Posts Tagged ‘vintage jewelry collection’
Do You Wear Your Costume Jewelry?
So you have a costume jewelry collection, all bright and sparkly. But do you wear it? And if you do - when?
This is just a short post for you to join in on, and talk about wearing this wonderful jewelry.
What Kind of Collector Are You?
Lisner Demi Parure (Click for larger image)
Do you buy costume jewelry because you like it, buy as an investment or a little of both? I suspect most of us fall into the "little of both" category. So assuming you aren't strictly buying as an investment, the burning question is do you wear it?
I fall into the "little of both" category, and yes I do wear many of my pieces. The more subdued pins and necklaces are worn even with jeans and a casual shirt. The dressier I get, the more sparkles I wear.
I'll wear a bracelet almost anytime. Even the Juliana-type bracelets are fair game when I dress casual -- and I have people stop me and compliment me on them! Who cares if I'm just wearing jeans and out for a pizza? 
Earrings are a mixed bag -- if they aren't real dangly, I'll wear them most anytime, sparkles and all. The more dangly ones I tend to wear with more dressed-up clothes.
The one type of jewelry I love but almost never wear are the over-the-top rhinestone necklaces (like the D&E pieces). I don't remember the last time I went to anything formal (or even semi-formal), so they tend to stay in the jewelry box, which is really a shame.
What About You?
Go ahead -- scroll on down and leave a comment on what kind of costume jewelry collector you are and if/when you wear your jewelry! Let's have some fun sharing.
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 VINTAGE BROOCH GOLDEN OPENWORK LARGE CAT PIN SIGNED AJC  US $12.98
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 VINTAGE BROOCH SIGNED LISNER LAYERED METAL FLOWER PIN US $4.98
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 Vintage Lee Angel Broochsigned 2 inMulti Rhinestone US $75.00
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 VINTAGE CLIP ON EARRINGS SIGNED HONG KONG BEADS US $.99
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 VINTAGE CLIP ON EARRINGS SIGNED JAPAN BEADS US $4.50
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 Walter Lampl Pin Brooch Signed Sterling Branch Stones US $19.99
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 Vintage Star JPSA signed WMSCHRICDE CHICAGO Pendant US $5.55
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 Cat Pin signed JJ Cat After Fish in the Fish Bowl US $5.00
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 Vintage Signed Weiss Rhinestone Pin Brooch US $17.50
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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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 VINTAGE LIGHT HONEY AMBER RHINESTONE BROOCH EARRINGS US $6.50
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 VINTAGE CLEAR RHINESTONE BROOCHESONE IS LISNER US $6.05
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 VINTAGE HOBE DANGLE EARRINGS RHINESTONE AURORA BOREALIS US $15.50
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 BEAUTIFUL Vintage Red Rhinestone Brooch Earrings US $29.95
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 VINTAGE EARRINGS DANGLING GOLD SQUARE RHINESTONE CIRCLE US $9.97
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 VINTAGE NECKLACE PENDANT W RHINESTONE HEART US $4.00
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 4 Vintage Rhinestone Brooches Variety US $6.50
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 2 Pr Vintage Rhinestone Earrings US $5.50
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 Beautiful Vintage Aurora Rhinestone 3 Pc Necklace Set US $60.00
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What’s in Your Jewelry Box?
So, do you have any undiscovered vintage costume jewelry treasures in your jewelry box? Pieces you've had for forever, but never wear anymore?
Before you toss those vintage pieces or donate them, take a look at what you have; they may be worth more than you think! Or at least worth something to someone else. Here's a story that unfolded yesterday.
My friend Jennie and I were chatting about costume jewelry, and she mentioned that she was putting together a pile for an end-of-year donation, along with clothes and such. Since we live pretty far apart, I asked her to take some photos of those pieces before she donated them, as there could possibly be vintage signed pieces.
Most indeed were vintage, as provenance would have it. Jennie bought a lot of brooches and earrings in the 1980's from places like Casual Corner, Macy's etc. to wear to work with her suits. For years and years, most have been languishing in the bottom of her jewelry box.
