Don't Assume Anything When Evaluating Jewelry

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Even the experts have to look closely when examining jewelry. They look to see if there are markings of any kind stamped usually out of sight. The mark can tell a lot about the item. Sometimes the metal content will be revealed, the maker, where it was made and sometimes when it was made.

Wait just a minute. Don't assume just because you can't find any visible marks that it is not valuable. I myself have found a solid gold piece that was not marked, in a thrift store.

I have also found items that were marked gold but were not. Crooks will not stop at anything to get your money. Be aware. Don't assume. Don't invest any money that you can't afford to lose. That would take all the fun out of it. Use common sense. I promise you will come across a treasure of your own some time if you havn't already.

There can be significant value in a well made piece of costume jewelry by the right maker with or without marks also. That is why it is so important to do your research.

I've put together a list of some tips that will be useful on your hunt for treasure.

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• Take your tools like a magnifier or magnet with you when shopping second hand.
• Waiting for a sale can be profitable on silver and gold pieces of jewelry at the thrift store. D.A.V. thrift stores in my area have 1/2 price sales.
• Make yourself familiar with the different markings for gold and silver. There are many to consider. Sterling, plated, HGE, 10 K, Plat, Vermeil, etc. 
• Glass is cold to the touch at first but will warm in your hand as you hold it. 
• A semi-precious stone will stay cold to the touch.
• If an opal looks too perfect it is faked. Same size, shape and color in the flecks is a dead give away it's faked. If there are gaps evenly spaced, more than likely fake.  
• Opals come from Australia. A country of origin mark is a clue for dating purposes.
• Knowing laws and when they were implemented helps to date items. 
• Learning when a certain technique for jewelry making was invented will help date an item.
• Aurora Borealis aka AB was invented by Swarovski and Christian Dior in the 1950's.
• Russia and Hong Kong create a large amount of synthetic stones.
• You never want a cloudy gemstone. The richer the color the better.
• Look at the metal setting around your gemstone. If it is super fancy and outshines your gemstone, it could be over compensating for some where it is lacking. Might be a fake stone. 
• A real diamond does not fog but fake will.
• Check weight. A heavy solid construction usually indicates an older more valuable item. But not always.
• When you look at the back of a piece of jewelry, is it many settings or one solid setting. Separate settings is what you want. If you can look at the back and see that it is just as beautiful as the front you know you have got a really nice piece very well made. 
• Gold and silver are never magnetic and do not turn skin green.
• Look for any worn spots that show a different color metal underneath.
• Learn what tarnished silver smells like. Seriously.
• The facets will be cut sharp when the stone is authentic. If facets are rounded not so much.
• The corners or edges of gold jewelry are never sharp. Gold is too soft to form a sharp edge.
• Mystic topaz and Rainbow topaz are the stone. Vacuum disposition is the treatment used to enhance a clear topaz that is an actual semi-precious stone. 
• Lots of gemstones are "treated" "enhanced" "heated" or what-not.  

Some of these tips I was aware of already but I have been watching a very informative Dr. Lori on you tube lately. You should check her out. She is smart about all antiques. She educates as she appraises and spices it up with a unique sense of humor that's down to earth. She also has a website packed with tips. https://www.drloriv.com/

I guess my final tip for this post would be to keep educating yourself. Don't be afraid to make a mistake because that is how we learn. Happy hunting! 

Formula Used For Scrap Gold Value

Did you know that scrap value for your gold is not just made up out of thin air. There is actually a formula for each gold content level. I am talking about the karats like 14 K or 10 K. The first thing you will need to find is the current value of gold. Kitco Spot Gold Page is reliable and here's a link..

31.1 grams = 1 troy ounce

Spot Gold price is for a troy ounce. 

18 K Spot Gold multiplied by 75% and then divided by 3.1 grams equals the value of the gold.

14 K Spot Gold multiplied by 58.3% and then divided by 3.1 grams equals the value of the gold.

10 K Spot Gold multiplied by 41.6% and then divided by 3.1 grams equals the value of the gold.

9 K Spot Gold multiplied by 37.5% and then divided by 3.1 grams equals the value of the gold.

This will give you the value per gram. All that will be left to do is weigh your gold in grams and multiply by the value. Pay attention to the decimal points when calculating.

If that looks to difficult for you, find a calculator for scrap gold offered by several sites on line. Here's a link to the one on the Kitco site.

The Kitco company has a couple of apps in the play store for calculating scrap gold value on the go.

More Secret Treasure Found

Oh yes, there's more...

