Huge Floral Pin

Huge Floral Pin
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Ballet Ballet Ballet

Sterling & Marcasite Figural Ballerina Pin
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Pure femininity, such grace and allure ... the Ballerina has it all!!
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European Paste Diamante Pin

European Paste Diamante Pin
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

How great is it for all of us who love and wear Vintage Costume Jewelry that the new First Lady Michelle Obama has chosen to wear it!! She has been seen in Carollee pearls and now has chosen a Victorian paste piece to adorn her Isobel Toledo Inaugural suit.
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Just in Time for Valentines Day

Nordic Sterling Heart
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Nordic Sterling Heart

Gold washed sterling silver open work stylized heart deep red stones and clear pave rhinestones. In excellent condition. Signed Nordic Sterling. Circa 1940. Pin is 2".

Scannavino family did jewelry designing and piecework manufacturing for major companies from the late 30's through 1965. Adrian Scannavino was a top model maker and jeweler. He worked for Pennino, Mazer and had his own business called Adrian Classics. He also made jewelry for Nordic. He also worked for Trifari during the 1920's and 30's. . #80

Heart Jewellery for Sale

Heart Flickr Album

Antique Paste Ring

Antique Paste Ring
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Fine or costume... 8 fingers and 2 thumbs are sometimes not enough!!

Rings for Sale



Rings Flickr Album

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Wood Jewellery

Victorian Wood Bead Necklace
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

From flowers to figurals, wood is a wonderful and sometimes very colourful medium.

Wood Pieces for Sale

Wood Flickr Album

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Warner Grey & Clear Parure

Warner Grey & Clear Parure
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Fabulous 2 toned clear and grey rhinestone encrusted pin and earrings with matching hinge clamper bracelet. All stones are prong set in silver toned setting. Eight grey tear drops shaped stones crisscross the four domed sections. A single domed sits on top. In excellent, near mint condition. Pin is signed Joseph Warner on rectangular plaque signed Warner. Both earrings are signed Warner. Bracelet is unsigned. Circa 1950. Pin is 2 ¼”. Clip on earrings are ¾”. Bracelet has 2 ¼” by 2” oval opening and is 1” at it’s widest. #1640


Warner for Sale


Warner Flickr Album



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Royal Crown Derby Bone China Cup and Saucer

Royal Crown Derby Bone China Cup and Saucer
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Each one is prettier than the last!! Another fine example of another time and place when things weren’t so rushed and hectic. Even the words bone china evokes an image of elegance and quality, with names with rich history such as Wedgwood, Paragon, Spode, Royal Doulton, Paragon, Royal Albert, Coalport and many more.



Bone China Cups & saucers for Sale



Tea Cup Flickr Album


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Hobé Filigree Leaf Clips

Hobé Filigree Leaf Clips
Originally uploaded by Lee Caplan

Hobé Pieces for Sale

In 1887, Jacques Hobé developed a concept: the manufacturing of fine jewelry at affordable prices, accessible to the general public. He began using the efficient manufacturing techniques born of the Industrial Revolution. He created filigree and crystal signature pieces sometimes including netsukes or hand-painted portraits. Now more than a century later, the innovations of Jacques Hobé are legendary.

Around 1915 his son William brought this art to the United States, where Hobé designs were sought after by Hollywood stars including Bette Davis and Ava Gardner. Due to the great demand in Hollywood, William opened a store on Rodeo Dr.

His two sons, Robert and Donald carried on William's work. They used unique stones and beads from around the world, including soft gemstones such as Jade, Tiger Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Malachite, and assorted Agates. Robert and Donald became renowned experts in fine Jade and the high quality imitation Pearls from the Island of Majorca. They developed 22 karat electrolytic gold finish, as well as bringing thousands of unique and innovative designs to the world.

James William Hobé, the grandson of William Hobé is continuing the family tradition from his studio in Rhode Island.




Hobé Pieces for Sale

Hobé Flickr Album


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Coro

Coro was founded in 1901/02, and was at one time the leading and largest manufacturer of costume jewellery in the world, with sales of $33 million a year at their peak. They had factories or plants in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Toronto, England and Mexico.

I particularly like their pins.

The Coro name is made up of the first 2 letters of the last names of the founders, Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger. Corporate name was registered in 1943.

Couture designers played the major role in establishing costume jewellery as an acceptable fashion item and costume jewelry companies like Coro were responsible for making it readily affordable to the mass market.