Costume Jewelry Brooch by 1928
Here's one costume jewelry brooch from the mid-1980's signed 1928 (1928 is a jewelry manufacturer, not the date it was made). While it's not really a collectible (yet!), I liked it so much that I bought it from Jennie.
So, even if what you have isn't a valuable collectible, it may still be worth something to a friend or relative or co-worker who enjoys vintage jewelry styles.
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
Signed Christmas Tree Pin from the 1970s
So what else did Jennie have tucked away? Well, there was a Christmas tree pin that was at least 30 years old. I asked if it was signed and Jennie said yes, but she couldn't make out the signature. Yep, it's time for a magnifying glass!
I suggested that Jennie not donate that pin yet, until she could determine who the pin was signed by. Dating back to the 1970's, it could very well be a collectible. If nothing else, it's quite pretty. But Christmas trees are a hot commodity, especially when they have provenance behind them.
Is the tree worth anything on the vintage market? Hard to tell, without knowing the signature, but it sure is pretty!
(If you've ready my Christmas jewelry post you know that I'm not quite into vintage Christmas collectibles yet...but I have a bid on one! So one day I'll know more about them.)
What's in Your Jewelry Box Right Now?
OK, you may be starting your vintage jewelry collection right now, without even realizing it! Do you have jewelry that you bought in the 1980s or earlier? Well, they are certainly vintage, but here's what to do next.
You'll usually need either a magnifying glass or a jewler's loupe to see any signatures, but some are signed more readily. Anything that has a signature, put it in one pile. Put the unsigned pieces in another. And if you have unsigned Christmas jewelry, put that into a third pile.
For your signed pieces, get a piece of paper and write down the signature, a quick description of the piece and its approximate age. Also note if the signature includes a copywrite symbol or not.
On another piece of paper, do the same thing for your unsigned pieces. And then a third time for your Christmas jewelry.
OK, are they worth anything on the vintage collectible market? Well, check any of the following links for the most common signatures you might find; they'll take you to ebay where you can check the listings for approximate values:
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I'll talk more about this subject in another post, but meanwhile, here's some more eye candy for you to enjoy!
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 VINTAGE JULIANA BLACK CLEAR RHINESTONE PIN US $12.99
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 JULIANA DE33 4 RED WHITE GLASS BLOSSOM BROOCH US $19.99
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 Fabulous Vintage Art Glass Rhinestone BROOCH JULIANA US $56.00
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 VINTAGE Amethyst Rhinestone NECKLACE SET Juliana Art Gl US $26.00
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 JULIANA DE OPEN BACK AB RHINESTONE PIN US $30.39
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 Vtg DE Juliana Pink Cabochon Rhinestone Earrings US $12.99
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 Vtg DE Juliana Topaz Navette Clear Rhinestone Earrings US $12.99
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 Vintage Juliana Parure Clamper matching clips gorgeous US $130.00
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 Vintage Vibrant Yellow Green Rhinestone Set JULIANA US $75.00
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Beginning Your Vintage Costume Jewelry Collection
Beginning your vintage costume jewelry collection is both easy and difficult. Easy because there's a wide array of jewelry available, both online and off. Difficult because there's a wide array of jewelry available! So where do you start?
My first suggestion would be to get the book Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics
(While you're at it, you may as well also pick up Collecting Costume Jewelry 202: Dating Jewelry
OK, so what's next? Well, if you're like me, you couldn't wait to get the book to start. And with starting, I would suggest . Why? Because generally you see the best prices there. If you aren't sure exactly what you want, then you will be able to see all kinds of options to help you decide.
Go With a Signed Piece
In the beginning, I suggest that you start your collection with signed pieces. For one, they are the ones most collectable, and liable to hold their value and appreciate more.
As to the designers, I would choose any of the following: (includes Crown Trifari), Coro (includes Corocraft and Coro Duette),
, Kramer,
,
. These are all established designers that signed their work. There is a large variety of pieces from which to select; you are sure to find something you like!
