Amazing Adornments Loves Vintage Jewels

Original by Robert Pink Glass and Rhinestone Set|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2012-02-02T03:17:00.000-05:00

Original by Robert Pink Glass and Rhinestone Demi- parure

We believe this Haskell look necklace
and earring set by Robert is in keeping with the romantic Valentine's Day theme.

Robert Levy along with two others
founded the Fashioncraft Jewelry Company in New York in 1942.

Over the years, some of their pieces
have been confused with those produced by Miriam Haskell. Many
have mistakenly insisted that Mr. Levy worked for Haskell. It is fairly easy to see why when you look at this demi.

The metal is the same Russian gold
plated type used by Haskell. The delicate hand wired beaded design is also similar.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Original by Robert Glass and Rhinestone Set

The necklace has four strands of pink glass beads with an oval centerpiece of pink, wired bead flowers sprinkled with clear prong set rhinestones. The wires are cleverly hidden between a double filigree backing.

The ladylike necklace fits close to the neck, choker style and the
matching earrings are clip- ons.

Another jeweler that many confuse with Robert is Robert DeMario. Some of their pieces are similar, again in the Haskell style. I tend to think their first names adds to the confusion!

Like many jeweler's, The Fashioncraft company offered jewelry in many styles and price ranges.
This company is also well known for it's interesting enamel flower pins.

2012-01-06T02:28:00.000-05:00

Stanley Hagler Blue Crystal Necklace by Mark Mercy

Well it's 2012 and we hope you have a very prosperous year.

As our first Jewel of the Month
this year, we choose this exquisite six strand torsade with two decorative sections.

One of the decorative sections is a
clasp. Both have the typical wired glass and rhinestones found on Stanley Hagler pieces by the man himself, Mark Mercy and Ian St. Gielar.

You can wear this beauty with
these sections at the sides as shown below or front to back as also shown.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Stanley Hagler Blue Crystal Necklace

All of the beads and rhinestones are hand wired and perfectly coordinated. The blue crystal strands have a slight aurora borealis coating that enhances the sparkle of the glass.

For those that are not aware, both Ian and Mark use the same types of beads and findings that Stanley used and both use his hallmark. Ian adds his own name to the mark for clarity. Most of Stanley Hagler's older work did not have periods between the letters NYC. Mark's pieces always has them.

Vintage Signed Kramer Elegant Rhinestone Set|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2011-12-03T04:35:00.000-05:00

Vintage Signed Kramer
Black Glass and Rhinestone Set

Are you ready to ring in the new year? Here is a dazzling black and clear rhinestone set signed Kramer that is perfect for that night and beyond!

Over the years, I have found and
loved many pieces by Louis Kramer. I say many because some jewelers had pieces produced for them by several manufactures. Due to the quality differences, I believe Kramer was one of those. In fact, it is a well known that DeLizza and Elster did some work for Kramer. Their work was higher end!!

Many authors, including Julia Carroll
and collectors, believe that jewelry with this hallmark is a great starting place for a beginner. There are many pieces on the secondary market and unlike Weiss, you do not have to worry as much about reproductions.

Some pieces are hard to find such as the pieces marked Christian Dior by Kramer and the really rare markAmourelle. Both are pricey when you can find them.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Kramer Black Glass and Clear Rhinestone Demi- parure

This beautiful and well made set consist of a necklace and matching clip- on earrings. The metal is rhodium plated. This type of plating is much more expensive to use.

The central design section is three rows of rhinestones and glass.

No matter what you wear with this sparkler, you will be noticed!

Happy Holiday season to all!

SPECIAL:
Take 15% off any order until December 10, 2011 by using coupon code: NEWCUST at checkout!!

Vintage Crown Trifari Modern Mosaic Christmas Tree Pin|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-11-03T04:10:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Crown Trifari Modern Mosaic Christmas Tree Pin

Here is a very popular Christmas tree pin from Trifari. The design is called
Modern Mosaic and it first appeared during the mid 1960s.

They were produced in several colors including; blue with green, black and topaz. This multi- colored, jewel tone glass version is my favorites and one collectors also love.

Note the amber and clear rhinestones that are used as accents.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Crown Trifari Modern Mosaic Christmas Tree Pin

In general, these sweet brooches began appearing during the 1940s although they became a hot seller during the 1950s. It was all up hill from there.

Almost every designer produced one or more. Manufactures also produced many of them. It is possible to find unsigned designer pieces that were originally
marked with a paper hang- tag.

Keep in mind that some designers produced only a few of these delights. This is
important because there are signed pins on the market that are not what they
purport to be. The Kenny Lane trees come to mind. It is my understanding that
Mr. Lane produced a couple trees for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I have
personally seen trees with his hallmark that clearly were not his!!

Christmas trees are not the only holiday motif, but for some reason reason the
trees tend to be the most endearing.

Some wear one at a time or many at the same time from Thanksgiving right up to Christmas. Looking
at this spectacular Trifari version it is easy to see why you will want to wear
it everyday!

Happy holiday season to one and all!

SPECIAL:
Take 15% off any order until December 10, 2011 by using coupon code: NEWCUST at checkout!!

Vintage Regency Three Piece Rhinestone and Glass Set|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-10-03T03:48:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Regency Three
Piece Rhinestone Parure

Some of the most elaborate stones I have ever come across have been on jewels by this New York company.

It is thought that the Regina Novelty Company began producing jewelry during the 1950s. There isn't an abundance of information about the company, but their pieces are well made and are often compared to Schreiner jewels.

The rhinestone butterfly pins produced by Regency are best sellers. They are often confused with Weiss and DeLizza and Elster butterfly pins.

This is a beautiful set consisting of a bracelet, necklace and clip- on earrings.

The larger stones are baroque faux pearls in cream and brown. When you view them up close, you can see delicate
contrasting stripes. Some of the navettes have an iridescent coating that
shimmers when the light hits them.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Regency Rhinestone and Glass Parure

Most of the company's pieces are pricey, especially the ones with elaborate stones. I recently saw a set that used saphiret stones in a costume jewelry book valued at $600.00! Pieces found online or at auctions can also command top dollar again depending on the stones used.

Happy Halloween!

Remember to take 10% off any order by using coupon code: NEWCUST at checkout!!

Vintage Signed Edlee Molded Glass and Rhinestone Bracelet|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-09-03T08:28:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Edlee Molded Glass and Rhinestone Bracelet

A few years ago, I found a brooch with this hallmark and the molded glass stones in blue. I tried to find out more
about the maker, naturally, but I could not find much information online or in any of the books that I owned at that time. I did find some comparable pieces without much of a write up unfortunately.

I continued to see pieces with this hallmark, some with these amazing molded stones and some of totally different
styles.

About a year went by before I finally found one piece in the costume jewelry book Collecting Costume Jewelry 202, by Julia Carroll. The piece she featured was in this style.

In the same authors next in the series of Collecting books, 303 she features many of these pieces on page 199.
She states the glass looks like cornucopia's and that the company was famous for
these stones.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Edlee Molded Glass and Rhinestone Bracelet

According to this same book, the pieces were produced during the 1960s.

Notice how all of the stones coordinate perfectly, right down to the color fade
in the ribbed stones.

When we saw this bracelet we knew we had to use it for our September Jewel of
the Month as it displays so many of the colors one would see on trees in areas
where the leaves begin to change colors this time of year.

As of this writing, we still have not found the other styles of Edlee jewelry in
any book we own. We do see them for sale from time to time and we have a few
examples in our Edlee Gallery.

Registration open for GIA’s October career fair | National Jeweler

2011-08-11T02:02:00.000-04:00

Registration open for GIA’s October career fair | National Jeweler

Vintage Signed Lisner Autumn Hued Oak Leaves Parure|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-08-02T05:09:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Lisner Famous Oak
Leaves Three Piece Parure

Jewelry with the Lisner Hallmark
can be found in several styles. The quality of the pieces sometimes varies as well. There is also a great deal of it on the secondary market as the company was around for a long time.

Of all the pieces they produced, the thermoplastic "Oak Leaves" pieces have become the most desired.

These 1950s- 1960s pieces were produced in several colors. Some had double leaves. All were accented with rhinestones.

They also produced several other styles of plastic leaf motifs, however it is the oak leaves that seem to keep rising in price.

This set consists of a brooch. a necklace and clip- on earrings in autumn hues.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Lisner Vintage Oak Leaves Parure

If you like the 1950s, 1960s plastic pieces you can see several in the book
Mid- century Plastic Jewelry by Susan Klein and many other costume jewelry
books.

Vintage Signed CALVAIRE Sterling and Glass Floral Set|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-07-02T06:18:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Calvaire Sterling and
Glass Brooch and Earring Set

Researching vintage pieces is much like solving a mystery. Sometimes it is relatively easy due to great documentation by the maker, information found in costume jewelry books, jewelry groups or online. At other times, you have very little to go on.

For many years it was thought that Calvaire was founded by Mr. Ray Calish. Thanks to the persistence of Ann Pitman, author of the Inside the Jewelry Box series of costume jewelry books, we now know that Ray is actually Rachel. Ms. Pitman also found out that Rachel Calish had a partner named Stella Aronson and that the company was founded in New York.

What does not change is the
quality and rarity of these pieces.

This brooch and earring demi- parure is sterling silver with a gold vermeil finish, indicating it was most likely produced during the 1940s WWII years. As you can see it is also the patriotic colors of red, white and blue!

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Calvaire Sterling and Glass Demi- parure

The floral brooch is exquisite in design and construction. The open backed, blue glass stones and the red and white flowers are set atop wire that
flow gently, as if being brushed by a gentle breeze. The matching earrings are
the clip- on type.

Postal Service to Resume in Canada as Back-to-Work Law Passes

2011-06-29T00:14:00.000-04:00

Postal Service to Resume in Canada as Back-to-Work Law Passes

We can now begin shipping to our neighbors to the north again!! Yeah!!

Lawrence Vrba Faux Pearl and Rhinestone Sholder Duster Earrings|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-06-02T04:19:00.000-04:00

Lawrence Vrba Faux Pearl and Rhinestone
Earrings

If you like demure jewels, these 3 inch shoulder dusters signed Lawrence Vrba are not for you!

So far, I have not seen any pieces by this talented ex Miriam Haskell designer that are small. A few years ago we purchased one of his Christmas tree pins, since sold, and it was almost as large as a real
tree. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration, however it was humongous!

The earrings are the clip- on type in
silver- tone metal that is textured on the reverse. The unbeatable
combination of rhinestones and imitation pearls make these a perfect choice for the stylish bride.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Larry Vrba Shoulder Duster Earrings

It is known that Mr. Vrba uses some vintage elements when producing his pieces. All of his pieces are hand made.

Vintage Signed Coro Fruit and Flowers Set|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2011-05-03T05:09:00.004-04:00

Vintage Signed Coro Fruit and Flowers Three Piece Set

In 1901 a company with a little name, Coro was founded in New York by Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger. It went on to become the largest company of its kind.

In 1910 along with becoming incorporated, one of the founders, Emanuel Cohn died leaving Rosenberger in charge.

During the years before Cohn's death, the team noticed that department stores jewelry cases were missing something, costume jewelry so they set out to capture this market.

By the time the depression rolled around, the costume jewelry market was growing and they were ready!

I have read about other courageous moves made by this firm, such as building a large factory during the depression, a time of serious economic hardship for most. Hardly the time to spend large dollar amounts on a hunch. Even riskier was the fact that the factory would not be in New York, They built it in Providence RI. Imagine what their competitors must have thought!

What was known to them was that costume jewelry sales were rising and they felt this would continue. They wanted to increase sales. The next step was obvious. They needed to increase production so they did!

Now, even with their bold moves, the jewelry had to sell or they could never have achieved their title as the largest costume jewelry company in the United States.

Below is a perfect example of some of their great work.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Coro Fruit and Flowers Three Piece Suite

The blue stones are plastic moonglow stones molded in the shapes of fruit and flowers. Small clear rhinestones are used as accents. Several pieces with these stones were produced and we have included a link to the patent for the necklace which was issued on 1954. View Patent

Coro also innovated in marketing plus they had showrooms around the world that were considered to be the best of the best. Several designers were employed and they also had several jewelry lines. In addition, they used many trade names. Some you know such as Corocraft. Some not so obvious such as Elite which was used beginning in 1948. Not bad for the company with the little name!

