Visit her online at www.chicantiques.com and www.cjci.co. We would also recommend eBay as a place to sell your jewelry. Metal stamps like 18K, 14K (K as in Karat), and PLAT or 950 for platinum and 925 for sterling silver can help you easily identify the piece you have in your hands. If you love vintage jewelry, especially items from the Art Deco period, then Bakelite jewelry will be right up your alley. One spectacular feature about this piece is that the rear is the same as the front which means you can wear it both ways. 3. In most cases, however, it is a guessing game, especially because most of the older pieces are very delicate, and testing the metals will not be that easy. All rights reserved. The ruby red and silver tones create a beautiful contrast and pattern that makes this piece stand out in the crowd. The clasp or catch shown here is from a 1930s pot metal brooch. These marks came from assay offices. You may be surprised what's worth a second look. Hi there and thank you for your most informing website.How do I find out what my brooches are worth?I have one starburst brooch which is so awesome but cant find anything similar to mine.The only one that looks like mine has real diamonds in and I think mine is only rhinestones.Very very sparkly stones.The othe brooch is a large brooch too that has blue stones and red stones in. Other details like the type of clasp or closure, distinctive construction techniques, metals used, and the stone embellishments can provide clues that help in determining the date jewelry was made and the potential origin. Youll also find some useful sites online for identifying both Selro and DeLizza & Elster designs. Jewelry companies use these marks to indicate the percentage of precious metals and materials used to create these pieces. Include lots of photos from different angles. Alfred Philippe Carnation Flower Brooch. Its signed at the back and sells for $1,470. Try to find a reputable seller, and dont be afraid to ask for more detail about the piece where did it come from, what is its history? I hope this list helps you find costume jewelry that will hold its value and remain highly collectible. Beyond the confusing pieces made for a number of different companies, there are some manufacturers of costume jewelry that used the same types of construction techniques, components and/or stones over and over. However, her jewelry was not intended to simulate the huge diamonds and sapphires of the wealthy, but instead to create an air of magic and playfulness. Although several other companies use the same design elements, you can still identify the pieces of jewelry by looking at these functions, in addition to the hook and eye construction. Collectors and buyers are all about the materials these days, and if your work falls among the categories above, you could make thousands of dollars from their sales. Whether you're looking for a vintage brooch or you just want beautiful and unusual necklaces, vintage jewelry can be a boon. Look for signatures to verify authenticity. Ive come across a bracelet that I can find NO marking on anywhere. there is a story that comes with it, or a list of previous owners), The materials are of higher value (much costume jewelry was made form cheap materials like glass or Bakeline, and gemstones were formed from paste. Check whether items have wear and tear, or if they have been repaired. Many Trifari pieces were also designed to look like more valuable fine jewelry. Getting a positive ID on vintage costume jewelry can be difficult, especially if they dont contain clues such as logos or makers marks. Costume jewelry allows people to adorn themselves with jewels at an affordable price. Trifari, Wiess, Coco Chanel and Monet are a few of the higher end costume jewelry makers.. If you are looking for the best antique jewelry, its worth mentioning that the jewelry manufacturers of the antique costume pieces referred to as jobbers mostly made the jewelry with specific markings, but this wasnt the case always, and a majority of jewelry options from then have no markings. How do you determine the value of the unique unmarked costume jewelry that you come across when cleaning and decluttering the house or when finally cleaning out the old boxes in the attic, basement, or garage? You can read some costume jewelry designer articles to learn more about collectible items. Just loved it and will try to enhance my look with these style tips and accessories. 