I would stay away from the following for the time being: JJ, Gerry's, Avon. They are all still too new (or too plentiful) to be considered collectable classic designers. In fact, I have some JJ and Gerry's pieces, but they are ones I bought new back in the late 80's early 90's (before I started collecting). And there is one particular JJ piece I am always on the lookout for anyway, because I like it so very much. But as a beginning collector, you'd have to wait too long for the pieces to really appreciate in price.
What about the designers like Miriam Haskell, Hattie Carnegie, Sarah Coventry and the famous (or infamous) Juliana? They indeed have some very lovely pieces, but just starting out I would avoid them. Why?
I'll start out with and
. They both have absolutely wonderful work, and I love their pieces dearly. But I think you need more of an eye to their values, which you can really only get through time and experience. Not to mention that unless you have a large pocketbook, they will strain your budget.
Sarah Coventry I'm on the fence about. Indeed, made some beautiful pieces, and there's one set in particular that I really, really want -- a demi costume jewelry set that Delizza and Elster designed for Sarah Coventry. But in general, the jewelry is all over the map. Some is very well made and beautiful. Some is just nice. And some looks like it will fall apart if you wear it. So watch the auctions and get used to what Sarah Coventry has to offer before you jump in.
Juliana. I am a huge fan of jewelry, and I can't count the auctions I've lost because lots of other people also adore this gorgeous costume jewelry! But that's not the problem. The problem is that Juliana jewelry was only "signed" with a paper hangtag, which is normally removed before wearing the jewelry -- and naturally was thrown away. So Juliana jewelry isn't marked. And there are a lot of people who think they have Juliana pieces, but they may or may not really be Juliana. You need plenty of experience here before you plunge into this fantastically beautiful vintage jewelry. You just don't want to pay a Juliana price for a Juliana wannabe.
Buying Vintage Costume Jewelry on Ebay
Personally, it's my favorite way to buy vintage costume jewelry, even though I do visit other online sellers from time to time. (Of course when I can get to a flea market that doesn't resemble a mall, I enjoy those as well.)
There are two schools of thought for ebay. First is to jump in and start bidding on the classic designers (Coro, Trifari, etc.). The other is to put everything you like on your watch list. Personally, I do both, and here's why.
If I see an auction that I really want, I'll make a minimum bid on it, then wait. I generally won't bid again until between the last 5 minutes to an hour of the auction (depending on what time the auction ends), when I bid my final amount. Since there are fewer items on my bid list than my watch list, there's less of a chance it will get lost in the shuffle.
If I see an auction I am either just curious about or I'm debating if I should bid, I put it on my watch list. My big problem is that I watch a lot of auctions and I have had some lost in the shuffle. I try to review my watch list a few times a day to decide if I want to bid or pass it by.
If you decide to get your feet wet by buying on ebay, look for three things: a photo of the piece's signature mark, a photo of the entire back of the piece and note in the description as to the condition (i.e. missing rhinestones, more than moderate wear to the finish, etc.). Pass anything by for now that isn't signed, is missing rhinestones or has very visible wear to the finish. (A little wear is OK -- after all, these pieces are 20 to 80 years old.)
To bid on ebay you have to have an account, but it's fast, free and easy to set one up, so no problems there.
Whew! This is a lot of information for you to digest, I know. But in the meanwhile, while you're waiting for your book to come in, here are some beautiful vintage costume jewelry for you to enjoy! As always, click on an item for a larger image and details.
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Vintage Signed Weiss Rhinestone Pin Brooch US $17.50
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 VTG WEISS CLEAR SPARKLING BIG RHINESTONE EARRINGS US $11.50
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 Fabulous WEISS Signed Garnet Red Rhinestone Vtg Brooch US $50.08
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 VINTAGE SIGNED WEISS BLUE RHINESTONE BROOCH PIN US $9.99
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 WEISS CO NY WHITE RHINESTONE EARRINGS SCREW BACK US $12.99
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 Vintage WEISS Orange Yellow Rhinestone Brooch US $19.99
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 vtg WEISS BROOCH ClipOn EARRINGS Multi Color Rhinestone US $20.50
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 Beautiful Vintage Clear Weiss Leaf Brooch Rhinestone 2 US $34.99
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 Vintage Crystal Rhinestone Earrings Weiss US $8.76
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