The only thing that's missing from Antique Jewelry University, as dynamic as it is, are any mention of current values. That's where Lang Antiques (the mother ship) might be of interest. Here's a link or you can go directly from the Antique Jewelry University. High-end gorgeous pictures of gorgeous items for sale can be found on this simply elegant website. User-friendly and well-organized makes it a stress-free place to visit on the Internet. No pop-ups to ask for your e-mail, remind you to sign in or force you to buy/donate (same thing really). And no survey to take either. Take a peek. Looks like it's unanimous. This ostrich? pretty sure. Funny to me! And this doggy such a sweetie! Always Love Me Kitties! Picture number 2 is freaking me out. Funny? Yes or no, leave in a comment, please.

You really should take a peek. Wow! is all I'm saying. Just one more, Wow! I got inspired to create something on my own. There are many slide shows available to view for FREE.  Lang Antiques is an all-around class act. Need I say more.

*TECH TIP*

Use the arrows, top right of the page to view full screen for maximum entertainment of the slide shows. Would you rather read the book or go see the movie in a theater? You can toggle back and forth if your answer to the previous question was both.

*FYI*

The Antique Roadshow has a data base of every appraisal done on their show.  Just picking a category works but there's an option to narrow it down to specifics about your search.

This valuable resource is often overlooked. Magazines are packed with inspiration, websites, links, ideas, motivation, pictures, supply, opportunity, designers, fashion, trends and more like contests, letters, advice and more. 

Love to Know

It's not all about jewelry. There are a lot of jewelry posts and just about any other subject you can think of posts. with what could be the ONE. I can't  remember how exactly I found this site, other than my usual jumping from link to link like I do. I struck gold on this one and so will you. Bookmark it I got another one to tell you about.

The Spruce
"Make Your Best Home"

Another great site with numerous categories. Lots of good advice, referrals, etc. .

Thrifty Fun

Questions are asked and answered by the community. The layout is quick and easy to read. It has so much more depth of information than the menu implies. Dig in! Here's a link to the contests page. Win 50 bucks by submitting a tip, or answering a few questions Excellent resource for links that would not get discovered with a simple google search.

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An update to my sidebar link list is long over due, don't you agree? I will be returning to all of them, posting any worthwhile info I find. I want to know how to find them again.

Tag, your it.     Leave a comment letting me know your favorite site.  

Which Finger Will You Choose?

Thumb

• self-assertion and will-power. 
• carnelian, garnet and ruby 
• fashion statement on either hand in modern times.
• men will often wear a ring from a loved one on their left or right hand thumb if it isn't an engagement or wedding ring.

Index Finger

• self-confidence, leadership, ambition and spirituality.
• lapis lazuli, amethyst and blue topaz.
• history tells us a ring worn on the left or right index finger aannounced a man's wealth and status. Often a ring with the family crest was worn here. In certain cities men below a certain rank were banned from wearing anything on either index finger.
• A ring worn on the either hand's index finger is sure to get noticed. Wear a high impact piece.
• Traditionally in Jewish culture the right index finger is the proper place for a wedding ring. Some Jewish women will choose to place the wedding ring on the left ring finger after the ceremony and others will leave it on the right index finger.
• class rings or fraternal rings quite often are worn on the index finger of either hand by men.

Middle Finger

• balance, justice, the law, responsibility and soul-searching.
• rose quartz, coral and aquamarine
• most cultures do not place a significant meaning to the middle finger on either hand.
• prominent in it's placement it communicates leadership, strength or power.
• wearing a statement piece is viewed stylish when worn on either hand's middle finger.

Ring Finger

• relationships, creativity, the love of beauty
• moonstone, jade, amethyst, sapphire and turquoise.
• people believe the custom designating the left ring finger to be the proper place to wear a wedding ring dates back to ancient Romans. Long held belief that a vein travels directly from the left ring finger to the heart.
• also believed to be an ancient Roman custom is wearing a ring on the left ring finger will announce the wearers engagement or commitment to soon be wed. At the time of the wedding ceremony, the bride can choose to continue wearing the engagement ring along with the wedding band or put it on any other finger.
• many young people will wear a promise ring, meant for the seriously romantic promises or a chastity (purity) ring, representing their personal commitment to abstinence from intimate relationships until marriage.
• some countries like Germany, Russia, India and others place the same significance on the ring finger but on the right hand.

