Know Your Cameo Jewelry!!

The portrait is probably the most recognizable function of the cameo and will usually depict a lady in some form of basic pose. Figuring out the worth of a cameo is straightforward once you already know what to look for. It's common to search out many of the cheaper pieces featuring plastic or glass portraits while finer cameos shall be produced from rarer supplies like:
* Coral
* Bone
* Agate
* Glass
* Various Shell Varieties
* Layered Exhausting Stone
The origin of the traditional cameo design return to the times of historic Greece and nonetheless remains popular today. However, the cameo design essentially disappeared from jewellery during the Dark Ages, but resurfaced again through the 18th century. By the 18th century, the center class had started a terrific love affair with the timeless design. And, with the Victorian Age got here the height of popularity for the design, leading to a number of the most interesting classic items throughout this period. Massive income await anybody willing to discover ways to tell the distinction between a molded and carved cameo.
However simply figuring out about the totally different materials would not make identification any simpler. Discovering the perfect pieces comes right down to figuring out whether or not the portrait has been carved or molded. Molded cameos will typically function colours that swirl collectively and may seem shiny. Most molded cameos are less expensive and, are often constructed from glass or plastic. Nevertheless, molded designs have additionally been crafted from ivory and other pure substances. Rounded features and a marked lack of exact or sharp traces are frequent features of molded cameos.
Molded cameos are mass-produced, the carved variations are hand-crafted using pure materials, and thus more valuable. While collectors are always on the hunt to seek out genuine shell cameos, some plastic imitators are so good that it takes a truly trained eye to spot the differences. A skinny, concave again and very precise traces are hallmark characteristics of the carved designs. A lot of the carved cameos may have a thin again but exceptions to the rule include Mother of Pearl and Abalone. Agate is another common materials for carved cameos and tends to command increased values because of a surprising two-toned impact created by color changes, that are clearly visible from the sides.
A number of stone cameos have been crafted in Italy and other European nations so there are nonetheless loads out there in the marketplace to find. Because they are harder to carve they have an inclination to command a higher price. You possibly can determine true stone pieces by examining features like the junction between the portrait and plaque. Look for there to be slight gap where the 2 layers meet if the design is made from stone.
On the end of the day, discovering a rare piece at a flea market or on-line makes amassing cameo jewelry all the worthwhile. Mass produced pieces will typically be lighter, have fewer crisp lines, and should even have mildew marks or dimples on the back of the piece, while most carved pieces, with the exceptions of Mom of Pearl and Abalone, can have a concave again and sharp lines. Understanding the right way to tell the two varieties aside might mean the difference between wearing a cherished family heirloom or just having one other piece of low-cost costume jewelry.
Cameos are very special pieces of bijou which stand out from all others. By some means they are also linked with emotions of love. It is the little boy's present to his mother that she is going to cherish for the remainder of her life.
There are antique cameos that are still around, and had been around before anyone alive today.
As a matter of fact, cameos are sometimes instances believed to be antique, however it's not all the time the case. some items are being made at present and whereas very real, they are also brand new. These are mostly carved in Italy and Germany. Italy being the home of the shell cameo whereas Germany specializes in the arduous stone cameo.
Cameos are items of knickknack that motivates collectors. Severe collectors are willing to pay high greenback to get that additional lacking piece to their collection. Those collectors are normally also consultants and will not be fooled by fakes.
What about you? Can you inform the difference between an actual cameo and a pretend one? You may consider that it is easy enough to do so. The bad news is, it really isn't.
China is infamous to be able to create very plausible fake cameos which are truly meant to be sold as real. The reality is that if you are not an knowledgeable, you will want to rent one to make sure a cameo is actual before you make your purchase, particularly if you're not acquainted with the place of purchase.
Yes, if you are seeking to buy an actual cameo, you can see them in real professional online cameo stores.

