Yes I am still collecting jewellery

I haven't posted in a while as quite busy with other life events. However. I am contemplating how to display my growing collection of costume jewellery. I want to be able to see but have the items protected. So watch this space...

Pretty white floral brooch with a little ladybird on a petal. Loved this one and is by JJ. Jonette Jewelry. Sold a long time ago.

A very stylish vintage necklace from the 1970s. Steel in silver tone with beads brightly coloured. Also sold a long time ago

Austrian vintage jewellery set of blue and brass clip earrings with matching necklace. Signed on the brooch. Now long gone. Can't remember if I sold this set or it was destroyed in the fire. Think it was the latter. Just a few oldies from my files.  

More jewels soon....

Diamante - A girl's best friend

A quick jewellery blog about Diamante - A girl's best friend. Diamante stones that are available in a huge range of colours and shapes add so much sparkle or that something extra to jewellery. In glass or acrylic they accent many different pieces. So its no longer diamonds but diamante - the versatile and much cheaper accessory.

Above is a diamante necklace in purple with blue tinted aurora borealis diamante. Just one of the many vintage necklaces that have passed through our hands when we run our website. We closed down last year. But still love to show some of the jewellery and also I can not stop buying more to add to my growing unique collections.

Mmmm No Its Second Hand and not for me

I have lots of lovely jewellery for sale but occasionally someone will order and then cancel with "I didn't realise it was second hand jewellery" Now what is wrong with something that is second hand?
First of all what is second hand - it is anything that comes under the antique and vintage banner or anything that has been previously owned and so is not new.

There are many reasons to buy second hand clothes and jewellery.

1. Its highly unlikely that you will find someone wearing the same.
2. You will have created a look that is so unique.
3. Most vintage is of a better quality than today.
4. Your saving this planet by recycling and re-using.
5. Upcycle both clothes and jewellery and craft something that is wearable today.
6. It is often cheaper that something brought new or just not available new.

I have been watching the Dawn O Porter show on TV "This old thing - the vintage clothes show". Its so funny when a newbie says that old cliché "But it'll smell" Now I wash everything that I get that is second hand from accessories to jewellery to clothes. A must before I even try them on or offer them for sale. I also clean any book cover that is not new before reading! Wipe with one of those antibacterial wipes and you will be amazed how much dirt comes off. Then there is this amazing invention that's usually square and lives in or near the kitchen. Put your clothes in, add washing powder and turn it on. Its so amazing when the clothes come out of it clean and fresh!

Now here are just a few of the second hand jewellery items we have showcased this week (that includes vintage, antique and modern pre owned):

A running zebra brooch in silver and black.

A huge flower fabric brooch in a mottled green color.

A blue and stainless steel 1970s pendant and chain.

So bye bye for this week. Its hot and sunny and I will be in the garden if you need me. You may also like to see our cleaning jewellery blog. 

Green Gemstone Chip Jewellery

Time to write a jewellery blog has been too little just lately, but this beautiful May Sunday morning is the exception. So today lets look at the vintage jewellery craze from the 1970s - green vintage gemstone chip jewellery, chip brooches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets were definitely in. The idea was that the green gemstone chips were fashionable Jade. But with the price of Jade, in many cases a lower costing gemstone was used in costume jewellery or even sometimes green plastic chips.

 Chrysoprase green chip vintage brooch

Jade was one of the favourite amulet gemstones used over the centuries. It is said to have the properties of stabilizing your aura and so getting rid of dysfunctional energy and promoting relaxation, compassion and contentment.

How do you tell what gemstone was used - with difficulty, we use a gemstone tester to verify what the gem is.
Mostly the gemstone Chrysoprase was used as a Jade substitute but also Aventurine.

 Green gemstone chip vintage bracelet.

Chrysoprase is an apple green semi precious gemstone, often seen with brown earthy coloured chips with it. Now very fashionable in its own right, it is said to have the properties to bring about good luck and success. It is also an earth gemstone that conveys the harmonious energy of nature.

Aventurine can be identified by its sparkly appearance with a green ocean colour. This stone is said to calm the emotions and stabilize them. It is also said to promote spiritual growth and increase your tranquillity.

 Multi gemstone chip locket vintage necklace

So with so many green gemstone chip pieces from the 70s still around and priced reasonably. They are great to collect and have a benefit when worn.   

Dating Sarah Coventry pieces from 1976 Part 14

To continue with our look at the 1976 brochure from Sarah Coventry. This will aid identification and dating jewellery from the company. It also helps with dating other vintage jewellery by familiarizing the style of the pieces. Do this often enough and you will be able to see which era the brooch or necklace that you are trying to date is more likely to come from.

