Inside the Jewelry Box - Volume 1

 A Peek Inside the Jewelry Box Reference Book

I am always looking for new and interesting reference books which deal with the topic of collecting vintage jewelry.  There are many of them out there, and I have written about some of my favorites in the past.

Inside the Jewelry Box, volume 1 is one that I have and would highly recommend.  It is especially helpful for those who are looking for information on some designers who aren't mentioned in the more widely known reference books.  Some designers not often mentioned who are featured in this book are Les Bernard, Louse of de Lillo, Claudette, Mazer Brothers and many others.

The book also features designers who are more well known but also very collectible, such as Hobé, Florenza, and Hattie Carnegie.

This book is based on the author's informative and interesting news columns that have run in antique publications across the country since 1997. These articles are presented here, along with photographs of hundreds of pieces of vintage costume jewelry with descriptions, designer names, and current collector values.

A section on costume jewelry on the Internet is also included, which profiles in detail, the best costume jewelery sites on the web, including biographies of each dealer and a synopsis of what makes the sites special. There are also hints for those wishing to sell their jewelry at auction. There are even vintage costume jewelry advertisements to add pizazz to the book.

 Finally, an informative section on where to buy replacement stones, how to restring beads and pearls, how to repair costume jewelry, and how to join vintage costume jewelry clubs rounds out the book. 2004 values.

The book is available from Amazon and other leading book dealers nation wide.

Sensational Saturday Jewelry Styles

It is the weekend.  Time to head out for some well needed fun time at the mall.  Or better yet, why not save that time and see what is available online in the jewelry stores.  Then you can spend the rest of you weekend doing some other things you love to do.

Here are some of my Sensational Saturday jewelry specials.   All are limited to just one piece, so hurry to the website if they appeal to you. They won't last long at my competitive prices.

This pretty glass butterfly has been reduce to only $11.99.  What a sweet little critter.

"Strawberry Festival" By Sarah Coventry.  A lovely pin reduced to $19.99.

Millefiori Sterling Silver Blue earrings - reduced to $65.

Kenneth Jay Lane Unsigned Green Glass Butterfly pin - reduced to $32.

These are just a few of the current specials. You can view all the mark downs on the specials page at Vintage Jewelry Lane.

Renoir Jewelry Styles - Nature in Metal

I have spoken about the famous copper designer Jerry Fels who founded the  Renoir  line of copper jewelry before.  In my opinion, he is second only to the master Rebajes who preceded him.

Renoir copper designs are well known for styles which had a huge influence from nature.  Many styles of leaves and flowers and animals ended up as Renoir creations.

Early Renoir pieces - those made between 1948 and 1951 bear the signature "hand Made, Renoir of California."  Pieces made after this were marked simply "Renoir.":

In the spring of 1952, The Renoir of California line was expanded when Fels introduced the Matisse Ltd line . These are some of my personal favorites from the Renoir lines. They combine the traditional copper with hand fired enamel for some spectacular looks.

Renoir jewelry is very collectible, in part because of their beauty, but in large part because of the quality.  The pieces that I have in my collection look as good as they must have when they were made.

As was common during the mid 19th century, many Renoir pieces had names attached to them.  (Sarah Coventry is another jewelry design which used this technique extensively.)

Here are a few of my favorite Renoir and Matisse Renoir designs.  All are available from my Vintage Jewelry Lane website in the copper category.

 

Matisse Renoir white and tan copper leaf Pin - Book Piece Called "Leaf"

Renoir Gathered Genuine Copper Earrings

Matisse Renoir copper and  enamel pin and earrings set called "Leaflet"

Renoir mid century copper brooch called "Tulip."

One of my Favorites - Matisse necklace and earrings set in sea foam and copper, called "California Dreaming."  Very collectible set.

If you would like more information on Renoir designs, my favorite reference book is called Copper Art Jewelry, A different Lustre" by Matthew L.Burkholz and Linda Lichtenberg Kaplan.  It is available from Amazon and other leading book retailers.

Do you have a favorite copper jewelry designer, or do you also love Renoir pieces?  I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Christmas Wreaths - A Festive Accent Piece

 Do you like a Christmas Wreath or a Christmas Tree?

This is the time of year when I seem to sell out of Christmas tree pins.  I just can't seem to keep them in stock. But there is another type of Christmas jewelry that also attracts buyers as well - Christmas Wreath Pins.

We all use them to decorate our doors during the holiday season.Why not decorate our jacket lapels with them too?  Christmas wreath pins come in an array of colors and sizes.   You can get enamel designs for a daytime look or add a little bit of glitz with rhinestones in a more dazzling style.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas wreath pins:

Dazzling red and green rhinestone design in silver tone metal.  One of my best sellers!

This pretty style has a small candle in the inside.  I love the navette shaped rhinestones.

 

This pretty style from Coro features a circle of pale blue rhinestones inside the outer wrapping.  Just delightful!

Here is another pretty candle style but this time in enamel.  Perfect for a daytime look.

This interesting Christmas wreath design can't seem to figure out whether it wants to be green, red or orange...and  a lop side bow to boot.  For someone who likes to think outside the box.

For my full range of Christmas wreath pins, please see Vintage Jewelry Lane.

What is your favorite style of Christmas pin?  Do you prefer trees or Christmas wreaths?

Runway Jewelry is Perfect for the Festive Season

Runway jewelry, that worn by models on many of the fashion runways, is usually quite ornate and dazzling.  It's also the perfect choice for all the festive occasions that seem to turn up the time of the year.

I had a look through my various stores to see what would make great accent pieces for some of your nicest fashion designs and here they are.

Just click on any of the pictures for more details about the pieces.

NEW multi color rhinestone FESTOON Bib choker necklace earring set

 Dazzling mauve and green flower bib necklace with ornate festoon design.

 A stunner in pink rhinestones.  Lovely formed and fitted neckline.

 Perfect color for Christmas - red and clear rhinestones with a bib design.

These are just a few of the choices.  See more festoon necklace and earrings sets in my Bonanza Shop Jewelry Lane.