Costume Jewelry Online

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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