Pinkie

• intelligence, communication, persuasion and intuition.
• moonstone, amber and citrine.
• a pinkie ring worn on the right hand represents professional status, a symbol of graduating with a degree in that field.
• a pinkie ring worn on the left hand in Great Britain as well as some Western countries symbolizes family and status. This type of ring,featuring the family coat of arms is passed down through generations. 
• most professional rings are simple bands made of iron, silver, stainless steel or other metal.
• members of the mafia were known to designate themselves by wearing pinkie rings.

Left Hand

• indicator for character and beliefs.
• wedding band
• yin (feminine)
• "rocks the cradle" De Beers 2003 campaign
• says I'm married.
• receiving in
• we

Right Hand

• greater visibility, fashion statement.
• engagement ring.
• yang (masculine)
• "rules the world" De Beers 2003 campaign
• says I've made it.
• sending out
• me

9 Clues for Dating Vintage Costume Jewelry

These 9 tips will help you distinguish between the old and new costume jewelry pieces out there for sale. A hands-on approach is the best way to learn. Don't you agree? Don't forget to take your magnifier when you go out treasure hunting. I have a little black light that I take along with me. This trick will bring to light glue spots, repairs, cracks and even help when you are trying to figure out if it includes a real semi-precious stone.

I am assuming that you already know to look for a maker's mark, hallmark, metal mark of any kind. These can be your best clue. But you know that already, right? Unsigned pieces are collectible too. It has not always been a requirement for jewelry to be stamped with the gold, silver or platinum content like it is today. And it is still not a requirement that the maker sign each piece of jewelry. Learning and discovering the details is part of the fun when collecting vintage costume jewelry.

• Prong-set rhinestones represents quality in vintage jewelry.
• Authentic vintage jewelry most likely will show signs of wear especially on the clasp.
• 1955 is when copyright symbols first appear on jewelry.
• Aurora Borealis rhinestones were not introduced until after the war in the mid 1950's.
• The textured metal on the back of vintage jewelry is not as old as the smooth surface.
• The sharp end of the pin stem that secures a brooch is longer on older pieces of jewelry. 
• Older jewelry will be heavier and the construction more solid.
• Something I have noticed is that newer jewelry is more likely to have sharper edges. 
• When a "plastic" piece of jewelry is in question, a mold line can be a clue.

Pixabay has awesome free images of jewelry.

Love to Know has a lot of good info about collecting vintage costume jewelry.

The Spruce is another great resource for info. Don't forget to check out the links.

Invaluable is a recent discovery but I can tell it's going to be useful

Really digging these rings! Leave a comment with your tips!

This Type Of Stoned Has Always Been Legal

Gemstoned 

Diamonds          *          Emeralds          *          Rubies          *          Sapphires

Diamonds were originally found in India but now they can be found in South Africa, Brazil and many other places. Speaking of other places, I can't wait to find my way to the Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro,  Arkansas. Approximately 300 miles away, taking less than 6 hours to get there, doesn't seem too far for a road trip. I'm going to do my research and be prepared.

Guide for recognizing a diamond in the rough. (*Sniff*) That's what us experts call a gemstone when found in their natural state in the ground. You know, before they are all polished up and stuff, they are in the "rough."

I can hear a diamond calling my name. Hold on my precious, I'm coming!

Diamonds possess qualities that other stones don't and can be found in a lot of different colors. Other than the traditional "white" they can be found in black, brown, yellow, blue, green and many other shades too. Diamonds are found in deposits of gravel, sand or clay and even in river beds.

Look at those eyes. Precious!

Emeralds are the rarest of the precious stones and are considered to be more valuable than even the diamond. Skillful marketing early on probably played a part in the diamonds social status today. Unlike diamonds, emeralds are found in the rock in which it was formed, it never occurs in deposits of gravel or sand. The best stones are known to come from Columbia, South America. But the United States have unearthed some beauties themselves. A rich and dark color is mostly seen and even given the title "emerald green." It's often used to describe the green color of other items. But an intense fresh (lighter) green shade is more highly valued in the market.

 Image courtesy: Gemstone Universe and shared on Quora

Rubies can be dated back in early history before all of the other precious stones. Burma is known to produce the best of the best. The rubies from Burma are a shade of red slightly inclined to the purple and often referred to as "Pigeon Blood Ruby." Rubies can also be found in Ceylon, Siam and Australia among other locations but they do not compare to the deep, rich color produced by Burma.

Corundum is the mineral where genuine rubies containing irregularly shaped bubbles can be obtained. Imitation rubies contain perfectly round bubbles. All genuine stones contain flaws. The fewer the flaws, the rarer the gem. A manufacturer, being more careful than nature, can produce an imitation stone with imperfections that are much less noticeable. A trained gemologist will be able to tell the difference.

