Saturday, June 27, 2009

What is a jelly belly pin?




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This example of a jelly belly with carved Lucite is selling for $425.00 on www.trifari.com/ . I did some limited research and they are very expensive.

Many collectors, including myself, love the jelly belly pin. They are generally figural pins such as fish, birds, turtles, swans and other creatures. Each animal has a clear acrylic stone inset in his belly or center of his body. They were first created by Trifari in the 1940's and copied by Coro. View our slide show of pins and you will see an example of a traditional jelly belly pin that we have for sale at

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27061806

Was Sterling Silver ever used in costume jewelry? Can the markings help me date it?What is Vermeil?





This butterfly is an example of vermeil.

During World War II many jewelers began to use sterling sliver, Why? because the other metals that were previously used, were needed for war materials...bullets etc. The United States , in 1906 passed, the National Stamping Act. This act requires that all silver be marked. Any product that was marked as silver, needed to contain 925 per 1,000 parts of pure silver.

After 1961, the act was amended. It required the manufacturers of sterling to also stamp the maker's mark on the piece.

Therefore one can date these marked pieces. Jewelry made between 1906 and 1961 may only be marked 925 or sterling.

While jewelry made after 1961, should have the manufacturers mark as well. Yet, it is known that many did not follow the law. So it becomes a bit trickier.

Sterling may and often does have a gold wash over them. This process is called vermeil It was used to give a piece the look of gold. unfortunately it wears away over time.

Some pieces, even with some wear of vermeil, are still worth collecting, depending on the designer,the rarity and how collectible the piece is, what designer it is, how many were made, etc...

What type of clasps do vintage pins have? How can they be used for dating?


The locking C-clap was patented in 1901 . In 1910 it began to be used allot. What makes it distinctive is the spinning locking mechanism. This spinning lock makes it secure and prevents it from dislodging. This was one of the most popular clasp which is even sometimes today.

Then there is the plain c-clasp which is similar but it does not have the spinning mechanism.

The tube clasp was patented in 1850 and was used until after World War II. Europeans favored this clasp. The knob pulls out to release the long pin. This type of clasp is very useful in dating your pin.Pins with type of clasp are from the period of 1850 to 1910. Do not pass up these gems, they are old and collectible.

Another point of interest is to note the pin stem that sometimes is found to extend beyond the c-clasp . An extra long pin stem is sometimes an indicator of a piece of jewelry that is older.

Also older pins are many times molded in two or more pieces, then these pieces are held together with a rivet.

What is a Rhodium finish?


The picture shows an example of a necklace set with rhinestones and a superior example of the beauty and luster of the rhodium finish. Rhodium is a quality metal and highly collectible. It is part of the platinum group!


Most custom jewelry is made from a white metal that is a combination of other metals which can include tin,lead, and cadmium. When the piece is white metal then the process is called electroplating. This process covers the dull metal with a thin layer of another metal.


"Rhodium is a metal that is part of the platinum group of metals and is often used to coat white metal" Rhodium, a hard metal was used because the plating did and does not chip away. In addition, Rhodium is highly reflective which makes it distinctive and beautiful. It holds its luster. There is not a look of tarnish ever or the appearing of a 'pot metal' look.

Rhodium tends to be more collectible because it holds so well up to the rigors of time. Pieces are in good condition and this finish was used on quality pieces.

Most rhodium finished pieces were produced after World War II which helps in dating your piece.

AVOID METALS THAT ARE TURNING GREEN. It is a "mold-like patina", it indicates that the metal is starting to break down. It is a type of rust and metal is already damaged! It renders the piece worthless. We recommend a purchase only if you tend to remove the beads for reuse.




Source:Collecting Costume jewelry 101 by Julia Carroll

Prong set Stones Vs. Pasted in Stones.


Quality vintage jewelry, or any jewelry for that matter, for the most part,will have prong set stones. However, during our experience , we have found many beautiful and worthy of collecting pieces with pasted in stones that simply shimmer and are works of art in their own right.

Why do collectors prefer prong settings? There are several good reasons. As one could surmise, glue can yellow with time and the most obvious is that they stone can fall out. The workmanship in a prong set piece is more involved and therefore tended to cost more to make and therefore sold for more. Today prong set vintage pieces are worth more and cost more, they hold and held their value.

TODAY MOST JEWELRY IS MADE WITH PASTED IN STONES! Even when the piece has expensive stones like the expensive Swarovski crystals.

For the most part if the piece has prong set stones it is a Superior piece of jewelry.

What is the difference between designer and manufacturer?

Some one who created the style of the jewelry is the designer. the manufacturer is the company who makes it and markets the work. At times a designer can have both designed and manufactured his own work. Such an artists is Kenneth J. Lane who in the 1960 's purchased a factory to produce his own creations. While other manufactures, such as the well known and highly collectible Trafari, employed many different designers to create jewelry for them. The terminology between designer and manufacturer is somewhat complex and are often used interchangeably. .

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Much more coming soon...please be patient jewelry lovers xxx

This site is being designed for all that beloved and beautiful vintage jewelry that I have had the joy of collecting threw out my many years, with an emphasis on rhinestones , a girls best freind who cant afford diamonds like our beloved Monroe sings in one of my all time favoirte performances.

Another favorite jewelry, of it the Creator of this blog, is the plastics of the 1950's and no... not the traditional Bakelite that has become so collectible, but I prefer GLITTER LUCITE! Have you heard of it? It is fun funky and fabulous. Yes it has glitter in It, can it get better than that.

I shall try to educate you all about the vast differences of quality vintage and direct you t useful sites that I have found valuable.

Thank you for your Patience.

much of the jewelry that I will have avail be will be presented here in a slide show fashion and if anything caches your eye...just hop on over to Esty.com link where you can find my treasures for sale.

Miranda

Pretty pins!