Vendome Purple Crystal Ring

This pretty cocktail ring was made by Vendome in the 1960s or so.  It features a rectangular light amethyst color crystal set in silvertone metal.  The angular shank of the ring is adjustable (sliding in and out) and is a design created by Vendome and often used on their vintage pieces.  Vendome jewelry was started in the 1950s (becoming popular in the 1960s) as a high-end subsidary of Coro jewelry (replacing their high-end Corocraft line).  Vendome is highly collectible and known for its artistically expressive designs using the best imported rhinestones and faceted crystal beads set in high quality metals.

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Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post: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 6/21/2011 from http://www.jacksonjewels.com/Reference/Jewelry_Companies_U-Z.htm

Leather Tiger Lily Earrings

These unique pierced post earrings are made of leather!  They feature textured yellow/orange leather petals with natural leather stamen, all detailed with black ink/paint.  They are signed on the back in black, but I am unable to read the signature. 

Tiger lilies have an array of meanings and are extremely popular today, especially as tattoos for many women.  The tiger lily symbolizes mercy and compassion in many religions.  It is also connected to the goddess Venus and the aggressive aspects of the feminine.  In cultures around the world, the color orange symbolizes energy, balance, and the enthusiasm of man. 

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Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Ehow. Retrieved 6/20/2011 from http://www.ehow.com/facts_6737589_meaning-tiger-lily_.html

Ora Rhinestone Leaf Pin

This cute little pin was made by Ora sometime after 1950.  It features clear Swarovsky crystals set in silvertone metal (most likely rhodium plated) and measures only an inch and a quarter in length.  The Oreste Agnini Company was started in 1921 in Chicago, Illinois.  Ralph Singer soon joined the company, renaming it Agnini & Singer.  The name Ora combines the two Italian immigrant's first names and many of their early pieces were unsigned (the trademark was acquired around 1950).  Mr. Agnini died in 1953 and Mr. Singer purchased his half of the company renaming it the Ralph Singer Jewelry Company who still produces Ora jewelry today in Chicago.

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:

Antiquing Online. Retrieved 6/19/2011 from http://www.antiquingonline.com/jewelry-designers2.htm

Vintage Enamel Flower Brooch

Here is a cute example of the very collectible vintage enamel flower pin.  These pins were extremely popular in the 1950s through 1970s, made by Sarah Coventry, Avon (after 1971) and other jewelry manufacturers of that time.  This pin is smaller than many similar designs and is unmarked.  It measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in diameter and features irridescent white enameled petals with a textured goldtone center.  I believe it was made in the 1950s or 1960s.  These pins are very collectible today, but I never buy one unless the enamel is in perfect condition (and that is hard to find!)

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:

Americana Classic Vintage. Retrieved 6/18/2011 from http://www.americanaclassicvintage.com/2010/11/02/vintage-enamel-flower-pins/

Copper And Enamel Screw Back Earrings

These cool earrings are handwrought (meaning "done by hand"), most likely in an artist's studio in the late 1980s or early 1990s.  They feature copper squares with beautifully textured white, blue, and gold enamelling.  These earrings are unmarked, so any information about them would be greatly appreciated.

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:

Merriam Webster. Retrieved 6/17/2011 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handwrought?show=0&t=1308333915

Vintage Irish Shamrock Pin

This cool pin is unmarked, so I have no idea who made it, but it looks like a "tourist" pin purchased by someone who visited Ireland between the 1960s and 1980s.  It features a genuine stem of a shamrock plant encased in a plastic dome attached to a goldtone metal setting.  It is really quite neat and still very green! 

A shamrock is a 3-leaf clover native to Ireland which grows in the summer (it is actually a variety of weed!).  A 4-leaf clover is a shamrock with an extra leaf and is more rare and therefore considered "lucky" in Celtic tradition. Through the ages the shamrock has symbolized many things including Irish pride, the holy trinity in the Catholic tradition, the work of the gods and balance in nature in the Celtic faith, and of course luck.

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:

Life 123. Retrieved 6/16/2011 from http://www.life123.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/shamrocks/irish-shamrock.shtml

Napier Cat Brooch with Rhinestones

Another vintage beauty done by Napier.  This pretty kitty was most likely made in the late 1960s or 1970s.  It is done in brushed goldtone metal with a painted red enamel bow collar and clear rhinestone eyes.  The cat is holding a ball, also studded with clear rhinestones.  I did see other pins like this by Napier online, but they all featured green rhinestone eyes, so this pin appears to be a bit more rare.

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:

Illusion Jewels. Retrieved 6/15/2011 from http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarksn.html