Wednesday 26 December 2012

Jewellery from Boxing day is now with.......

Well with Christmas day over and Boxing day just half over we have started our great Winter Sale of vintage jewellery right through to our new jewellery collections. In fact everything on Jewels and Finery UK has a 25% reduction (if over £1.40). This special discount is available from Boxing day and finishes on the 12th January 2013. It will automatically be applied at the checkout.

So have a look at what we have in vintage jewellery:

Fabulous vintage brooches that were produced before the 1990s. This one has sparkling emerald green rhinestone with a gold plate setting. Early twentieth century estimated date that is European in origin.

Then we have also:

Vintage earrings both clip on earrings and ear earrings. This pair are vintage angel wing clip on earrings with single diamante stones.
Then not forgetting:

Our original vintage necklaces and pre owned ones. This photograph is of two faux pearl necklaces for the price of one.

Not only does Jewels & Finery UK sell vintage jewellery but also new jewellery with a collection from Susie Carol of cameo jewellery. All are unique and available in just small limited editions.

There are over 1,000 different items on our fabulous website. So many are unique and original that you will be spoilt for choice. You will find essential earring backs for replacing ones lost of unsuitable. Then we have good quality clip earring pads and cushion pads/pillows for extra comfort and to help with their fit. They are not the cheaper sticky pad ones but in a plastic that helps with grip and a soft support for comfort. Just right for your vintage earrings. 

Sunday 23 December 2012

A book of Ciro Pearls & Jewels (First part)

One of the great producers of jewellery in the UK was Ciro Pearls. Although an English jewellery company, they sold worldwide with shops in America, London, Manchester, Glasgow and many other places. We will be showing a brochure/book from the company, just one of many produced by them. This one was from around the Coronation in 1953 of Queen Elizabeth. The books were not dated but although they looked the same, they were different.

This edition starts with photographs of the replica Crown Jewels that they made and were on display around the UK, during the Coronation year.  Below is the St Edward's Crown.

The jewels were commissioned by the owners of Kemsley newspapers. It appears several sets were made and were much more than stage property. It cost in the 1950s, about £10,000 to produce them - I wonder where they are now?

Top three crowns in order: Imperial Crown of State, St Edward's Crown, Imperial Crown of India.
Below the top three: Prince of Wale's Crown, The Modena Crown.

Above is the Ampulla in the shape of a golden eagle, which contains the oil that is included for anointing the Sovereign. The Golden Spoon into which the oil is poured.

On Jewels & Finery UK, you will find some of the vintage pieces produced by Ciro of Bond Street. Some were signed and will be on designer jewellery, but many of their items were not signed. Famous for their pearl necklaces and sparkling rhinestone brooches.

Then there are reproduction jewellery of the actual Crown Jewels. This is the small pin brooch of the anointing spoon.

This is just the first 3 pages from the Ciro Pearls book and during 2013, we will be showing the rest including some dress clips and pearl necklaces with their distinct clasps. Have a Happy Christmas. 

Monday 17 December 2012

Tacky alien jewellery and the end of the world.

Reading many articles about the end of the world on the 21st December 2012, early this year. Some so fantastical that you couldn't quite believe and some that common sense told you the answer. The Mayan's calendar ends on the 21st. Does this mean the end of mankind - Now come on they just run out of room at the Mayan Palace and couldn't fit the 22nd in. 

Then there's the belief that the winter solstice is this year unique, with an alignment of planets that will open up a black hole and let the aliens return to earth. Well that's nothing new, we can not be the only species in the great big galaxy, so why worry about something that you can not control. However it gave me the idea to collect alien jewellery. Having already a growing collection of Egyptian and dragon jewellery, as well as many other costume pieces that I liked. I needed to have something else to focus on. At the start of a collection you buy lots of different pieces and then start to become picky and the collecting slows down. Now with me, its not that I would wear the pieces, but I just like the thrill of hunting down and finding them. 

So as I was looking for something a bit unusual to collect, alien jewellery seemed like a good idea. This is the result of about 4 to 5 months of collecting.

Lots of alien jewellery


Now I would not wear any of them. Well maybe an alien necklace - if the prediction came to pass. However I would never wear it and stand under the space ship and wave a banner say welcome!!

alien necklaces
Alien shaped figural jewellery was more difficult to find. Most was on the cheaper end and a little tacky. This is just 4 necklaces found. All new jewellery and all via Ebay.

huge pink space invaders retro necklace
Who hasn't played Space Invaders? This is a very large alien necklace from a place called "Helpless Romantic" from the 1980s. This pink plastic Space Invader pendant is about 4 1/2 inches wide. Helpless Romantic has since folded, but for more Perspex jewellery that is fun and would be great to collect try Tatty Devine.

three alien pendant necklaces
More tacky new alien jewellery from China, unfortunately the watch does not work and the black coloured alien has a dubious extra piece between its legs!!


alien badges and brooches
Not much in the way of vintage pieces available. So opted for a few new badges. Then the alien brooch in the middle found by chance recently at a local vintage fayre. No idea how old but unfortunately a small black diamante is missing. No collection would be complete without ET! This pewter coloured ET tack brooch is new and from the US. 

space rocket enamel jewellery set
Had to widen my remit for this collection. Not many aliens about! So went for the theme of space and found this set of earrings and a necklace of a NASA space ship. No idea how old unfortunately. Could find plenty of alien and space ship cufflinks, as well as watches and rings. many with alien images from films but they were new and I really wanted to have more older pieces in this collection. I have brought a pin from the 1969 moon landing and it is on its way from America at this moment.

Assortment of alien keyrings
Lastly there are quite a few alien keyring. The silver alien face has a light that lights up the eyes and it came in a space saucer shaped tin.  All not new apart from the little plastic ET. I have a few more and yet haven't decided in how to use them, maybe a charm bracelet or ET necklace. I did have a Pixar alien charm bracelet but that seems to have migrated into my daughter's jewellery box.

I will continue to add to this collection and unfortunately we do not have any aliens on our website Jewels and Finery UK, but plenty of other vintage jewellery as well as new jewellery. How about starting your own collection, it does not have to be aliens? Lots to choose from: flowers, hats, butterflies, shoes, dogs, cats, bugs and so many other great figural.

Now for 2013 (as the world is highly unlikely to end on the 21st) what to collect? There was this story of a giant asteroid that hit the earth around 65 billion years ago, and caused a chain reaction that effected dinosaurs to such an extent that they died out. Mm mm now I have an idea for another strange but fun collection.
       

Saturday 8 December 2012

Just some of our festive jewellery this December!

With December flying bye, we have been adding more festive jewellery as well as other types to Jewels & Finery UK. From sparkling party wear to everyday occasion with Christmas brooches, earrings and cameo necklaces. We hope there is something for everyone. We have chosen the most unusual and unique to the more fashionable pieces.

A hand made Christmas felt brooch by Susie Carol jewellery and accessories with a wooden happy Christmas tag. Use on clothing or for the more unusual on a present or a Christmas card.

Red expandable stretch bangle bracelet in a bright red colour. Modern and pre owned jewellery - so not yet vintage.

Our keyring selection of vintage and new pieces will make great stocking fillers. This stone pebble keyring has "believe" written on it and we have many other styles.



Large pendant cameo necklaces for Christmas includes Christmas tree and bells designs. New and suitable to wear during the Christmas and holiday season.

About Me

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Solihull, West Midlands, United Kingdom
I preserve the past. Researching family and local history. Finding about mine and other people's ancestors, is just one of my passions. I also love vintage costume jewellery made here in the UK. I write about my finds and like to research.