Happy Mothers Day to All!

Amazing Adornments wants to send a special Thank You to the US Military!

Vintage Signed Sherman Rhinestone Demi- parure|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2011-04-02T03:35:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Sherman Demi- parure

Vivid color seems to be in all of the
fashion magazines this spring.
Gustave Sherman is one of the many designers from the past whose supreme use of exciting color
combinations became a signature look.

It has been said that Sherman had
his stones custom made by Swarovski. I can tell you this, I have put his stones next to others and you can see the difference. The stones on the Sherman pieces
sparkle more and seem to have an intense saturation not seen in the others.

Another thing that sets Sherman pieces apart from his contemporaries is the quality of the settings. Early on, they were either rhodium or gold- plated and smooth. In fact, quality was front and center at this company, leading to problems as everything they produced was
expensive to make! Less expensive techniques and materials were used in their later collections/lines.

This feminine set would look great at any party or special occasion. We can also see it as bridal set depending on the dress. The metal is rhodium plated and all of the stones were set by hand. They are
held in place with prongs.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Sherman Rhinestone Demi Parure

Wedding, Prom and Party jewels are one of our featured categories this month, so we thought we would look back at some of the styles worn in days gone by. Enjoy!

From 1836: Silk Wedding Dress

From 1924: Worth Wedding Dress

From 1942: Wedding Gown

From 1957: YSL for Dior Wedding Dress

From 1967: Bill Blass Wedding Dress

From 1996: Carolina Herrera Wedding Suit

1845 Worth Taffeta Gown

From 1920: Beer Evening
Gown

From 1930: Lanvin
Evening Gown

From 1954: Balmain Evening Gown

From 1969: YSL Evening Gown

From 1995 Vera Wang Evening Gown

Vintage Signed Robert DeMario Necklace and Earring Set|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month|March 2011

2011-03-01T04:28:00.000-05:00

Vintage Signed DeMario Demi- parure

This month, with the daffodils and other spring bulbs just beginning to poke through the ground (frozen ground in my part of the world), we bring you a super spring ready demi- parure from Robert DeMario.

The beaded necklace is a double strand of white, faux baroque pearls and green plastic beads strung on cord. Small clear spacers are used.

The centerpiece is not the clasp turned around towards the front. The actual clasp is shown below and it too is dazzling!

All of the beads and rhinestones have been wired to a double filigree backing. The wiring is hidden between the two plates. Notice the large iridescent green glass cabochon that also shows up on the matching earrings.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

DeMario Necklace and Earring Set

The clasp and earrings reminds me of the work of Miriam Haskell. It is easy to see how so many thought Robert DeMario must have worked for her!

Note the high- end dog tooth prongs!

All of the elements and stones were hand wired to the backings! If you look closely you can see some of the wire.

This is the actual hook clasp with a Haskell like rhinestone and gilt metal flower. Note the filigree under the large green glass stones. Now that is what I call attention to details!

This is an excellent example of DeMario's exceptional eye for design and high quality work. His pieces, when found in good condition, are in demand and usually command high prices. I think they are worth every penny!

Accessories News Flash

2011-02-12T00:34:00.000-05:00

Pantone Report: Most Popular Fall 2011 Colors: Accessories News Flash

Top Designs: The Padma Lakshmi Collection for Spring 2011 - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-12T00:31:00.000-05:00

Top Designs: The Padma Lakshmi Collection for Spring 2011 - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Pendants Swing Back Into Style - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

Pendants Swing Back Into Style - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Midwest show calls for design contest entries | National Jeweler

2011-02-12T00:26:00.000-05:00

Midwest show calls for design contest entries National Jeweler

Accessories News Flash

2011-02-09T01:15:00.000-05:00

CALL FOR ENTRY: 5TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDS

Accessories News Flash

Trend Finder

2011-02-09T01:12:00.000-05:00

New Trends: Color Block and Rose Gold
Trend Finder

Spat Parade: Pearls From Tucson - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-09T01:08:00.001-05:00

Spat Parade: Pearls From Tucson - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Rainbow Bright: Colored Stones from Tucson - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-09T01:08:00.000-05:00

Rainbow Bright: Colored Stones from Tucson - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Accessories News Flash

2011-02-08T01:20:00.000-05:00

FIT's Spring Fashion and Culture Events: Accessories News Flash

Vintage Signed DeRosa Sterling and Glass Floral Clip|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2011-02-05T05:04:00.000-05:00

Vintage 1940s Sterling and Glass Floral
Clip Signed DEROSA

Some designers are just miles above their competition. Ralph DeRosa easily fits this category. Born into a family of jewelers from Naples, Italy and studying arts and design there, did not hurt!

This clip is sterling with a vermeil
wash. It is one solid piece. As most jewelers of the WWII time frame, the
sterling was used as most other metals were being used for the war. The large pink glass stones have an open back setting and clear rhinestones are used as accents.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

DeRosa Sterling and Glass Fur Clip

DeRosa was very particular about signing his pieces and like Trifari, he
fought to stop the wholesale copying of his work by other jewelers. It is
thought that all of his pieces were signed. Some of his pieces were patented.

Many DeRosa designs had names such as the a collection offered for the summer of 1935 called
"Point Venice".

Usually for furs, shoes or dresses, there are many other ways to wear clips, including on hats, handbags,
on fabric as a belt, in your hair and more!

Pieces like this are an investment. They
represent some of the very best costume jewelry produced during the 1940s and
will always be loved for their style and quality!

Wide Band Rings - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-01T03:57:00.000-05:00

Wide Band Rings - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Edward Mirrell to Promote Jewelry at Super Bowl - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2011-02-01T03:55:00.000-05:00

Edward Mirrell to Promote Jewelry at Super Bowl - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Vintage Schreiner Three Piece Rhinestone Parure|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month|January 2011

2011-01-02T03:41:00.002-05:00

Vintage Schreiner Rhinestone Set

Amazing Adornments is pleased to present this Schreiner three piece parure as our first Jewel of the Month for 2011!

Henry Schreiner's designs are beyond
compare. Techniques were used that are so distinctive that many unsigned pieces can be attributed fairly easily.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Schreiner Rhinestone Parure

You can tell before you look for the
signature plaque, that this copper and blue rhinestone set is high quality. The stones have so much clarity and they themselves are high end. The next thing I noticed was the wire over technique used on the earrings to give them dimension.
When I saw the extender chain, with the links separated by rhinestones, I almost lost my breath as I had a feeling it was a Shcreiner set.

Another technique to look for is the use of rhinestones that are set inverted. I have heard this was supposed to enhance sparkle. I think this is interesting since the stones are so sparkly in the first place!

Schreiner never mass produced jewelry so each piece is distinctive. Purchasing Schreiner pieces is an investment, but one that will pay off! The pieces are pricey now with reason, and should continue to climb.

It is also possible to find unsigned
Schreiner pieces. On this above set, the hallmark appears only on the bracelet.

If this set gets broken up after sale, the necklace and earrings without a
hallmark could re- enter the secondary market. They could wind up in the hands on someone who was unfamiliar with Schreiner techniques and although beautiful could sell them as unsigned. You can image the difference in price! I always say, keep the sets together!!

Example of Unsigned Schreiner Necklace with Rhinestone Chain.

Some of the most interesting color combinations can be found on Schreiner pieces sometimes with unusual art glass stones.

His pieces have been worn by starlets. I read somewhere that Marilyn Monroe wore them, but I cannot be sure about that.

Every time I do mange to find a
Schreiner piece, it reminds me of the keystone or ruffle brooch that got away! I was bidding at an online auction sight and just as I was ready to enter my rather high bid, my internet connection failed! The darn pin went for $129.49! I would easily have been the winner. If you try to purchase one of these on eBay(when you can find them) you can pay anywhere from $200.00 to $600.00+!!! l still cannot get over this and it happened over two years ago!

I always keep my eyes open for jewelry produced by this exceptional designer and hope to find many more including the famous ruffle pin to bring to you during 2011!

Happy New Year to all of you!

To the Point: Index Finger Cocktail Rings Dazzle This Season - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

2010-12-04T02:06:00.000-05:00

To the Point: Index Finger Cocktail Rings Dazzle This Season - Jewelers' Circular Keystone - JCK

Vintage Signed MB Boucher Red and Clear Rhinestone 3D Bird Figural Pin|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-12-01T04:35:00.001-05:00

Marcel Boucher
Rhinestone Bird Figural Brooch

Parisian born Marcel Boucher worked at Cartier in both Paris and New York. In 1930 he then went to work forMazer Brothers where he stayed until 1937.

His background at these two firms, along with his art training no doubt helped him when he opened his own company in early 1937.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Marcel Boucher 1948 Rhinestone 3D Bird Brooch

Looking at this beautiful piece, it is
easy to see how Boucher garnered a loyal following without an abundance of advertising. The following has only grown over time as more and more people discover vintage jewelry.

The red stones are oval shaped and
tightly set. Similar pieces can be found with rectangular and square shaped stones.

Boucher produced many collections
including; enamel and rhinestone figurals, ballet dancers, a flower of the
month series, mythical birds and more. A few examples are below. See at our
online shop.

Many of the pieces, such as the
enamel and rhinestone vegetable pins and the praying mantis are now so famous
and collectable that the prices are in the thousands of dollars. Not bad
for jewelry that was originally meant to be thrown away!

Signed Stanley Hagler Wired Glass and Rhinestone Christmas Tree Pin|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-11-01T05:12:00.000-04:00

Stanley Hagler Glass and Rhinestone
Christmas Tree Pin

Oh tannenbaum, how are thy leaves so verdant? If they are festooned with wired glass and rhinestones they are beyond lovely!

This tree is signed Stanley Hagler and is a great example of the hand beaded pieces made by his company.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Stanley Hagler Christmas Tree Brooch

The metal is Russian gold- plated. Each
flower is a separate element of green glass seen beads, a red button bead and clear rhinestones. These elements are wired to a filigree backing. A separate backing hides the wire work. I love the red rhinestones at the base!

Christmas pins, especially trees are as
collectable now as they were during the 1950s when they finally took off. Maybe, they are even more collectable. There were
some Christmas tree pins available prior to the 1950s, however the 50s (into the
1960s) was one of their boom periods.

Almost every costume jeweler made them so there are plenty to choose from. I have often heard people say that it is easier
to name designers that did not produce them!

Some costume jewelers such as Cadoro had
partnerships with department stores to produce these pins for the store exclusively.

They are still being made today, some of
great quality and ingenuity, some not so much! You can find unsigned beauties as well as signed pieces. They are made all over the world, however mostly in China and
India nowadays. There has been some concern lately over the materials used in some countries when producing jewelry. I tend to like to stick with vintage if possible because of this.

Collectors purchase them all year round.
You can find them in high- end department stores as well as discount stores. Auctions are a great way to start or add to your collection and most jewelry websites have a Christmas jewelry category.

So get busy and let it be Christmas everyday!

Signed Chanel Gripoix Poured Glass and Faux Pearl Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com FInd of the Week

2010-10-08T09:15:00.000-04:00

Runway Couture Signed Chanel Gripoix Poured Glass Brooch

The person we purchased this gorgeous couture piece from told us that it was worn at a Vogue fashion shoot. She also told us that if it appeared in the magazine, she would send a copy. If this happens we will certainly post the page(s) here. Stay
tuned!

You already know a lot about
Coco Chanel, I am sure so I am not going into her biography here. Suffice it to say, she is widely regarded as a pioneer when it comes to jewelry, clothing and style.

What exactly is the Chanel style? To answer this question we need to walk
back through history to the turn of the 20th century.

Paul Poiret was one of the must wear designers during this time. His
designs were flamboyant. When he saw Chanel's simpler, yet opulent looks [said to be inspired by her rich lovers] he was not impressed and he said so! Nonplussed, Chanel went forward with the fierce determination she became known for. She won this battle for the hearts and pocketbooks of the fashion buying public!

Chanel, it has been said transformed jewelry and clothing from the perception that overpriced pieces, usually real, must be purchased if one wanted to be thought of as sophisticated. Chanel actually thought this view was exploitive. Her vision was more about harmony. She was more concerned with how the jewels enhanced the total look, rather than how much it cost or whether they
were real!

Although Chanel passed way in 1971 her vision lives on as can be seen in this large poured glass brooch.

Click on the image for description.

