Archive for November, 2008
Christmas Tree Pin Success!
When it comes to Christmas tree pins, they are a hot commodity. Not only year 'round, but especially it seems in October, November and December.
Christmas Tree Pin, signed JJ (Click to Enlarge)
I mentioned in an earlier pin post that I really hadn't gotten into collecting Christmas tree pin costume jewelry, but that I was going to change that this year. Little did I realize how hot and heavy the bidding would be!
But after losing several auctions, I finally snagged the JJ Christmas tree pin with two cats that I have been wanting. I just think it's too cute! And you know, I wore it this weekend and got compliments wherever I went.
Oh, remember I was talking about costume jewelry books and book value? This is one case where the current cost is higher than what's listed in the book.
Art Christmas Tree Pin
Another pin I managed to get (finally) is a Christmas tree pin by Art. Since my friend Jennie got this pin as a gift in the late 60's or early 70's, I know the approximate date of when the pin was produced.
This pin is fairly available (not rare), but there was still some fierce bidding going on at times. I had lost several auctions for this Christmas tree pin by Art before I finally won one.
Eisenberg Tree
I also managed to win an auction for an Eisenberg Ice Christmas tree pin. Again, after losing a few auctions. It's not particularly old, but I really like the design. What can I say, I like glitter and sparkle!
What About a Pin for You?
If you like wearing Christmas jewelry and don't have much in the way of trees, maybe now is the time to start. I personally like the signed trees, but you should buy what you like.
So, here's a as well as a small sampling below. Have fun browsing!
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 3 Vintage Monet Silver Tone Pins Leaf Rhinestone Christmas Tree Swirl  US $9.99
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 Rare Old Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin Signed JJ US $29.95
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 Old PAKULA Christmas Candle Tree Pin Earrings Set US $79.95
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 Old Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin Brooch Signed PELL US $49.95
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 Old Christmas Tree Pin Signed GOLD CROWN INC US $49.95
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 Old Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin Signed HEDY US $39.95
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 Rhinestone Dove Christmas Tree Pin Signed JJ US $29.95
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 Teardrop Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin Signed MONET US $29.95
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 Old Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin Signed HOLLYCRAFT US $19.95
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Should You Ever Buy Unsigned Costume Jewelry?
I know I've said that a beginning collector should really stick with signed costume jewelry. But is there ever a time that you should stray away from signed into the land of the beautiful but unsigned pieces?
Yes, there are times that unsigned pieces can be a good purchase. For example, the famous Juliana line by DeLizza and Elster was never signed on the jewelry itself; instead, it was marked only by a paper hang tag. Yet true Juliana jewelry is highly collectible.
The Case for Unsigned Costume Jewelry
Rhinestone Costume Jewelry Pin, Unsigned
As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Juliana is unsigned but valuable. But here's something that most people don't realize; many manufacturers didn't sign all their work! For example, Weiss has a lot of unsigned pieces floating around. Why? Because it was sold to department stores, who put their own "branding" on it (usually via the packaging).
Some companies also did manufacturing for other companies; the designers would create the piece, while another company actually did the manufacturing.
Then there are the unsigned Miriam Haskell pieces. In the beginning, the Haskell pieces weren't signed. As they became more popular (and as the laws changed), the pieces were signed.
There is a lot of unsigned costume jewelry that was created by the big names...but without the names.
The Case for Signed Vintage Jewelry
One of the biggest reason to stick with signed pieces at first is to get to know and recognize quality pieces. Once you've collected a lot of Weiss (for example), you'll be able to recognize the quality and style in the unsigned pieces.
Also, signed costume jewelry holds its value better than unsigned work. You pay less in the beginning for unsigned pieces, but the price increase over the years is slower. So if you're buying for investment, stick with signed (with the obvious exception of Juliana).
Do You Love It?
If you're buying because you love the look of the piece, signed or unsigned doesn't matter as much. What you need to be concerned about in this case is the quality of the construction and the condition of the piece (i.e how much wear does it show).
Just be aware of what similar signed pieces are selling for, so that you know not to pay too much for unsigned.