I just had to share the awesome picture above of an untreated ruby from Burma. Isn't it gorgeous! Do you see the rose that appears naturally in the center. It's no wonder these are the most desired rubies.

Sapphire reminds me of the color cobalt.
Am I the only one?

Sapphires can be found in the same local as the ruby and many parts of the world. The largest number and best quality are known to come from Siam. Close to the diamond in hardness and like the ruby, its value is measured by its color and quality. The most desired and valuable are a deep blue but other colors have been discovered including red, green, yellow and pink.

Popular semi-precious stones used in jewelry

Alexandrite - grass green/combined red color

Amethyst - pale purple

Aquamarine - sea green

Chrysoberyl - yellow - pale green

Lapis Lazuli - deep blue

Moonstone - pearly - opaline lustre

Opal - opalescent - fire redness

Peridot - deep yellow/green

Topaz - transparent - pale yellow

Tourmaline - transparent - pink or green

Tuquoise - blue

Zircon - blue/green

Coral - red

Carnelian - deep red, flesh red or reddish white

Garnet - red

Jade - green - white, yellow, black, pink, gray

Malachite - green

Agate - reddish - yellow red

Azurite - blue

Bloodstone - green with red

Chrysoprase - translucent green

What's Black Jewelry Made From ? 8 Choices Simple Tests To Find Out !

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Now that's a Stack!

Plastic is very light weight. Tapping plastic on your natural tooth will result with a clicking sound. It might be hollow and could be solid but mold lines will most certainly be present. A jeweler's loupe helps to identify this line that will run all the way around your plastic's middle.

No mold lines present? No "click, click"? Now what?

Glass is heavier than plastic and reflects light. As you hold glass in your hand it will warm up.

Stone is also heavier than plastic. In your hand it will stay cold.

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Jet is as light as plastic. It's very hard and the material resembles coal. Jet was first mined in Whitby, England in the mid 1800s. Carving this type of fossilized wood became so popular by 1870 there were approximately 200 jet shops in the small town of Whitby. Mining for jet is illegal today which translates to rarity which translates to valuable.

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Take note, jet breaks easily. That's the bad news. The good news is there's a test. Rub your specimen on concrete or clay pottery. Jet will leave a brownish black mark behind.

Gutta-purcha first appeared in England in 1841. Made out of sap from the Malayan tree. Mostly used during the Victorian era. When you run this material under hot water it will produce a noticeable burnt rubber smell. Rubbing it against your clothing creating friction is another testing method that should result with the same burnt rubber smell.

Crepe Stone is a black material made of glass.The Fowler brothers of Providence, Rhode Island introduced this distinctive looking product in 1883. Also known as English Crepe Stone.

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Bog Oak is a black material that is easily recognized because of the Irish motifs used for jewelry. It is oak wood preserved in the Bogs of Ireland.

Bakelite can be black but not all Bakelite is black. Bakelite was super popular during the 1920s and 30s. It is a phenolic (phenol formaldehyde resin) plastic. A good test that has been proven to be reliable is the 409 test. Take a cotton swab dipped in 409 bathroom cleaner and touch the material. Make sure to make contact in a hidden area on the jewelry, just to be safe. If the cotton swab remains yellow after contact it must be Bakelite.

Amazingly Beautiful Bakelite
pinterest

These two sites are packed with useful information. I mean packed!

The Spruce

Love To Know

The following is a new-to-me website for freebies, deals and etc.

Cha Ching On A String

14 Unknown Facts About Jewelry

Wearing Your Jewelry

Long drop earrings give the illusion of length to your face.  So they're a great thing for those who have chubby cheeks or maybe a double chin.

Perfume oils will discolor gold, pearls and other gems.  Don't spray perfume over your jewelry.  This goes for hair spray too.  This can easily be avoided by putting your jewelry on after you are completely dressed with hair and makeup in place.

Cleaning Your Costume Jewelry

Jewelry made with some stones and with imitation gold & silver can be washed in mild dish washing liquid and warm water.  Wash in bowl not sink ( you don't want to take the risk of losing something down the drain).  Individual pieces of jewelry should not touch each other in solution so as not to scratch.  After soaking for a minute, brush individual piece with soft toothbrush and dry with chamois cloth or facial tissue.  Before you dump left over solution make sure to check the bowl for lost pieces.  DO NOT use bleach because it will damage metal mounts beyond repair.