Chanel Gripoix Poured Glass Brooch

The metal is gold- tone and the stones are jeweled colored. Each stone must have been carefully chosen as each has a little something different about it.

Whether you are purchasing for yourself just to have, as an investment or as a gift for someone else, Chanel never lets you down!

Signed Iradj Moini Huge Mabe Pearl and Rhinestone Insect Figural Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month- Oct 2010

2010-10-01T06:52:00.000-04:00

Iradj Moini Spooky Beautiful
Large Insect Pin with Mabe Pearl and Rhinestones

Going to a party for Halloween?
Tired of wearing pumpkins and witches. Nothing wrong with those, but why not standout from the crowd with this huge, creepy crawler brooch from the one and onlyIradj Moini?

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Contemporary Insect Pin Signed
Iradj Moini

Like so many before him (I am thinking Kenneth Jay Lane) here is a designer that does not do demure. Nor, does he take the "costume" out of costume jewelry. I was fascinated when I read in one of KJL's books that he thinks costume jewelry should look fake. At first I thought
how odd, until I read on and thought about what he was actually conveying.

I believe he was trying to say, that it is fake so go with it. Why try to make it look real. With real stones, you could not produced some of his pieces, even to sell to the richest that is for sure!

Although, Mr. Moini seems to have this same go large and opulent streak within him, he does use genuine gemstones most of the time.

This pin is in silver- tone metal with a large light gray mabe pearl as the body. The body is capped with sections of clear rhinestones and the bug sports purple glass eyes. Thin wires are used for the legs and antennae. Best of all, the piece was hand- made!

Iradj Moini is very well known for his
over-the -top productions and has been sought after for years by many stars. Beyonce wore one of his creations in the video for "Why don't you love me?" recently. See the link below. He has in the past designed for Oscar de la Renta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QczgvUDskk0&ob=av2e

Some of his work was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2006. The Louvre has three of his pieces in their permanent collection! His cool is that!

One of his pins, the grasshopper, is in especially high demand.

Iradj Moini is more than a designer, he is a true artist and having one of his special hand- made designs is an
investment in art to wear and will get you noticed to boot!

Vintage Signed Eisenberg Amber and Smoke Demi- parure|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-09-02T10:27:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Eisenberg Amber and Smoke Iced Demi- parure

This is a classic Eisenberg set with pave icing in gold- tone metal. You can tell this is a high- end piece when you look at the plating and the quality of the stones chosen way back sometime during the 1950s.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Vintage Eisenberg Set

The clear sections are known as pave
icing or iced and they are often seen used on Eisenberg jewels. In fact, I would call them a signature design technique. I have heard it said that the sections look like frosting or ribbons.

The rhinestones are deep amber and smoke. Sometimes smoky gray rhinestones are referred to as Black Diamond. It is a color that I believe really took of when they were used on older Weiss pieces.

It is a well known fact that Eisenberg jewelry is amongst the very best produced and the high prices for the sterling and older pieces reflect their popularity. I have noticed that the 1970s enamel pieces are also rising in price.

Their jewels have longevity as does the
company. They were originally a clothing retailer and shortly thereafter began
producing jewelry. As of this writing, they are still in business.

Trend Finder

2010-08-03T04:05:00.000-04:00

Trend Finder

2010-08-02T04:27:00.000-04:00

Vintage Signed Schiaparelli Three Piece Parure

With many peoples thoughts turning from summer fun to falling leaves and school books, we thought this set was a nice bridge between the seasons.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Vintage Schiaparelli Set

At first, one might think it is just another beaded set, no big deal. However, when you actually give the pieces more than a passing glance you will see why Elsa Schiaparelli's pieces are so loved and so pricey!

The necklace is a double strand while the bracelet has three strands. The matching earrings are the clip- on type.

Below are additional examples of
Schiaparelli pieces. Visit ourSchiaparelli Gallery to see more.

Schiaparelli Signature Tourmaline Earrings

Schiaparelli Lava Stone Earrings

Please note: We are pleased to announce that are upgrading our web site and store. We are adding several features for your shopping and browsing pleasure. Please forgive our appearance during this transition. Stay tuned!

Accessories News Flash

2010-07-30T01:35:00.000-04:00

Accessories News Flash: Alexis Bittar to Judge Carry Me! Handbag Competition

Trend Finder

2010-07-29T02:40:00.000-04:00

Trend Finder

Charmed, I’m Sure | JCKonline

2010-07-29T02:35:00.000-04:00

Charmed, I’m Sure JCKonline

From the Wrists of Babes: Creating a New Generation of Bracelet Lovers | JCKonline

2010-07-29T02:34:00.000-04:00

From the Wrists of Babes: Creating a New Generation of Bracelet Lovers JCKonline

Oppose Efforts to Impose New Tax Burdens on the Internet | eBay Main Street - Public Policy and Breaking Ecommerce News

2010-07-28T01:52:00.000-04:00

IMPORTANT-----------Please Sign

Oppose Efforts to Impose New Tax Burdens on the Internet eBay Main Street - Public Policy and Breaking Ecommerce News

Vintage Signed DeMario Crystal Convertible Necklace and Earring Set|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-07-02T05:40:00.005-04:00

Vintage Signed DeMario Blue Crystal Convertible Necklace and Earring Set

This blue crystal demi- parure was such an obvious choice as our Jewel of the Month. First, its Robert DeMario! Some of the most intricate designs I have seen carry this hallmark. Secondly, it is an unusual set in that the necklace comes apart at the dramatic clasps and coverts to two spectacular bracelets.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

The close to the neck fitting, dog collar style necklace consists of four strands of high quality crystals. The strands at the outer edges are lighter in shade than those at the center. The fabulous Haskell look clasps connect at the front and at the back. Rhinestones, glass and beautiful filigree findings are hand wired to a tongue in groove clasp finding. The clip- on earrings pick up the motif of the clasps.

When you separate the clasps, you end up with two 7" bracelets, one for each arm (LOL) and each closing with its own ornate clasp. The matching clip- on earrings pick up the motif of the clasps.

Vintage Miriam Haskell Floral Centerpeice Motif Necklace|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-06-02T04:38:00.001-04:00

Vintage Miriam Haskell Floral Centerpiece Motif Necklace

There isn't a whole lot that has not been said about Miriam Haskell jewelry or the lady herself. No need to rehash her life here!

I wonder how many designers received business permits in 1926? I also wonder how many went on to reach the heights Miriam Haskell has. Are any of the others still around?

From the very beginning, this jewelry was artistic and distinctive yet in a refined way. Over the years many celebrities amassed huge collections and the prices continue to rise. I
have personally seen pieces, that I thought were beyond repair, sell for large sums of money!

This flattering necklace is a great
example of the balance between showy and
refined. I can see this being worn to
any summer event. The beads are all
glass and the colors are perfectly
coordinated.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

The floral motif centerpiece consists of rounds and flower beads along
with rich green glass leaves attached via jump rings to form the fashionable drop.

We believe it was produced between the 1960s and the late 1970s mostly due to the double sided hang- tag which were replaced by the company in the late 1970s.

In recent years Miriam Haskell jewelry has been seen in department stores such as Barneys and a few months ago J Crew announced a line of her jewels will be featured in their stores sometime this year!

Time has proven to be very kind to Miriam Haskell jewelry indeed!

David Mandel "The Show Must Go On" Ear Clips|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-05-23T04:10:00.000-04:00

David Mandel "The Show Must Go" On Rhinestone Earrings

Each time I see a piece of vintage
costume jewelry that is large in scale, I think about the words of Kenneth Jay Lane. According to his book Faking it, he believes costume jewelry should look spurious. It should be large and bold. He was not trying to imitate real jewels the way so many others do/did.

Several designers have a little Kenny in them and I believe David Mandel
is one of them. Not surprising to me, he apprenticed for Lawrence Vrba,
the king of theatrical jewels.

When Mr. Mandel left Vrba with the help of Robert Sorrell, he had already
commissioned out some of his work. It wasn't long before his pieces were noticed by collectors. How can you miss them?

These clip- on earrings are more than generous and I think Kenny would approve. They almost cover the entire ear when on.

All of the vivid stones are high quality and they are prong set. The backing has the gun metal finish found on many Vrba pieces.

Click on the image for description.

David Mandel "The Show Must Go On" Ear Clips

You have probably seen the term "Statement Making" to describe jewelry for a couple of years. Well, these ear- clips are all that and then some!

"The Show Must Go On" pieces are all hand made and one of a kind. They are very collectable and should continue to hold their value into the future.

Walter Lampl Bundles for Britain Patriotic WWII Charm|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-05-20T05:32:00.000-04:00

1940s Signed Walter Lampl Bundles for Britain Charm

Patriotic jewelry items are symbols. Here in the USA besides flags we usually see representations of Liberty Bells, items depicting Uncle Sam, torches and eagles.

We include patriotic colors [red, white and blue]in our definition at Amazing
Adornments. This allows us to showcase red, white and blue earrings and such.

While many patriotic pieces were produced during the 1940s WWII period, these pieces were also produced during the First World War and are still being produced today. They had their hey-day during WWII.

Walter Lampl's company produced a very famous Patriotic Pin "Remember Pearl Harbor" that was issued a patent in 1941. it was one of many patriotic pieces produced by Mr. Lampl. Several companies produced pieces with the
"Remember Pearl Harbor" theme as well as other designs.

This charm is a miniature beauty with a Union Jack flag on the inside of the
cube. It was produced to support the British during the Second World War.

Click on the image for description.

Walter Lampl Bundles For Britain Patriotic Charm

In addition to the Union Jack flag, there is a British Royal Crown on the top panel.

Walter Lampl produced jewelry spanning many styles, plus vanity items. He is best known for charms. Many are truly tiny works of art and highly collectable!

Here in the USA, Memorial Day is May, 31, 2010, which is right around the corner and then there is July Fourth, Independence Day shortly thereafter. We feel this patriotic charm would be a nice change from a flag pin! Even a super duper sparkly flag pin!!! LOL!

Signed Chanel Paris Golden Straw Hat Charm Necklace|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-05-13T09:25:00.000-04:00

Signed Chanel Straw Hat Charm Necklace

Some have called Gabrielle [CoCo]
Chanel the "militant of costume jewelry" because of her quirky wit and her take charge style of management. She is also known for her trendsetting looks in clothing, handbags and jewelry.

She was responsible for the faux pearl being accepted by the fashionable ladies of the 1920s. Several had tried before her and failed. Her ultra long pearl necklaces became indispensable.

Chanel, according to the book Costume Jewelry for Haute Couture by
Florence Müller, in a 1967 article in Elle magazine, Chanel states that "luxury was an art form"! She knew what she wanted, only the best.

This necklace was Made in France and dates to the 1980s. It is heavy and very well made. The gold- tone metal is has exceptional plating.

Click on the image for description.

Chanel Golden Straw Hat Charm Necklace

I really wish we had found this beauty for the Kentucky Derby or prior to
Mother's Day! What a gift for Mom it would have made.

Chanel attracted many of the most talented designers such as Rousselet, Gripoix and Robert Goossens. Karl Lagerfeld currently runs the House of Chanel.

DeLizza and Elster Filigree Ball and Matrix Navette Set|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-05-05T07:47:00.000-04:00

DeLizza and Elster Filigree Ball and Coral Matrix Navette Demi Parure

DeLizza and Elster produced some of the most flamboyant costume jewelry, so it is no wonder that we can't go too many months without finding another we feel is suitable to be featured as our Jewel of
the Month.

Now, be honest. How many times have you come across pieces like those shown in the image prior to 2002- 2003? Did you purchase any? If you are a dealer, did you sell any?

What happened in 2002- 2003? The vintage jewelry community found out, thanks to Cheryl Kilmer, [fellow
member of Jewel Collect and Discovering Juliana Jewelry] who produced these pieces and so many other unsigned pieces.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

I look back at some of my older costume jewelry books and they all show Delizza and Elster jewelry, none attributed.

Back then, some of us knew to look for open and closed back settings,
thin navettes and five- link pieces as possible D and E Juliana. We also knew that, if you shopped around, just about any rhinestone jewelry with big stones was being called Juliana, not always accurately.

Speaking of books, in her new book, Juliana Jewelry Reference, Ann Pitman states that the orange glass stones are called "Matrix"
Navettes. The filigree balls could be purchased in a half and a whole size. The half size, shown in the image above, usually had a rhinestone at the center.

