Corocraft jewellery

Jewelcraft to Corocraft and Coro jewellery. With Vendome

One of the brand names used by the jewellery company Coro was Jewelcraft. It was used here in the UK quite a lot, because of the court case that Ciro Pearls the UK company had with Coro – over the right not to use their name here as it was too like their own. Ciro won and so Coro was not allowed to use their brand name of Coro here and that means that many of the pieces found here in the UK will be marked “Jewelcraft” or “Corocraft” instead. All the ones we will be showing are signed – unless they come within a set and at least one other is signed. But I will tell you about this when I show the jewellery.

In this blog, we will gradually add the photographs and signatures of Jewelcraft jewellery that we have found and hopefully build up quite a jewellery library of images. Below is a pair of large earrings by Jewelcraft with a red enamel design and next to it the Jewelcraft markings on their jewellery.

Corocraft box with signature

Corocraft was another Coro mark. Above is a leaf with the Corocraft stamp on. Pretty in all gold tone. In the seventies and eighties, I can remember that when shopping most of the jewellery around was saying Corocraft. But few are found here today – I puzzled about this for a while. I think that the cards and boxes were signed but not the actual jewellery pieces. Which will make it difficult to firmly identify.

Corocraft earring backs in their original packaging

Corocraft earring backs with the information shown from their original packet

The above is a matching Jewelcraft jewellery set of a bracelet and earrings. In a light brown/taupe color. The bracelet is signed Jewelcraft but the earrings are unsigned. Without them being sourced together we would not have known they were from Coro.

As usual, we will be adding more Coro/Jewelcraft jewellery photographs as we take and source more. So please bookmark this and all our jewellery blogs. 

Stratton jewellery

Stratton jewellery and accessories with their men's jewellery

Stratton jewellery and accessories. Once based in Birmingham and London - This company started in the 1860s and folded in the late 1990s. The brand name "Imitation" was also produced by Stratton.
They made a wide range of items from women's jewellery, men's jewellery, jewellery boxes, trinket boxes and accessories to buttons and not forgetting their range of famous compacts. All our items have been sourced here in the UK and photographed by us. 

Stratton Made in England. Stamp on the reverse of a pretty trinket box

Stratton long tie clip in white and gold

Signature on the back of the above white tie pin. It says "Stratton, made in England, Pat app for" Patent applied for

Some Stratton pieces are unsigned. This pair of cufflinks has "Metal" and Pat number on only.

Stratton of London on the inside of a box

The patent number on one of Stratton's cufflinks

Presented by Stratton England on a box containing cufflinks and tie pin

The passant lion is an emblem used on Stratton boxes with the gold and red detail. However, this is not signed Stratton. It is from a shop on Bond Street, London.

Bond Street jewellery but in fact made by Stratton. See above on how to identify

Collecting funky jewellery this year 2020

What funky jewellery am I collecting this year?

At the start of each year since 2012, I have racked my dysfunctional brain on what unusual and funky jewellery to collect. It has to be cheap, fashion or costume, slightly kitsch and a mix of pre-owned and new. Throughout the year, I photograph and showcase that collection. In previous years, I have collected alien and space themed jewellery, dinosaur jewellery, recycled, witch, Gothic and magic styled pieces. Along with Egyptian jewellery and unusual vintage beads. Not forgetting those plastic brightly coloured rings that could be found on cakes from a well-known shop.

Avon cat with brooch witch brooch.

Do I wear my funky jewellery?

Actually no. I see it as art pieces to display and admire (Or cringe - depending on your tastes). Yes, I would wear it in the right circumstances - but that has yet not been an option or the opportunity has not reared its head at this point. However, the funky pieces that I collect are made to be worn.

Do I stop collecting jewellery?

Ahh...No. Every year I end up adding to previous yearly collections. So that's another alien brooch, space rocket earrings or an Egyptian pharaoh necklace that I find on my travels ends up in its respective theme jewellery box. I find my jewellery mostly at vintage sales, car boots, charity shops, jumble sales, stores, markets or online. As I am no longer selling vintage and handmade jewellery. I tend to only look a couple of times a month now and only buy a couple of items that catch my eye. Everything I have that I brought to sell is in storage until I find the time in a few years time to start to sell jewellery again. However, each year's themed collection is not for sale as I keep them for showing at a later time on another blog to inspire and see how much is available out there. Also, Google tends to archive blogs and it is better to add a fresh collection over time. So look out for each past year's funky collection that I will be re-photographing and showcasing soon.

 Now what to collect this year?

There are so many things to create a brand new theme that I was spoilt for choice. Some of the ideas are Disney jewellery, sea-themed, real shell, fossil, science (as in DNA and molecular shaped), political or fruit. I considered cactus-shaped, charity and those rubber/silicone band bracelets. I wanted something that I would not normally source and it had to be interesting.

The funky jewellery I intend to collect this year is politically inspired and news related jewellery.  

As at last, we are getting out of the European Union. I have decided to collect politically related pieces. Starting with Brexit and moving on through the different political and news-related issues that are ever-present in the world. I hope to find climate change inspired jewellery and badges. I think that someone will also produce charity jewellery to raise funds for the Australian people and animals harmed in the awful fires soon. So that we do not forget and raise more money. 

As this year continues there will be other things that happen. Political, environmental, social and other changes here and abroad. As well as breaking news issues. If no specific jewellery is produced then I plan to buy a kangaroo brooch and koala earrings, for the Australian fire reminders as well as other similar pieces that serve as a memorial or commemorative piece. But they may not have been first made for that purpose intentionally.  

To start off - I have ordered a few Brexit badges and plan to buy a necklace.  So watch this blog...

W, X, Y and Z Stamps on Jewellery.

Stamps on the back of jewellery shows who made it and which designer it is. It can also tell you how old as certain companies used different stamps at different year ranges. Hallmarks were more used for gold and silver - this is not included in this alphabetically arranged directory.

W A P Watson - See Exquisite for further details as this was the company that produced the Exquisite and Mirella range also. W A P Watson can be seen on the Gothic Tudor Mint range of brooches and key rings. Often in pewter and with a crystal stone (real and faux) as with the Tudor Mint range of Dungeons and Dragon series. Signed on the reverse in a  circular plaque. See Exquisite for more information.

Warner Brothers - Copyright jewellery produced for the film company. Under Warner Bros marking.

Weiss - 1942 - 1971.Albert Weiss worked for Coro initially before striking out on his own. Excelled in the 1950s and 1960s, that had to arrange with Hollycraft to cover orders and demand. Produced some fabulous sparkling pieces on the par with Eisenberg. Famous for brooches in rhinestone, figural of birds, butterfly and fruit, Swarovski crystal earrings and much more

West Germany - Western Germany jewellery signed pieces will only date between the years 1949 to 1990 when the republic of Western Germany was in existence.

White Diamond - See Elizabeth Taylor jewellery

Willie Frey - see Michaela Frey information. 

Wilson Henry - (1864 - 1934) Inspired by nature, Medieval and the Renaissance period and was part of the Arts & Crafts era. Used gemstones carved to fit his designs - unusual amongst other jewellers of this period.

Yves St Laurent   - see YLS jewellery mark on the reverse of his jewellery.

1928 Jewelry - 1960s to the present day (USA). Online shop as well as several outlets in California and a shop in Canada. Also sells to the Macey's Store. Sells their own antique and vintage jewellery inspired brands lines under various names includes "Downton Abbey, Signature 1928, Antiquities Couture, Symbols of Faith, 2028 and many more.
Unknown and unidentified signatures - that we can not read to be shown soon.