The following pages are taken from the Spring edition of the jewelry collection 1976, Sarah Coventry inc.

Page 44

Pixie Pets - a range of jewellery aimed at teenagers. Sarah Coventry produced several ranges aimed at the younger girl.

A = bluebird of happiness bracelet.
B = blue bird of happiness necklace.
C = Tina ring adjustable 1 - 4.
D = Pinkie ring.
E = Swingin' bear necklace 14 to 16 inch adjustable in silver tone.
F = Guppy pendants 14"
G = Guppy bracelet
H = Ann 'n Andy pendants 16"
I = Color trio bracelet with three changeable fronts.

Page 45

A = Bittersweet necklace (31" and 36" chains)
B = Bittersweet earrings (pierced)

Page 46
Earrings from Sarah Coventry

A = La grande hoop with surgical steel.
B = Chicken clips with one pair in gold tone and another in silver tone.
C = fashion loops in gold tone.
D = fashion loops in silver tone.
E = hula hoops with 14K overlay.
F = wedding band with 14k overlay.
G = tailored classic with surgical steel in silver tone.
H = Dove of peace with surgical steel wire.
I = twister with surgical steel in silver tone.
J = Charisma with surgical steel in silver tone.
K = Charisma in gold tone with surgical steel.
L = fiesta with surgical steel.
M = pierced ear wires with one pair in gold tone and another in silver tone.
N = twister in gold tone and surgical steel.
O = tailored classics in surgical steel and gold tone.
P = Zodiac circle in surgical steel.
Q = wedding ring in surgical steel.

A ll the above earrings were available but needed either the chicken clips or ear wires to make them for pierced ears or for clip on style earrings.

Just a few of the pre owned and vintage jewellery that have passed through our hands this week.

Vintage molten ring - adjustable 1970s in silver metal.

Ceramic vintage pendant signed Countess made in England. Renaissance art depicted on a pendant. Just add a chain.

Amber plastic cluster vintage clip-on earrings.

Cameo brooch and perfume container from Avon

Just added a vintage cameo brooch with perfume container by Avon produced in 1970.
The cameo was one of the first vintage brooches produced by Avon in the seventies. Originally Avon began their jewellery range with glace brooches (brooches that had a small container to hold solid perfume) and then moved onto producing normal costume jewellery without perfume containers.

The perfume is unusable today and I wouldn't recommend smelling it! So I usually wash out the perfume as it does smell pretty disgusting. 

Vintage Jewelry by Sarah Coventry Part 13, Spring 1976

This is now part 13 of the Spring brochure 1976 for Sarah Coventry jewelry. Ideal to help name, date and for information on the seventies era vintage jewellery. Some of the pieces are timeless and can be worn with ease today.
Page 40

A = Ember Tear earrings
B = Golden Teardrop Hoop necklace.
C = Ember Tear Choker 16".
Ember tear choker 18" (not shown)

Note the wire choker necklaces were all the rage in the mid seventies, especially the ones with a single initial pendant or large charm.

Page 41
A = Rain Flower earrings (pierced dangle removable)
B = Rain Flower necklace 15 - 16" adjustable.
C = Springtime choker 16 - 18" adjustable.

Note in the seventies short length necklaces of 16" and under were the fashion. However nowdays 16" chains are the average size to pendant and chain necklaces - but they are never referred to as a choker!

 Page 42


Golden Dove pendant 21"
Nite Owl pendant 24"
Madame Butterfly pin (gold tone) Silver tone - not shown.
Fifi pendant 21"

This summer of 2011, owl pendants and other jewellery enjoyed another revival. Still available to buy new. Owl jewellery has always been popular and is worn and collected by people of all ages.

Page 43

The sting pin. (bee)
Slick Chick pin. (bird)
Tiger Fish pendant 24" Fish)
Hercules pendant 24" (dog)
Professor pin (owl)

Just a few related pieces of vintage jewellery from Sarah Coventry. A brilliant bird brooch that is in a silver colour with a twinkling diamante eye. 

This Sarah Coventry booklet has 62 pages, so a few more pages to go!

Jewellery by Sarah Coventry Spring 1976 Part 10

This is part 10 of vintage jewellery by Sarah Coventry taken from the Spring 1976 collection.

By publishing this catalogue - it will help in identifying, naming and dating pieces from the company. They were available at home parties and later at some stores worldwide.