Charming Coro baubles, including the much sought-after clips, could be picked up at the local five and dime. Their upscale line, CoroCraft, offered high-end sterling silver pieces. Other branches of the Coro family include Vendome (60s), CoroCraft, and Francois, a short lived but beautiful line.

Through much of Coro's long history, Adolph Katz was responsible for the designers and marketing choices. He did not design jewelry. He selected the designs. According to Brunialti’s book Coro’s designers were:
Gene Verrecchio [Verri]--1938 to the end of the 1940
Charles E. Pauzat--1939-1940
Oscar Placco--1938-1945?
Robert Geissman--1938
Sidney Pearl--1941
Carol McDonald--1940
Lester Gaba--1941
Marion Weeber --1940-1941
Victor di Mezza--1950

William Spratling, Hector Aguilar and other silversmiths of Taxco, Mexico, made many piece for Coro's line of Mexican silver (and gold-plated silver) in the 1940's.

Many Coro, piece’s are highly collectible, such as their duettes, enamel florals, figurals and sterling pieces.

The old Coro enterprises ceased their operations in the 1970's.

I have many of Coro Patents available. #101117 to #152102
, #152103 to #177241

Coro Pieces for Sale


Coro Flickr Album

Coro Birds Flickr Album

Coro Figurals Flickr Album

Coro Flowers Flickr Album

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Glitz

Big, bold and beautifull ... the fabuous 50's reigned supreme!!

Glitz Pieces for Sale


Glitz Flickr Album

Marvella

Marvella Inc.
1950 – present
Makers of simulated pearls jewelry, purchased in 1965 and is a division of Hallmark Cards.

Marvella Pieces for Sale


Marvella Flickr Album


Visit FauxJewels on RubyLane for more info on this piece and more vintage costume jewellery.

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Kreisler

The Kreisler company was founded in 1913 in North Bergen New Jersey. At first they manufactured only precious jewelry findings. Now they make karat gold and gold-filled watchbands etc. In 1967 Toby Stern took control of the company and the company moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1977.

Kreisler was a noted watch band maker for higher end watches. He incorporated his band designs into magnificent pieces of costume jewelry.

Kreisler Pieces for Sale

Kreisler Patents Album

Kreisler Ad Flickr Album

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ART NOUVEAU

Art Nouveau Period... 1895 until World War I characterized by curves and naturalistic designs, especially depicting longhaired, sensual women. Louis Comfort Tiffany made archetypal Art Nouveau pieces.

Art Nouveau Pieces for Sale

Art Nouveau Flickr Album

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KRAMER

Kramer Jewerly Creations, NY, 1943--c.1980

A favourite of mine... very under-rated and very collectible. Pieces vary hugely in design, material and can be very serious to flirty and whimsical.

Founded by Louis Kramer in 1943


KRAMER 1943 Block, KRAMER Pat Pend,

KRAMER in Capitals and copyright mark, after 1955

KRAMER STERLING

KRAMER of NEW YORK

KRAMER NEW YORK

The Diamond Look (script) KRAMER 1948

CHRISTIAN DIOR by KRAMER

The Golden Look (script) 1954

Perles de Lune - on Kramer Pearl Jewelry after Sept. 1962

Amourelle in script on heart shaped plaque, Frank Hess for Kramer 1963

Amourelle in script

Kramer for Sale

Kramer Flickr Album

Kramer Ads Flickr Album


Kramer Patents Flickr Album

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FRENCH COSTUME JEWELLERY

The House of Chanel, more commonly known as Chanel, was founded in 1909, the small shop selling ladies headwear had moved to the up market Rue Cambon within a year. The house became especially famous with the elegant little black dress, its signature Chanel No. 5 fragrance and the popular, an elegant Chanel suit comprised of a knee-length skirt and trim, boxy jacket, traditionally made of woven wool with black trim and gold buttons and worn with large costume-pearl necklaces.
Post war Chanel’s long time friend Suzanne Gripoix began to produce Pâte de Verre and nacrés glass pearls for sautoirs, buttons and brooches.
Robert Goossens work was based on Byzantine, Celt, Egyptian and Etruscan designs and techniques. He designed her fabulous 50’s collection of bar pins, bracelets, crosses and barrettes because Chanel was besotted with Byzantine works of art. He adapted many designs based on lion’s heads, as Coco was a Leo. He worked for her from 1954 – 1971.
Louis Rousselet’s firm was the maker of a major source of hand made glass beads, producing barrel-shaped, cylindrical in stepped geometric designs. His factory produced huge amounts of glass pearls until the late 60’s when production ceased.
Both Rousselet and Gripoix used double rows of pearls and beads with floral patterns in between. These pieces were very feminine and very “French”, and were usually hand tagged.
Her belief was “jewellery was not created to make one look rich, but to adorn”.

