ART Silvertone Multiple Chain Necklace

This chic 7-strand necklace was made by ART somewhere between 1955 and the 1970s.  I posted a blog highlighting a Renaissance Revival piece from ART back in January.  This piece is obviously quite different.  ART jewelry (also known as ModeArt Jewelry Creations) was founded in the late 1940s by Arthur Pepper in New York City.  Their jewelry was mass-produced and moderately priced, including whimsical pieces with interesting stones, enamling, and unique color combinations.  Their Christmas pins are extremely collectible.  This necklace, although quite simple, is well-made, lightweight, and very dramatic when worn. 

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Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Vintage Jewelry Lane. Retrieved 3/14/2011 from http://vintagejewelrylane.com/designerwords/artweekword.htm

Lisner Goldtone Feather Brooch

This large "feathery" pin was made in the 1950s or 1960s by Lisner.  It is done in textured goldtone and features one moveable section in the center of the larger feather cluster.  Lisner jewelry was most popular at the time this pin was made.  They offered a vast line of low to mid-priced well-made costume jewelry.  Their designs featured organic or geometric shapes in chrome or silver plate, often set with rhinestones and molded plastic shapes.

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Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Collectiing Costume Jewely. Retrieved 3/13/2011 from http://collectingcj.com/lisner.htm

Celebrity Clip Dangle Earrings

These are one of the most unique pairs of clip earrings I have come across since I have been collecting jewelry.  They are goldtone (likely gold or rhodium plate) and were made by Celebrity, a "home party" business located in New York City that began producing jewelry in the 1950s.  They went out of business in the late 1970s.  Their pieces were fairly expensive, consisting of high quality sets done in silver, gold and rhodium plate.

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 Index. Retrieved 3/12/2011 from http://www.collectorsindex.com/celebrity.htm

Playbird Enamel And Copper Egyptian Brooch

I love this egyptian inspired pin done in red and yellow enamel on copper.  It is marked "Handmade by PLAYBIRD" on the back, but I could not find any historical information on this maker anywhere.  I believe this pin was made between 1950 and 1980.  I am a big fan of copper and enamel jewelry, and have several pieces in my collection. 

Copper was a valueable mined mineral by the ancient Egyptians.  They began producing crowns, headdresses, and copper jewelry in 2500 BC and it became a status symbol for those who possessed or wore it.  Copper was also an important part of Egyptian rituals, including mummification.  From Ancient Egypt to today, copper is believed to improve health and have several healing properties.  One article listed on an Ebay review gave the following list of those properties:

• Overcomes Fatique
• Raises Energy Levels
• Improves Communication
• Improves Concentration
• Raises Self-Esteem
• Relieves Stress
• Aids in Bone Formation & Healing
• Relieves Arthritis & Rheumatoid Diseases
• Improves Blood Circulation & Oxygenation
• Detoxification
• Reduces Swelling
• Stabilizes Metabolism
• Aids in Skin Healing

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.

Ebay. Retrieved 3/11/2011 from http://reviews.ebay.com/Copper-Jewelry-History-Health-amp-Healing_W0QQugidZ10000000000912515

911 Sterling Silver Commemorative Lapel Pin

This is a really neat commemorative pin made in honor of the Twin Tower attack on September 11, 2001 in New York City.  It is made of Sterling silver and features an American flag on the right tower, with the towers joined in the middle by a ribbon motif.  What I like about this pin is that it looks handmade (which it may be) and its styling is rather primitive.

Through my research, I learned that lapel pins are the most popular form  of commemorative jewelry.  Commemorative jewelry is made to acknowledge historic events and advancements, and is often gender neutral, so anyone can wear it! 

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.ebay.com/ is coming soon.

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

Guyot Brothers. Retrieved 3/10/2011 from http://www.guyotbrothers.com/uses/commemorative-jewelry.htm

Joan Rivers Silvertone And Enamel Clip Earrings

These polished button earrings are from the Joan Rivers Classics Collection.  The fashionable entertainment icon has been selling high quality costume jewelry on QVC since 1990.  I am unsure of the age of these earrings as the collection seems to have used many of the same materials over the last 20 years, and each yearly collection seems to cover a wide range of tastes containing style elements from the last two decades. 

Joan's collection quickly became a bestseller and she recieved an ACE Award in 1997 from the Accessories Council, honoring her costume jewelry line.  Her collection continues its success today, and has generated over 750 million dollars in sales since its inception. 

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.ebay.com/ is coming soon.

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

QVC. Retrieved 3/9/2011 from http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=class|1652

Joan Rivers. Retrieved 3/9/2011 from http://www.joan.co/AllAboutJoan/default.asp

Sarah Coventry Goldtone Mushroom Pendant

This is my fourth blog post about a Sarah Coventry piece.  Their jewelry was mass produced and very popular, so I come across it quite often.  I really like some of their designs, including this cute little toad stool pendant (it only measures about an inch tall) from their 1975 collection.   

Toad stools, also known as Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms, are known as symbols of good luck and finding one in the forest is considered to be a prediction of fortunate times ahead (remember those little "Smurf" homes, or scenes from "Alice In Wonderland" or other fairy tales?).  These mushrooms have also been noted over the last 4,000 years in history, used in magical practices and to induce mystical visions.  Mushroom jewelry, including the piece I have listed today, is often worn as a lucky charm. 

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.ebay.com/ is coming soon.

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

Amazing Vintage Jewelry. Retrieved 3/8/2011 from http://www.amazingvintagejewelry.com/sarah_page_29.htm

Good Luck Creations. Retrieved 3/8/2011 from http://www.goodluckcreations.com/mushroomcharms.html