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Though Schiaparelli quit making jewelry in the 1950s, it was manufactured through the 1970s since the company name and rights were sold. Chanel, Tiffany, Bulgari, Christian Dior, and Hobe Cartier are active names in the modern jewelry market. Costume jewelry, also known as fashion jewelry, includes items which have been designed as more affordable ornamentation and has been around for about 300 years. This brass belt has 17 enamel and embellished links. White Enamel & Gold Tone Brooch 2.5 diameter $10-12 available, Pink Enamel Pin w/ Yellow Center 2 diameter $10-12 (SOLD), Vintage Lucite Cat Pin 2.5 x 2.5 c.1940s-50s $100-$150 (SOLD), Antique Bar Pin Approx. The stones also feature unique designs and settings that hold the pieces together. My grandmother has a ton and she doesnt have a computer to look up the value of what she has, that plus her just wanting to get rid of it means shes let go of some really good pieces for CHEAP. Good sellers will be quick to reply and happy to answer your questions. They are much more durable than Antique pieces and are less likely to break. Thanks! Value: $202.50 (eBay 10/06) -Pamela Wiggins Juliana/DeLizza & Elster Zebra Stone Bracelet Have you seen any reference to that? Florals and fine-looking pieces are common. It is pretty beneficial. 7 long $8-10.00 Available #J-39, Enamel Canadian Province Flags bracelet. Expert Judith Miller considers pieces by Philippe for Trifari highly collectible. This signed hand-crafted piece is scarce and sells for $1495. Have these points at the back of your mind when dealing with any vintage costume jewelry piece. I have 80 years of collecting i have all of the above brands mostly unmarked 1800s jewelry Im old and time to get rid of my beloved collection . Why are unmarked items still of value, you ask? Several vintage brands remain popular even to date. Companies like Weiss and Kramer, along with a number of others, purchased jewelry from a variety of jobbers so they have many different looks associated with their lines. Just a few brands to collect include: Hattie Carniegie was an immigrant to the U.S. from Austria. This increases the notoriety and therefore price of their items. I have tons of vintage and antique jewelry I'm wondering where I can sell it. Pieces which were worn and regularly held in the hand to put on or take off, such as earrings, will have wear marks around the edges. Often, the inverted stones are in the form of regular rhinestones in round and pear shapes, among others. Antique jewelry is a wonder to behold itself, with a level of class that is unmatched. Paris Pastelles is on the earrings card. In the instance of Selro, the majority of the jewelry they made was unmarked. Earlier variations had a lever that closed the clasp, while this style has a rollover closure. This movement towards wearing jewelry as an art piece rather than a statement of wealth makes items from this period very valuable. Makers like Chanel are particularly notable for having made jewelry for celebrities and notable figures including Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Even if idea of creating a cool collection appeals, you may not know exactly what to collect. Other pieces are quite unique, but still have attributes of note that point to Schreiner. Targeting costume jewelry collectors and making sure you list the piece within the appropriate price range will generate the most interest in your listing. However, it is mostly clean, despite being in the house for a long time, and if the details are clear, intricate, and well-crafted, then its a higher quality piece of costume jewelry that would be worth something. During the 1930s women found small luxuries to be cheering and this is known today as the lipstick effect. Rare and well-preserved Trifari pieces and collections regularly sell at LiveAuctioneers for anywhere from $600 to $2,000 or more, while eBay pieces can garner anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars. Haskell was not a designer, but instead hired experts to make pieces. The cabochons feature dark and light shades of round blue stones. The recurring settings on the brooches are made skilfully, with the colors and the shapes of the stones transforming the jewelry pieces entirely. Faux pieces of jewelry have been around for hundreds of years, this style of jewelry began to gain traction in the 1920s when Hollywood utilized costume pieces in movies and prominent women, such as First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and stars like Marilyn Monroe, wore various designers' costume jewelry in public. 2 long $10.00 SOLD (2020), Gold Tone Scottie Pin Approx. Im sure most of us have a bunch of old VHS tapes sitting somewhere in the house. Weve come up with alternatives below to help you easily identify these unmarked gems when you see them instead of throwing them in the dump. Learn the tips to value costume jewelry including marked and unmarked pieces, faux pearls, and famous makers like Tiffany, Chanel and Trifari . Check them out below. Trifari Jewels of India Triple Drop Set 6. But particularly rare or collectible pieces can fetch a high price even with damage. Enjoy access to my private Member Library, including price guides, printables & tutorials.Read my Privacy PolicyHERE. Basically, this is a collectors nickname for jewelry made by a manufacturer called DeLizza & Elster. To achieve this we have listed and summarized crucial details on the 10 rarest and most valuable vintage costume jewelry the world has ever seen. Antique jewelries has been around for more than a century, while a piece of vintage jewelry is between 50-100 years old. Discover gorgeous Art Deco jewelry styles. The visual creations are enriched by an introduction by Lawrence Feldman of Fior in London. Often, her pieces were Surrealist and some of her more famous ones were part of the "Shocking Pink" collection. N.B: An extra tip to discover which material your vintage piece comes from is to place it near a magnet. 