Archive for June, 2009
Corocraft Jewelry
Corocraft jewelry was mostly made in the late 1930s through early 1950s, and it was considered and upscale version of the Coro jewelry line. While Vendome eventually became the upscale line, Corocraft vintage jewelry is very collectible.
As mentioned above, Corocraft was a division of Coro. While there are certainly "average" pieces, most of the Corocraft (sometimes spelled Coro Craft) vintage jewelry is well-made with above-average construction and materials.
What kind of vintage jewelry can you find with the Corocraft or Coro Craft marks? They did make just about everything -- earrings, bracelets, pins and necklaces (although I seem to rarely come across the bracelets). The styles range from plain (meaning without rhinestones or enamels) to glitzy. Enamels are also a popular feature. Oh, and you'll sometimes also come across Duettes!
So here are a few Corocraft vintage jewelry pieces for you to peruse. As always, click the links for larger photos and more information. Enjoy!
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 COROCRAFT STERLING JELLY BELLY PHEASANT PINMUST SEE  US $605.00
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 Corocraft Floral Pin Signed Estate Find US $7.99
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 High End RHINESTONE vintage lot Hobe Sterling Corocraft US $799.00
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 Vintage Corocraft Sapphire Blue Rhinestone Open Brooch US $2.99
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 VTG COROCRAFT HORSE HEAD DUETTE CLIPS EARRINGS US $399.99
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 Corocraft Pin Brooch Must see US $65.00
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 Vintage Corocraft Regency Set in Presentation Box US $235.00 |
 VINTAGE COROCRAFT ART GLASS PENDANT CHAIN 1960S 70S US $33.00
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 Vintage Signed Corocraft Rhinestone Earrings 1950s US $84.95
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Vendome Bracelets
Vendome bracelets seem to gather the light, then reflect it back as thousands of tiny sparkles. And althought Vendome earrings and necklaces are easier to come by, the bracelets are small pieces of art.
A Little About Vendome
Like you probably read in the post on Coro and Vendome, Vendome was an upscale version of the Coro costume jewelry line. It began in 1953 and continued on through the late 1970s.
Vendome jewelry in general is characterized by lots of crystal glitz. The designs, while not complicated in their use of crystal beads, were ageless in their looks.
Which means that Vendome jewelry is just as wearable today as when it was made.
Buying Vendome Bracelets
As with all online costume jewelry purchases, the thing you want most is close-up photos of the piece. As well as at least one that shows it in all its glory!
While Vendome generally made what I call the "larger sizes" (7" to 7.5"), keep in mind that some of that space was taken up by the clusters of crystals. Keep that in mind if you're looking at a bracelet with more than 2 strands of crystals.
That being said, enjoy viewing the Vendome bracelets. And if you'd like more, here's a link to .
As always, click the links for more information and larger photos.
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 Must Have Vintage VENDOME Necklace Bracelet Crystal Set US $275.99
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 Vintage VENDOME Fruit Salad Rhinestone Bug BRACELET US $259.00
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 VENDOME Ruby Red Iridescent Necklace Bracelet Ear SET US $279.00
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 Vtg VENDOME Blue Crystal Bead Baroque Necklace Bracelet US $189.99
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 Vintage Jewelry Vendome Crystal Necklace Bracelet Tags US $475.00
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 Vintage Vendome Watch Bracelet US $59.99
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 VINTAGE VENDOME Faux GLASS PEARL 2 Strand BRACELET US $44.00
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 VENDOME AMBER CITRINE PEARL RHINESTONE BRACELET SIGNED US $75.00
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 Vintage Jewelry Vendome Crystal Necklace Bracelet Demi US $275.00
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Hobe Costume Jewelry
Hobe costume jewelry is beautiful and very collectible. It was made well, in classic styles. No wonder it's still so popular!
Hobe Rhinestone Earrings (Click for a larger image)
Let's learn a little about Hobe, the marks used and (of course) the gorgeous jewelry for sale.
Hobe Background
Hobe (pronounced ho-bay) was begun by William Hobe, who immigrated to the USA from France, early in the 20th century. His father was a designer of fine jewelry in France, which almost certainly influenced William in his designs.
Here's the most famous story about Hobe jewelry. I don't know 100% for sure that it's accurate, but it sounds like it should be. The story goes something like this: Florenz Zeigfield (of Zeigfield Follies fame) wanted some gorgeous jewelry to accent the costumes for the showgirls.
Mr. Zeigfield turned to William Hobe to create these designs. Delighted with the results, Mr. Zeigfield dubbed them "costume jewelry". How neat is that!
Hobe jewelry was first designed in 1927, and continued to be made into somewhere along the lines of the late 1990s or perhaps 2000. It was originally a family-run company, but it was later sold (date unsure).
Hobe Marks
These are some of the marks used by Hobe. Please keep in mind that the dates are approximate.
- "Hobé" with a capital H and "obé" in script. First used in 1926.