The "Matrix" sets were produced in several colors, including jade and hematite. They arrived on the
scene in the early- to mid 1960s. Designs had different launch dates.

The filigree balls were used with stones other than the Matrix navettes. Below is a brooch using the full round filigree bead with rhinestones and glass. Below
that is a demi-parure also with the full round and rhinestones.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view

DandE Filigree Ball Jewelry

As you can see from just these pieces, the company could and did take a single style bead and use it in so many different ways. Note the placement of the navettes on both brooches. Now that's creative!

So, our featured set prior to 2002, would have been just another unsigned set albeit a
stunning piece, therefore commanding MUCH lower price.

I think back to all of the pieces we had over the years, long gone, that we now know was D&E. I admit to selling many of them WAY under their true value price. They were usually the ones with the most unusual stones! Live and
learn!!

Art Smith Modernist Sterling Cufflinks and Tie Bar|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-04-03T05:32:00.000-04:00

Art Smith Modernist Sterling
Cufflinks and Tie Bar

We all have heard the stories of the
struggling artists that persevere against all odds. Some achieve success, some do not.

Arthur Smith could have been considered a struggling artist during his time and he did overcome some incredible odds.

His biomorphic designs are now highly regarded the world over although there
was a time when his artistic fate was less certain.

Click on the image for description.

Art Smith Modernist Sterling Cufflinks and Tie Bar

Art Smith was born in Cuba in 1923. He was of Jamaican origin. Jamaicans who
could often left the Island in search of work or a "better" life.

His father, James followed Marcus Garvey who was a Jamaican National hero. Garveyism is a movement closely related to the Rastafarian movement.
Garveyism's goal was to empower African people. His mother's name
was Mary and she had two other children, both girls. The family ended up in New York, USA.

Although Art Smith was encouraged by his mother to pursue art, most others
thought it was a waste of time. More to the point, there were not a lot of
opportunities for a black man from the ghetto period, let alone in the art
world.

Art Smith heard about the a school called The Copper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art which was established in 1859. it was an all scholarship school and he managed to get one to attend.

The school was integrated, but there were very few blacks attending.
Art was very talented and his talents were soon noticed. He was encouraged to become a civil engineer by one of the department heads. He was told by
this person that there would be discrimination in the art world. Thank goodness he did not listen!

Arthur took part- time jobs to help support himself. One such job was at
Harlem's Children's Aid Society. While working there he met a lady in the
same building named Winifred Mason who made jewelry. He worked with her in the Village prior to opening his first solo shop in New York's Little Italy. He remained at this location for another four years although he was
subjected to racism while there.

Soon he was back in the Village. In 1948 some of his pieces were shown at an exhibit at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis called Modern Jewelry Under Fifty Dollars.

Most recently some of his work can be seen at the Art Smith Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.

Coro Craft Sterling Bill and Coo Lovebirds Duette|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-04-01T03:14:00.000-04:00

1940s Corocraft Bill
and Coo Sterling Lovebirds Separable Brooch

Meet Bill and Coo. They are one of many adorable separable brooches produced by Coro over the years.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

Separable brooches are known as
"Duettes" when they were produced by Coro. Trifari also produced these pieces, however theirs were called "Clipmates".

In addition to being able to wear the piece as a pin with both birds on the
frame, each bird is actually a clip which can be worn alone or coupled with its mate, without the frame.

Bill and Coo are in sterling silver with a gold wash. They each have a large sapphire blue crystal body. Beautiful enamel and clear rhinestones also adorn the birds. They are both perched on a branch of enamel and rhinestones. The bird on the right [I think that's Coo] appears to be chirping at the other bird.

The patent for this pin/clip was issued to Alfred Philippe in 1945.

According to the Brunialti book in which it appears on page 141, this Duette was also featured in a Mademoiselle advertisement. The list price at the time was $25.00! Needless to say the value has increased significantly!!

Marcin Zaremski Poland Modernist Sterling and Amber Cufflinks|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-03-25T09:53:00.000-04:00

Marcin Zaremski, Poland Modernist Sterling and Amber Cufflinks

Part of the reason I believe I will
always love this field is that there seems to always be a new designer/artist to
discover or another era or style to explore.

Marcin Zaremski is a new artist for us and we are happy to say we will be on the look for more of his pieces.

Click on the image for description.

Marcin Zaremski Amber and Sterling Silver Modernist Cufflinks

Mr. Zaremski was born in Poland. There is an interview with him online that states he doesn't quite see him self as a modernist while the style of some of his pieces evokes the modernist aesthetic.

Strictly speaking some believe the Modernist period dates to the years 1930-1960. To others the time frame extends to the 1970s. There are some that believe, if you are talking about modernist jewelry you mean American Studio Modernist. Still others maintain that modernist jewelry reflected a movement that was occurring around the world at around the same time, roughly between 1910 and the 1970s off and on. It is not a stretch to me to say, that although these links date to the 1980s, they are modernist in style.

He also states in the interview mentioned above, that he likes working in Amber although it is not highly regarded in Poland.

Each genuine amber square in the color block decorative section is a different
shade. The surround is thick in sterling silver with a matte finish.

Marcin Zaremski has a current website.

Trifari Sterling Jelly Belly Sea Lion Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2010-03-04T01:54:00.000-05:00

1940s Crown Trifari Sterling
Jelly Belly Sea Lion Pin with Emerald Glass

Here is another outstanding 1940s
masterpiece from Trifari. This patented Circus Seal dates to 1943. As with many Trifari patents, Alfred
Philippe is listed as the designer.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

This is a true Jelly Belly. You will see
many pieces of jewelry listed as such, however in the strict sense of the term, the piece must have a clear Lucite belly.

Jelly Bellies are usually animals and
the metal is most often sterling. The earlier pieces and the pieces made
after WWII were made with base metal. Now, there are a few exceptions to the subject matter. I have seen flowers, flower pots, sail boats, and more with clear Lucite listed as Jelly bellies in many books including the Brunialti
books.

Speaking of the Brunialti books, this
imaginative and striking seal can be found on page 183 of the American Costume
Jewelry: Art and Industry, Volume 2 book. The seal can be found
balancing different colored glass balls and even a faux pearl.

Jelly Bellies were first produced during the latter part of the 1930s. Many
designers produced them. Besides Trifari, there was Coro, Norma and Sandor to name a few.

Sandor was one of the first to use Lucite as a predominant element in a piece jewelry. That happened in 1940.

Many unsigned jelly bellies can be found on the secondary market that might have produced by one of the well known designers. Many designers just did not sign their work, nor did they keep the type or records that would help us determine with certainty who made the pieces.

Below is a reproduction of the patent for the Seal.
Click on the image for a larger view.

Trifari reproduced some of their most famous Jelly Bellies during the 1960s. These were made with base metal.

It seems to me that the Trifari pieces command the highest prices.

These pieces are more than a piece of jewelry to me. I think they are also historical and show the ingenuity of the human spirit. I feel this way
about most of the jewelry produced during the 1940s when materials were rationed for the was effort. Trifari and many other costume jewelers could have closed its doors in response. They did not and we are the beneficiaries.

We picked this piece as our Jewel of the Month
in honor of Saint Patrick's Day.
If you want to wear the green on March 17th
and you do not have or want to wear a
shamrock, we think this cutie will do!

Visit our Jelly Belly Gallery

Vintage Signed DeMario Necklace and Earring Set|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-02-16T04:40:00.000-05:00

So Pretty Signed DeMario Necklace and
Earring Set

It is easy to see where Robert DeMario's influence came from when you take a look at this demi- parure. Looks like Haskell doesn't it! It is also easy to see why many claim he worked at Miriam Haskell. This statement, while often repeated and published in jewelry books,is incorrect as far as I know.

We picked this gorgeous set as our Find of the Week because at least in these parts, spring is just around the
corner, prom season is approaching, Easter and Passover are nearly here and then there are those June weddings.

Click on the image for description.

Robert DeMario Demi Parure

If you have any special occasion coming up or if you just like wearing high quality, feminine, costume jewelry with jeans, this demi is just the thing.

The necklace is a double strand of lush
pink crackle beads along with luminous simulated pearls. Together the colors
remind me of strawberries and cream. The clasp is the typical rhinestone set
flower used by DeMario so often. The earrings feature beads and rhinestones that are wired to the very Haskell like Russian gold plated filigree backing.

DeMario jewelry is relatively rare due to the time the company was in business. The very best materials were used, sometimes they were limited production findings!

If you watch prices, you will notice that vintage jewelry with this hallmark is always costly. Even DeMario earrings sell for prices that some might consider to steep. I say this jewelry is worth
every penny!

Pennino Sterling and Rhinestone Sunburst Brooch|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-02-02T09:39:00.001-05:00

Fabulous Signed Pennino Sterling and Rhinestone Sunburst Brooch

Finding costume jewelry from the 1940s that is still in good condition is always a treat. I was thrilled to find this piece a few months ago. I left it in the box it arrived in until last week when I took the images.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description

When I went to do research on it, I
started with my usual books and then decided to look in Carla and Roberto Brunialti's American Costume Jewelry Art & Industry book. Well, there is was with a vermeil wash on page 8 of the N- Z volume!

I think of the Brunialti books as the
bible of costume jewelry, so I love when I find a piece that is included in
them. Sometimes, I purposely seek them out after looking through the book. This time, I picked the piece first and then found it in the above mentioned book.

This gorgeous and weighty brooch can also be worn as a pendant. The metal is rhodium plated and the rhinestones are very high quality as is the case with most of their pieces. Rivet construction is used on the reverse.

According to the Brunialti book I mentioned, this brooch/pendant combo was named "Sunburst" and that the flower section design was used at least twice more. Once
as a pin/watch and the other a brooch without the spiral tendrils at the bottom.

Although the company was named Pennino Brothers, Oreste is said to be the only of the three brothers that designed the pieces. Many jewelers during this time, as they still do today, had their pieces designed and or produced by others. It is believed that the Pennino's did not. I mention this because often when pieces are jobbed out, you can get jewelry of differing quality. Jewelry with the Pennino hallmark, that I have handled, is consistently well- made with above average materials.

Click to Visit the Pennino Gallery

Happy Valentine's Day!

Juliana Jewelry Reference Book by Ann Pitman|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2010-01-16T11:39:00.003-05:00

Juliana Jewelry Reference Book by Ann Pitman

I usually do not write reviews on
jewelry books however there was now ay I could not pass on this fabulous new book by Ann Pitman author of the Inside the Jewelry Box series. It is one to add to your collection of reference books without a doubt.

When about a year ago Ann Pitman put out the call via the Discovering Juliana Jewelry group and Jewel Collect, I for one was more than happy to contribute images of some of our unsold, (at the time), D&E for the
book. I was not alone!

Available at Ann's Website:

http://www.insidethejewelrybox.com/

or
http://tinyurl.com/yapmkmz

Needless to say, I awaited Ann's updates regarding the book and she was really great about sending them often.

The end result is a 320 page wonderfully presented treat for the eye. Oh, and it filled with information and antidotes, not just spectacular jewels! LOL!!

It includes an exhaustive selection of
jewels, featuring many sets. Ann also shows the variety of colors some of
the jewels were available in.

Ann shows a variety of views, including the reverse of the many pieces, some with special identification tips. Several of the stone names according to Frank DeLizza are given. Collectors and
dealers, prior to knowing who produced this beautiful jewelry, made up names for the stones and constuction that stuck. These names were hardly ever what The DeLizza's called them!

You will find jewels you know are D&E and some you would have never guessed! You have to see all the belts! There is a section on jewels the company made for others and page after page of sparkling figurals.

Ann has organized the book by central
stone or finding type which makes it really easy to find what you are looking for.

This book along with Juliana Jewelry by Nancy Zell, The Art of Juliana Jewelry by Katerina Musetti along with Frank's own memoirs, you should be able to at least rule out many of the other unsigned pieces that are similar, however not made by DeLizza and
Elster or are incorrectly attributed to the company.

All in all, I think this is a fabulous
book for dealers and collectors alike. Happy hunting!

Below are a few D&E pieces that either
are for sale or will be at Amazing Adornments. Enjoy!

A pretty floral made with the polka dotted beads also known as petite fleur brooch. Watch for this one soon!

