

But how do you know if your synthetic pearl is glass or plastic? The teeth come into play here again. Tap the bead against your tooth. if it makes a "clunk" sound, it is likely plastic. If it makes a "clink" sound, it is likely glass. Test this with other items you know to be glass or plastic first to get a feel for the different feels and sounds. In addition, glass tends to be cold to the touch as opposed to plastic so temperature can be an indicator of material as well.

Jewellery Party!

2006-11-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

We had our first jewellery (CDN spelling) party on November 5th and another on the 12th and I have to say it was a huge success and a lot of fun! We had a door prize and a draw which allowed two people to pick out $50 in free jewellery!

What People Bought

It was interesting to see that brooches are still a hot commodity although most people seemed to like to buy them to put on their coats as a more permanent item. Many were bought for Christmas gifts.

To my surprise, the most sought after items were my handmade jewellery like the bracelet in the picture.

As for vintage, rhinestone pieces were sold, one pair of clip earrings and honestly not much else. This crowd liked their jewellery new. Oh, two brooches went. One was a Christmas pin.

Have you ever had your own party for selling jewellery or have you ever been to one? Post a comment about it!

That's all for now. :-)

Jo-Ann

Haunted Jewels and Other Antiques

2006-10-26T12:35:00.001-07:00

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share this article about haunted antiques from Pamela Wiggins at About.com.

Do you have any haunted antiques or jewelry that you feel has a spirit energy? Send us a comment and tell us about it!

Vintage Jewelry Thrift Store Finds

2006-10-24T13:33:00.006-07:00

Aren't thrift store finds exciting? Sometimes you hit a gold mine while other times you wish you had stayed home. Heidi tells all about her thrift store finds in her blog, Vacuuming in High Heels and Pearls.

I've personally had a few good finds at garage sales and thrift stores. The bracelet shown here was one of those. It is unsigned except for the paper hang tag which reads "Made in Scotland" on one side and possibly something else on the other but I can't remember at this time. After doing some research, it became apparent that the piece had the construction and style of pieces by the Miracle jewelry company which included a back construction that is just as detailed as the front.

These earrings were another example of a needle in a haystack that came from a flea market in the area. They are coral glass cameos with a brass filigree setting. A thrilled woman bought them from our site to wear on her wedding day.

Have any good thrift store finds to share? I'd love to hear about them!

Vintage Jewelry Blog....Slowly But Surely

2006-10-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

Hello jewelry lovers! I haven't advertised this blog quite yet as I wasn't sure about the color scheme and template but it seems so difficult to edit a blog in the beta version of blogger. So, in the meantime I've been working on a few other projects.

The first one is the Ebay store of Wendy Gell who is a famous jewelry designer who was very popular in the 80's. She designed for Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Charles Jordan, Disney and Napier. Famous clients and collectors of her line include Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Isabella Rossilini, Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John—designed sunglasses for him, Hillary Clinton, the late Andy Warhol and Princess Diana.

You can find out more about Wendy Gell and visit her About Me page on Ebay here.

The second project I've been working on is the grand reopening of Booth 11 Collectibles and Antiques. It's not open yet but but the opening is scheduled for November.

As of yet, no guesses for the maker of the brooch in my last post. We'll see if anyone replies.

Take Care!

Welcome to The Vintage Costume Jewelry Blog!

2006-10-16T01:29:00.005-07:00

I am very excited to announce the opening of The Vintage Costume Jewelry Blog!

Bookmark this blog for information, news and discussions covering a wide variety of topics under the broader topic of vintage costume jewelry. Topics may include designer marks, construction, current fashion, hot trends, remakes, design, style and our current findings.

My name is Jo-Ann and I am the proprietor of Vintage Jewelry Girl!, an online store and resource site for vintage jewelry. That's my picture in the top right corner. It was a professionally done 1940's glamour shot where I was able to dress the part and make like a Hollywood starlet. I am wearing the most gorgeous long rhinestone earrings from a later period. I have been dealing in vintage jewelry for 8 years and am self taught with the help of various excellent internet resources and zillions of books which are the most precious part of my library. I treasure them as much as I treasure my jewelry!

We'll start off with a new find for today which is not yet listed on the site. The brooch above is a pink diamond or square (depending on how it is worn) piece with molded iridescent glass stones. Do you know who made this piece? Leave a comment with your guess and I'll update the blog later to tell you if you were right.

Well, that’s all for today. Take Care!
Jo-Ann