Vintage Norwegian Silver Solje Pin

My grandmother's  parents were both from Norway, so I am very fond of anything Scandinavian, including jewelry.  This brings us to Norwegian Solje jewelry.  Solje jewelry is often represented as a pin or brooch, but earrings, necklaces, earrings, and other items are also designed.  The people of rural Norway were known for wearing silver jewelry in some form on a daily basis back in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  Simple pins were worn to fasten clothes, and on special occassions, more ornate pieces adorned traditional folk costumes known as "bunads."

During rights of passage, such as baptism or marriage, Solje jewelry was often given to protect the wearer.  The pin above is an example of a smaller Solje pin, most likely given to an infant.  Norwegians, with their strong folkloric beliefs, felt that people were very susceptible to evil spirits from the underworld at these times of transition and believed that Silver had protective properties.  Silver was of course also a symbol of the wealth and prosperity of a family.  Solje jewelry is still very popular today, but many people are not even aware of its interesting history.   

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated. 

My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Roots Web. Retrieved 7/5/2011 from http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NORWAY/2000-01/0948522524

French Bike Chain Dangle Earrings

What else can I say about theses babies other than ,"So cool!"  These silvertone dangle earrings are made of bike chain parts and the larger piece of each earring is marked "France."  These earrings are actually quite popular these days among avid female cyclists and I found many variations available for sale online, most made from recycled bike parts. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece. Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated. 

My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Team Estrogen. Retrieved 7/4/2011 from http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodRR_14E.html

Thai Sterling Silver And Stone Ring

Who hasn't gone to Marshalls, Macy's, or a mall kiosk and seen sterling silver jewelry that was absolutely gorgeous?  This ring is marked 925 GJF, which appears to be a Thai maker mark.  It is a nice thick ring featuring 5 cut, dark orange natural stones inlaid in Sterling silver.

Many American jewelry manufacturers are outsourcing their production to Thailand.  Thailand produces inexpensive costume jewelry to high end jewelry made in Gold, Platinum, and other precious metals and stones.  In my opinion, some contemporary Thai jewelry is absolutely beautiful even if it is mass-produced. 

I am more familiar with sterling pieces as this is what I tend to find, as well as collect.  Thai jewelry made from Sterling silver includes simple, low quality designs sold by weight;  wholesale jewelry featuring semi-precious stones with a higher quality metal and more intricate designs; and custom pieces made with natural gems and the finest quality metal.  This ring appears to fall in the second category.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece. Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Bangkok Companies. Retrieved 7/3/2011 from http://bangkokcompanies.com/categories/thai_companies_p3.htm

Custom Jewelry Thailand. Retrieved 7/3/2011 from http://www.custom-jewelry-thailand.com/silver-jewelry-thailand-01.htm

Worthpoint. Retrieved 7/3/2011 from http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bold-designer-sterling-silver-ball-wide-cigar-band

Little Nemo Sterling Silver And Faux Pearl Earrings

These dainty earrings were made by the Brier Manufacturing Company under the trademark "Little Nemo."  These earrings were made in the late 1950s or early 1960s and each feature a faux pearl attached to a Sterling Silver curved post with an unusual faux pearl backing. 

Brier was founded in 1911 by Benjamin and Charles Brier, and Samuel Magid, in none other than Providence, Rhode Island.  They employed over 200 employees and were the second largest jewelry company in the world next to Coro in the early 20th century.  Their jewelry was well made and often featured imitation diamonds and imported stones from around the world set in gold-filled metal.  The company ceased operations in 1978.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece. Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Jackson Jewels. Retrieved 7/2/2011 from http://www.jacksonjewels.com/Reference/Jewelry_Companies_J-L.htm

Val Tuilp Earrings

These cute pierced dangle earrings are marked with the name "Val" in cursive followed by a copyright symbol.   I could not find any others online with similar marks.  I am unsure of their age, but I believe they are contemporary, or only as old as the 1980s.  They each feature a tulip imprinted on what appears to be a pewter circluar disc.  Each tulip imprint has been oxidized.

Oxidation is a process of discoloring or tarnishing metal.  Sometimes it is done to make an entire piece look antiqued by giving it a rich patina, and other times it is used to detail and darken areas of stamped jewelry (like the earrings above).

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece. Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Hub Pages. Retrieved 7/1/2011 from http://hubpages.com/hub/Oxidize-Metal-Hand-Stamped-Jewelry

Gerry's Telephone Scatter Pins

These quaint scatter pins were made by Gerry's.  They each feature 2 light blue rhinestones set in silvertone metal.  I am unsure of their age, but Gerry's Creations was started by Geraldine Giles in the 1950s.  There is little information online about the company, but it seems that they ceased jewelry production in 1996.  Gerry is known for making figural pins and very popular Christmas tree brooches.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece. Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Sharon's Vintage Store. Retrieved 6/30/2011 from http://www.sharonsvintagestore.com/catalog.php/web4me2day/pg8222

Copper Arts & Crafts Clip Earrings

I believe these gorgeous geometric earrings are from the Arts & Crafts era which flourished here in the United States between 1880 and 1920.  They fearture a very unique and apparently old butterfly style clip clasp on the back of each earring.  They are done in textured copper and have a beautiful patina.  

The Arts & Crafts era came about in response to the industrialization of the late 19th century.  It was both a political and social movement revolting against new technology.  Humble materials such as copper, brass, and enamel were often used in straightforward simple designs, often inspired by nature.  Artists of this era focused on quality craftsmanship and design rather than precious materials and gemstones. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Collectors Weekly. Retrieved 6/29/2011 from http://www.collectorsweekly.com/arts-and-crafts/overview

Dover Jewelry. Retrieved 6/29/2011 from http://www.doverjewelry.com/Arts%20and%20Crafts