Have you Been to My Facebook Fan Page Yet?

My jewelry business has changed a lot since the early days when I only had vintage jewelry for sale.  For the last few years, I have been adding contemporary jewelry, lots of rhinestone runway jewelry and I also have a big love of turquoise jewelry, all in new trendy styles.

Life seems to have a way of taking away much of my free time, especially lately, since I have been so involved in social media marketing and the new website that my friend Linda and I have been involved in.  (The website is called Networking Tips 4U and deals in all aspects of social media marketing.)

Even though my jewelry styles have gotten somewhat updated with the influx of contemporary jewelry, my Facebook business page got somewhat neglected until recently.

I have just updated my Facebook Business page with a brand new header and lots of neat new graphics to show off my new avatar. 

The new design is much sleeker and sexier than my old look and has lots of interesting jewelry designs, features that girls and women love to look at and talk about and plenty of fun stuff as well.

If you haven't been to my page in a while, be sure to drop by. The look of the page is totally different now!  You can find my Facebook page here.

Wordless Wednesday - Some of my Favorite Vintage Jewelry Items

Last week for online Christmas Shopping

Shopping online is one of my favorite things to do this time of the year. I can surf the web, point, click and pay all from the comfort of my chair without having to deal with the crowds in the stores.

However, one disadvantage of this sort of shopping is that you have to be somewhat organized, since there has to be time for the items to actually be shipped to you. The post office says that December 21 is the last date for priority mail and December 23 is the last date for express mail to get to you by Christmas day.

From my experience, first class mail and even some prioirty packages should really be shipped out this week to guarantee delivery on Christmas. Even some packages shipped the latter part of this week may not arrive on time if shipped first class.

To avoid disappointment, be sure to try and finish up your online shopping early this week. For readers of my blog, I have a special discount. Any orders from Vintage Jewelry Lane, Vintage Jewelry Mall, or my shop at Ruby Lane - The Finishing Touch Vintage Jewelry can get a 10% discount if you mention my blog promo code in the notes of your paypal payment. The code is BLOGdec14. I'll refund your paypal account 10% of your payment amount back to your paypal account.

First in best dressed! This code is only valid from December 14 to December 19, 2009.

Today's Vintage Jewelry Word - Repoussé

Todays vintage jewelry word is repoussé (prounounced ray poose ay). The term is used when a piece of jewelry is made with a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is detailed or shaped by hammering from the reverse side of the metal.

None of the metal is lost in the process, since the metal is basically stretched, so the surface of the metals remains continuous. The is a slow process, since everything has to be hammered individually. Once the hammering is finished, the metal is polished up on the front and this produces a three-dimensional bas-relief surface.

Repousse' designs were very popular during the Art Nouveau period. The terms repoussé and chasing are sometimes confused, justifiably so. In both techniques, the metal is designed by hammering. However, in Repousse' the hammering is done from behind, and in chasing, the design is formed from the top with special metal punches.

Here are some examples of repoussé designs:

All of these pieces are available on my Vintage Jewelry Lane website. Just click the pictures to go to those listings or type in repousse in the search box to find all the styles that are available.

Collecting Vintage Jewelry - Part 6 - Types of Necklace & Bracelet Clasps Used

Today's post will continue our series devoted to various aspects to consider when putting together a vintage jewelry collection. In the last chapter we talked about the creative use of metal settings. Today we will discuss the various types of clasps used on vintage necklaces and bracelets.

It is hard to specifically date a piece of jewelry by the clasp alone, unless it is marked in some with with a designer hallmark. The reason for this is that most of the clasps used on vintage jewelry are also used on modern pieces. Condition of the metal and other design techniques in the piece should be used in conjunction with a clasp to try and narrow down the date.
Vintage jewelry necklaces were made with many styles of clasps. Most notable were spring ring, hook clasp, box clasp, fold over clasp, and fish hook clasp. Others used, but not as commonly, were barrel clasp and toggle clasps. Lobster claw clasps were a later invention, so they are not found on vintage pieces, unless the clasp has been changed at some point.

My favorite type of vintage clasp is the box clasp. It came in a myriad of styles, often with beads, rhinestones or other embellishments which match the rest of the necklace. The were made with a small box which had a tab which was inserted into it. The following photos show why it was so popular. The design ideas are endless. Many box clasp were found on jewelry before 1950.

Spring ring clasps were commonly used. They came in two styles - one with a small tab to open the clasp and the other with just a small lip which can be swung back to create an opening. Spring ring clasps are still used today, but not as often. They have been mostly replaced with lobster claw clasps which are easier to open and close.

Hook clasps were often used on multi strand necklaces from the 1950s and 1960s. They were made of a metal hook which either "grabs" a bead in a dangling strand, or hooks in to a metal chain. The latter is still commonly used, but the former usually dates a piece as a vintage one.

A fish hook clasp is made with a small hook which is inserted into a metal finding, often a pointed oval shape. Good vintage fish hook clasps were often sterling silver. Modern metal ones are lighter in weight and made from goldtone and silvertone metal.

Fold over slaps were used for many vintage mass produced pieces. The underneath part of the clasp was a great place to put the designer hallmark. They were commonly used on necklaces and bracelets. On a bracelet, a fold over clasp was often used in conjunction with a safety chain to help prevent loss of the bracelet if the clasp open while the piece was being worn. This type of clasp was popular in the 1940s and is still used today.

Finally, barrel clasps and toggle clasp were used. These are often used today, so the metal condition is important to note when trying to date a piece with this type of clasp. Most older ones have developed a sort of brass like patina as they age. If you see shiny goldtone or silvertone barrel clasps or toggle clasps, the piece is likely to be a newer creation.