I'll leave you today with some unsigned pieces. As always, you can find a and a small taste of what's available below.
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 GORGEOUS VINTAGE 80S PAVE RHINESTONE PEARL GOLDTONE EARRINGS HUGE US $9.99
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 Vintage BLUE AB RHINESTONE DOGWOOD FLOWER BROOCH EARRINGS US $9.99
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 Vintage Blue Rhinestone Faux Pearl Brooch Pin US $9.99
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Costume Jewelry Books and “Book Value”
If you've purchased any costume jewelry books, you'll notice that they have something called a book value. That is, the piece is labeled with the price the item should go for in a retail market.
Rhinestone Costume Jewelry Brooch, Unsigned (Click to Enlarge)
How accurate is the book value, though? Can you really use it to determine how much to pay for a particular piece shown in a book? Yes and no...and probably more often, "no". Let's see why.
How Old is the Book?
Check the publication date of the costume jewelry book. If it's more than a year old, the values are out of date. Costume jewelry prices were higher in the days before costume jewelry on ebay really took off. In general, the prices shown in the books represent how much it would cost to purchase the piece in an antiques store.
Trends Change
Like all fashions, costume jewelry also goes through trends. Today a particular designer is "hot", then tomorrow falls out of favor and another takes their place. But while a designer is hot, prices rise as people are scrambling to add the designer pieces to their own collection.
Sometimes a particular look gets hot; for example when beads came back in style a few years ago, beaded jewelry in general rose in price.
Then again, there are some books where the author seemed arbitrary on prices; setting higher values on pieces they liked, rather than the market value. Especially on unsigned pieces.
So What Good Are Costume Jewelry Books?
Well, aside from price, the books are invaluable for helping you to recognize the characteristics and style of differend designers. Although the values themselves might not mean much, the relative values give you a good idea of the market. For example in general, Eisenberg pieces cost more than Coro pieces.
So, definitely get costume jewelry books -- as many as your budget allows. The values might not be very accurate, but the rest of the information is priceless.
I'll leave you for today with some yummy eye candy from Eisenberg. You can find the and a tantalizing few below. Have fun!
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Ledo Costume Jewelry
Ledo costume jewelry is rather rare, or at least the mark is not often seen. Possibly it's because Ledo was only used as the mark from about 1948 through roughly 1963.
Vintage Costume Jewelry Earrings by Ledo (Click to Enlarge)
In 1960 or thereabouts, the company was re-named Polcini. Jewelry made for several years after, but it's rather unclear how long the company kept manufacturing jewelry after the founder, Ralph Polcini, died.
A Little More Background
Ledo/Polcini jewelry was founded by Ralph Polcini, an immigrant from Italy in about 1911. The company was originally named "Leading Jewelry Manufacturing Company". I'm not quite sure where "Ledo" came in as the name, but it didn't seem to be used before 1948.
Ledo costume jewelry designed generally used a lot of rhinestones, but that wasn't always the case; there is nary a rhinestone to be seen in the earrings shown here; I guess in a way it makes this pair even more of a rarity!
Ledo Marks
There are basically two marks used; "Ledo" and "Polcini". The earrings you see above are marked "Ledo" in a script style of writing.
Anything Else About Ledo Costume Jewelry?
There isn't a whole lot of information on this designer, but the jewelry I've seen bearing this mark seems to be quite well-designed and well-made. It's a rare enough mark that it's worth picking up a piece if you can find one that you like at a reasonable price.
That being said, I'll leave you with a look at some Ledo offerings. You can see the here. Below is a small selection.
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 FINE Vintage ART DECO Polcini Ledo Rhinestone Brooch US $89.99
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 Ledo Clear Baguette Rhinestone Rhodium Plated Brooch US $89.99
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 Vintage Signed LEDO POLCINI Bracelet and Damaged Earrings US $59.99
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 Vintage Ledo Earrings AB Crystal Confetti Stones CAR 1687 US $35.00
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 Ledo Rhinestone Pave Gold Tone Torch Flame Pin Brooch US $49.95
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 VINTAGE SIGNED LEDO BLUE SILVERY BEAD CLIP EARRINGS US $14.40
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