![]() |
Fashion & Style Information |
|
|
Vintage Costume Jewellery Sparkles Again
Men and women have worn costume jewellery since the Romans developed the ability to cut glass imitations of precious gemstones. Jewellery was worn to enhance appearance, display wealth and affirm love, friendship and loyalty. The reasons for wearing jewellery remain the same today, but the popularity of styles changes. Vintage costume jewellery is experiencing a revival these days as sparkling vintage rhinestone brooches are roaring back in style. Here are a few things you'll need to know to help you pick out the right pieces. What is it. Costume jewellery is defined as jewellery that is made from non-precious materials such as cut glass. Parures. It is a set that includes a necklace, brooch and pair of earrings. Demi-parures. It includes a brooch and a pair of earrings. Missing Stones. Steer clear of an item with any missing stones. They are very difficult to replace. Faux Pearls. Watch closely any pieces with faux pearls because they chip easily and these chips cannot be fixed. Also, soap, cream and perfume can erode faux pearls. Enamel. Pieces with enamel can cause problems. Small areas of enamel damage can be retouched but large areas are very difficult to repair. Condition Matters. Good condition is important with vintage costume jewellery. Pin clasps that don't work, hinges that are suspect may not be replaceable because they may no longer be made. Before you purchase, double check that all the pieces are in original condition and in good working order. Names to Look For. The biggest name in Canada for vintage costume jewellery is Sherman and it was usually signed. Other makers to be on the look out for are Trifari, Coro, Schreiner, Hobe and Schiaparelli. Care. Once you've found something you like, you'll want to take good care of it. Store your vintage costume jewellery separately in small plastic bags to guard against scratching. Where To Find Great Vintage Costume Jewellery. Antique shops, flea markets, garage sales and Ebay are all good sources for vintage costume jewellery. Value. Prices range from under $20 for unsigned pieces to much more for signed sought-after pieces, parures and demi-parures. Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Fashion-Style - Google News |
RELATED ARTICLES
Gemstone Treatments Though not common knowledge to the public, most gemstones are treated in some way to enhance their color and clarity. An untreated gemstone is a rarity. Is Your Designer Handbag Authentic? You pay a pretty penny for a Gucci bag or any other designer handbag be it Fendi, Prada, Chanel or Dior. Your friends are drooling over that gorgeous Gucci Turquoise Leather Handbag you just bought. Why Fashion Matters Fashion has suffered its share of browbeating and scorn. To understand fashion and what it truly implies for a culture I take a step back from my undertaking to catalogue fashion history. Thrifty And Fashionable Growing up with three sisters, it was important for us to be well-groomed. We were always borrowing clothes from each other then returning them clean and pressed. Five Must-Knows When Getting a Kanji Tattoo Japanese tattoos are cool. But if a personal translator is out of your league how can you avoid becoming a kanji fashion victim and get stuck with a tattoo you will really regret?1. What Your Handbags Say About You You can tell a lot about a person from the clothes they wear, but you can also tell a lot about a person simply from the handbags they carry. It's hard to believe, but you can find out a number of things about a women's personality just by looking at the type of handbag she sports. A Clothes Encounter In The Business World Do you ever wonder where all the dress rules have gone? Depending on when and where you are on any given business day, the words "distant past" might come to mind. It's difficult to decide if people don't know what to wear to work or if they have lost sight of the relevance of appearance to professional success. History of Charm Bracelets The custom of wearing charm bracelets dates back thousands of years, and though the materials and designs on them have changed, the concept itself has never gone out of style.This form of jewelry initially had a religous function, and dates back to the prehistoric era. Sterling Silver Jewelry Fashion Trends for the New Year and Beyond Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is "new again" as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways. What makes sterling silver a fashion perennial? The answer is clear: when it comes to beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed. Celebrities Like Their Pearls Pearls never go out of style - they are always a classy and traditional wardrobe accessory that will never disappoint you. But this year they are a "front and center" fashion statement! Just ask celebrities like Sandra Bullok, Jennifer Anistan, or Courtney Cox. Flattering Swimwear for Everyone - Yes, Even YOU! "There are so many styles of swimwear to choose from, especially if you are a women. With more options than ever, all women regardless of size or shape, can feel stylish wearing swimwear at the pool or on the beach this season. A Kilt is More than Just a Skirt for Men! The Kilt has been the target of many a joke and ribald comment for more years than it can probably remember!But is it fair for it to be the butt of so many jokes?After all, not only is the Kilt a recognised fashion item in it's own right, it's also more importantly a world recognised symbol of a country and the fierce national pride contained within!Many a soldier has shuddered and shaken in fear in centuries gone when faced with a Scottish Warrior, kilt swirling in steadfast defiance of normality, broadsword or other razor sharp lethal weapon cutting huges scythes in the air as he charged.Indeed, many fields of war were won purely by the arrival of Scotsmen dressed in their tradional tartan kilts. Look Fashionable At The Beach! It's that time of year when we pack up our bags and head to the beach for the day to enjoy those warm sunrays and the refreshing sound of the lapping water.So what constitutes a good beach wardrobe. Fruity Fashion Picks & Tricks for Summer Summer is here so it's time to freshen up that wardrobe and make your fashion statement for the season.If you've had a look around the stores or boutiques you'll notice some of the pretties clothes and accessories are displaying fruit. Reading Glasses for Fashion and Function It will happen to most of us baby boomers?one day we are easily reading a story in the newspaper and the next day we can't see the words clearly. Don't despair, the large selection of reading glasses available on the market will give you exactly what you need in a style that you want. Anne Klein - the Past and the Future Extraordinaire! Fashion designer Anne Klein was born Hannah Golofski in New York City. She started as a sketcher on Seventh Avenue in 1938. The Pearl Necklace -- A Timeless Beauty It has been said that of all the pieces of jewelry in the world, a pearl necklace is the only thing that a woman should not be without. And that's no wonder, for a pearl necklace is the embodiment of classic sophistication and timeless elegance. Disposable Color Contacts - Are They Any Good? The days when color contacts were unbelievably expensive are long gone. As the manufacturing costs go down, disposable color contact lenses appear. Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses: Wild, and Practical Too As a contact lens wearer, if you have searched the various lens options available on the market today, you've probably noticed that there are a lot of features to choose from. Some are fairly standard, and are mainly related to your eyesight correction and comfort. Pearl Jewelry Fashion Trends in 2005 A single strand of classic cultured pearls is always in fashion. Any woman who is looking for her first pearls will choose a white cultured Akoya pearl necklace. |
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |