Full set, part set - What is a parure?

Married set, semi parure, demi parure, full parure? How does one know which word to use when describing a vintage jewelry set? It can be confusing because they are often used interchangeably by various sellers.

To be absolutely accurate, when the word parure is used, the pieces must have originally been designed to be worn together. Many designers made sets of 2, 3, 4 or even more pieces of the exact same design. Sarah Coventry is a well know designer of parures. The sets would often contain a brooch, bracelet, pair of earrings, necklace, and ring. The terminology used to describe them would depend on how many pieces of the original are being offered.

Other designers made just two pieces to be worn together, such as a brooch and matching earrings. If this is the case, the set can be correctly called a parure.

If the original set contained well more than two pieces, the correct term for two pieces from the line is a semi parure. If all pieces are in the set, it is correctly called a full parure. Demi parure is used when only two pieces of the original set of three are shown. However, demi parure is commonly used for any set of two pieces, and full parure for three or more.

This stunning aurora borealis set by Sarah Coventry is called "Blue Lagoon." It was originally a hostess set of several pieces. The set featured is just the brooch and earrings. It is a correctly described as a semi, but is also often referred to as a demi parure. It is one of the most in demand sets from the Sarah Coventry line.

A married set is used when two similar pieces are offered. For instance, one might have a black glass beaded neckace which is teamed up with a pair of black earrings of a similar style. The pieces may be the same designer but not originally made together, or they may be from two different designers, but look well matched.

The following set is a good example of a married set from two different designers. It features a dogwood flower design. The brooch is marked Trifari and the earrings are marked Avon. They are not an exact match, but still look very nice together.

No matter the correct terminology, one thing is sure. Parures, or sets, are lovely and make more of an impression than single pieces. Be sure to check out the full range of parures from Vintage Jewelry Lane's collection. The two sets featured here are included, as well as many other design, and makers.

Milk Glass - Opaque Beauty in Jewelry

In a previous blog post, I talked about how undervalued glass is in the vintage jewelry collecting hobby. In this article and future ones, I'll talk about a variety of types of specialty glass used in the manufacture of vintage jewelry pieces.

My personal favorite is milk glass. Wikepedia describes milk glass as an opaque, milky white or colored glass, that is blown or pressed into a wide variety of shapes. It is also used in dinnerware, lamps and vases. When used in costume jewelry, it produces a piece with a crispness not otherwise found.

Early examples of milk glass vintage jewelry include pieces marked Germany, and Japan. Miriam Haskell was particularly fond of milk glass in her jewelry designs, and her pieces are much in demand and command high prices. Trifari also used white milk glass, particularly in marquis and navette shaped stones. This gorgeous milk glass flowered brooch is a new addition to the Trifai page of my Vintage Jewelry Lane Website. It is so simple in design, but just elegant.

Milk glass is used in all sorts of vintage jewelry. Japan and Germany made both earrings and necklaces - some single stand, but many with multistrands and fancy milk glass clasps.

Germany and Miriam Haskell often used unique shapes of milk glass instead of the traditional oval or round shaped often used. Dimpled glass or "baroque" glass shapes like the one shown here were common. Some designers used petal shaped milk glass stones in earrings for a lovely flower petal effect.

Not all milk glass vintage jewelry pieces were marked. Some of the nicest designs that I have seen use prong set milk glass stones in quality settings, but have no markings at all. Often, these are unsigned designer pieces. Designers often had pieces made for their high end lines with their signatures, and then had some other pieces for the lower price ranges with no markings.

The pieces shown here and other lovely milk glass vintage jewelry pieces are available on my site Vintage Jewelry Lane site, or my ebay store Carolina Collections Vintage Jewelry, at very affordable prices.