Posts Tagged ‘costume jewelry online’
Buying Costume Jewelry on Ebay
Buying costume jewelry on ebay is a pleasure, but can also be a peril. The pleasure is in the glorious selection of vintage jewelry from which to choose. The peril lies in from whom you buy the jewelry.
I'm writing this today because of some recent experiences that I have had, and then yesterday by a friend of mine's daughter. The experiences have been good and also not-so-good. This post is to help you find your way in the ebay maze and (hopefully) choose sellers who make your costume jewelry buying experience a pleasure.
The Auction Photos
Check the auction photos carefully, and walk away from any that don't show you both the front and back of the piece...plus a close-up of the signature (if the item is signed). Photos aren't expensive to include, and the more clear photos you can see, the better.
Then, examine the photos of the costume jewelry carefully! Do you see any areas of concern, like missing stones, a bent earring back or a strung necklace that may be ready to part its string? Unless you know how to repair jewelry, you probably want to pass it by.
The Auction Description
Read the auction description carefully. Many times not only will the seller describe the item, but also list the terms of the sale. For example, I once saw a beautiful pin that I was ready to bid on, but then noticed that the seller required immediate payment upon winning the auction. Since the auction ended during my work day, it would have been extremely difficult for me to pay the person immediately. So I didn't bid, because I wasn't able to comply with the sellers terms.
Return Policy
Many times the seller also lists the return policy in the auction description. I've given up buying from sellers who have a no returns accepted policy, except perhaps with jewelry lots that are labeled as needing repair (which I think is fair).
I've rarely had to return a piece, but there have been several "on the fence" winnings. Most have been my fault (I ignored my own rule on plenty of clear photos), but still -- a brooch that's described in the auction as never been worn, and then the back of the pin clearly shows signs of plenty of wear?
Seller Feedback
Generally, I will not purchase from a seller who has feedback under 50, because they may not be familiar enough with ebay rules, nor have good return policies, etc. Here's a story I heard yesterday from a friend of mine.
Her daughter had purchased an item from a seller who had a feedback of 10. When she went to pay via PayPal, the seller didn't have their account set up right and she couldn't get the payment through. She contacted the seller, who gave her a choice of two different PayPal addresses (not a great sign).
Finally, the seller offered to send her an invoice from PayPal...or she could send a certified check. Wisely, she told the seller she would not be sending a certfied check and asked for a PayPal invoice.
Part of this is a case where the seller did not know ebay regulations well. As of this writing, PayPal is the only form of payment accepted for auctions -- a check is a clear violation of the rules. In this case, the seller probably didn't realize it, due to being new. Which leads to the next issue....
Does the Seller Adhere to Ebay Rules?
I may be on dangerous ground here, but my concern is that if the seller breaks one ebay rule, they may be bending or breaking others. That may or may not be true, but I won't bid on any auction that violates an ebay rule.
One is directing people to their own off-ebay website in the auction description. Now ebay does have stores for sellers, and I'm not talking about these. I'm talking about sellers that are very clearly telling people to go to their off-ebay store instead of bidding on their ebay auction.
Another is not accepting PayPal as their only form of payment. I still see lots of auctions that specifically state they do not accept PayPal. And more that list checks, money orders and their own merchant accounts as forms of payment.
I know that not everyone likes PayPal. And that ebay owns PayPal, so they are getting revenue there as well. But rules are rules, and you agree to sell on ebay based on the rules (it's not like ebay hides them). If you don't agree -- then don't sell.
Is the Shipping Reasonable?
I'm sorry, but $5 for shipping a pair of earrings first class with no insurance or confirmation of delivery is out of line. I know how much it costs to ship, and it's certainly not even $2 -- including delivery confirmation. (An exception would be if the item was coming from Canada, which does cost more for shipping.)
I agree that a seller should be also compensated for their packing supplies. Say an item costs $2 to ship and the packing materials cost another 75 cents. I'm fine with that. Even throw in another dollar for a handling charge -- that's cool.
Here's another way of looking at it. Say the seller has a 5-day return policy, but doesn't reinburse shipping charges. If for some reason you had to send it back, you lose your original shipping fee, plus the fee to ship it back.
If I buy an item and it's under $50, I generally won't purchase insurance, unless the seller requires it.
Speaking of Packing and Shipping...
If the seller doesn't mention in the auction that they pack carefully, or use boxes, or something that leads you to believe they do take adequate precautions when shipping -- ask.
I've recently received an item poorly packed that was damaged. The seller says it was shipping damage and I didn't purchase insurance, so no refund. OK, but if the item had been well-packed, I'm convinced the damage would not have happened. So it's simple; I won't buy from that seller again. Not because he/she wouldn't refund (which I can understand), but because she/he didn't take care in the packing in the first place.