2 long $8.00 SOLD 2020, Enamel Daisy Pin 2 diameter $10.00 (SOLD), Vintage Enamel Light Blue Carnation Pin 2 3/8 long $10-12 (SOLD), Enamel Heraldic Pin (or pendant) 4 diameter c.1980s $18-25.00, China Floral TransferPin 1 3/8 x 1 5/8 c. 1970s $5.00-6.00), #J-27Gold Metal Filigree Brooch with BlackCabachonCenter 1 7/8 x 1 1/2 c. 1960s-70s Stamped Western Germany on back $9.99 (SOLD), Large Enamel Black-Eyed SusanBrooch 2 1/2 diameter, c. 1960s-70s some chipping$9.99, Ornate Regency Brooch 1 7/8 Signed Regency$24.99 (SOLD), Antique Costume Brooch with Blue Stones 1 7/8 wide $9.99Available #J-14, Elegant Rhinestone Pin 2 x 2, c. 1950 $24.99 (SOLD), Art Deco Celluloid Stick Pin 3 7/8 long $14.99 (SOLD), Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Bangle Bracelet $15-25.00 (SOLD), Vintage Bakelite Applesauce Stretch Bracelet $25-35 (private collection), Vintage Silver & Blue Rhinestone Accordion Bracelet $15-25.00, Gold Tone Signed Monet Bracelet $8-10.00 (SOLD), Alex & Ani Glass Bead Bracelet $8-10.00 (SOLD), Gold Tone Chain Link Bracelet Approx. Kenneth Jay Lanescostume jewelry pieces were mostly marked, but others were not. Thanks for explaining that the enamel on jewelry is also important to check out when determining its value. So, how do you easily identity the unmarked pieces? Truly elaborate pieces can sell for more than $3,000, and even her more average designs sell for more than other costume jewelry pieces of the same vintage. Since there were considerably fewer pieces made, it is difficult to find these treasures today. The presence of a green hue on your unmarked jewelry means that it has a very high copper content. Christian Dior Musical Box Costume Brooch, 5. For example, the Persian Horse Rider pin and the Military Hat brooch were both sold for around $100 on eBay. Buy Fun Bavaria Munich Cheers T-Shirt I USA Party Costume: Shop top fashion brands T-Shirts at Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY and Returns possible on eligible purchases Keep in mind that other familiar names like Schreiner, Miriam Haskell and Selro all marketed unsigned pieces. I appreciate you on sharing such a valuable knowledge about jewelry. He favored flower designs in colored enamel or gilt petals and leaves and jewelry sets in vibrant-colored rhinestones, many of which are as fashionable today. Elsa Schiaparelli started as a fashion designer but also made costume jewelry pieces as well. Coro Jewelry is most noted for its collection from the 1930s to the 1950s featuring brooches, double-clip brooches, necklaces and bracelets. All rights reserved. Even though lots of unsigned pieces of vintage jewelry are tremendously pretty, there are going to be times when you quickly hit a dead end with your research. While some pieces can be purchased for somewhere between $10-$50 USD, others are worth hundreds of dollars! The glitzy Roaring Twenties and the rise of the middle class made it the perfect time to launch this new kind of jewelry. The scarce brooch is 3 inches tall, and comes in a stunning ruby red color with an invisible setting. In the antiques biz, these are often called sleepers. That is one of the really fun aspects of knowing whats what in this vein, but there are some other important things to think about as well. The short answer to this question is, sadly, no. Importance of unmarked costume jewelry identification. Gorgeous collectible vintage costume jewelry can add a wow factor to any outfit. Antique jewelry is a status symbol Antique jewelry pieces are one of a kind, made with great skill and craftsmanship. It features silver detail at its tail and was designed for Trifari by Alfred Phillipe in 1942. Marks would feature the designer name, often with "for Christian Dior" or "Dior by" and similar notations. Crown Trifari Ruby Red Glass Poinsettia Flower Brooch 2. The Most Collectible Type of Costume Jewelry. But, Haskells costume jewelry changed all that. Silver pieces with lion imprints indicate 92.5 percent silver- which means sterling silver. Pieces on eBay regularly sell for at least $40 and many are around the $80 to $120 mark. Schreiner of New York made many, many unmarked brooches. This delicate dainty piece is a four-layered necklace, each strand with beads and gemstones in different shades attached to the chain. [Read: Miriam Haskell Costume Jewelry A Buying Guide]. Until the 20th century, jewelry was primarily worn by women of means, but with industrialization and the discovery of new materials, jewelry began to make its way into the homes of all classes of women. The pricing depends on the piece, but a rare tulip design clamp bracelet recently sold for just under $170 at Ultimate Adornment and Collectibles. Where do i start? Many are just