Jolaine Sterling Silver Cat Pin

This adorable Sterling silver cat pin is made by Jolaine.  I believe it is fairly modern and it features a really nice, almost "celtic" pattern, of which I am a huge fan.  I could not find any information on Jolaine jewelry online other than a few similar pieces being sold.  The maker mark on this pin features a "J" followed by a heart representing the "O" followed by "laine."  The pin is also marked "STERLING."  Any additional information from my readers would be greatly appreciated. 

Cat jewelry was popular as far back as ancient Egypt, where cats were worshipped.  The cat motif in jewelry is still very popluar today.  Throughout the world, animals are believed to be loyal and courageous, offering strength, protection, and healing to their owners.  Wearing animal or "cat" jewelry can symbolize these ideas.  Cats are also believed by some (and by me) to have a strong connection the spirit world (think of the witches and the black cat!). 

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Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Cat Lovers Gifts Guide. Retrieved 4/21//2011 from http://www.cat-lovers-gifts-guide.com/cat-jewelry.html

Tortolani Pewter Tennis Player Brooch

This playful pin was made by Tortolani in the 1970s.  It features a female tennis player as tennis was extremely popular during that time period.  Frank Tortolani, Italian immigrant and second generation jeweler created jewelry in hand-cast pewter from 1950-1976.  This piece is plated in Sterling silver and hand-polished like all Tortolani designs (some designs were plated in real gold rather than silver of course!).  

Tortolani Jewelry began as the Mastercraft Jewelry Company in Providence, Rhode Island.  After WWII, Mr. Tortolani moved his company to Los Angeles and changed the name to Tortolani Jewelry.  He won many awards for his exquisite work over the years and passed away in 1997 at the age of 90.
 
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 www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Tortolani. Retrieved 4/20/2011 from http://tortolani.com/about.html

Edgar Berebi Stainless Steel Pierced Earrings

These giant retro earrings were designed by Edgar Berebi sometime between 1983 and 1993.  They are made of stainless steel and feature bright aqua colored inlays with interesting cut-out center designs.  They measure over 2 inches in length but are fairly lightweight. 

Edgar Berebi is a reknown contemporary designer who currently specializes in architectural hardware and home decor.  He began designing and selling jewelry in Brooklyn, NY in 1981 which he sold on television from 1997 through 1999.  He stopped making jewelry in 2001. 

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 www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

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

Illusion Jewels. Retrieved 4/19/2011 from http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarksb.html

Edgar Berebi. Retrieved 4/19/2011 from http://edgarberebi.com/

Vintage Handstitched Hat And Booties Plastic Pin

I adore this delicate hat and booties pin even though I do not know much about it.  I did extensive online research, with very little luck.  It appears to be very old (pre-1940s) and possibly Native American, Mexican, or Asian.  The hat is made of a natural creme colored textured plastic (most likely celluloid) that is very thin and brittle (I am actually surprised it never got damaged over the years).  The brim features two flowers done in pink, red, white, and green, that are attached with thread of the same color.  The brim of the hat is handstitched with red thread, and the top of the hat and booties are done with white thread.  The pin clasp is just a simple small safety pin that is connected to the back of the hat through a plastic loop, and the booties dangle from a plastic ribbon that is handsewn to the back of the hat with white thread.

This pin appears to made of celluloid, an early plastic developed in 1860 that was often used in making jewelry from 1890 throught 1930.  Early celluloid can be extremely flammable, and like this piece, tends to be thin, brittle, and lightweight.  Occupied Japan produced many celluloid designs during World War II.

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:

Antique Vintage Costume Jewelry. Retrieved 4/18/2011 from http://www.antique-vintage-costume-jewelry.com/Jewelry_Information/bakelite_plastic.htm

Kim Yellow Enamel Dangle Earrings

These cool earrings were made by Kim Craftsmen Ltd. who started producing jewelry in 1956 in New York City.  The are most likely from the 1960s or 1970s and feature goldtone screwback posts.  Since I could not find much information on Kim costume jewelry and I have featured them once before, I have decided to share with you some information on the history of earrings.

Earrings origated in the Middle East with the oldest pair discovered at the royal graves in Iraq dating from approximately 2600 BC!  Years later, earrings went in and out of fashion.  For example, earrings were not popular during the Renaissance Era in Europe (14th-17th centuries), as wigs and high collars were worn to obscure the ears.  When women began wearing their hair back in the 17th century, earrings came back into fashion.  In the beginning of 18th century, women wore bonnets with wide ribbons which again hid their ears and made earrings obsolete.  Hairstyles were worn up again in the late 18th century, making earrings popular again, which has continued until present day.

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 www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

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

Illusion Jewels. Retrieved 4/17/2011 from http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarksk.html

Annie Sherman. Retrieved 4/17/2011 from http://www.anniesherman.com/earringshistory.html

Alicia 950 Silver Dangle Earrings

These modernist earrings were made by Alicia in the 1980s.  They feature all moveable parts; the large discs spin, and the small squares at the top are removeable and can be worn alone.  They are made of 950 silver, meaning they contain 95 percent pure silver.  Alicia Cuevas de Ortiz founded one of the first silver stores in Taxco, Mexico called "Plateria Alicia" in 1960.  Her company is now called Alicia Plata, and is a wholesale jewelry supplier still located in Taxco. 

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 www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

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

Alicia Plata. Retrieved 4/16/2011 from http://www.aliciaplata.com/en/quienes.html

Antique Silver Filigree Butterfly Brooch

This ornate pin is most likely from the 1920s when filigree jewelry was extremely popular (the Art Deco Era).  It is unmarked, but made of 800 or 925 (Sterling) silver and has a rich patina.  It has an very old style "C" clasp, which helps denote its age. 

Filigree jewelry resembles lace and was popular in France in the 1660s through present day worldwide.  The term filigree comes from the latin words "filum" meaning thread and "granum" meaning grain. The process of creating filigree jewelry includes intertwining and bending fine metal wires (threads) to create intricate swirling designs.
 
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 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 4/15/2011 from http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/filigreejewelry.htm