And Now Some Good News!
Please don't think that ebay is too much trouble to buy your costume jewelry. I've had far more good experiences than bad. And I've found some absolutely wonderful sellers who obviously love costume jewelry, describe it well and treat it with the care it deserves. These are the kinds of seller that I'm willing to spend my dollars with again.
I've gotten some great deals and have met some lovely people, so I keep on shopping on ebay. It's just a matter of knowing what "red flags" to look for.
Hopefully this has helped you pick and choose what you decide to bid on, so you can better ensure a great outcome. And now I'll throw you into the deep end of the pool, to . Take a careful look at the auctions, and what do you now see? Oh, and since you're possibly buying, check out the post on how to be a good ebay buyer.
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 VINTAGE SIGNED RHINESTONE TIER CLOVER FLOWER BROOCH PIN  US $5.58
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 Vintage Lee Angel Broochsigned 2 inMulti Rhinestone US $75.00
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 Vintage Signed Austria Rhinestone Gold Tone Earrings US $6.95
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 Monet Clear Rhinestone Choker Necklace Vintage Signed US $8.99
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 Vintage Signed CORO AB Rhinestone Brooch Earrings Set US $6.75
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 Lrg Vintage BLUE RHINESTONE signed JUDY LEE Pin Brooch US $19.99
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 VTG Frog Brooch w Green Rhinestone Eyes Signed Napier US $9.95
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 VINTAGE SIGNED RHINESTONE EARRINGS LOT AUSTRIA CORO US $4.99
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 VINTAGE SIGNED HOBE SMOKEY RHINESTONE EARRINGS US $5.18
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Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry
Vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry is pretty easy to find. It's online and (so far) has been at every swap shop I've been to. So you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding Sara Coventry pieces to add to your collection.
Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Blue Lagoon
There's something to note, however; vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry spans a fairly wide range of styles and quality. Generally the quality is average, with some dipping below and some rising above.
One of the most noteable (and highly collected) sets is called "Blue Lagoon". Offered approximately in 1964, this set was designed by DeLizza and Elster, of the famed Juliana jewelry. It's a gorgeous demi parure, more magnificent in person. Definitely one of the Sarah Coventry pieces that is way above average!
The other set that I see being offered as a collectible is called "Contessa". While it was created as a set, I rarely see anything but the brooch (which doubles as a pendant I believe) being offered for sale. Nevertheless, it is also lovely and well-made, and it's a coup if you find it as a parure.
A Little Sarah Coventry History
Sarah Coventry started in 1949, and originally was only sold through home party sales. While that has changed due to the internet, it's still being offered by Sara Coventry respresentatives. But rather than home parties, it's more often sold at workplace gatherings and catalogs.
Sarah Coventry was founded by Charles H. Stuart, and he named the company after his granddaughter. After surviving the turbulent 1970s, when many of the major costume jewelry manufacturers (such as Coro and Hollycraft) closed their doors, Sarah Coventry was sold in 1984.
Sales stopped for awhile, then started up again in 2002, and is still in operation as I write this. Direct sales are still the main venue for selling, but also sales are made with the help of the internet.
Company Marks
There were several marks used over the years, the main ones include:
- "SarahCov", with the copyright symbol either before or after the mark.
- "Coventry" (presumably without the copyright symbol).
- "Sarah" in a diamond, accompanied by the copyright symbol.
- "SaC"
- "SAC"
- "SC"
There may have been a few others that have snuck in, but these are the primary ones you'll see.
Buying Vintage Sarah Coventry Jewelry
As I mentioned previously, you shouldn't have a problem finding some vintage Sarah Coventry to add to your costume jewelry collection. The next time you happen up on a flea market or garage sale, take a peek; you just might find some treasures!
The most reliable place to find a wide variety of vintage Coventry is on ebay. , which is pretty comprehensive.
You can also find some as well as some
.
And of course, a small selection of vintage Sarah Coventry jewelry is shown below. Enjoy!
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 Vintage SARAH COVENTRY 3 Flower Blossom Brooch Pin 70s US $9.99
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 Filigree Silver Tone Clip On Earrings Sarah Coventry US $6.95
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 Sarah Coventry 4 Strand 24 Silver Tone Chain Bracelet US $4.00
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 Silver Tone Chain Neclace Signed Sarah Coventry US $9.95
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 VINTAGE SARAH COVENTRY BRACELET AND CHOKER NECKLACE US $2.99
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 SARAH COVENTRY SIGNED GOLD PLATED TWISTED MESH NECKLACE US $.99
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 Vintage Silver Tone Clip On Earrings Sarah Coventry US $6.95
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 SARAH COVENTRY DELICATE LEAF FILIGREE PEARL NECKLACE US $.99
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 SARAH COVENTRY FEATHER FANTASY EARRINGS US $2.80
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Building Your Vintage Jewelry Collection
Now that the "vintage jewelry bug" has bitten you, how do you go about building your own costume jewelry collection? Where should you start?
