Posts Tagged ‘Unsigned Costume Jewelry’
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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 VINTAGE RHINESTONEFAUX PEARLS CHAMPAGNE GLASS DECO PIN  US $4.53
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 VINTAGE FAUX PEARLSRUBY RHINESTONE HEART DECO PIN AVON US $2.89
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 VINTAGE EMERALD GREEN RHINESTONE BRACELET EARRING SET US $11.50
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 Estate Vintage Rhinestone Flower Pin Brooch US $8.99
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 VINTAGE EMERALD LITE GREEN RHINESTONE EARRINGS AUSTRIA US $6.95
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 Vintage Pearl Necklace Hanging Pearl Rhinestone Pendant US $.99
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 EXQUISITE VINTAGE CLEAR RHINESTONE CHOCKER NECKLACE US $6.99
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 Vintage Liz Claiborne Goldplated Rhinestone Set US $4.99
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 Vintage Rectangular Cameo Brooch Pendant w Rhinestone US $36.00
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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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 VINTAGE EISENBERG ICE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT BROOCH PIN US $14.99
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 Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin EISENBERG ICE US $9.95
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 EISENBERG GOLDTONE EARCLIPS W AQUA DARK BLUE ENAMEL US $9.99
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 VINTAGE EISENBERG RHINESTONE BROOCH SIGNED EXQUISITE US $49.00
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 Vintage Eisenberg Ice Rhinestone Christmas Tree Brooch US $39.99
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 Vintage Eisenberg Clear Rhinestone Heart Necklace US $11.01
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 Vintage Signed Eisenberg Rhinestone Bracelet Brilliant US $11.26
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 vintage EISENBERG ENAMEL OWL necklace pendant big minty US $134.95
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 RARE EISENBERG ORIGINAL RED GLASS CAB FUR CLIP ASIS WOW US $10.50
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Vintage Jewelry “Redux”
I love collecting signed costume jewelry, but what about the unsigned beauties? How about some vintage jewelry redux?
You know, I recently came across a gorgeous vintage clear rhinestone brooch that alas, had no signature. It very much looks like a Juliana piece, although it probably isn't (I've never seen a clear rhinestone Juliana). Nevertheless, it's a lovely pin, and I bought it anyway -- it deserves to be loved!
Vintage Jewelry Redux
My friend Jennie sent me an email this morning, regarding a book called Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry
There are all kinds of interesting unsigned vintage jewelry pieces out there, and some are very lovely. Don't forget there are also lots of vintage beaded necklaces, unsigned (especially faux pearls). Wouldn't it be neat to put the various pieces together to form new jewelry, but with a past?
Vintage Beading and Jewelry Supplies
Well, once again I like ebay for vintage jewelry supplies. Look for where you can get all kinds of neat supplies. Click on the link above for a big list, and below is a tiny example of what's available.
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 17 Pair Vintage Clip Earrings Jewelry Lot US $2.00
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 HUGE Single Earring Craft Lot Vintage Estate Jewelry US $7.00
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 Vintage more 80s Jewelry Lot Earrings Necklaces More US $.99
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 Huge Vintage Costume Rhinestone Ring Jewelry Lot Estate US $50.00
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 VTG HUGE LOT OF JEWELRY RING BOXES US $9.99
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 VTG LOT OF RHINESTONE JEWELRY US $6.99
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 Vintage Costume Jewelry Lot Of 10 Necklace Bracelet US $9.28
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 NEW Vintage DELFT Pendant Charm Costume Jewelry LOT US $9.98
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 ViNTaGe JEWELRY HUGE LOT 50 pr PIERCED EARRINGS US $9.99
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