antique beads and bead styles shown

Antique beads and vintage bead styles shown here.

Beads have been around for centuries, our ancestors used seeds, bones and shells strung together to wear around their necks.
In today's blog, I have decided to look at some of the different styles of antique and  vintage bead necklaces available both costume and fine necklaces. Above is an antique Carnival Glass necklace.

The most simple beaded necklace can be made by threading beads onto a string type of material to produce a necklace that is long enough to slip over your neck. Once the beads are long enough the ends are tied together so no clasps are used.

These were popular in the 1920s with flapper revolution. Women wore their hair and skirts short for the first time and layered bead necklaces around their necks. 

Again in the 1960s, long beads came very much to the front of fashion for hippies. With their love beads, multicoloured clothing and jewellery to match - flower power very evident.

1960s vintage beaded necklace in green. From Hong Kong and signed on the hook clasp. Three strands of beads in plastic.

A long vintage bead necklace from the 1960s. Shaped beads of glass in a lime green colour.

Bright stone beads dyed in bright colours. Antique and very unusual.

Long necklaces can be made from many materials, pearls, faux pearls, Bakelite, celluloid, plastic, seeds, gemstones and wood to name but a few.
Today long necklaces can be wrapped around your neck once or twice to create a layered effect. Several different colours can be worn. Try a long black bead necklace with a faux pearl bead necklace. It looks great with a plain t-shirt and an over shirt worn as a jacket.

Long necklaces can also double as bracelets. Wrap one several time around your wrist for that fashionable layered look.

Opposite is a long red bead necklace circa 1980s

A single string of beads with a clasp fitted is I think the next type of necklace for popularity. My pearl necklace is probably the one that I use the most for the day and going out in the evening. The clasps can be plain or ornate. Vintage necklaces with an ornate clasp were often better made and more expensive when new. Designed to wear with a hairstyle that left the back of your neck bare, so the clasp was clearly visible. Audrey Hepburn was a classic beauty with her black dress, long black gloves and a beaded necklace with an ornate clasp. Very stylish in the 1930s and 1940s when everyone went to the cinema and the Hollywood stars were copied
The clasp need not be at the back of the neck. Today such a necklace can be worn with the clasp around the front in any position. Double stranded bead necklace of glass pearls with a blue rhinestone clasp.

Multi-layered bead necklaces have been fashionable for centuries. Even in this issue of December's Vogue UK, there is a multi-layered bead necklace by Chanel. The clasp has been replaced by a bow, quite easy to copy at home - if the ££££ price tag is a bit too much. Just attach a bow available from haberdasheries to a long slip over bead necklace or to a plain clasp on a shorter layered necklace. Coordinate the bow to match the necklace.

Coral bead necklace 1960s with an ornate clasp.

Milk glass beaded necklace 1960s with an ornate clasp fastening.

Antique Tigers Eye bead necklace - see the irregular shape of the beads that have been hand cut.

Yellow long bead necklace 1920s with metal pin links.

Yeah A Little Vintage Necklace for Friday

Yeah, A Little Vintage Necklace For Friday.

Its early September and it is raining. The weather across the world is horrendous. So we have chosen a yellow bead vintage necklace from the 1950s, for our Friday treat. Below is our necklace image and a little bit of fun lettering added to it.

Yellow fixed bead necklace 1950s.

Forget the rain and wind. Just wear a little bead necklace today in a bright and cheerful colour. Then maybe we will have some better weather next week!!. This is a fabulous yellow resin bead piece with indentations around the beads filled with a reflected enamel coating. Well, that's what it looks like to me! It is of the fixed bead variety - i.e. that means the beads have been fused onto the string. It makes this beaded necklace quite durable and will wear very well. Ideal for those moms and grand moms that have small children grabbing the necklace.

We have many different vintage necklaces to showcase. From beads to chain and many are very unique featured on this blog post. 

Take a look at this vintage wooden bead necklace above. The beads are of polished natural wood. It has been hand knotted and is probably pre seventies of age.

A 1960s vintage beaded necklace with a mixture of white faux pearls, glass beads in green, amber and gold onto three strands. Unsigned.

Unique 1980s vintage necklace in plastic. Dark colours of amber and black with beads and fringe detail. Unsigned.

This is a vintage mesh and clear rhinestone necklace from the 1960s. Gold wire is meshed together and knotted design with an edging of glass stones. Unsigned.

Boxed two stranded faux pearl necklace with a rhinestone clasp. The clasp is in blue and clear glass stones. Unsigned but in it's original box with the Ciro logo on.