Well, your own jewelry box should be the first place to check, but I'll assume you've done that already. Maybe you've checked out some of the and felt totally overwhelmed. Where to begin!?!
Building From Antiques Shows
If you live in an area with frequent antique shows, you are fortunate as many shows have lots of vintage costume jewelry.
The plus of an antique show is that you can see the jewelry close up; hold it in your hands and really see what it looks like in person. If you plan to wear it, you can check for fit right then and there. You can look at the sparkle of the piece, check for any missing components and take a close look at the signature (assuming the work is signed).
The minus of an antique show is that the jewelry there can be more expensive than you'd find on ebay. However, there is something to be said about being able to buy in person. Recommendation: become familiar with ebay prices before venturing to an antiques show. While you may end up paying a bit more for the privilege of buying in person (which is ok), you can also get a good idea of what's a bargain and what's better passed up, as far as prices go.
Building Your Collection Using Flea Markets and Yard Sales
For those of you who enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the possibility of some huge bargains, flea markets and yard sales can be the ticket. Sometimes people don't realize what they have and will let it go for a song. (On the other hand, some people will also try to sell for more than it's worth.) This is another case where it pays to know your prices before shopping!
The biggest minus of flea markets and yard (tag) sales is the time it takes. Some flea markets are mighty big and may not have a lot in the way of vintage jewelry. Yard sales may or may not have jewelry, much less vintage costume jewelry.
The big plus, though, (outside of price) is that you can often get the provenance of the piece. You may be able to find out when it was originally purchased, thus helping to date the piece more accurately.
Building Your Collection Online
As you peruse the offerings online, you'll see that there are plenty of sites outside of ebay to purchase your vintage costume jewelry. As with any other source, it pays to know the average ebay prices for a piece beforehand.
The big plus of an online store is that you can see right then and there, in a more relaxed atmosphere, just what is available. Some sites specialize in a maker (like Coro for example); others may specialize in a certain time period (e.g. the 1950s). Others may specialize in pins or earrings or...you get the idea. If that's what you want to collect, these online sites can be a big plus.
Building Your Vintage Collection Using Ebay
As you can already tell, this is my favorite way to purchase my own jewelry, although I use all methods as available.
The biggest advantages are the variety of pieces, low prices and the ability to shop anytime of the day or night. If you can't find something you like on ebay, you aren't looking!
The biggest disadvantages are the variety of pieces, sometimes high shipping and sometimes lack of detail in the photos. Add to that the possibility of being sniped at the last second!
Keep in mind that on ebay, you need to factor in the price of shipping your goodie to you. Many sellers have totally reasonable shipping charges, or even free shipping. But there are a good proportion who have what I consider exhorbitant shipping ($5 for a pair of small earrings, sent via first class mail is an example). So remember, it's the total cost of the piece that you have to consider, not just the bidding price.
This has gotten to be a long post, so I'll leave you with some ebay goodies for the moment. Enjoy!
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 Vintage Coro Gold Tone Clip Leaf Earrings 1940s US $1.99
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 Silver Tone Clip On Earrings Coro US $7.95
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 Large Vintage Purple Lavender Rhinestone Brooch CORO US $2.99
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 CORO Rhinestone Spoon crown Pin signed US $9.99
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 Vintage Coro Rhinestone Gold Tone Screw Back Earrings US $6.95
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 Vintage CORO Multi BLUE Rhinestone Brooch Pin US $9.99
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Vintage Signed CORO AB Rhinestone Brooch Earrings Set US $6.75
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 Gorgeous Vintage CORO Ruby Red Rhinestone Brooch Pin US $14.95
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 VINTAGE CORO STERLING PEARL SCREW ON EARRINGS US $.99
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 Vintage CROWN TRIFARI 1960s 70s snake chain Necklace US $9.99
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 VINTAGE CROWN TRIFARI VERY UNIQUE BRUSHED GOLD BROOCH US $9.99
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 Vintage CROWN TRIFARI Goldtone Pearl Bracelet NICE US $9.99
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 Vtg Silver Crown TRIFARI Mini Mushroom Pin Brooch NOS US $10.26
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 Gorgeous Vintage Crown Trifari Fancy Bow Brooch Pin US $14.95
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 TRIFARI Dangle Milk Glass Earrings US $7.00
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 FAB Vintage TRIFARI Green Rhinestone Fur Clip Brooch US $10.49
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 VTG TRIFARI signed brooch brushed gold tone swirl pin US $9.99
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 Crown Trifari Glass Earrings Bracelet 1 stone is gone US $16.99
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