Page 34 

All photographs should enlarge.
A = Pebbles ring
B = Lovely Lady ring
C = Misty ring
D = Blue Feather ring

Page 35

A = Caress ring
B = Golden Lace ring
C = Silvery Lace ring
D = Papillion ring
E = Charity ring
F = Bamboo ring in gold tone.
G = Bamboo ring in silver tone.
H = Cotton Candy ring
I = Madam Butterfly ring in gold plate
J = Dusk ring
K = Mellow ring
L = Madame Butterfly in silver plate
M = Fickle Heart ring
N = Ebb Tide ring
O = Rosalie ring
P = Scroll ring
Q = Affection ring
R = Night Out ring
S = Victorian Pinkie ring

Part 11 will be out soon - we are now about half way through the catalogue. Enjoy the weekend.

Jewellery Sarah Coventry Collection 1976 Part 9

After a glorious summer weekend in April! I thought I would complete another part of the Sarah Coventry Collection from the Spring 1976 catalogue. To help name and date some of the vintage jewellery produced by the company over that season. Photographs will enlarge when clicked on.

Page 32

A = Sarahlite Earrings in sterling silver
B = Saralite Pendant 16" - 18" in sterling silver.
C = Diamond Accent pendant 16" - 18" adjustable in gold tone.
D = Cultured Treasure Ring in gold tone.
E = Cultura Pearl Pendant 16" - 18" (simulated) 12K gold filled chain.
F = Cultura pearl Earrings (simulated) in gold tone.
G = Sterling Chai Pendant 16" - 18" adjustable in sterling silver. Rhodium plated chain.
H = My Love Pendant 16" - 18" (Cultured pearl) in gold tone.
I = Silvery Moonstone Earrings in silver tone.
J = Silvery Moonstone Pendant 16" - 18" silver tone.
K = Genuine Ivory Pendant 16" - 18" gold tone.
L = genuine ivory earrings in gold tone.
M = Jade and Pearl pin in gold tone with a cultured pearl.
N = Jade n' Pearl Pendant 16" - 18" adjustable in gold tone.
O = Tiger Eye Butterfly Pin in gold tone.
P = Jade n' Pearl Ring ( cultured pearl)

All posts 14K overlay and all for pierced ears.

Page 33

A = Filigree Jet Bracelet in silver tone.
B = Sterling Faith Cross 16 - 18" in silver tone.
C = Filigree Jet Pendant 16 - 18" in silver tone.

Sterling Birth Chain 22" in sterling silver with beads of gemstones for each birth sign (D - I).

Sterling silver charms  with gemstones for birthday months (J - O).

D = January  - Garnet.
E = February - Amethyst.
F = March - Aquamarine.
G = April - White Sapphire
G = May - Emerald.
H = June - Alexandrite.
I = July - Ruby.
J = August - Peridot.
K = September - Sapphire.
L = October - Rose Zircon.
M = November - Golden Topaz.
O = December - Blue Zircon.

Have a look at the other pages from this brochure on this blog. Showing more vintage Sarah Coventry jewellery from the seventies. We also have many different pieces of Sarah Coventry jewellery photographed that have actually been in our possession at one time or other.

Dating - The Jade Chip Rage 1970s

One of the easiest pieces of 1970s jewellery to date is the jade chip or gemstone chip ones from the seventies. However to identify whether it is actually jade or what type of vintage gemstone jewellery is much much harder!

It was all the rage in 1970s jewellery to have a ring, bracelet or necklace with bright green jade type chips in. Many were imported from China and Hong Kong but the UK jewellery company Exquisite also did a range.
This fashion craze started around the mid-1970s and lasted a couple of years before drifting through an amethyst or lavender coloured jade chip jewellery (which was not as fashionable) before finally petering out.

Gemstone chip vintage brooch in Vintage green brooches

Jade jewellery has continued being produced to today. The use of the gemstone is steeped in history, thought to have healing properties and slow aging. Brings happiness and good fortune to the owner. In particular is thought to protect the dead and connect with their spirits.

There are two forms of jade: nephrite and jadeite.
Nephrite is a tough mineral and difficult to break. Its name comes from the word kidney and so is believed to heal the kidneys.
Jadeite is a more granular form and when polished has a slight dimple form. It is as hard as quartz.

Above is a dyed quartz beaded belt. Not jade and not Carnelian or Coral - which has been dyed to imitate. 
Jade varies in colour from a bright translucent green, a turquoise green, light blue to a very pale almost white green. Black nephrite jade originates from China. Jadeite is available in green, lavender, pink, orange and brown mainly from Burma. Jade can also be dyed many other colours. Colour and clarity of jade effects the price and value. Clear, bright and even coloured jade demands high prices.  