Absolute Clean Online

Special Treatment Required

     Ivory - Dust ivory pieces regularly with soft cloth; using a clean, soft toothbrush to reach into carved areas.  Sunshine keeps ivory from yellowing but too much sun can cause ivory to crack.  Perfume and hair spray can cause discoloring.
     Jade - Combine 1 tablespoon ammonia and 1 cup hot water.  Swish jewelry briefly and dry immediately with soft cloth.  Jade scratches easily.
     Jet - Never soak in water or any type of chemical solution.  Just wipe with damp soft cloth.
     Diamonds - Swish these stones briefly in 1 tablespoon ammonia and 1 cup hot water.  Then dip in rubbing alcohol and pat dry with tissue paper.

Interesting Jewelry Facts Not Well Known

• Only one natural pearl will form out of every 10,000 oysters. That's it. 
• 100,000 year old beads made from Nassarius shells is officially known as the oldest ever found
• Americans spell it jewelry, everyone else spells it jewellery.
• "Jewel", from the old French jouel, which comes from the latin jocale, translation - plaything.
• For the past 100 years Africa has been the top producer of gold.
• The #1 producer of silver is Mexico. A close second is Peru.
• Real Amber, fossilized tree resin at least a million years old, will float in water.
• In Asia, the Middle East and Africa, 24K gold is used in the making of jewelry.
• In the USA and across Europe, most jewelers believe 24K is too soft for jewelry making.
• A large, perfect, gem quality ruby is worth more than a diamond the same size and quality.
• Peridot, Lapis Lazuli and Pearls were ground up and used as eye shadow in ancient times.
• Naturally colored diamonds are extremely rare. The most expensive and rarest are red, purple and then pink. Their white cousins are abundant and cost considerably less.
• Burma Rubies are not allowed out of Burma. These rubies are quite valuable and can only be purchased on the secondary market.
• Live insect jewelry was popular at certain times in history. You heard me right. Egyptians wore scarab beetles into battle. A Mexican Maquech Beetle and the Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach  were also used in jewelry. Victorians in Britain could often be seen sporting live beetles attached to their clothing by tiny, fine gold chains.

    Lots of jewelry history to be found at this link by by clicking here.

   Instructions for jewelry you can make. I especially like the dainty knot ring. #13

9 Facts About Aurora Borealis Antique or Not.

It's not uncommon to find "antique" in the description of a piece of jewelry containing aurora borealis beads or stones. Sometimes the circa date listed will be way before the technique was even invented. I don't think the author means to mislead. More than likely they have been misinformed. The uneducated reader will assume it's true. "It's on the Internet, it must be true." Right? Wrong!

Since I am a witness to this crime of misinformation, it is my duty to report the crime to the proper authorities. You know I'm kidding don't you. While this isn't necessarily a felony or even a misdemeanor, it should not be taken lightly. The monetary value of an item depends on an item being correctly identified.

So here are facts about Aurora Borealis. I'll even back up what I'm saying with a link to an article written by an expert in costume jewelry. Matter of fact she has even written a book on the subject maybe you've heard of it, Warman's Costume Jewelry, Identification and Price Guide.

Fact #1

Aurora Borealis is sometimes listed as AB.

Fact #2

Manfred Swarovski and Christian Dior invented the process in 1955.

Fact #3

The process involves layering thin metal over glass in a steam vacuum, producing a magnificent, sparkling, iridescent finish.

Fact #4

Swarovski produced optical products for the military starting in 1939. Stone shipments out of Austria during this time were highly limited,

Fact #5

Aurora Borealis  mistakenly gets attributed to earlier beads with an iridescent finish.

Fact #6

The high quality Aurora Borealis rhinestones produced by Swarovski were widely used in costume jewelry manufacture in the late 50s through early 60s.

Fact #7

AB has been wrongly labeled as "carnival glass."

Fact #8

The aurora borealis seen in today's costume jewelry, doesn't begin to compare to the quality of the originals.

Fact #9

The brand became the name. Like Jello, Band-Aid or Kleenex. Or Vaseline, Q-tips and Post-its. Aurora Borealis has become the name for iridescent finish in costume jewelry.