Emerald and Topaz Navette 5 Link Bracelet - sold

This gorgeous set is currently for sale.
It includes the large metal leaf findings and crystal clear navettes. Click on
the image to read a description.

Our thoughts and prayers are with
the Haitian people.

Vera Wang Lavender Line Hand Beaded Necklace|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2010-01-04T02:52:00.005-05:00

Vera Wang Lavender Line Hand Beaded Bow Necklace

Happy New Year to one and all!

We are very excited about 2010 in terms of costume jewelry. So many people are "discovering" it for the very first time thanks to several articles on the subject this past year and because there are so many true artists up and coming or emerging. Many have already made their marks.

Naturally, Iradj Moini would fit into the made their mark category, while Atlanta's Mark Edge would be one to watch.

Vera Wang is already a known name; however she is most known for her fabulous wedding attire. She has over the years created accessories, perfume, home fashions and jewelry.

Like many clothing designers before her, the age old problem of what to accessories your creations with inevitably arises, if you are an
exacting artist. Sometimes you search and find acceptable accessories, sometimes
acceptable is not good enough. There are those times when you do not find anything that will do your creation justice, so you create your own. I do not know for certain what Ms. Wang's motivation was when she began designing jewelry, however
I would not be surprised to find out that it was!

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

This amazing necklace or rather collar is from Ms. Wang's street chic "Lavender Line".

The line includes clothing and accessories with a youth oriented attitude.

The backing for the hand sewn glass beads is delicate lace in black. You might think this would be a heavy piece with all those beads, however when worn it is quite comfortable and not at all cumbersome. The black ribbon allows the wearer to vary the length.

I can see this as a dramatic collar for a strapless dress or as a statement
making accessory under a crisp white shirt. It is the type of necklace that
could be worn with most anything, but prepare to be noticed!

Joseff of Hollywood Double Lotus Blossom Clip|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-12-27T06:31:00.003-05:00

Joseff of Hollywood Double Lotus Blossom Clip

I just love the Russian gold- plated
pieces produced by EugeneJoseff! They are stunning and most are head turning.

Click on the image for a larger view and description

Joseff of Hollywood Lotus Blossom Clip

The main reason I love these pieces is
that they are easier to photograph than other gold- tone or plated pieces. I welcome all the help I can get. LOL! Even with a light box sometimes I cannot avoid the dreaded glare spots.

Anyone with an online jewelry store knows that the image is important. Glare and shadows on jewelry can appear to be damage. My hat is off to Joseff for creating this metal that is virtually glare free. His silver- tone pieces are equally as easy to work with.

We call many jewelry artists, jewelers to the stars; however to my mind, Joseff was the original. His jewels and other items appeared in more films than I can list here.

The jewels were also worn by the male
characters. Sometimes a piece would appear on a man in one movie and in another movie the same piece would be worn by a woman.

Some of the pieces from the movies were reproduced for the masses. The older pieces were usually marked Joseff of Hollywood. Some of the more popular pieces are still being produced today and they are being distributed by a California company. They are usually signed Joseff in script. It gets a little confusing for dealers as there was a time when the original pieces were also signed just Joseff! Not only that, I have read that some of the new Joseff pieces can be found with the longer hallmark! A couple of ways to distinguish the vintage from the new reproductions is by the weight of the piece and also signs of wear. The older
pieces tend to be heavier.

The above clip has nice scale. Some of Joseff's pieces can be very large, making them hard to wear for some, but perfect for the big screen or stage.

The lotus flowers each have three
sections of layered petals and an amethyst glass cabochon set at their centers. The finish is warm and satiny with exceptional detailing.

Whether the old or the new, Joseff
jewelry is highly collectable and will probably continue to be into the future.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Amazing Adornments Find of the Week: BSK My Fair Lady Eliza's Hat Cufflinks

2009-12-17T05:58:00.003-05:00

BSK My Fair Lady Line Ladies
Cufflinks

If you are anything at all like we are,
you love the BSK My Fair Lady pieces.

This company produced an entire line of highly collectable pieces based upon the 1956 Broadway musical, My Fair Lady. The musical was based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. The musical was made into a feature film in 1965, starring the beautiful Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. It is thought that the jewelry was produced during the late 1950s.

These pieces are usually enameled and
most contain rhinestones. Many were adorned with flower designs. They made bracelets, necklaces, pins and to our delight, cufflinks like these.

Click on the image for a larger
view and description

BSK My Fair Lady Eliza Doolittle's Straw Hat Cufflinks

They were most likely meant for the
ladies to wear; however, some men like showy jewelry and these links would fit
the bill.

Many ladies wore cufflinks through the
ages although you don't see this that much any more.

Click on the image for a larger
view

Anna Stern wearing Joseff of Hollywood Cufflinks in 1948 - From the book Jewelry to the Stars by Joanne Ball.

Click on the image for a larger view

Marlene Dietrich wearing links in 1934.
From the book - Cufflinks by Jonas and Nissenson.

In a way, I wish the days when ladies
dressed to the nines would make a reappearance. When I look at images such as those above I can't help but think of all in one compacts with the chains, pill boxes and glamour, glamour glamour! A bygone era indeed!

Vintage Signed SHERMAN Clear Rhinestone Bride or Party Necklace|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2009-12-02T07:03:00.002-05:00

Gustave Sherman Masterpiece Collection
Rhinestone Necklace

We have actually had this necklace in our possession for over 6 months. We purchases it directly from Canada, Gustave Sherman's home base.

It is not unusual for us to buy a piece and hold it for use during a particular month; however this is the longest we have done so.

Well, sometimes patience does pay off! We recently, (November) purchased the new book Sherman
Jewellery, The Masterpiece Collection by Sandra Caldwell and Evelyn Yallen. While admiring all of the eye candy, my mouth dropped when I saw this beauty on page 131 in fuchsia and purple!

We have been lucky enough to procure many Sherman pieces over the years. One year we purchased a lot of eighteen pieces, mostly brooches. We have been spoiled ever since. The price per piece was
outstanding and we cannot match that price today! Not even close.

As with all of Mr. Sherman's pieces, this necklace was made with high quality rhinestones and shows superior construction. In fact
this necklace has unusual dual construction techniques. The metal is rhodium plated.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

With the party season upon us, we thought there is nothing easier to wear and nothing more versatile than a stunning clear rhinestone necklace. We can't think of many makers that did them any better than Sherman!

Vintage Signed Selro African Faces Set|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-11-30T08:38:00.003-05:00

Signed Selro African Faces Set

I can't count the number of unsigned "face" jewelry items I have seen over the years, much of it attributed to Selro or Selini. Some of them definitely are while others are not.

Like most unsigned jewelry, try as we might, we will never know who made them. With other pieces, we can sometimes tell by the construction or we have matching pieces.

Another difficulty in attributing the Selro/Selini face pieces is, this was not the only company that produced this type of jewelry.
Art and Har come to mind.

So, with all that said, you can probably imagine how happy we were to find this signed Selro African face set.

Click on the Image for Description

Signed Selro African Faces Set

It does have a few tiny flaws but as you can see it is still fabulous!

The five attached heads are wearing earrings are they are accented with a red rhinestones. The matching earrings are
the clip- on type.

2009-11-21T06:48:00.003-05:00

Coro Art Deco Duette

Not only is this pin clip combo Art Deco in design, it is from the period!

Coro produced many of
these clever pieces beginning in 1935. The older Duettes were usually done in white metal. They were set with mostly clear rhinestones and were very deco in design. Colored stones were sometimes used.

In time, gold- tone pieces appeared and during the 1940s WWII years sterling was used.

The older Duettes were usually not enameled.

Click on the Image for Description

Early Coro Rhinestone Duette

These pieces were popular and I suppose it is easy to guess at least one reason. They offer versatility! Wear it as shown
above and you have a large and very striking pin.

Remove each side from the frame and you have two spectacular clips, to place at your neckline like the glamorous starlets of bygone days, or any where you like. One thing is for certain, you can create your own look and if you happen to collect these pin/clip combos, wow what possibilities!

Vintage 1930s Thomas L. Mott Fragonard Scene Pin/Pendant Combo|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-11-16T07:18:00.009-05:00

Delightful 1930s TLM, England Portrait
Pin and Pendant Combo

If you love butterfly wing jewelry or
collect charms you already know the initials
TLM are for Thomas L. Mott of England.

Thomas Mott is credited with making
butterfly wing jewelry popular, when after showing some pieces at the 1924 British Exposition, they caught on.

Mr. Mott was also known for brightly enameled island charms and pieces such as the endearing painted porcelain brooch below.

The scene is charming as is usually the case with these hand painted prettties. It is a Fragonard "genre scene" of lovers romping in Victorian era clothing. The artist signature is visible on the pin.

The Trifari ad to the right is from a 1948 Vogue magazine. It is the famous Fragonard genre scene called "The Swing"from 1767.

Genre scenes depict everyday life. They are not the same as portrait brooches although I have seen the names interchanged. Genre painting began in Europe during the 17th century.

Usually the people in the genre scenes were more or less made- up. Portrait pieces were usually of actual people.

Some genre scenes are not as idyllic as in the ad or the brooch/pendant. Often they were used as social commentary such as those by Francisco de Goya. Goya also produced history paintings which depict scenes with a narrative of historic events.

This is an old piece, most likely dating to the 1930s. It closes with a "C "clasp.
The surround for the painted section is enamel.

Click on the image for a larger view and description.

TLM- Thomas L. Mott Fragonard Painted Porcelain and Enamel Pin

These pieces are quite collectable and they were made with a variety of scenes
including some that did not depict people. Instead, they depicted flowers and more.

This brooch can also be worn as a pendant.
There is a tiny loop on the reverse that would
be suitable for a thin chain. I don't know
about you, I always love versatility and dual
use items!

Trifari Sterling and Rhinestone "Sunburst" Clip|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2009-11-03T05:15:00.002-05:00

Trifari 1940s Sterling and Rhinestone Clip

I would love to own all of the pieces in
the Brunialti books, especially the Trifari's as like many, this was one of the first companies I found costume jewelry by. Well, since I am not a zillionaire, I am happy to find and be able to purchase any of the older pieces in good condition.

This large and fabo clip dates to 1945.
The patent was issued to Alfred Philippe in October of that year.

According to the book American Costume Jewelry Art and Industry 1935- 1950,
page 138, like so many of the earlier Trifari pieces, this was inspired by another designer, Fulco di Verdura, Duke of Verdura!

Fulco di Verdura was an aristocrat form
Sicily. It is said that his lush surrounding as a child deeply influenced his designs. Fulco worked at Chanel for around eight years. He came to American in 1934. The elites from Hollywood, New York along with other jet set types loved the pieces and became loyal customers. Everyone knows what happens when a celebrity is seen carrying a certain handbag or is seen wearing a particular designers clothing or jewelry!

In 1985 a former Sotheby's employee, Ward Landrigan purchased the company and is now the CEO. There is a current website.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

The clip is sterling silver with a gold vermeil wash. Dazzling ruby red stones sprinkled with clears form that large dome. Tiny clears are also artfully placed between the petals or rays. I say petals because I think the clip looks a little like a chrysanthemum. So , with all of this said, I bet you can guess why we picked this as our Jewel of the Month. It is red for Christmas [we like to look
one month forward] and mums are a November flower plus, it is Trifari sterling
from one of our favorite costume jewelry periods!

Trifari produced this piece in a smaller size and they also produced them with
different colored stones at the center.

Modernist Sterling Cufflinks Signed Phyllis Jacobs|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-10-15T09:25:00.004-04:00

Modernist Sterling Cufflinks

Signed Phyllis

There seems to be some debate
regarding the hallmark "Phyllis". It seems, according to the book Modernist Jewelry 1930 to 1960, The Wearable Art Movement, by Marbeth Schon, that there is another "Phyllis"
hallmark being used making some of the pieces difficult to attibute.

One of the things that makes dealing with vintage or antique items and to a lesser extent contemporary items so much fun and never boring are the mysteries that crop up from time to time.

We found a "Designs by Phyllis",
which is the website for a Phyllis Bauer [New Orleans]. They do some work in sterling. The jewelry looks contemporary and it looks to be a current web site.

We found a "Phyllis Sterling" hallmark on a popular research site, however it looks nothing like this hallmark. It was in script.