Identifying jade is a headache as many different gemstones are used. Imitations were mostly used in costume jewellery and real jade with gold and silver settings. But again not always!

Bowenite - softer than jade and can be scratched
Grossulaar garnet - labelled "African or Transvaal jade"
Chrysophas
Prenita
Aventurine
Carnelian
Glass
Soapstone
Dyed marble
Plastic

Gemstones are colder than glass to the touch but unless you are an expert in jade, then using a gem tester makes identification easier. Interestingly some of the cheaper gemstones used then have now become collectible in their own right.

Sarah Coventry's Brochure 1976 Part 4

So back to dating vintage jewellery by Sarah Coventry with the 1976 spring brochure and here is part 2. Here is the next 4 pages. The photographs should enlarge when clicked on.

Page 16

A - Golden Sunset Earrings for pierced ears
B - Victoria Blue Ring
C - Victoria Blue Pendant
D - Golden Sunset Pendant 21"
E - Victoria Blue Necklace 44"
F - Secret Love Locket Bracelet (with its new designed adjustable clasp)

Page 17

 
A - Cameo fashions necklace (24" and 30" chains)
B - Flutter Byes Necklace (20" & 33" - 53" overall)

Page 18

A - Tinsel Twist Pin
B - Tinsel Twist Earrings
C - Loop - La - Loop Earrings (gold tone & silver tone)
D - Gold Swirls ring
E - Golden Swirls Earrings (pierced)
F - Golden swirls bracelet

Page 19

A - Credo Cross 24"
B - Encounter Pendant 21"
C - Autumn Splendor pin
D - Autumn Splendor earrings

Big Pinwheel vintage brooch. Soon to be listed the matching vintage Big pinwheel clip earrings

 To be listed shortly also this gorgeous brooch from Sarah Coventry called Blue Lagoon (early to late 1960s)

This Blue Lagoon brooch was actually made by DeLizza and Elster but along with the other companies that D & E made for. The brooch is signed Sarah Coventry. Matching clip earrings can still be found.  

 

Sarah Coventry Brochure 1976. Part 3 Dating Vintage Jewellery

This is part 3 of Jewels and Finery's third blog part in our 1976 Sarah Coventry's brochure. Ideal for helping to date your Sarah Coventry vintage jewellery in the 1970s and also looking at what the style of costume jewellery was for that decade.

If you click on all our photographs they will enlarge
Page 12

Polonaise set with Austrian crystals

A = pendant 24"
B = earrings
C = Ring
D = Pierced earrings with the dangle removable

Sparkle By The Yard Set (Jet)

E = pierced earrings
F = necklace 49"

Page 13

Sparkle By The Yard (Ice)

G = necklace 49"
H = pierced earrings

Mirage Set

I = pierced earrings
J = choker 16"

Page 14

Autumn Trio pendant 24"
Autumn Trio Earrings (clip)

Colourful pendants may be worn separately or inside the filigree frame

Page 15

A = Nature's Treasure necklace (19 & 34" chains)
B = Three Timer necklace 24"
C = Fashion Flip earrings (pierced) reversible
D = Fashion Flip bracelet (reversible)
E = Fashion Flip pendant 21" (reversible)

Vintage jewellery from Sarah Coventry showcased.

Vintage pinwheel brooch from the 1970s. This is a large brooch with a faux pearl centre

Vintage brooch called Satin Petals 1960s. This one is signed Canada as well as the Sarah Coventry signature

More in the next blogs on our visit to the Jewellery Quarter museum including some antique and vintage jewellery pictures.

Sarah Coventry Brochure Spring 1976, Part 2

The sun has been shinning now for two weeks and we have taken advantage of the good weather.
In between cutting back and weeding the garden, we have used the beautiful natural light to photograph hundreds of vintage jewellery, beads and buttons. But more of them in blogs to come

This is part two of the Sarah Coventry brochure from Spring 1976. Pages 8 to 11
Silver or gold refers to silver tone or gold tone metal used in the costume jewellery
Click on the photographs to enlarge them 

Page 8
A Silver or gold, Holiday chain 36"
B Fashion Braid bracelet silver or gold
C fashion Rope necklace 36" silver or gold
D Bostonian Classic chain 24 " silver or gold
E Bostonian Classic bracelet silver or gold
F Young and Gay bracelet silver or gold
G Classic Beauty Earrings silver or gold
H Bangle Twist bracelet silver or gold
I Dainty Lady chain 14 to 16" adjustable silver or gold
J Serenity Cross 16 to 18 " adjustable silver or gold

Page 9
K The Big Apple pendant 16 - 18" silver or gold
L Embraceable Necklace 16" silver or gold
M Echo bracelet silver or gold
N Fluerette pin silver or gold

Pages 10 and 11
A two page spread of Original Design Zodiac by IVRI 24" reversible with each zodiac necklaces design exclusive with Sarah
From the top of page 10 to the bottom
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
From the bottom of page 11 to the top
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Order forms for individual pictures 11 x 14" framed or unframed were shipped with the Original Design Zodiac Pendant.