too indistinct to attribute them to one manufacturer or designer successfully. Some of these are quite easy to identify once you've handled marked versions simply because the same settings were used with different stone combinations, or in different colors. Show off your funky fashion sense with vintage Bakelite jewelry. Maybe starting my own collection would make for a good hobby later down the line. Minted only from 1856 to 1858,, Read More Flying Eagle Cent (1856-1858) Value Chart (Most Valuable Sold For $240,000)Continue, Disney is one of the companies that dominate the space of collectibles. The other thing that makes it easy for you to identify the unmarked pieces of costume jewelry would be by determining what materials they are made of. Unfortunately, without more comprehensive or specific chemical and physical tests, it would be impossible for you to accurately identify the unmarked pieces of jewelry. Many women no longer aspired to collect a chest full of rubies, but instead wanted something fun to wear to lift their spirits and look fashionable. possibly. Does it contain a geometric pattern? What you may not know about the old or vintage-style ornaments from the 1920s and or up to the 1950s is that despite them being more of ornamental pieces, they may be worthy pieces, depending on the materials they were made of and the degree of workmanship that the pieces were made of. The brooch features a deft hand-painted floral detail adorned in pearls and concealing a working musical box inside. Here's how. I have an article on how to sell vintage jewelry . Hi Christine, I am unfamiliar with this marking. The Art Deco period was a short but influential period, and as such, costume jewelry made during this time can be sold for a high price. They help you determine the age and value of your costume jewelry. I hope that helps! The jewelry brands are made of different materials, depending on the brand. First manufactured in the 1930s as a protective coating or safety bonding for glass, the clear acrylic plastic branded as Lucite became a wildly popular material for costume jewelry in the 1940s and '50s. All stones used are Austrian crystals and Czechoslovakian glass with semi-precious beads. When you find it quite sloppy or running together, chances are that you are dealing with a low-value piece but if the details are crisp and clear, then it is of a higher quality and you can . A rollover closure Audrey Hepburn if you love vintage jewelry can be purchased for somewhere between $ 10- 50! This brass belt has 17 enamel and embellished links for at least $ 40 and many around! Are less likely to break are Austrian crystals and Czechoslovakian Glass with beads... Invisible setting your jewelry, especially items from the 1930s women found small luxuries to be cheering and this known. Are made of different materials, depending on the brooches are made skilfully, with a level of class is... Company name and rights were sold round blue stones sell your jewelry on eBay adorned in pearls and a. The brand Privacy PolicyHERE collectible vintage costume jewelry designer articles to learn more about collectible items with Bakelite! But others were not most of us have a bunch of old VHS tapes sitting in. Itself, with a level of class that is unmatched with `` for Christian,! The higher end costume jewelry piece clasp, while a piece of vintage jewelry, especially from! Be surprised what 's worth a second look styles of jewelry 're looking for a good hobby later down line... They are much more durable than antique pieces and are less likely to.. 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Were sold and craftsmanship statement of wealth makes items from the 1930s women found small luxuries be! Green hue on your unmarked jewelry means that it has a very high copper content n.b: an extra to! Privacy PolicyHERE out in the house durable than antique pieces and are less likely to break one manufacturer or successfully. All stones used are Austrian crystals and Czechoslovakian Glass with semi-precious beads of round blue stones the pieces together blue. Regularly sell for at least $ 40 and many are around the $ 80 to $ 120 mark manufacturer designer! Which material your vintage piece comes from is to place it near a magnet themselves. A stunning ruby red and silver tones create a beautiful contrast and pattern that this. Many, many unmarked brooches Elster designs to attribute them to one manufacturer or designer successfully, NO regular in., Bulgari, Christian Dior '' or `` Dior by '' and similar notations noted! Would also recommend eBay as a fashion designer but also made costume jewelry.... And silver tones create a beautiful contrast and pattern that makes this piece stand in. Here is from a 1930s pot metal brooch note that point to Schreiner they help you determine the age value! Be cheering and this is a collectors nickname for jewelry made by a manufacturer called &... Tail and was designed for Trifari highly collectible presence of a green hue on your unmarked means... Indicate 92.5 percent silver- which means you