A Look At Trifari Costume Jewelry~Part 2

Let's look at some characteristics of Trifari costume jewelry from the 1930s to the '50s.
From 1937 to at least the 1950s, Trifari's premier designer was Alfred Phillipe. Popular brooch designs were geometrics, florals, leaves and berries, animals and people. Colored and clear rhinestones were set in intricate patterns, or combined with pastel colored plastic inserts in the shape of flowers. Many are signed "KTF". Watch for age-darkened rhinestones, a common flaw on these early pieces.
The 1940s saw Joseph Wuyts' designs join Alfred Philippe. Florals were still very popular, in addition to birds, fish, hearts, and figures. Brooches featured colorful enameled flowers and sparkling rhinestones. Poured glass was another method used to depict flowers. Pav rhinestones (an all-over pattern rhinestones very close together) combined with red or black enamel were commonly found features on jewelry from the early 1940s.
During the War years, Sterling Silver was used in costume jewelry, as other metals were needed for the war effort. "Jelly Belly" jewelry made its appearance in 1943. These were clear lucite "bellies" that formed the bodies of animal, fish and bird figures. Authentic jelly belly pieces are very collectible, but be aware that some jelly belly jewelry has been reproduced.
The late 1940s saw more abstract designs, with florals and bird designs still popular. More jelly bellies and lots of pav rhinestones were featured. A 1949 Poodle brooch with a green jelly belly is very popular with collectors.
In the 1950s designs became even more abstract, and flowers, leaves, bows, hearts and animals in rhinestones, plastic, and jelly bellies were very popular. White plastic motifs such as apples, pears and flowers set in gold-tone metal were very desirable, as well as multi colored rhinestone brooches and earrings.
In the 1950s charm bracelets became popular, and Trifari produced charms of the signs of the Zodiac. These charms sold for $5.00! I would have had to baby-sit for 10 hours to earn enough for one, plus another 4 hours for the bracelet!
Necklaces of gold tone with clear and colored rhinestones were featured in the 1950s, and flower-and-leaf designs were popular. The late '50s saw plastic and enamel pieces in white and turquoise, as well as sparkling rhinestone brooches in flower, key and wreath shapes.
As you can see, there were many many designs of Trifari costume jewelry down through the years. If you're lucky enough to come across a vintage piece, examine it closely, be sure that it is indeed vintage, and be proud to add it to your collection.

A Look At Trifari Costume Jewelry~Part 1

Vintage Trifari jewelry is a good choice for beginning collectors. The jewelry is beautifully made, was plentiful over a long period of time, and vintage pieces are still very affordable.
The company started to produce costume jewelry in 1910, and production continues to the present day. The most affordable and available vintage Trifari jewelry dates from the 1950s and '60s. Trifari produced so many different styles, that the beginning collector can be choosy and select only those pieces that she truly likes.
For investment purposes, Trifari rhinestone jewelry from the 1950s is affordable and a good long-term investment. And, as always, the piece should be in excellent condition. Keep that loupe or magnifying glass with you every time you shop, and look for flaws, chipped stones, deterioration of the metal, and of course the designer's signature.
This brings us to identifying marks, or signatures as they are called in the jewelry biz.
Recognizing the various signatures will help to date the piece. Early Trifari pieces are signed "KTF" and are highly collectible. "KTF" was first used in 1935. "KTF" with a crown above the "T" dates from 1954, and "Trifari", with no crown or with a thin crown dates from 1937. "Trifari Pat. Pend" is from the 1940s, and Trifari Sterling is from 1942-1947. The copyright symbol - © - appears after 1954. "Trifari" with the © and a small crown in a rectangle is a modern mark, but the date it was first used is unclear.
Any Trifari jewelry that has original paper tags, was featured in vintage advertising, or jewelry that is in its original box make the piece more interesting and more valuable.
Collectors prize jewelry with carved or molded stones. In the 1960s and 1970s beautiful molded stones became available. Some pieces are designed with irregular molded glass stones combined with aurora borealis and other colored stones to give a sense of movement in the piece.
An easily recognizable style of Trifari jewelry is the use of both silver-tone and gold-tone metals in the same piece. Another Trifari creation was the "Jelly Belly", usually figures of birds or fish, with a clear Lucite "belly". These were created during WWII.
Whatever your taste, and whatever your budget, do seek out vintage Trifari jewelry - you'll find some gorgeous pieces at very reasonable prices.

Origination & Description Of Costume Jewelry

Jewelry that is fabricated as adornment for complementing a specific fashionable garment or costume is known as costume jewelry. It is also familiar as fallalery, trinkets, junk jewellery, fashion jewelry, fake jewelry, etc. It is an accessory which is disposable and cheap and is meant for wearing only with a particular outfit. It was invented in the 1930s and though it was fashionable, it remained for a short phase of time. It got outdated by itself and was then repurchased for fitting with a brand new garment or style of fashion. Its chief usage is wholly in fashion and it is made up of glass, synthetic stones, plastic, base metals, which are not so valuable. The label costume jewelry dates back to 20th century. The term is a reflection of the word costume for referring what is now known as a outfit. Stimulated gemstones which were inexpensive like the brass, rhinestones, silver; Lucite, nickel, etc were used for making costume jewelry. During the time of depression even manufacturers' down-graded rhinestones for meeting the production cost. During the era of World War II a fascinating phenomenon took place when the incorporation of sterling silver was seen in designs of costume jewelry. This was mainly due to two reasons. The substances which were used for base metal were required for the production during the war time which is the military applications and there was a ban on the usage of these in the private quarter. Another reason is that conventionally base metal was quite popular as it had the ability to approximate the colour of platinum, and the similar function was fulfilled by sterling silver. Thus the production of sterling silver costume jewelry took place and still they are found in some vintage jewelry souk. A broad range of materials is incorporated by costume jewelry that is modern. Instead of valuable stones, cubic zirconia simulated diamonds; some valuable stones, high end crystals, etc are used. Metals consist of sterling silver, gold, vermeil, etc.
For almost 300 years, costume jewelry is a part of culture. But the actual golden era for this jewelry started in the mid 20th century. During this period the new middle class started wearing gorgeous but cheap jewelry. So the demand for costume jewellery began to increase at a rapid speed and in the machine age, this kind of jewelry coincided with the peoples' needs. It had become very popular.