Haven't forgotten jewellery book reviews as I have brought two more books this month so will review in the next blog. More identification jewellery and Exquisite information to come soon also.
Getting back into routine and would love any feedback

Have a great May Day weekend

Dating Sarah Coventry Jewellery - Part 1

There are many ways to date vintage jewellery. One of the best ways is by reference through brochures, trade magazines or other paperwork produced by the jewellery company.

Last week I obtained a brochure produced by Sarah Coventry in Spring 1976. This magazine is from the US and the hostess lived in Iowa. I wanted to share the information and over the next few months will be producing the 63 pages for anyone to reference and any additional information. Starting with the first 4 pages. If you search "Sarah Coventry" in this blog. It should bring up all the blogs with the different brochure pages.

When I was about 13 or 14 I remember my mother attending a jewellery party hosted by my grandmother. I was not allowed to go. But afterward I had the pleasure of looking through a brochure and picking out a bird brooch. My mom brought the brooch for me and a birthstone ring. I still have the ring but the brooch sadly has disappeared in time.
When my grandmother passed away, I was given many pieces of her jewellery. I wore a beautiful brooch throughout my teenage years that was produced by Sarah Coventry.

C H Stuart Co was founded in 1952 in Newark, New York, they sold many different products including cosmetics, china, boats as well as jewellery. Sarah Coventry and Emmons jewellery had been started in 1949 and the companies tended to sell the same jewellery using the same numbers, tags, brochures and catalogues.

Home parties or fashion shows was the way the jewellery was mostly sold with some in department stores in the late 80s and 90s. From the US in the sixties the company expanded and started to have parties in Scotland, England, Canada, Belgium and Australia.  The peak was in the eighties when the company then declined. It had a brief revival in the nineties and 2000s but their website has now disappeared. Unsure of the state of the company now   

The hostesses were rewarded for holding the parties. In 1976 you would receive $1 credit for each guest up to 9 who buy the jewellery and £2 credit for each additional guest who makes a purchase. Also for holding a party $2 credit and if you had another party within 3 weeks another $3 credit. The credit allowed you to have free jewellery.

Page 4 showing the following jewellery:
Tassel Magic Earrings in a gold tone 7629
Tassel magic necklace/bracelet  in a gold tone 8629
Versatile jewellery was produced by Sarah Coventry. Here the necklace had a removable chain length that could be converted into a bracelet 

Page 5  (January 1976)

Exquisite Lady necklace 36" in simulated pears 8612a
Patricia necklace 36" pearl and gold metal chain 8118b
Exquisite Lady Earrings for pierced ears, small faux pearl 7614c
Patricia Earrings for pierced ears, small pearl bead and gold metal chain dangle 7118d
Exquisite Lady Earrings Clip style, faux pearl in a gold coloured clip finding 7612e

Page 6 (Spring 1976)

Golden Petal pendant 20" gold tone pendant and chain 8400a
Golden Petal earrings clip 7400b
Delightful bracelet, curved links in gold tone 9986c
Volcano pendant 24" dark blue/black stone pendant and gold tone chain 8191d

Page 7

Tempo bracelet faux pearls and oval links in a gold tone 9291a
Snowdrop necklace 18" faux pearl teardrop bead enclosed in a gold tone frame 8359b
Moon Beam pendant 16 - 18" adjustable pendant and gold tone chain. Pearl cabochon set into a pointed diamond shaped gold tone frame 8594c
Sabrina necklace 19" and 34" chains. small pearl bead and ornate gold tone stamping pendant on a chain with alternate links of gold tone stamping and three pearl beads.8292d
Sabrina earrings for pierced ears matching pearl and gold tone 7294e  

Click on the photographs to enlarge further

Sarah Coventry vintage jewelry

Have just brought my March jewellery book about Jacob Bengel and Art Deco vintage jewellery. Will write a review shortly. That is if I can find it - one of my family has moved it from the middle of the ironing board some where safe....