Archive for May, 2009
Vintage Art Costume Jewelry
Vintage Art costume jewelry is most widely known for its wonderful Christmas pins. Lesser known is the Art non-holiday jewerly, which can be very lovely. Here's a little about Art jewelry.
Art Christmas Tree Pin (Click for Larger Image)
Art Company History
The company name was MODEART ("MODE-ART"), and it manufactured jewelry from the 1950s through the 1970s. However, the jewelry was signed "ART". Here are the marks used for Art jewelry:
- "ART" all in capital letters.
- "ART" plus the copyright symbol, first used in 1955.
Style and Collectibility
Art made some gorgeous bracelets, in Hollycraft and Florenza styles. You won't find these all that often, but if you do and it is in good condition, buy it. I've also seen brooches in the Florenza style -- very pretty.
Art made quite a few figural pins that are worth collecting, as well as some very nice "bug" pins (butterflies and other insects).
However, Art is best-known for its variety of Christmas pins, and Christmas tree pins in particular. While they don't sell for top dollar (compared to Weiss or Warner), they are wonderful and very wearable. (Not to mention very much worth collecting.) Invest in at least one Art Christmas tree pin.
Art costume jewelry is generally quite affordable for the beginning collector. While I have seen some demi-parures go for over $50 on ebay (and that's even with some correctable flaws), most sets are lower. You can usually pick up a nice brooch for a small amount.
All that being said, here are some Art jewelry auctions for you to peruse. Just click the link for more information and a larger image.
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Jomaz Vintage Jewelry
Jomaz costume jewelry tends to be elegant. The designs tend to be more on the petite-to-medium side, at least when it comes to costume jewelry. Let's talk a litle about this costume jewelry manufacturer, and then go see what's available.
Jomaz Jewelry History
Jomaz Demi Parure (Click for larger image)
Jomaz is an offshoot of the company Mazer Brothers. Joseph Mazer left the family business to strike out on his own and founded the Joseph J. Mazer Company in 1946 and used the following marks:
- "Jomaz" in capital letters, used from 1946 through 1981.
- "Joseph Mazer" in capital letters (no specific dates known, other than between 1946 and 1981).
The Joseph J. Mazer Company closed in 1981.
Difference in Mazer Brothers and Jomaz Jewelry
In general, Mazer Brothers jewelry brings the higher prices. Partially because it's older -- it was manufactured from the 1920's through to 1951. The jewelry was a little higher end and quite well made.
Jomaz jewelry is newer, as it was made up through 1981. Although not always quite in the same league as the Mazer jewelry, it's still well-made and lovely. Not to mention very collectible!
And as you can see, Jomaz sometimes used very interesting stones in the jewelry. The photo above, the green stones are a beautiful emerald-color plastic that has been carved with a sunburst pattern. It's almost impossible for a photo (at least one of my photos) to capture the amazing effect.
When it comes to Jomaz jewelry, look for a very good condition, as it's on the newer side. Brooches and earrings seem to be the most available, with some necklaces and bracelets available at times.
Look for either parures (demi or full) if you can find them. Otherwise, Jomaz jewelry figural pins are also collectible. Prices tend to be reasonable and at least some of the pieces should be in most everyone's budget.
Now with that information in mind, I'll leave you to browse the collection of Jomaz jewelry available. Have fun!
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 Vintage Jomaz Bejeweled Cornucopia Brooch  US $227.00
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 Vintage Jomaz Rhinestone Knot Ornate Pin CAT RESCUE US $74.99 |
 Vintage Rhinestone Jomaz Brooch Earrings Baguettes Pave US $175.00
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Beau Jewels Costume Jewelry
Beau Jewels jewelry is for anyone who loves rhinestones done in a feminine style. It tends to be colorful (few pieces with all clear rhinestones) and eye-catching.
Beau Jewels Earrings (Click to Enlarge)
Not a lot is known about Beau Jewels and its history. The jewelry is thought to be made by Bowman Foster, Inc. which is no longer in existence.
The jewelry is thought to have a timeframe of sometime in the 1950s to sometime in the 1970s.
Beau Jewels Markings
Interestingly, Beau Jewels seems to have marked only the earrings! The mark is "Beau Jewels" imprinted into the metal (not raised or on a cartouche).
Because Beau Jewels only marked the earrings, there are a lot of unmarked pins out there! The only way to know for sure is to find the marked earrings and make the match.
The construction of a Beau Jewels piece tends to be lightweight for its size and brooches were made with lots of rivets. But don't let the lightweight fool you -- the jewelry is still made well.
Until you are familiar with the style of Beau Jewels pieces, it's best to buy only earrings or sets that include marked earrings. (Me, I can't wait to find the brooch that goes with the earrings above.) 
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Vintage Weiss Jewelry
Weiss jewelry is known for its classy appearance. Not to mention the glorious sparkle! Let's talk about Weiss jewelry, its history and what to look at when you buy it.
About Weiss Jewelry
Weiss Earrings (Click for larger image)
Albert Weiss founded Weiss jewelry in the year 1942. Mr. Weiss was experienced with costume jewelry, as he had spent some time at Coro.
Mr. Weiss designed most of the jewelry that bears his name. his company operated from 1942 through to 1971, when it finally shut down. Unfortunately, many of the great costume jewelry companies closed their doors about this time, due to the jewelry styles changing so much. Hence, Weiss jewelry falls very much into the "most desireable" costume jewelry years.
Weiss jewelry is know for both classic looks and for loads of wonderful, excellent-quality rhinestones. The jewelry was well-made and has stood the test of time.
In the photo, it was pretty much impossible for me to capture how beautiful the earrings are in person. They are done in shades of Autumn colors and are sparkly to the max!
Weiss Jewelry Marks
Weiss jewelry was marked as follows. The years listed are when the marks first appeared. Please keep in mind that a mark may have been used for many years. The only real mark that can be dates is the one with the copyright symbol (after 1956).
- "WEISS" printed in caps. Sometimes raised in a cartouche or imprinted. Approximately 1942.
- "Albert Weiss" in script, approximately 1951.
- "WEISS" in script, approximately 1951.
- "Weissco", approximately 1951.
- "WEISS" with the copyright symbol, unknown for sure, but most likely after 1956.
There is a fair amount of unmarked Weiss jewelry floating around; this is because Weiss (like quite a few manufacturers) made some unmarked pieces. They would sell this jewelry to department stores, who would put their own labels on it.
However, until you are very familiar with the genuine article, don't pay big bucks for something labeled as an unmarked Weiss.
For awhile, there were also a lot of Weiss fakes flooding the market; this was when Weiss jewelry was going for large sums of money. Once again, don't pay a large amount for a Weiss piece until you are familiar with the genuine article.
Weiss Christmas trees are very popular, and if you can get your hands on one in good condition for a reasonable price -- grab it!
Buying Weiss Costume Jewelry
Weiss is easily found, but generally commands a larger sum than say, Coro or Trifari. But happily for us who love the look, the jewelry isn't out of the range for most collectors. Keep in mind that pieces without rhinestones sell for lower sums than those with rhinestones. And clear rhinestones go for less than pieces with colored rhinestones.
But enough with the talking! Here are some gorgeous Weiss jewelry pieces at the place where you can find the best prices. Have fun shopping!
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