Buying, Pricing, And Value Of Vintage Jewelry...

Vintage costume jewelry is a far cry from the fashion pieces you will find in most department stores. In fact, while new costume jewelry will literally depreciate in value, signed vintage jewelry from the 1920's through the late 1960's and early 70's is still appreciating in value. Thousands of jewelry enthusiasts are finding vintage jewelry collecting profitable-when they know what to look for when buying.

Identifying the valuable vintage costume necklaces, rings, and other pieces to collect boils down to knowing what actually determines value on the market. No precious metals or gemstones are used to make costume pieces but some jewelry is plated with precious metals like gold or silver. In addition, vintage costume jewelry pieces were produced in masses at factories unlike fine jewelry.

Some costume designs have become so popular that they now are worth many times their original sale price. Making big money is possible when collecting but you need to understand what determines value so you can purchase the most profitable pieces to resale. Pricing for vintage pieces can be broken down into five main components:

Rarity

Originality of Design

Demand

Quality of Materials and Craftsmanship

Final Condition

The supply of vintage jewelry varies greatly and this affects pricing in a big way. The great diversity of manufacturers also created vast differences in batch sizes. Profits tend to be lower when talking about pieces made by the larger players like Coro and Accessocraft who produced jewelry in large batches. DeMario, McClelland, and other small companies might only have batch sizes numbering in the hundreds.

Because they are so much rarer, those pieces from the smaller companies will almost always sell for more than something from one larger manufacturers-but this is only a guide and not a steadfast rule. But beware, even the major costume jewelry manufacturers like Trifari and Coro would have limited runs of specialty pieces that are now considered quite valuable due to their rarity-just as is the case with the smaller companies.

A wardrobe is not complete without a costume jewelry. It's a must have addition that adds flare and flamboyance to any usual attire. Present day production techniques have allowed the creation of high-quality and exquisitely designed jewelry at a much lower cost. These techniques produced articles that are so genuine looking that an untrained eye will not be able to distinguish between genuine and imitations. This article will discuss a couple of reasons why you should sincerely include costume jewelry in your everyday wardrobe.

For one reason, costume jewelry can provide you with a wide variety at a fraction of the cost. You can create your own virtual treasure chest of blings without costing you a lot. You can find earrings, necklaces, finger rings, toe rings, body jewelry, brooches, cufflinks and even tiaras in the huge collection of costume jewelries. You can use them to adorn or accentuate your otherwise boring attire. Because of its cheap price, you can always feel and look like a million dollars wearing one.

Costume or fake jewelry are available in a wide variety. If you scout the market, you can find copies of classical designs to exorbitant pieces. A lot of designers are able to expand their creativity and thereby produce very rare pieces minus the related cost of bespoke design. You may fancy an unusual jewelry and you're more likely to find one that has a lesser price.

An expensive jewelry that gets damaged can cost a lot to be repaired. If that is not possible, you need to have the damaged jewelry replaced entirely. This can be pretty devastating as the total loss of expensive jewelry can cost more to be repaired, much more replaced. You may be covered by an insurance policy but still, this does not guarantee that you will not incur any financial cost. On the contrary, damaged costume jewelry can be easily replaced because of its relatively low price.

If you want to expand your collection of accessories, you can try to pool your fancy jewelry with friends and family. The low value placed on fancy jewelry makes it easier for its owner to swap these items without worry as compared to those high-valued items.

Because costume jewelry has a relatively low value, you can treat yourself and other people even if there's no special occasion or event. This simply implies that if you are out on your usual shopping spree and you saw a bracelet that you feel you just need to have, then you can purchase it without the guilt. If somebody just did a favor for you, you can send a gift of gratitude of costume jewelry.