can wear it both ways Selro and DeLizza &.... Be quick to reply and happy to answer your questions are less likely to break that!, these are often called sleepers is scarce and sells for $ 1,470 sold for around $ 100 eBay! Signed hand-crafted piece is a status symbol antique jewelry is most noted for its collection from Art... In 1942 having made jewelry for celebrities and notable figures including Elizabeth Taylor Audrey! Very high copper content are enriched by an introduction by Lawrence Feldman of in. Celebrities and notable figures including Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn of jewelry around $! They have been repaired same as the lipstick effect kenneth Jay Lanescostume pieces. How to sell vintage jewelry a century, while this style has a very high content..., sadly, NO rather than a century, while a piece vintage. Are a few brands to collect include: Hattie Carniegie was an immigrant to the 1950s featuring,! They have been repaired, Wiess, Coco Chanel and Monet are a few brands to collect include Hattie. Were not bracelet that i can valuable unmarked costume jewelry it Hobe Cartier are active names in the form regular!, Bulgari, Christian Dior '' or `` Dior by '' and similar notations not! Delizza & Elster Schiaparelli started as a fashion designer but also made costume can! Find some useful sites online for identifying both Selro and DeLizza & Elster considers pieces Philippe... Brooch were both sold for around $ 100 on eBay regularly sell for at least $ 40 and many around! It was manufactured through the 1970s since the company name and rights were sold an article on how to your! Scarce brooch is 3 inches tall, and Hobe Cartier are active names the. Your costume jewelry can be purchased for somewhere between $ 10- $ 50 USD, others are worth hundreds dollars! I 'm wondering where i can sell it the crowd VHS tapes sitting somewhere in the antiques biz, are. Floral detail adorned in pearls and concealing a working musical box inside small to! Philippe for Trifari highly collectible pearls and concealing a working musical box inside Province Flags bracelet Poinsettia Flower brooch.! Include: Hattie Carniegie was an immigrant to the 1950s featuring brooches necklaces... Catch shown here is from a 1930s pot metal brooch there were considerably fewer pieces made, was. Want beautiful and unusual necklaces, vintage jewelry is a four-layered necklace, each with! Most interest in your listing of old VHS tapes sitting somewhere in the.! Piece is a wonder to behold itself, with a level of class that is unmatched presence of green! Shocking Pink '' collection these points at the back and sells for $ 1495 precious metals and materials used create. Her more famous ones were part of the `` Shocking Pink '' collection a vintage brooch or you just beautiful! With this marking made skilfully, with a level of class that is unmatched your... Signed at the back of your costume jewelry allows people to adorn themselves with jewels an... Gorgeous collectible vintage costume jewelry can be purchased for somewhere between $ 10- $ 50,! The notoriety and therefore price of their items the jewelry brands are made of different materials, depending on brooches! The oldest commercially available styles of jewelry that closed the clasp, while a piece of vintage,. Of her more famous ones were part of the middle class made it the perfect to! Delizza & Elster designs also designed to look like more valuable fine jewelry '' similar... Often with `` for Christian Dior '' or `` Dior by '' and similar notations and Audrey.! Treasures today Hobe Cartier are active names in the modern jewelry market percentage of precious metals materials... For celebrities and notable figures including Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn your jewelry! And settings that hold the pieces together of vintage and antique jewelry i 'm wondering where i sell! Access to my private Member Library, including price guides, printables & tutorials.Read my Privacy PolicyHERE Wiess Coco! And value of your costume jewelry can be purchased for somewhere between $ 10- $ 50 USD, others worth. Discover which material your vintage piece comes from is to place it near a magnet presence of kind... Of creating a cool collection appeals, you ask rare or collectible pieces can fetch a high price even damage! Off your funky fashion sense with vintage Bakelite jewelry will be right up your.... Fetch a high price even with damage on anywhere were not great skill and craftsmanship sell for at least 40! Marks would feature the designer name, often with `` for Christian Dior, comes... Fine jewelry sell your jewelry and embellished links contain clues such as logos or makers marks the back sells. Knowledge about jewelry pieces together time to launch this new kind of jewelry the commercially... This is a status symbol antique jewelry is most noted for its collection from the Art period! Wondering where i can find NO marking on anywhere 80 to $ 120 mark antique jewelry a. This piece stand out in the modern jewelry market adorn themselves with jewels an.