Tuesday, September 15, 2009

what is celluloid jewerly?


I have always favored vintage plastic jewerly and have been intriged with bakelite and others but celluloid is truly capitaving. Many times it is carved as showen in the above photo. This is one way of idnetifing this chariming plastic.


Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Tells us that Celluloid (n.) is
a " substance composed essentially of gun cotton and camphor, and when pure resembling ivory in texture and color, but variously colored to imitate coral, tortoise shell, amber, malachite, etc. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry and many small articles, as combs, brushes, collars, and cuffs; -- originally called xylonite."

I learned that celluloid was one of the first plastics used for jewelry. This is a PLANT FIBER ! A natural product that was developed in the 1850s in England.

Later, John Wesley Hyatt commercialized the use of celluloid. The use of this material in vintage jewelry is quite old dating to about 1900.

Popular as a material during the Art Deco period which is from 1920-1935, it was made into all kinds of useful things , such as hair combs and clips.

Highly carved designs were often found on celluloid jewelry pieces, ( as the above photo shows) and flowers and leaves were commonly seen.

"One of the biggest uses of celluloid in vintage jewelry was to make brooches and dress clips, especially during the early 20th century. Celluloid looks similar to some other vintage plastics, but it differs in many ways. It is generally much thinner and lighter than bakelite. It is also much more brittle and can crack when exposed to high heat temperatures - sometimes even being flammable. Even though it can be brittle, it can still be twisted or bent into shape quite easily.

To test a piece of jewelry to see if it is celluloid, hold the item under hot water. it will smell like camphor or vinegar. Never use a hot pin test on celluloid because of the flammability factor." (Today's Vintage Jewelry Word - Celluloid )

What is MONET jewelry and how do I collect it?


Funky Findz sure never knew that Liz Claborne bought Monet!! Did you? If you would like to purchase this great Monet pin valued at over $45.oo now on Sale just check our our on line store..
Monet jewelry was first manufactured in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1929 by the Chernow Brothers. Their company, called Monocraft, produced excellent pieces of inexpensive costume jewelry. Vintage Monet jewelry ranges from pieces made in the 1930s through the 1960s. In 2000, Liz Claiborne bought the Monet jewelry line, and the company still offers pieces today.


Look for gold and silver plated pieces of jewelry. Monet Jewelry was one of the first lines to offer gold plated jewelry as an inexpensive option for women.

Step 2Know the difference between earlier and later Monet jewelry pieces. For example, 1950s pieces feature charm bracelets with poodle figurines, while bracelets of the 1960s are large bangles made of gold tone metal or Lucite.

Step 3Seek out classic Monet necklaces from the 1930s and 1940s, which have art moderne designs of straight edges and open metalwork.

Step 4Keep an eye out for unusual jewelry pieces made by Monet, such as filigree pitchers and ornate fur clips.

Step 5Confirm a genuine vintage Monet piece by looking for the Monet trademark, found on all pieces of jewelry manufactured after 1955.From e-how

If you are looking for modern and current Monet jewerly check out this link http://monetjewelry.com/

What is Aurora borealis Rhinestone and about the swarovski crystal?



If you love this pin it can be purchase at our on line store
Funky findz loves vintage Rhinestones and crystals. Here is a little more info on these precious gems.

Originally it comes from a Latin word meaning the northern lights.It means iridescence in many vintage costume jewelry descriptions. The term is most commonly used in reference to crystals, rhinestone, or synthetic stones that are iridescent. I think of them as fairy wings. They reflect so many different colors in the light. Also we tend to think of the lights of the north, from which I live, and have observed, they are beautiful and which are filled with many colors. They are magic.

My family comes from Austria, my mother is first generation and I did not know this little fact. I know however, that I love and have always loved fine crystals and the finest in the land are from the SWAROVSKI. A term we have all heard I learned that they are lead crystals that are faceted with a glass cutting machine.They have a pretty and unforgettable sparkle. Allot like diamonds!And this process was invented by Swarovski in Austria!

Pretty pins!