Made in France Pieces for Sale

French Flickr Album

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BOUCHER

Signatures
BOUCHER 1937-1971
copyright symbol used after 1955
MB (Boucher)
phrygian cap mark
1937-1949
Pairisina
made in Mexico for Boucher during WW11

Marcel Boucher left France in 1925 for the United States and designed for Cartier. In 1937 Boucher established his own company, Marcel Boucher and Cie Company,. Sandra Raymonde Semensohn joined the company in 1949. Marcel and Sandre later married. Both Marcel (Cartier) and his wife Sandra (Harry Winston) began their careers in fine jewelry design. They created dimensional jewelry using multidimensional intricate enameling techniques and coloured rhinestones. Their upscale costume pieces show the same awareness and commitment to detail. The Phrygian cap* signature was used in 1937-1938. Marcel Boucher died in 1965. Sandra Boucher, his wife, ran the company until 1972. Boucher jewelry is usually signed and carries an inventory number. Boucher jewelry is high-end and can be tough to tell from the real thing.

Boucher Pieces for Sale

Boucher Flickr Album

Boucher Patents Flickr Album

Boucher Ads Flickr Album

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BAKELITE

Bakelite is a name for synthetic resin, phenol-formaldehyde.

Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland discovered the synthetic plastic while trying to produce synthetic shellac. When he combined carbolic acid and formaldehyde, the mixture would not pour out of the test tube. When neither heat nor any solvent would soften the new material, Baekeland realized that he had discovered something important - the first thermosetting plastic, a synthetic that would not melt once it had been heat set. Its initial use was in electrical insulation, and phenolic resins are still used today for that purpose.

In 1910 Baekeland founded the General Bakelite Company (later changed to the Bakelite Corporation), which became established in the United States, England, Germany, and Canada. Union Carbide acquired the Bakelite Corporation in 1939.

Bakelite Testing
NEVER PIN TEST BAKELITE…It ruins the value

Friction- rub piece vigorously to create heat and smell the piece immediately. If it has a smell like the old black telephones, it is bakelite. Hot water works creates the same smell.

Simichrome is available in a tube at your local hardware store. Use a tiny bit on a "Q" tip on the underside of the piece you are testing. When rubbed against bakelite it will turn a yellowish colour. Simichrome is great for polishing bakelite. You can use it on silver and other metals too.

Formula 409 is an all-purpose cleaner also can be used to test bakelite. Test put a small amount of 409 on a swab and rub it on a small area on the back of the piece you are testing. The “Q” tip will turn yellowish if it is bakelite. Wash the area afterwards with mild dishwashing soap and warm water. Towel dry immediately afterward. 409 does not strip the finish.


HAPPY BAKELITE HUNTING!!!!!!!!!!

Bakelite Pieces for Sale

Bakelite Flickr Album

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ALICE CAVINESS

Alice Caviness is notable for its originality and use of complex materials and shows a richness of color, shape, and texture. Some Caviness pieces were manufactured in West Germany, and are marked as such. Many of these are sterling, often in delicate filigree. Production began in 1945, post World War II. She died in 1983. the company continued under the leadership of her partner, Lois Steever.

Alice Caviness Pieces for Sale

Alice Caviness Flickr Album

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DANECRAFT

Danecraft made Sterling, gold filled and jewelry made of base metals. Victor Primavera, Sr. & James Felch founded Felch & Co. in Providence, RI in 1934, with Victor in charge of design and James in charge of administration & sales. The mark used was "Danecraft". In 1945 Primaverabought out Felch and changed the company name to Danecraft, which it has remained. Victor Primavera, Sr. died in 1977. Company is still owned and operated by the Primavera family. Danecraft is known for quality sterling silver designs similar to Scandinavian Jewellery.

Information kindly provided to Dotty Stringfield by Victor Primavera,

Danecraft Pieces for Sale

Danecraft Flickr Album

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Information kindly provided to Dotty Stringfield by Victor Primavera,