A pretty Milk Glass beaded vintage necklace in white with an ornate clasp. The clasp has a glass cabochon that has a pink floral design on. Unsigned and dates to the 1960s. 

Rare 1950s Pop It bead necklace. The beads are pushed into each other and can be pulled apart to make a choker or two bracelets. Originally Pop It beads were made for adults, but quickly became popular with children and made into their own jewellery range.

A statement 1980s necklace with matching clip earrings. Turquoise, purple and blue onto gold tone. Unsigned.

This is part of the Birthday range from Exquisite. A 1960s - 1970s vintage enamel necklace of pansy shaped links.  

One more day and it's Friday - pink necklace

Thursday, one more day and it's Friday! Of course Friday means its nearly the weekend. So to honour this day, I am wearing some thing pink - just because it feels like a girlie day. I have made this banner using a beautiful vintage pink necklace circa 1960s photographed for our website to highlight that it is a Thursday.

Another jewellery quote from Vintage Jewels Geek blog.. Please be aware that our website, Jewels and Finery is now closed.

Beads and more jewellery of beads to wear

We love beads and the more unusual the better. So just a showcase of some of our bead jewellery to wear. From beads of strings to beads used on brooches and earrings. We like vintage and the more unusual shaped or colours. So take a peak at our selection. Of course they were all available on Jewels and Finery. We have now closed down our website. But have kept up this blog for information and of course many photographs of the different bead jewellery available once upon a time.

Black Cloisonne beads in this pair of earrings. Pretty and dangling pair of beads. Modern and made in the last 20 years.

How about this turquoise and black dangling earring pair? Unusual beads jewellery and a great look. Estimated made in the 1980s.

Citrine yellow coloured glass beads. Lovely faceted and long enough to just slip this necklace over your head. Circa 1930s vintage.

If its party wear - then this beautiful purple and yellow acrylic bead necklace is a beauty.  Multi faceted to catch the light. Acrylic crystal look that is a modem made piece and ideal for a sparkling occasion.

Amber beads in both light and dark shades make up this lovely necklace. Long and elegant as well as being collectible.

Fixed beads in plastic go a long way and are a lot cheaper to buy and wear. You can also wrap these around your wrist as a wrapped bead bracelet. Versatile and unusual jewellery. This red fixed bead necklace above has some unique patterning. Circa 1960s to 1970s of age.

Brooches with beads make a lovely gift. This floral piece has some unusual bead accents in orange translucent colours with the antique gold tone filigree it is very striking and unique. Probably made in the sometime between the 1960s and 1980s 

Bead embellished face brooch by Gothic White Witch, handmade and new. finished our collection of bead jewellery.

Identifying 20th Century jewellery

When you wear or collect vintage jewellery it is very useful to be able to identify 20th century jewellery and what era it probably came from. One good book to help is called 20th Century Jewelry: The complete source by John Peacock.
A large but relatively inexpensive book that is filled with some great information. For once it does not focus on photographs of vintage brooches, earrings and necklaces as well as other forms of adornment. But actually looks at the different shapes and designs used in each 10 year decade. Illustrated with designs rather than photographs.

   The book starts from the 1900s with Art Nouveau forms of jewellery. Dragonfly brooches and lapel pins of pearl. It shows brooches, earrings and necklaces with pendants, bracelets and rings. It also has buckles and shoe clasps as well as hair ornaments of combs and pins.

Then onto the 1910s with long dangling earrings, sautoirs, necklaces and the start of the Egyptian themed pieces. Buckles were used extensively on belts and on hats for decoration. Hair ornaments were worn low on the fore head and jewelled bags and watches were in fashion. Mens jewellery were chained enamel cufflinks and tie pins.

Moving into the Art Deco period with machine styled and angular designs. Then onto the 1930s to 1940s. In the 1930s dress ornaments were used on long dresses and to add glitter with decoration on the back of plunge backed dresses.

  
Post and pre war jewellery of the 1940s to 1950s became more elaborate and slightly larger in style. Pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings were very much in fashion. Frivolous novelty jewelry with dog brooches, flower basket and Chinese designs. the Carmen Miranda influence was seen in bright lemons, orange and fruit designs. In the 1950s to 1960s brooches were used extensively on clothing, Necklaces were very drape with multiple strands in bright colours.

When the 1960s arrived fashion became adventurous and exciting. All sorts of materials were used. Pop groups influenced jewellery and necklace pendants became bigger and bolder. With shoulder duster earrings and cocktail rings. It was a decade of decadence. 