Before I hook you up to that link I mentioned earlier, I want to tell you about the website that is host to the article being linked. This is one cool website. It's user friendly. The content is massive. They share the kind of information we want to know. They don't make you click and click to find the end of your article. The pictures they use are perfect. It doesn't take forever to load. They cover subjects like collecting coins and include actual price guides. You'll find links to free printable patterns for making clothes for barbie dolls. How-to diy home repair is a listing. Gardening, magic tricks, refurbishing furniture, flea market advice for buyers and sellers, feng shui instruction, getting organized, stain removal with homemade cleaners,  All sorts of free printables. There is minimal advertising and I never experienced a pop up. There is nothing but good, useful, informative, fun, helpful stuff oozing every where you look. No body's perfect, right. I did notice some typoss, mispellings, not so good grammar, but nothing that couldn't be overlooked because of the delightful, bursting with awesomeness on every page. I will be revisiting this one many times for sure. Besides I forgot to sign up for the newsletter. Oh, one more thing, click on the three lines in the upper left corner of home page and a search box will appear for quicker access. Let me just say, taking the scenic route will not disappoint.

The website, thespruce.com. 

Still confused about classifying antique, estate, vintage or period jewelry.
Pamela Wiggins, author of Warman's Costume Jewelry tells-all on the subject in another easy-read article, found on TheSpruce website. 
                         
And in case you did not realize by clicking "link" above for the Aurora Borealis article, here's the link again.

Alpaco Stamped Jewelry Vs. Taxco Stamped Jewelry

Taxco Bracelet
Love It!

Taxco Mark

First, groundwork is needed. It has come to my attention that some people are misrepresenting jewelry stamped with Alpaca as sterling silver from Mexico. I don't believe the people describing this jewelry incorrectly, mean to defraud. I'm confident as soon as everyone learns the truth, corrections will happen.

Taxco
Snake Jewelry

This is one possible explanation that resulted in confusion with these marks. Jewelry collectors are familiar with Taxco in Mexico. Taxco and its silver deposits are well known in the jewelry world. Quality silver jewelry produced by artists from Taxco in Mexico are appropriately stamped with some form of the written word "Taxco".  The word itself was a constant, sometimes all caps was used, and variations in the makers mark, if included at all, took many forms through the years. An expert date's the item from these clues in the markings. But, that's the subject for another post.

Taxco de Alarcón Municipality
 located in the Mexican state of Guerrero
aka Silver City

What I hope to clarify is jewelry coming from Mexico, stamped Alpaca, is not made from a precious metal. A lot of people are mistaking Alpaca as a city in Mexico. Understandably, they assume since there is a Taxco in Mexico producing sliver jewelry, there must be an Alpaca in Mexico.

Alpaca Mark
on bracelet

Elaborate
Alpaca
Necklace

There is NOT an Alpaco in Mexico. The pieces marked this way are not silver. At least not the precious metal, the .925 sliver coming from Taxco we all think of when we think of silver jewelry. Alpaca is their term for "nickel" silver or "german" silver. Contains no silver whatsoever. Alpaca jewelry is produced as an inexpensive option for consumers unable to afford the actual .925 silver. Alpaca jewelry pieces are equally attractive as their counterparts. Some say they are more attractive because the designers attempt to make up for using the lesser metal alloy. For comparable pieces of jewelry the Alpaca stamped value is less.

Alpaca Bracelet

Follow this link to a superb guide for everything silver, silver plated, makers marks, the works! Alpaca info can be found towards the bottom of the article.

More About Dating Costume Jewelry

Dating Your Costume Jewelry

Electroplating was developed in 1840's.

Aurora borealis rhinestones were first introduced in the mid 50's.

Older jewelry has substantial heft for the most part.

Copyright symbols first appeared on jewelry made in 1955 to present.

Quality vintage rhinestone pieces are usually set in prongs.

Authentic vintage jewelry most likely will show signs of wear, particularly in the clasp area

Older brooches have smooth backs, not those patterned ridges that are common.

Old mine cut -  19th century method of faceting gemstones, usually diamonds, up until early 1900.   Fewer facets means a different twinkle.  Subtle sparker, not a fiery flash.

 Cabochon - a gem that has a smooth rounded surface instead of facets and lays flat.  Gleams instead of sparkles.

 Paste - pieces of glass cut and colored to look like a gem.  A form of imitation that dates back to the 17th century.  Many paste pieces were often made and set into precious metals.

Millegrain - metal setting for stones decorated with tiny raised beads.  Popular in the early 20th century and often used to day to give jewelry an antique look.


Parure or Suite - necklace, two bracelets, ring, earrings, brooch and sometimes tiara or other hair piece.

Demi-parure - necklace, earrings and brooch

Today three or more coordinating pieces, designed to be worn together as a set are often referred to as a parure.