We also know of a Providence company, M&S Manufacturing, that produced a Phyllis line. They also used the Scitarelli hallmark during the 1950s. These were mostly rhinestone type pieces.

To me, the M&S pieces bear no resemblance to the modernist pieces with this hallmark, however there are several talented artists that can produce jewelry in several styles. I also do not know if there is another artist using the mark that produces strictly modernist pieces.

Click on the image for a larger view and description.

Phyllis Jacobs Modernist Sterling Cufflinks

These strong sterling cufflinks have
oxidation deep within the recessed areas giving them great dimension.
The trapezoidal shape is softened by contoured edges.

Modernist pieces are a great investment. They are art and you get to wear them! From constructivism to surreal there is certainly something for everyone!

Hess- Appel Jolle Mark 1940s Sterling Brooch|Amazing Adornments FInd of the Week

2009-10-10T11:36:00.005-04:00

Hess- Appel

Signed Jolle Sterling Rhinestone Brooch

The first time we actually had a piece with this hallmark was several years ago. It was in a large lot purchased from a member of a jewelry group I belong to.

Click on the image for a larger view and description.

Jolle 1940s Sterling, Glass and Rhinestone Pin

I was so impressed with the piece both in terms of design, construction and heft. I immediately went looking for additional examples. I can't say many were found at the time. I still do not see an abundance of these pieces today.

This regal piece is done in sterling with a vermeil wash. The ruby red cabochons are glass, each with five clear rhinestone accents.

Dating it becomes a little easier as the company was in business
from 1943 to at least the 1950s, the hallmark and the use of sterling places it around 1944-1948.

Jolle was the hallmark used by underrated New York company Hess- Appel. This company produced many beautiful figurals including the
Card Dancers from 1947. Click on the image to view the patent.

and Russian Dancers from around
1944. Click on the image to view the patent.

The Russian Dancers were
featured in a Women's Wear Daily ad from 1943. It was not unusual for
costume jewelers to put their lines into production before patents were issued, nor was it aberrant for them to bring them to market prior to being granted the patent.

Collectable Signed CADORO Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas Pin|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-10-07T11:18:00.003-04:00

Collectable Cadoro Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas Pin

I was so pleased to see Cadoro on the cover of the latest copy of Vintage Fashion & Costume Jewelry magazine as we love the jewels and we had received this pin the very same day as the magazine. I had no idea that the article featured the pin!

Click on the image for a larger view and description.

Cadoro Partridge in a Pear Tree Pin

The mentioned article also cleared up some confusion over the makers information. If you do research on vintage jewelry, I am sure you have run into instances where you will find information that is different from book to book or site to site. Apparently, according to the author, this was the case with Cadoro. Incorrect information travels fast
these days thanks to the web. We have updated our Bios pages to reflect the newly discovered information.

Christmas tree pins are great sellers and the Partridge in a Pear Tree pins are collectors favorites for the holiday or any time of the year. The prices have always been average to above average and they are rising.

Many costume jewelers made them, since the 1940s, or at least had their name placed on jobbed pieces. This makes for a vast selection of many styles and themes not to mention materials. Wearing these delightful pins became very popular during the 1950s.

This festive designer pin has rich color and close attention to detail was paid. The pears are actually sitting within settings and I love the color of the partridge and the pot. Not to forget that big red bow neatly tied on the standard. Besides, it is fun to wear something other than the typical red and green or blue Christmas tree pin!

I know for certain that collecting these can be addictive. Like trinket boxes, I hardly ever see one I can pass up. They also make great gifts and this one is in excellent gift giving condition.

Fabulous Weiss Full Parure|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2009-10-01T10:15:00.002-04:00

Fabulous Full Rhinestone Parure Signed Weiss

Any serious conversation about vintage costume jewelry has to include Weiss. Trifari aside, we believe Weiss is one of the first names many people begin
their collections with.

It is a good choice because it is
available and there are great examples on the secondary market. The pieces vary in style from real look rhinestones to enamel figurals.

Because so much has been written about this company, you probably already know that the jewelry was not produced in house. Manufactures such as DeLizza and Elster produced many [We have heard all] of the Weiss pieces. This would help to explain the difference in styles. Then there are the fakes and repros which we will leave for another time!

This is an authentic full suite in
rhodium plated metal. The stones are jet black glass and smoke rhinestones.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

We decided on this glamorous set as our Jewel of the Month because we thought it would be perfect worn to those Halloween parties and festivities. You certainly will stand out in any room. Go glitzy! Why not?!!

Signed Dujay Sterling Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-09-19T06:50:00.002-04:00

Dujay Sterling Brooch

Here is a maker that you can go months with out seeing at auction or at an estate sale. According to the Brunialti book, American Costume Jewelry, Art and Industry, A-M,
Dujay pieces are considered rare.
I can say they are certainly not commonly found.

The casual buyer might look at the images and wonder about the high prices. Once they actually hold one and see the pieces in person it becomes easier to see why they command high prices and are among collectors favorites.

This brings to mind a live auction I
attended a few years back where the auctioneer, a nice steady middle aged man, was trying to describe a jar of old coins. Finally, after removing a few from the jar and trying to read them to the audience he said, "the coin collectors
will know" and went on to the next item.

Well, collectors know the name Dujay for a couple of reasons. First, because it is well made costume jewelry from the hey-day and because of the lawsuit the company won over Déja This was in 1940 and
the lawsuit was over the use of the name Déja or in legal speak, trademark infringement. Déja was forced to change its name to Réja in 1941.

This piece because of the use of sterling most likely dates to the 1940s WWII years. It has the weight and superb construction as all the
Dujay pieces we have seen.

It also exhibits one of their popular an often used designs. The large central stone with the surround of small clear rhinestones. Each vermeil over sterling petal is carefully detailed and perfectly placed.

Click on the image for a larger view and description.

Dujay Sterling Brooch

You can see some of their very popular figurals in the aforementioned Brunialti book on pages 161 and 162 or click here to see our signed Dujay Sterling bird figural.

VIntage Autumn Hued Rhinestone Demi Signed TARA|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month

2009-09-04T09:43:00.003-04:00

Autumn Hued Rhinestone Demi Parure Signed Tara

The hallmark TARA appears to
have been used by more than one company. We have had several pieces of vintage jewelry with this hallmark. Some of which has been confirmed as being produced by DeLizza and Elster. This set certainly looks like their work in more
ways than one; however we have not sent it for confirmation.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

This spectacular set has warn rich colors that are perfect for fall. The large tourmaline rhinestones alone show colors of the falling leaves. It also shows all the colors of the remaining stones.

The large brooch can also be worn as a pendant making this set very versatile and that is a real bonus during these tough economic times. The matching earrings are the clip- on type.

Margot de Taxco ca. 1960 Enamel over Sterling Fish Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-08-21T10:12:00.004-04:00

The Elegance of Margot de
Taxco

You have to be inspired by
Margot de Taxco's life story, even if Mexican sterling jewelry is not exactly to your liking.

It seems her life was hard and filled
with tragic events that would have made most of us fold up the tent!

Her family moved around a lot when
she was younger. There are periods of her life that she would not speak about.

She arrived in Mexico in 1937 along with some of her friends. She soon married Antonio Castillo and it is thought that she designed many of the early Los Castillo pieces. After they divorced, [her second that I know of] she opened her own shop. Many of the designers that worked at Los Castillo went to work for her. She was married at least one more
time, this one also ending in divorce. She never had any children.

I am not sure how I would have reacted to such happenings, but Margot kept her head up and went on to become one of the most respected and coveted of the Mexican silversmiths.

This brooch is exquisite. I have seen it before in single colored enamel.
This one is multi-colored
champlevé enamel and it was assembled in four sections. The enamel was applied by hand. If you see a piece like this up close you will know right away that it was no small task to achieve this type of technical
brilliance.

Most of her enamel pieces were fired at a very high temperature, some times up to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit! Now that's hot!! Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Margot de Taxco Champlevé Enamel on Sterling Fish Brooch Click on the image for a larger view and a description.

Margot's pieces are stamped with a design number that helps with dating. Her enamel on sterling pieces had one series while her sterling pieces carried another range.

Margot de Taxco died in 1985. She
left her mark on the artists of Taxco as her designs are still being produced there today some say with the original molds.

Modernist Sterling Cufflinks by Sam Kramer|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week!

2009-08-15T10:48:00.002-04:00

Sam Kramer - My Kind of
Eccentric!

Have you noticed the sale prices for
Modernist sterling, especially American Studio lately? We have as we love these pieces and subsequently we are always trying to Find good period examples.

While not in the forefront of this
movement, America did participate in this artistic shift during the period late 1920s to 1930 when Modernism was entering popular culture in a big way. yes, this is also part of the
Art Deco period. In fact, the
periods not only overlap, they
are related and some would say one in the same except for location. If you lived in Germany you called it the
Bauhaus movement. If you resided in Paris it was Art Deco. In England a movement called Arts and Crafts supervened all of the above mentioned.

How do they relate? Well they were all considered rebellious cultural movements and they spoke to the political and socioeconomic
currents of the day. Times were a changing!

Speaking strictly about American Studio Modernist jewelry during the 1940s artists of like minds formed communities. They were not mainstream thinkers and thus were not bound by any current norms. In
fact, they rejected them.

One of the places these Avant- garde artists set up shops was Greenwich Village/Washington Square, New York. Greenwich Village is located on Lower Manhattans' west side. It was known as far back as the late 19th century for its funky art and attitude! Eccentrics of all stripes, writers, poets, sculpture, artists all found there way to the
Village.

Sam Kramer found his way to the Village before many of his contemporaries having arrived
from Pittsburg during the late 1930s.

During the 1940s the Village took off
again as many artist gravitated to this magical place.

These cufflinks embody several
characteristics that Mr. Kramer became known for including the applied biomorphic elements. They were constructed in layers.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

They are weighty cufflinks in sterling. They are signed with Sam Kramer's
famous mushroom mark.

I think you need supreme confidence, imagination and a sense of humor to
create cufflink like these at any time, let alone during the late 1950s- early
1960s. Just Google cufflinks from that time period that were not artisan and you will se what I mean! All of the traits I mentioned most likely helped Mr. Kramer free his mind of the what is expected and allow it travel to the unexpected.

Sam Kramer died in June of 1964.

Amazing Adornments Find of the Week| Regency Shades of Autumn Set

2009-08-09T13:33:00.010-04:00

Regency ~ the Hallmark tells the Story

Last week we found an added this dazzling set signed Regency.

It is almost fall in these parts and this set has beautiful colors that brings to mind the color of the leaves that time of year.

We love Regency and based upon the prices we have been seeing pieces going for lately at auction, we are not the only ones!

There are three shades of amber rhinestones in several shapes set in gold- tone metal.

The brooch looks a little like a starfish to me and it is every so slightly domed. The earrings are the clip- on type.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Regency Autumn Hued Rhinestone Demi- Parure

A set like this in another color can be seen in Marcia Brown's book, Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry.

Amazing Adornments Autumn Themed Jewelry

Vintage Signed Sandor Demi- Parure|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month ~ August 2009

2009-08-02T10:40:00.003-04:00

Late Summer into Fall Demi
Parure Signed Sandor

This months featured item is a feminine glass, rhinestone and enamel set with a floral motif that is signed with an older Sandor hallmark.
We picked it because we think it is perfect for late summer and on into fall. Can't you just see this being worn to a garden party?

While this set is feminine, as I mentioned, it is very well made and the attention paid to detail is exceptional. It is also not to heavy, however it has nice weight and drapes beautifully thanks to those small sections with the enamel leaf and rhinestone that cinch the piece holding the strands together. It is very flattering when worn.

The yellow glass rounds are for the most part opaque. They have clear transparent sections as well. I cannot think of a better choice to tie the
enamel sections to the rest of the elements.

Sandor is well known for these types of
pieces and I have never found or seen one I did not want to own for myself. He is also known for producing pretty enamel flowers and other items.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Sandor Glass, Enamel and Rhinestone Dem- Parure

When I look at his pieces, especially the
beaded ones. I see someone who knew a thing or two about composition. If you visit the Sandor Gallery at our web store check out the two additional sets that we have. Both are equally as exquisite as this one is.

Amazing Adornments Find of the Week|Eisenberg Bejeweled Perfume Bottle

2009-07-29T09:23:00.002-04:00

A Lush Vanity Adornment ~
When You Want Only The Best

When you think about top- of-the -line costume jewelry, somewhere on the list I am sure will be Eisenberg. From early in the twentieth century this company has been known to produce
costume jewelry of exceptional quality and beauty.

