Jewelry Faqs, Identification & Care
Learning
To Collect:
The first thing that can be said about learning to collect is to first purchase all of the jewelry reference books that you need.
And something to remember is that you never quit learning about vintage jewelry. This is such a vast category of collecting and so much has been
written to help the novice collector get started. Another tip is to try to see and touch as much vintage jewelry as you can to get the weight and look of what old jewelry is.
When I first got started collecting vintage costume jewelry (about 30 years ago now) of course the
only thing I knew about jewelry
was what jewelry looked like. I knew what a finger ring was or a bracelet etc., but I had no working
knowledge of jewelry.
My Grandmother, Aunt and, Sister
all collected but that didn't mean much to me at the time. Then I got the yard sale bug because I was
raising a family and money was always short.
On a Saturday
long ago I decided to yard sale over to my sister's house about 50 miles away from my home. I hit one
yard sale after another and picked up bits and pieces of jewelry
along the way, I could afford twenty five cent items, and I was having allot of fun at the same time.
The last yard sale I went to was just a couple of blocks from my
destination so I stopped at the last yard sale of the day. At that yard sale I had a great find but,
because of my lack of knowledge of jewelry I didn't realize what
I had found.
Well to make a long story short, I had had such a fun time yard saleing that I decided to give my sister
the pair of gold earrings that had these huge purple stones in them.
Some years later she told me that the earrings were 14k gold retro earrings set with large Amethyst
stones :0).
The Care Of Vintage Costume Jewelry
Please keep in mind that Vintage Costume Jewelry was never meant to last fifty years. It was mostly disposable
jewelry, cheap and a whole lot of fun. Allot of the jewelry that you might find at a yard sale
or resale shop probably needs a good cleaning and possibly some of the rhinestones need to be replaced. To clean
costume jewelry I use a product called Jewelry Joose. This is a product that just cannot be beat.
If you need to replace a rhinestone or two go ahead and do that. In order to do that I recommend a product
called GS Hypo Cement, for pinpoint precision. This product is great.
I otherwise do not recommend buying costume
jewelry that will require
any other repairs as that becomes quite costly.
Jewelry Definitions
The definition of Antique Costume Jewelry is, Costume Jewelry made up to 1950. Costume Jewelry made after 1950
is considered Collectible Vintage Jewelry.
The Jewelry Designers & Manufacturers
Art Deco & Transitional Jewelry,
Art Deco Jewelry was a style popular from the mid 1910, until the mid 1920's This jewelry style originated in Paris, France. Art Deco
Jewelry is characterized by geometric lines and angles, with very
few curves.
The jewelry in this movement eventually became bolder and evolved into Art Moderne,
now called Retro Jewelry.
Transitional Art Deco Jewelry is the movement from Art Nouveau to Art Deco design.
So
we move from Art Nouveau to Transitional Art Deco, to Art Deco, then Art Moderne or Retro.
Art Deco Filigree Transitional Jewelry Set Parure
Art, Mode Art, Costume jewelry produced by Art Mode
Jewelry Creations Inc. It was in business from the 1940's until
the late 1960's. Their medium to high-quality jewelry pieces included figural
items, Victorian jewelry replicas, and many different costume jewelry styles.
Art faux coral enameled floral star pendant.
Avon, Avon Jewelry - 1896 to Present. Avon Rhinestone Owl
Pin
B. Blumenthal, Co., Inc., Button manufacturer in the late 1800's and for a short time produced jewelry.
Jewelry by this designer is considered rare and hard to find. B. Blumenthal Amethyst Filigree Dress Clip Rare
Binder Bros. Inc, Produced jewelry since 1920 in New York, NY. The logo is BB in interlocking
circles.Binder Bros.
Bogoff, Jewels by Bogoff, are marks used on costume jewelry made by the Spear Novelty Company of
Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The Bogoff mark was first used in 1946. Bogoff jewelry is high-quality, was made
in small runs, and is often studded with rhinestones. Misc. Signed Jewelry
Carl Art, The initials CA in upper case with an arrow through the initials. Providence Rhode Island
Mark for all types of jewelry plus cigarette cases, buckles, tie pins, cuff links etc. The mark first used in 1937.
Coro, The CORO jewelry company started doing business about 1900. It was
the largest of all costume jewelry manufacturers. The Coro company
went out of business in 1979 after 80 years of making costume jewelry.
Judy Lee,Beautiful, quality Judy Lee.
The mark was first used in 1958 and the jewels were sold at
home parties.
Trifari,The company is founded around 1918 as Trifari and Krussman later in 1920s Carl Fishel
joins company and becomes Trifari Krussman and Fishel.
In early 1930 Alfred
Phillipe becomes head designer after joining the company, and under his leadership
the real jewelry look is born.
He introduced his famous crown pin in 1941, and the
success of the company was almost certain from that time on. Trifari became one of
the largest and best known producers of costume jewelry, manufacturing a broad range
of jewelry at different price levels.
Trifari jewelry displays superb designs and
workmanship. It has a distinctive look, resembling fine jewelry, which can easily
be recognized by collectors.
Trifari Fantasy in Flight Bird Brooch
Sarah Coventry, The Sarah Coventry jewelry company was founded in Newark, New York,
USA, by Charles H. Stuart in November, 1948 (Stuart had founded
the Emmons jewelry company earlier). >He named the company after
his granddaughter Sarah.Sarah Coventry jewelry was sold at home
fashion shows until 1984, when the company was sold.
and up to 1950. Sarah Coventry Brushed Gold Cherries Jewelry Set.
Van Dell, The Signature in script for the Van Dell Corporation, The signature first used c. 1939
Van Dell Gold Filled Scarab Earrings
Weiss, The Weiss company made high-quality costume jewelry from 1942 until the 1970's.
The company was founded in New York City by Albert Weiss, a former employee of the Coro company (the largest
costume jewelry manufacturer). Weiss' jewelry was often studded with Austrian rhinestones. Weiss Gemstones & Pearls Parure