- "Hobé" all in print, first used 1926.
- "Hobé" in a 6-sided outline used 1926 to around 1932.
- "Hobé" in a triangle, from 1933 to about 1957.
- "Hobé" in an oval, copyright symbol over the "é", in use from 1958 through 1983.
- "Hobé" in an oval, copyright symbol over the "o", not sure of the exact dates.
In addition, some Hobe costume jewelry between the years of 1957 through 1966 were both signed and dated -- a real find!
Other Hobe Information
Hobe jewelry is well-designed and well-made. The jewelry was lovely when it was manufactured, and is still very wearable today.
Hobe costume jewelry is quite collectible but usually affordable by most people. As with other costume jewelry, pieces with colored rhinestones bring in the highest prices (and the prices can get way up there sometimes). You pretty much can't go wrong adding vintage Hobe jewelry to your collection.
Buy Hobe Costume Jewelry
Below are some auctions for your buying pleasure. Click the photos for are larger photo and more information about the offerings.
And if you're intrigued, here's a .
Have fun shopping!
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 Vintage Rare Hobe Necklace ER Bluegreen Cabs US $25.39
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 Hobe Boucher Rhinestone Coy Fish Vintage Pin US $45.00
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 HOBE GOLDTONE TASSEL NECKLACE EARRING SET NEW W TAGS US $69.90
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 HOBE Earrings Stunning Red Silver Smoke Crystal US $16.00
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 Vintage Hobe Gold Mesh Rhinestone Wrap Clip Earrings US $9.00
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 Vintage Sign Hobe Silvertone Dangle Earrings Clip On US $.99
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 Vintage HOBE Amber RHINESTONE Screw Clip Back EARRINGS US $4.99
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 EARRINGS SIGNED HOBE SPECTACULAR UNIQUEGOLD TONE US $14.00
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 VINTAGE HOBE BRACELET US $16.50
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KJL for Avon
KJL for Avon is the signature of the jewelry that costume jewelry great Kenneth J. Lane designed for Avon. While Avon jewelry in general is of average quality and design, the KJL pieces are lovely, well-made and very collectible.
While Kenneth J. Lane's jewelry in general is a topic for a different post, his contribution to Avon's line is worth noting.
JKL for Avon Dates
Mr. Lane started producing designs for Avon starting in the mid 1980s and runs all the way through to 2004. While they are all beautiful, it's the JKL for Avon jewelry produced in the 1980's that is most collectible.
The signature is K.J.L for Avon.
The three most popular sets Mr. Lane designed for Avon are as follows:
"Sophisticated Lady": This set is designed around two ram's heads. The necklace has a double-strand of almost lapis-colored beads with two gold-tone ram's heads as the closure. The earrings are of the ram's heads, accented with rhinestones (as is the necklace). The bracelet is a clamper-style, again in gold-tone with two ram's heads. There is also a bar pin, with two facing ram's heads. This set was released in 1987.
"Society": A faux pearl necklace with a clasp made in the shape of a lion's head, holding a circle (giving a door-knocker effect). The clasp was made to be worn in front or on the side -- too pretty to just be worn in back! The lion has clear rhinestone eyes. The matching earrings are of the lion's head, holding a circle (the door-knocker effect). This set was released in 1986.
"Duchess": A gorgeous set, inspired by the Duchess of Windsor! The necklace has a single strand of faux black pearl. The centerpiece is the a marbelized-look panther head, accented with green eyes and clear chatons. Also there are two rhinestone rondells to either side of the panther, and a gold-tone "door knocker" that the panther holds in its mouth. The earrings are rectangular, the background being the marbeled look and accented with green and clear rhinestones. This set was released in 1988.
Other popular KJL for Avon sets are "Midnight Rose" (1987), "New York Collection" (1991), "Royal Sea Collection" (1991) and "Caprianti Collection" (1993).
Buy KJL for Avon
Below are some available KJL for Avon pieces for sale. Enjoy browsing and don't forget to clink on the links for more information and larger photos.
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 KJL Avon Rhinestone Brooch Clipon Earrings Bracelet US $14.99
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 Kenneth Jay Lane Rhinestone BOW PIN EARRINGS KJL Avon US $26.00
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 Signed KJL for Avon BOOK PC necklace earrings US $11.49
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 Kenneth Lane SEA SHELL CHARM Necklace Earrings KJL Avon US $20.50
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 Vtg KJL Kenneth Jay Lane Avon Panther F Pearl Necklace US $94.99
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 VTG KJL For Avon Faux Pearl Demi New York Collection US $49.99
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 Vtg KJL for Avon Rams Head Bracelet Cuff Clip Earring US $100.00
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 FAB KJL KENNETH J LANE RHINESTONE EARRINGS FOR AVON US $12.99
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 Vtg KJL Kenneth Lane Avon Maltese Cross Brooch Pendant US $79.99
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