Vanity items are a favorite around here. We seek them out on a regular basis. When we saw this perfume bottle, we knew it was special, however it was not until we saw the hallmark on the
bottom of the sterling frame, that we knew just how special it was!

We knew the company produced vanity items/compacts, but we hardly ever see any let alone purchase one! We try not to use the much over used word rare often, however we
think this perfume bottle qualifies!

We did not want to force the frame but we
do not think the it is removable. The stones are exquisite emerald cut glass in a combination of
colors we have seen them use on other items.

It is not huge, but it is a staggering
beauty! The glass is ridged at the sides and there is not a chip to be found.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Eisenberg Bejeweled Perfume Bottle

Based upon the use of sterling and the hallmark we believe this piece dates to the 1940s WWII period.

Irena Brynner Modernist Sterling Cufflinks|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-07-24T09:03:00.004-04:00

Sculpture That You Can Wear

Irena Brynner was so much more than a jewelry artist and if her last name looks familiar it should. She was Yul Brynner's cousin.

A word about the spelling of her last name. Her early pieces were signed Bryner. She later changed it to Brynner.

She was born in Russia, moved to China
and studied Art in Switzerland before immigrating to the United States in 1946.

At that time the "scene" was in Greenwich Village, New York. If you had a passion for art, mostly the adventurous type, you wanted to be there!

Looking back on it now I can't believe some of the highly regarded names in American Studio Modernist jewelry that had shops there. Sam Kramer, Henry Steig and Rebajes to name a few. I would have gone broke on jewelry shopping alone!

Ms. Bryner, Brynner did have a shop in
Greenwich Village during the latter part of the 1950s. She also had a shop in San Francisco, one of the first to offer this type of jewelry.

Her work is highly regarded by collectors and some of the pieces, especially those in gold can be very pricey.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Irena Bryner, Bryner Modernist Sterling Cufflinks

You have to see these hand made sterling silver cufflinks in person to see just how dimensional they are. I mentioned earlier that Ms. Brynner was an accomplished women, sculpting being another thing she did. These cufflinks have a sculptural appearance. In fact, I am sure
I read somewhere, probably in one of Marbeth Schon's excellent books, that Irena actually thought of jewelry as sculpture for the body!

Irena passed away in 2002. Her jewelry is on display at several prominent museums including the Smithsonian.

Brimfield Fair News from a Local

2009-07-20T10:45:00.004-04:00

Amazing Adornments Brimfield
News

The Brimfield Fair is one venue we like to stop by at least once a year. There are three fairs,
May, July and September. Brimfield is a typical quaint New England town like you might
see in a post card or perhaps a Norman Rockwell painting. We were very interested to see what
we would encounter because of the economy.
We found a mixed bag.

Although we arrived early on the first day, there were no shortage of dealers, although not many deals and certainly not one steal!

Some of our favorite sellers moved to
different locations on the grounds. One in particular went from a large outdoor
venue under a tent to a much smaller indoor venue. Although in years past, we have been able to find some really great pieces priced for resale from this dealer, this year we purchased zippo! The prices were NOT for resale anymore!

More Images of the Brimfield Fair can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/lu6zdy

In past years the early hour did not stop
the crowds, this year there were less people than any of us can remember. Again, maybe it was because it was the first day. Although, this is the day we always attend, so who knows.

The weather was bright and sunny if a little on the chilly side. At least it was dry! This area has seen so much rain this year. One July we went on one of those HHH [hazy, hot and humid] days where the air is thick and you perspire standing still. Yikes!

I would not call our trip a disappointment as I really wasn't expecting to find very much and you never are really sure what you might find.

I am not sure if others noticed this or if it is just me, I just did not see that much "better" jewelry. There were a few dealers with some
top of the line stuff, but I don't think there were as many as in years past. Oh well, I guess maybe it is a sign of the times.

Ian St. Gielar for Stanley Hagler Collage Motif Necklace|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2009-07-02T08:23:00.003-04:00

An Artistic Masterpiece that you can Wear!

If you like the bead work of Miriam
Haskell or Robert DeMario, you will love the work of Ian St. Gielar. I have often heard his intricate designs called "Art to Wear".

Ann Pitman, author of the Inside the Jewelry Box books wrote in Volume 3 some of his work is "museum quality". His work draws you in and the more you study it the more you discover.

This fabulous collage floral motif necklace shows just what an eye for colors and design he possessed.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

As you might know Ian St. Gielar passed away in March of 2007.

Mr. Gielar had quite the celebrity following and often made custom made pieces for his friends.

All of his pieces were made by hand with vintage elements and high quality glass. All are intricately
layered.

Note the mother of pearl element deftly tucked into the bottom section. If you notice, it shows
all of the same colors as the rest of the necklace. Hmm... I wonder how
long took him to find just the right piece? All of the elements are wired
to a filigree backing, again by hand.

The double strand of aqua glass round beads have a wonderful glow about them. Here again his choice shows his talent for composition. The slight iridescent glow of these beads harmonize with the colors of all the other beads perfectly.

Mr. Gielar's wife Valentina continues to make this extraordinary jewelry and I for one could not be happier!

Trifari MOGHUL Butterfly Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-06-25T11:01:00.004-04:00

Trifari Moghul Butterfly Brooch

We were so happy to be able to acquire one of these "Moghul" pieces. Not only are they hard to find in good enough condition to re- sell, they can be impossibly expensive.

Trifari produced an entire line of these pieces with the ribbed or melon glass stones
beginning in 1949. Some were produced in 1950 as well. The stones are called "melon cut cabochon" stones in the Brunialti books so that is good enough for me. This pin can be
found on page 152 of the latest Brunialti book, American Costume Jewelry, Art and Industry, Volume 2.

The Moghul pieces were best sellers even
in their day and are considered by many to be right up there with the best Trifari ever produced.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Trifari Mogul Butterfly Brooch

The stones used were a combination of
red, white green and blue. Here the butterfly has green melon glass stones, small ruby red cabochons and tiny pavé set clear rhinestones. The metal is gold- tone or rather Trifanium.

This is a patented piece. The patent was
issued in 1949 to Alfred Philippe, who had been with the company since 1930. There is some question as to whether he actually designed all the pieces with his name on the patent. I do not know the answer. If he did, he was more than a genius and a very busy man!

According to the Brunialti's, this line
is a follow on to or a reintroduction of the "Scheherazade" line from 1934 that also utilized large central stones. Recall that it was not
unusual for Trifari to re- introduce some of their best sellers. They have done this right into the 1990s. Some of the re- issues included the date.

These "Moghul" pieces are prized for their timeless beauty, heft and their craftsmanship by collectors all over.

Nettie Rosenstein Insect Trembler Pin|Amazing Adornments Find of the Week

2009-06-19T08:27:00.004-04:00

Nettie Rosenstein From Home Business to I. Magnin and Beyond

Nettie Rosenstein offered much to the fashion world. and changed many things about the way fashion was thought of during her hey day. For instance did you know that she was the originator of the now often used phrase "Little Black Dress" ?

She began her business out of her home
concentrating on dresses at first. Word got around and soon she had many clients. I. Magnin, a very high ended retailer from San Francisco gave her line a try at their stores. No different than today, when the cult of personality reigns, soon other high- end department stores wanted to carry her items. She opened a shop in New York in 1931.

Ms. Rosenstein was also meticulous and
had a great eye for presentation. Her clients loved this and when she retired the first time she must have heard them because she returned. She retired a second time during the 1940s for a brief time.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Nettie Rosenstein Trembler Pin

If you love figurals, designer jewelry or
just nice things, this pin is a must have. It is hefty and well made. Full of exquisite detailing, such as the ribbing on the wings and the tiny clear glass chips embedded in the trembling wings. Every time the wings move the chips
reflect the light!

The wings are attached to springs. This is how they quiver with the wearers movements.

The belly is a flat backed red glass stone. Red stones are used as eyes.

We have seen similar pins with other
hallmarks. I only know that Nettie Rosenstein had to be one of the most copied or knocked off designers of her time, so who knows whose pin came first. This is the kind of flying critter you don't mind having around!

See more Mechanicals and Tremblers

Trifari Enamel and Rhinestone Floral Clip from 1939|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-06-07T12:19:00.002-04:00

Sweet Late 1930s Trifari Clip

You might already know how we feel about these old enamel and rhinestone pieces as well as the 1940s sterling pieces, if you follow our blog. If you don't, well we can't get enough of them!

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Crown Trifari Enamel and Rhinestone Clip

This enamel and pavé set rhinestone clip
rivals anything I can find in my garden. The attention to detail that this company showed during this period is mind boggling. One of my favorite techniques is the ever present rhinestones at the end the of the stems.
Sweet!

From the late 1930s to the WWII period
Trifari produced a whole series of enamel flower pieces. Each exquisite and many are featured in the books!

This is a patented piece. The patent was
issued to Alfred Philippe on April 4, 1939.

Many times you find these pieces with enamel
issues or missing stones. They are often found with yellowing, cloudy or dark stones. This clip is in great condition with only the slightest bit of enamel loss at the tip if a leaf or two.
Outstanding!

IRADJ MOINI Gemstone Necklace and Pin Combo|Amazing Adornments.com Jewel of the Month ~ June 2009

2009-06-01T07:40:00.004-04:00

Statement Making Natural Gemstone Necklace from Iradj Moini

Warning! This necklace is not for the faint of heart.

First I should say, this is more than a necklace. Okay, you can see that; however the fabo gem studded clasp can be removed and worn as a pin! That is like having two Moini pieces.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

This
is the brooch removed from the necklace. Additional views available at our
web store.

Iradj Moini is probably one of the most sought after contemporary designers that I can think of. I read somewhere that he trained as an architect. Well, I think his pieces have the type of imaginative structural aspects not seen in others pieces. This also goes to show that nothing you learn is wasted! You can see he is not shy and he does have an eye for scale and beautiful designs. His jewelry is all hand- crafted and because of this even if the design is the same,
the piece never is.

I swear the largest genuine amethyst stone is the size of a potato! It is over 30mm! Wowie!

The metal is the typical distressed gold- plated found on many of his pieces. His jewelry sells as better
department stores and he has quite a celebrity following. He also designed
jewelry for Oscar de la Renta, Arnold Scaasi and more.

No, this necklace/pin combo might be for everyone, but I must say it feels and looks great on. As large in scale as it is, it is balanced and does not overpower. I am a petite lady who usually does not wear jewelry this outsized. I also do not try most jewelry that I intend to sell on, unless I need to know where or how the a piece will fall at the neckline or for example, if an earring clip will hold onto the ear lobe. I am always afraid that I will fall in love with the piece and never let it go! I did put this one on for a minute, I wanted to keep it!

Amazing Adornments Jewelry Finds|Victorian Black Jewelry

2009-05-20T10:56:00.003-04:00

Although we found this antique piece a few weeks ago, we thought it would give us a chance to talk a little about Victorian black jewelry.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Victorian Jet Pin

Black jewelry was mostly made out of bog oak,
vulcanite, gutta-percha, crepe stone, pressed horn and jet.

Although we love all jewelry from this
period, it is becoming increasingly difficult to buy due to blatant and inadvertent misrepresentations.

Once, at an auction we purchased a vulcanite pin that was represented as bog oak. We knew what we were purchasing; however, the dealer insisted it was bog oak! NOT!!! Don't get me started about the listings on eBay where almost every piece of jewelry with black beads is listed
as jet!

How did we know the pin was not Bog Oak? Well, first there was no graining. Because Bog Oak is fossilized wood, graining is often present. When tested later with the dreaded hot pin, we smelled rubber. This alone rules out Bog Oak!
All other tests on the piece also pointed to Vulcanite.

The Victorian periods spanned decades and each as you might expect, had its own "style". The period began with the coronation of Victoria as Queen of England in 1837. Some say that it really began prior to her birth, in 1819 at Kensington Palace. I don't think many dispute that it ended when she passed away in 1901.

Queen Victoria was married to Prince
Albert in February of 1840. It is said that they were deeply in love. The Queen also loved
jewelry. When her beloved Prince died she went into a long period of mourning and she began to wear black jewelry.

The folks always looked to the Queen for fashion direction so when she started to wear black jewelry, they did as well.