As with other findings and stones which make up a vintage piece, condition of the clasp is important when you decide whether to purchase the jewelry item. If the metal is worn, the value of the piece is diminished, although clasps are one of the easiest findings to replace.

Have fun checking out your necklaces and bracelets to see what type of clasp that your jewelry has!

Check back soon for the next chapter in this series which will deal with clasp types used on vintage jewelry pins and brooches.

Vintage Jewelry Lane has a wide range of vintage necklaces and vintage bracelets with all of these types of clasps. Be sure to check out the selection sometime soon.

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.

What would you like to see for articles in my blog?

I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day and mentioned that I had been doing a vintage jewelry blog. She isn't someone who wears much jewelry and isn't that interested in talking about it. Her comment was "you have picked the hardest topic to blog about!"

I started thinking about topics for posts and had literally hundreds and hundreds of ideas in my head. But I love jewelry of all types, especially vintage jewelry.

I admit it...I love to talk (and type.) However, there may come the day when I actually do run out of blog topics. So.....

Email me with your jewelry question, or put it in the comments section below, and I'll be happy to research it and write it in a future post. It can be anything jewelry related, and doesn't have to be just about vintage jewelry, although I admit I don't know as much about newer jewelry.

Perhaps your question will be featured next!

Giving Jewelry as a Gift

At gift giving time, when the recipient is a woman, it is all too easy to opt for flowers and chocolates. While both are nice gifts (and I do love chocolate), there is no permanence to them. The chocolates will be eaten and blooms on the flowers will wither with time.

Instead, choose a timeless gift - a piece of jewelry. And what is more timeless than vintage jewelry? It has withstood the test of time, is highly collectible and so beautiful and well made.

Can't decide on the jewelry piece? Let the recipient be your guide. Most women choose jewelry in the same way they choose clothes - according to their own tastes. So think about the way she dresses and choose a piece that will compliment that style.

Is she a romantic, "girly girl" type? Then perhaps a shell cameo, or lovely glass flower brooch would make a nice choice. They are very feminine, highly collectible and my personal favorite.

It the person a no nonsense, no frills type of person? There is nothing like sterling silver in a simple style to appeal to a women who in not into extravagant jewelry. Perhaps a simple sterling silver chain or bracelet would be the right choice. The bracelet shown here is a lovely Siam Nielloware sterling silver piece which dates before 1939. It is simple and just lovely.

What about the girl who is all about glamour? Bling! A glamour girl loves bling, and usually lots of it. Rhinestone jewelry, particularly vintage rhinestone jewelry is perfect for a lady who loves to dress up and make a statement with her appearance. Big Rhinestone brooches are very popular right now and come in all colors of the rainbow. Check out this wonderful blue and green flowered rhinestone brooch. It is to die for and superbly made with all prong set glass rhinestones.

Is the person a dog or cat lover? There are loads of jewelry items with just these themse. Most of the well known designers of vintage jewelry make what is called a "figural pin." This is a pin or brooch made in the shape of an animal, bird, even small circus clowns and other thematic shapes. Gerry's made a wonderful poodle dog pin for the poodle lover. It looks like it is ready to play!

If you follow these tips, you will end up with a gift that will not only be appreciated, but worn, over and over again - giving years of pleasure to both of you!

All of the pieces shown are available from our main site Vintage Jewelry Lane. With Valentine's day in just over a month, now is the time for shopping!

'Tis The Season for MegaGlitz

The holiday season is here. You've picked out your party dress. Now, to accessorize for just the right look for this year's holiday parties.

Vintage rhinestone jewelry is perfect for accessorizing any festive dress. It is relatively inexpensive compared to the department store counterparts, and is very well made - often with glass stones and crystals that sparkle along with the holdiay decorations.

This rhinestone bracelet features tons of prong set rhinestones in three rows of glitz and glam. It expands to fits most wrist sizes and is just stunning.

Elegant, classy and to die for. Imagine this black rhinestone necklace making a statement at your next holiday party.

Rhinestone Dangle Earrings are the perfect finishing touch for a festive party look. They come in an array of colors and styles, from simple drops to long chandelier style to suit your taste and mood. This pair also has pearl dangle for a touch of romanticism.

See the complete range of rhinestone vintage jewelry at Vintage Jewelry Lane.

Welcome to the Collecting Vintage Jewelry Blog!

I am very excited to announce the opening of the Collecting Vintage Jewelry Blog.

Be sure to bookmark this page for a wide variety of topics under the broader heading of vintage costume jewelry. Some topics may include designer hallmarks, current fashion trends, design details, and some of our lastest finds.

My name is Carol and I am the owner of vintagejewelrylane.com an online source for vintage costume jewelry. My site has all types of vintage costume jewelry, but we specialize in Sarah Coventry jewelry, cameo jewelry, micro mosaic jewelry, butterfly jewelry, and damascene vintage jewelry.

I'll start off this blog with our vintage jewelry word of the month - Marcasites.

Marcasite is a type of stone, often used in sterling silver, and sometimes faceted - this mineral has the same composition as pyrite (fool's Gold) but has a different chemical structure. It is a gunmetal gray color with a shiny finish and is inserted in the same was as a rhinestone is.

Here is a picture of a lovely piece of marcasite jewelry from designer Kenneth Jay Lane for Avon:


The stone sometimes acquires a multi-colored tarnish that is the result of oxidation. The stone has a luster and is opaque. Occasionally, a sulfur smell is detectable. See more information and pictures here.