Table of Contents:
New Items | Tips | Trends | Featured Designer
New Items at Vintage Jewelry Online.com
I’ve been busy buying some very special pieces, including some high fashion designs and wonderful Edwardian and Victorian items. To see them all in a group, click here.
My buying spree made it extremely difficult yet fun to select the featured items and I hope you enjoy previewing them.
The featured highlights are found on the home page and include:
- a fabulous laminated black & butterscotch square bakelite bracelet #CB-00063
- a hard to find Coro Hyacinth Flower pin #CS-00077
- a Dominique Aurientis French blue & white R/S shoulder broach #CS-00085
- a rare 4 piece sterling and chrysoprase set by designer, Ruth Gersh #CS-00086
- a Juliana blue and aurora borealis rhinestone dangling pin #CS-00080
- a William Spratling wannabe 980 sterling Gaucho pin #CE-00017
- an elaborate enamel deco necklace #AS-00018
- a glamorous Edwardian amethyst cabochon ring #FG-00028
- a Victorian 15k gold mesh bracelet with Etruscan influences #FG-00029
- a rare18k lapis pietra dura pin with Etruscan influences #FG-00032
- a Civil War era white gold, garnet and diamond curb bracelet #FG-00030
- a 14k gold bead Edwardian necklace, chocker style #VE-00072
Jewelry Tips
How to Identify Bakelite —
When I first began collecting, this was my favorite type of jewelry so I thought I’d start here helping others identify bakelite. Over time you will develop your favorite and trustworthy method and it should involve more than just one in order to increase reliability.
Method #1: Some collector’s recommend 409 and it is very popular.
- Dip a cotton swab in 409 household cleaner and touch a small area of the piece, such as a back that won’t be visible when worn.
- If the piece is bakelite, the patina will appear as a yellow stain on the cloth.
- Rinse the cleaner off the tested spot immediately with a small amount of water on a cloth. Do not submerge the item in water.
Method #2: Some collectors recommend the simichrome Polish test. Not only can you use it to test your bakelite, it will also clean and polish it. You can get a false positive with simichrome so it is best to use more than one testing method if you use simichrome as your primary method.
- Take a dab of simichrome polish and place it on the item. You don’t have to worry about where, because it will not damage the item, even if it is not Bakelite.
- Rub the polish into the item with a soft rag or cloth.
- If the piece is bakelite, the patina will appear as a yellow stain on the cloth.
- Continue to rub the remaining paste into the item if there is any residue remaining. There is no need to rub the polish off with water.
- This is a great crème to polish bakelite even if you don’t use it for testing purposes.
Method #3: Some collectors recommend the smell test. If you have a good sense of smell, this works great but is probably the least reliable test.
- Rub the item vigorously for 30 – 45 seconds.
- Bakelite will produce a distinctive smell of carbolic acid when wet or warmed.
Method #4: The touch, sound and eye test. Bakelite has a distinctive sound when clinked against your teeth or against another piece of bakelite. It will sound very clunky and heavy. Compare it to two pieces you know are plastic and you’ll hear the difference. Look for a rich patina and signs of aging on the inside of bracelets or on the back of pins and necklaces.
Method #5: Some collectors recommend the water test although I do not. You can get the same results by using the smell test and rubbing the item. See do’s and don’ts below about water.
Do’s and Don’ts for Testing —
Do try one or more methods to insure better findings.
Do not use the hot pin test. It will leave a mark on the plastic and reduce the value of the item significantly.
Do not wash your Bakelite with water. If there is the slightest crack, fleabite or opening, like in a clamp bracelet, you risk moisture getting trapped in the bakelite. Overtime, this will cause the bakelite to warp.
Do not use the Scrubbing Bubbles test. The chemicals will
damage your item
Note, resin washed items, or items that have been stripped of their finish or very dirty items may not test with any method.
Galalith, an early French plastic made from milk protein, will not test with either 409 or simichrome.
Jewelry & Fashion Trends
Charms in all flavors are in. Remember the charm bracelets from the 50’s? Well, now is the time to bring your bracelet back to the forefront of your jewelry box and enhance it with new charms. Try:
- cultured pearl and diamond locket charm #FG-00034
- sapphire ballerina charm #FG-00035
- ruby double heart charm #FG-00036
But charms aren’t just for bracelets anymore… you’ll see them on chains, necklaces and even rings, if you want to buy new and not vintage.
Black is back bigger than ever… Still! Being dark never looked so good with the drama of black beads, jet and black crystals. And what better way to get the look than with the authentic black jewelry from the Victorian and Edwardian periods? Why buy new and costly when you can have the real thing? See the fabulous:
- 66″ long opera length black jet sautoir #VE-00058 or
- those rare black jet cuff links #VE-00055
Chains are making a comeback… the longer the better and they can be of any material; sterling, gold, jet, or glass. And they are versatile. Remember, wearing more than one is so-o Victorian, it’s a must… Check out the 61″ sterling Victorian filigree chain at #VE-00042. Don’t be afraid to mix pearls with gold or sterling chains in a high fashioned layered look either.
Brocade metallics with raised weaves and lavish textures are today’s hot buy. But these aren’t the stuffy, stiff materials from the early 1900s. These are soft, rich and luxurious. So when you accessorize, go for glamour from any period!
The basic white shirt is this season’s staple so accessorize it like there is no tomorrow.
January’s Designer — Coro
Coro was founded by Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger in 1901 in New York City. Their first factory was located in Providence, Rhode Island and over the years employed as many people as 3000, mostly located in their RI establishment. They had many excellent designers and two that contributed a tremendous significance to their company were Adolph Katz and Gene Verrecchio. Although they carried many lines from inexpensive to expensive and included, Coro, Corocraft, Vendome, and Mexicraft (during WWII in Taxco, Mexico), their singular most successful item brought out under Coro and Corocraft was the Coro Duette. (To read more about Coro, see the book, A Tribute To America, Costume Jewelry 1935-1950 by Carla and Roberto Brunialti)
They are many items available by Coro at Vintagejewelryonline.com. For convenience, use the quick search field and type in Coro.
Jim Katz, owner of Katz Antiques & Jewelry is building a website of original patents. He has kindly let me share this wealth of gorgeous jewelry with you. I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.jewelrypatents.com/coro1.html
Best wishes,
Shelley