Although black and dark jewelry from this time
period has become to be known as mourning jewelry, some of it was worn for fashion. There were also sentimental items meant for storing keepsakes. Other sentimental items such as
hair jewelry were also popular.

Below are some additional examples of Black Jewelry from the Victorian Era.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Vulcanite Pin

Crepe StoneCufflinks

Pressed Horn Pin

Bog Oak Pin

1940s Enamel Floral Signed Trifari|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2009-05-03T12:56:00.004-04:00

A May Flower from Trifari

As you know, if you follow our blog, we love the old 1930s and 1940s costume jewelry.

This is a patented Trifari fur clip that has graced the pages of many costume jewelry books. Fur clips are often called pin clips on patents and in the books. The patent was issued to Alfred Philippe on May 14, 1940.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

During this period Trifari produced many such enamel and rhinestone florals, all exquisite. Some were quite large and the level of detail could be breathtaking. One of the design techniques that speaks to the level of detail is the pave set rhinestones at the bottom of the stem.

The petals are blue with pink at the center. The center is further adorned with pave set clear rhinestones.
A single pink enamel flower bud with rhinestone accents sits on one side of the long graceful stem, while the other side has a leaf.

The metal is rhodium plated and along with the hallmark it is stamped pat pend [for patent pending] on the reverse.

Trifari was and still continues to this day to be on of the most collected of the costume jewelers.

To view more florals ncluding Trifari pieces visit our Floral
Galleries

Coro Floral Duette and Weiss Clamper Set|Amazing Adornments Finds of the Week

2009-04-19T11:52:00.002-04:00

Two Fun Spring Finds

The separable brooch was pure marketing genius, plus they are fun to wear and to collect.

Coro, one of the worlds most famous costume jewelry companies, was responsible for the separable
brooch that they marketed as a Duette starting in 1935. The clip mechanism/frame was patented and they alone held the rights to the name Duette. The frame was first used for fine jewelry and they were cumbersome to produce. The Duette soon became Coro's most profitable line.

Just look at how lovely this piece is.
The enamel is in near perfect condition and most every stone is bright and clear. You'd probably be a little suspicious if you found it looking brand new, so we see this minor issues as appropriate for the age.

Duettes were versatile. You could wear them together, on the frame, as shown or you could remove the frame and use the two sides as clips. Additional pictures can be seen at our site.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Coro Enamel and Rhinestone Floral Duette

Our second great find this past week is the lovely set shown below. The clip- on earrings are signed Weiss while the clamper bracelet is unsigned.

These ca. 1950s plastic pieces with
embedded rhinestones are increasingly hard to find and when you do, you pay! They were very popular during the 1950s and obviously, they remain popular
today.

It is truly remarkable that pieces like these have survived after all this time. Back when they were produced, do you think the makers even had an inkling of how much we were going to pay for their
throw away items...hmm!!

Amazing April Additions

2009-04-13T08:49:00.001-04:00

Mark Mercy for Stanley Hagler Floral Motif Necklace|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the week

2009-04-08T10:03:00.003-04:00

The history of Stanley Hagler is a little complicated. Although Mr. Hagler passed away in 1996, the hallmark was used after his death by two of his former designers, Mark Mercy and the late Ian St. Gielar Mr. Gielar often added his signature.

We have noticed that Stanley Hagler does not appear in some costume jewelry books. Can't say for sure why!

This scrumptious necklace was designed by Mark Mercy.

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Mark Mercy for Stanley Hagler Necklace

It is a triple stand of genuine amethyst stones attached to the whopping all hand wired or wrapped decorative centerpiece.

The large stone at the center is also an amethyst. The greens tones are jade. The floral is outstanding and has just the right colors for spring and beyond. Every time we see hand beaded work like this we have to wonder how long it took!

The backing is filigree and this is signed as shown below.

Spring Green Demi Parure Signed WEISS|Amazing Adornments.com FInd of the Week

2009-04-04T13:13:00.003-04:00

The Splendor of Weiss

In a word, exquisite! You can't really
tell from this image, but the green glass navettes have a glow from within much like a givré stone. They are ample in size and prong set.

The first thing I noticed was the way
they were set tip- to - tip. Then there is the fascinating decorative loop that sits at the side of the central design section. This is a choker length necklace, fitting close to the neck, so that the loop actually stands away from the rest of the necklace. Very dramatic!

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Weiss Rhinestone and Glass Set

The matching earrings are the clip- on type.

We all know by now that Weiss
did not produce much if any of their pieces. Makes me wonder who did this lovely??? My first thought is D&E, but unless I send the set in for
verification, it is just a sensational demi parure signed Weiss and ready for any special occasion.

Eisenberg Original Sterling Rhinestone Clip|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month April09

2009-04-02T10:41:00.005-04:00

It has been said that imitation is a form of flattery. All of the fine people that worked at or still work at Eisenberg must be really flattered!

If you saw it, our Jewel of the Month was a Staret floral. Collectors and authors on this subject have often compared Staret pieces with
that of the maker of this fabulous fur clip. Then there is the pave icing used in so many Eisenberg pieces that can be found on costume jewelry produced
by others.

Click
on the image for a larger view and description.

On top of that, there are the outright frauds that turn up at live auctions, fairs and online venues such as eBay.

Add to this the fact that the company issues remakes of its own older pieces to this day, nothing wrong with that, and you can see some of the reasons acquiring an old authentic piece is so special.

Jonas Eisenberg is known the world over for fine, fine costume jewelry that continues to increase in price. we have seen some of the more elaborate older pieces go for close to and over a grand!

Pieces with this mark

and sterling were produced during the early 1940s. According to several costume jewelry books, you want this hallmark along with Eisenberg Original without the sterling which is an even earlier and
somewhat overlapping hallmark.

When you look at and especially hold this
clip you can tell why this early costume jewelry endures today. It has heft and the excellent craftsmanship that is just not present in much of today's fare. Oh, don't get me wrong there are several wonderful jewelry artisans today, but few can rival this work.

See the hooks on either side of the clip, and the way each pieces is separate.
That
is a sure sign of quality craftsmanship.

The gold vermeil is pretty much all still intact which in and of itself is rare. Usually these pieces are found with some vermeil issues.

Schreiner and Regency Floral Pins|Amazing Adornments.com Finds of the Week

2009-03-22T10:01:00.004-04:00

Flower pins for spring and beyond!

This week we couldn't decide between the two brooches shown below. They are both gorgeous and flowers so we decided to use both as our favorite finds of this past week.

This dazzling brooch is signed Schreiner.
Schreiner used some of the most impressive rhinestones in his jewelry. Note the
central tourmaline and those tucked underneath the pastel in color AB navettes!

Schreiner Rhinestone Floral Brooch

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

All of the sensational rhinestones
are prong set. The colors are intense.
This brooch is also very dimensional and
the reverse shows the typical Schreiner
hook and eye construction.

The second piece is a glass and
rhinestone flower signed Regency. This company produced some very pretty
butterfly pins and if this is any example their flower pins aren't to bad either.

The petals are individually wired to the
gold- tone backing. They are glass or stone in pink and gray. Depending on how
the light hits them, they have an iridescent glow. The large art glass stone at the center is held in with dogtooth prongs.

We think both of these would make an excellent choice for your warm weather outfits and we feel they are both great investments.

Regency Floral Rhinestone and Glass Pin

Hobe Multi- strand Necklace and Earring Set|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-03-14T13:57:00.012-04:00

Here comes the bride, the diva or the girl next door!

William Hobe pieces, especially the older signed Hobe sterling pieces and the ones such as this extravagant demi- parure, are favorites amongst collectors.

Hobe Glass Multi- strand Necklace and Earring Set

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

Many of the earlier Hobe pieces had that glamorous look and were worn by starlets on and off the screen and stage. Can't you just see this fabulous set on Carole Lombard? On sight you can tell it is well- made and designed wit an meticulous eye for detail.

We think this set would work for the bride, any party
or prom and most of all sailing or any warm weather
gathering. Strapless dress or under a shirt, it works.
With a tee shirt and jeans or a ball gown, its working!

Don't you think has the right combination of demure and diva? All of those strands of glass seed beads are statement making but are not in any way overpowering. The strand at the center is of gold- tone corrugated rounds and white glass or stone beads with gold speckling. It's in the details!

Another detail is the way the extender contains three faceted glass beads. white rounds and then the final bead, matches the beads in the center strand of the necklace.

The matching earrings are clip the clip- on type. The tiny seed beads are wired to the backing. An the center of the seed beads sit a gold- tone round and a white glass that also matches the glass at the center of the necklace. There are those details again!

Vintage CATHE Easter Egg Brooch|Amazing Adornments.com FInd of the Week

2009-03-08T10:31:00.020-04:00

Do you recognize these stones. They are very much like those famous speckled glass tones that were used by DeLizza and Elster. You know, the ones that became known as "Easter Egg" stones.

This brooch signed Cathé. Cathé is one of those signatures that you do come across from time to time, but not a whole lot is known. Some of the jewelry we have found with this hallmark is on the plain side. You can't say that about this eye-catching brooch.

The pale rose or mauve pastel navettes radiate toward the central stone in two layers. The speckles are in green, yellow, blue and white, Note the way that the ABs show the same colors.

Cathé "Easter Egg" Brooch

Click on the image for a full description or to purchase!

The reverse looks very much like the reverse of a Judy Lee or Beau Jewels piece with its rivet construction and pin assembly.

DeLizza and Elster Rhinestone Buckle on Belt|Amazing Adornments.com Find of the Week

2009-03-05T10:06:00.011-05:00

A few years ago we had no idea that DeLizza and Elster made anything except really over the top glitzy jewelry. After Mr. Frank DeLizza's book Memoirs of a Fashion Jewelry Manufacturer came out and thanks the the Discovering Juliana Jewelry Group, we now know that they made jewelry in several styles, including some without big rhinestones, multi strand necklaces of chain and baubles, accessories such as haircombs and belts. During the 1980s they even produced pendant necklaces with cord chains.

This buckle

is one of theirs having been owned and put through confirmation by one of the authors of another book showcasing D&E Juliana jewelry. If we had seen
this one three or so years ago, we would have known it was high quality; however would not have known the maker. To see additional images and to read a full description click on the above image.

As you can see the buckle is gold- tone and utilizes navettes and chatons along with the curly cue findings seen on some of their jewelry. Please be aware that these findings were used by many so that is why it is important to have a piece confirmed if it is one of the less
obvious pieces. Even in the latter case, sometimes it is still necessary, as there are copycats out there and as stated sometimes people used the same findings.

We are not sure if the white belt belongs with the buckle , however it looks great on it. The belt snaps on, so it can be removed.

Here you can see the typical D&E onstruction techniques. The buckle is large and quite heavy.

DeLizza and Elster Clear Rhinestone Buckle on Belt

Be sure to pick up the new book on this fabulous jewelry by Ann Pitman soon!

Staret Emerald and Clear Rhinestone Floral Brooch|Amazing Adornments Jewel of the Month

2009-03-01T15:33:00.010-05:00

This piece is huge and not for the faint of heart. Oh and it is absolutely gorgeous, well made and it is in nice condition. We picked this as the Jewel of the Month for several reasons other than what has been mentioned. First, the emerald green rhinestones make it perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Secondly, it's a floral and if you live in our hemisphere, Spring is on the way! YEAH! And then, there is the hallmark, Staret.

According to a Brunialti book, this company was known as the Star Novelty company. Also, the same book states that it is possible this company jobbed out their work as identical pieces have been found with other names on them. The book in question is American Costume Jewelry Art & Industry,
1935- 1950. The Staret information begins on page 44.

Okay, with all that said this piece most like dates to pre-WWII 1940s based upon the use of pot metal. Had this piece dated to the war years, sterling would most likely have been used. As you can see the green rhinestones are dazzling and the sprinkling of clears against the beaded pot metal is stunning. Three long stems are artfully tied with ribbon.

This brooch has heft to it and when you are holding it, you can tell it is something special. It is really easy to see why these pieces are often compared to the work of Eisenberg! We have noticed that pieces with this
hallmark vary in quality. This piece is at the high end. It is pretty enough to frame, however that would be a waste as it is too beautiful not to wear it.

Click on the image for a description!

Staret Large Rhinestone Floral Brooch

Florals and Green Jewels