1970s to the 1980s were eras of change and experimentation. With chunky chain link necklaces and all gold or silver colours and mens jewellery becoming more flamboyant. Into the 1990s the big and bold styles continued with bows and pearls a favourite. 

At the end of the twentieth century crosses come back into fashion with layered necklaces and a classical modern approach applied. 

The book is very useful for recognizing the many eras and styles, well worth obtaining.

Genuine jewellery we have in our collection

Recently added genuine jewellery we have in our collection. We have pretty sparkling vintage brooches ready for the party season and more demure vintage necklaces. Just have a look at some of the gorgeous antique and vintage jewellery pieces we now have available.

Amber, citrine and clear aurora borealis coloured rhinestones used in this sparkling vintage brooch by Jewel Craft.

Not vintage but an antique brooch with fabulous sparkling Austrian faceted stones. Crescent moon shaped with a brass setting.

Superb large Monet green diamante brooch. Love this one as its so bold with its Maltese Cross design.

Looking for something special? Then this vintage necklace from Castlecliff and Larry Vrba is just perfect. Large and very striking. Vintage jewellery that deserves to be worn.

A multi bead necklace that is so vintage in style. 1950s jewellery that has some great unique vintage plastic beads from Hong Kong.

How about a 1970s medallion necklace with Atlas holding up the earth on it. Greek inspired by the ancient Gods of old.

1970s blue and green abalone shell pendant necklace by Exquisite. Long chain with a diamond shaped pendant. This is just a little that we have added to Jewels & Finery recently. Our aim is for between 30 and 50 unique pieces of vintage jewellery each week. Not forgetting that we have new and previously owned jewellery as well.

Summer bead necklaces that do not date.

I am blogging today about summer bead necklaces that do not date. The one style that seems to be always fashionable is the long necklace of a single strand. These are so versatile and easy to throw on in the mornings when you are half asleep. Most do not have a clasp - an advantage if you are finding the small clasps manufactured today a bit fiddly and they do not move around and expose the clasp which is so annoying.

What sort of material is available in beads that are ideal for summer? Light weight plastic jewellery is so great if you do not want a long necklace that feels heavy in the heat of summer (that is if we in the UK ever get any heat!) Then bead necklaces of gemstones are also ideal. A bit heavier to wear. Cool to the touch and on the skin. These have added value with their supposed benefits.

But whether you choose plastic jewellery, glass, wood or shell. Bead necklaces either vintage, antique, pre owned or new will uplift any outfit each day. 

 You can of course layer bead necklaces wearing an assortment in different lengths or with a long necklace that is even versatile. You can knot the beads towards the end or wear one wrapped several times around your wrist.

Want an even more summer look then choose a shell or mother of pearl bead necklace. So many colours to choose from with white to abalone blue and green. Dyed shell has many colours and shapes now for matching with many outfits. So what bead necklace are you wearing today?

Choose a beautiful jewellery piece for a Christmas gift

Yes it's that time of the year for Christmas jewellery. The thrill with Christmas gifts is not in the receiving but the giving. So choosing something to match that person is an art in its self. Especially if anything like my husband. Every year, our family asks for a Christmas list or what does he really want? But nearly every year he can not think what he wants until the very last moment or not at all. So he never gets anything very interesting, as by that time its too late to buy online and the shops are quite depleted.

 Vintage brooches

A piece of vintage jewellery may not be for everyone. But its something that would not be found in the usual shops. Providing you order early enough or take up the Express delivery option in the last couple of weeks in the UK.

Here are just a few pieces of vintage jewellery available and as we also sell new jewellery. There are some great designer pieces just right for buying yourself as a Christmas treat.

Rhinestone brooches

We have some gorgeous vintage rhinestone brooches that are so suitable for adding to your Christmas day clothing or attached to a dress for the New year's celebrations.

Vintage bracelets

  How about a genuine vintage stretch bracelet from the 950s to 1960s. Or go for a new version of a vintage style stretch ring to match your stretch bracelet.

Lots of different choices for Christmas gifts of vintage necklace. The majority of our vintage jewellery is sent in a gift bag or box, so no extra stress of looking for suitable packaging.

For the man in your life - go a little towards vintage mens jewellery. With tie pins, cufflinks and an assortment of Gothic pieces to look through and choose, as well as "traditional" style ones available.

vintage mens jewellery

Then something to wear over the festive season that is new but a take on the vintage cameo jewellery.

Cameo necklaces

  Just one of the newer cameos that are available and just that little different to wear.