Dainty 1940s (or earlier) deco style, vermeil and paste, link bracelet .

 The bracelet is comprised of six open oval links with bezel set amethyst paste stones. It has a fold over clasp and is sterling silver with a heavy gold filled overlay. The clasp is stamped 1/20th 12K GF on Sterling and the word Sturdy . I believe thats the makers name but I've never seen this mark before. A  colleague of mine Linn, of Linn's Collection, from the Vintage Fasion Guild looked up the name for me and found other 1940s jewelry with the same mark. The gold has a sight rose cast to it, very pretty with the amethyst/paste stones. According to Linn "1/20th 10 and 12 kt. gold-filled plating over Sterling was a result of the WWII restrictions on base metals. Rose gold was a popular finish in the '40's".  Amethyst has always  been a popular stone. In Victorian times just prior to the 20s, the amethyst symbolized devotion. it was also used along with peridot in Suffrage jewelry.

According to my Thames and Hudson, Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, paste is the true name for glass used to simulate real gems. When I looked up rhinestone to see what the difference was, they said that true rhinestones are rock crystal not glass and that the term is widely misused.... Well, I'm not about to try and correct the rest of the world for "mis-using" the word rhinestone but I do like the word paste when I describe older jewelry. It has such a nice nostalgic sound, don't you agree?

.... no matter what words we use this is a lovely vintage bracelet in beautiful condition. Some of the stones show slight wear but there are no cracks.... the gold finish is still bright. It's a good size measuring 7 1/4" and can be made smaller by removing a link. If you do have it sized have a proffesional jeweler do it and make sure you ask them to save all of the parts for you. They could come in handy some day, should the bracelet ever need repair.

Fantastic brooch and earring set from the 1950s by Matisse.

Matisse jewelry is a favorite among costume jewelry collectors. The look is totally unique. Sensuous abstracts and copper enameling are signature elements and this set, from their "Mask" series has it all.  The enamel colors are gold, black and brown on a copper back ground. Mardi Gras like masks peek from behind free form accents. Fun and mysterious!

The set came in a lot of old store stock so it was never worn. Enamel jewelry is prone to chipping if dropped or mis handled so it's an added bonus to find rare and beautiful examples such as this in pristine condition.

The brooch measures just under 2 1/2" long the earrings are clip on.

Mint Condition

Beautiful hand wrought sterling silver brooch by Guglielmo Cini. Cini was a highly skilled Italian jewler who specialized in intricate silver work. According to the Cini website he came to the US from Italy in 1922 where his work became highly prized. Cini founded his business in Boston Ma., 35 years later he relocated to Florida where he continued designing silver jewelry until 1979. This makers signiature is from the Boston years and judging by the design I am putting it in the early 1950s. It could be earlier.

 The design is a highly detailed portrait of Bacchus the Roman god of wine. As with every Cini piece I have seen, the lines are flowing and sensuous. It is solid, cast sterling silver with a beautiful applied patina to bring out the details. From all that I have read, Cini's work was the finest and his designs pure art, that never changed. In a world of mass production he held to these standards which is what makes his work so very desirable today. The Cini company has been re-opened by family members who continue this tradition from the original molds.

The size of the brooch is just under 2" across.

Ornate and full of sparkle this vintage 1950s rhinestone necklace has beautiful detail reminiscent of Victorian times. Hinged  stylized "leaves" are encrusted with brilliant rhinestones. A lavaliere style drop hangs from the center. An adjustable  row of single hinged rhinestones curves around the neck and closes with a rhinestone highlighted hook.

The metal work has a sculptural quality with a lovely silver plate finish. All the stones are clear and bright and the metal is pristine. No mark but definitely nice quality.

From end to end the necklace measures 16 1/2", between choker and princess length.

Mint Condition

Lovely triple strand, hand knotted, simulated pearl necklace with jeweled clasp and matching clip earrings.

The faux pearls have a beautiful luster and the clasp is set with pastel cabochons, aurora rhinestones and center pearl. The clip on earrings match the clasp. This set came from a lot of new/old stock costume jewelry and still has it's original tag that reads "The Cultured Look'. The necklace is choker length and will fit up to a 15" neck comfortably.

Mint Condition

This lovely three strand necklace and earrings are from the 1950s - early 60s. They came in a lot of never used, store stock which I purchased from an elderly woman who owned a shop at that time. The amorphous shaped beads are a combination of  clear pale amethyst and swirled amber plastic. Gold filigree beads act as spacers and some of the larger beads are highlighted with gold caps styled with ivy leaves. Very pretty details! The strand attachments are gold toned metal also detailed with ivy leaves. There are matching cluster, clip earrings. The necklace is choker length and will fit up to a 16"  neck.

Mint Condition

Adorable rhinestone, mushroom theme brooch by Hattie Carnegie circa late 1950s -60s.

Hattie Carnegie was known for her whimsical designs and her pieces are highly sought by collectors. This darling vintage brooch depicts an unusual bugs eye-view of two mushrooms. Since we are looking at the undersides we only see a portion of the tops of the mushrooms. The stems and cap edges are set with rhinestones in a variety of sizes and colors. Mostly greens and blues with a few aurora borealis. The metal has a gold tone finish which sets the colors off nicely.

A modest sized brooch, it measures 1 1/2" tall and 1 1/2" wide. Three of the original rhinestones were missing when I bought it. I replaced them with stones from the same era that matched in quite well. Although you cannot tell which stones are replacements without really searching,and most people would never notice, it does affect the collectors value that they are not all original. If you are a serious collector this is important and we have reflected it in our price.

Excellent condition (with replaced stones)
 

Elegant aurora Austrian crystal necklace in pastel green with matching earrings. This set came in a lot of never used, store stock which I purchased from an elderly woman who owned a shop at that time.

I'm not a very glitzy person but I do love to wear Austrian crystals. They catch the light beautifully and give off a softer sparkle than rhinestones. Especially if there is a bit of aurora borealis finish. The crystals in this set are high quality with sharp facets and lots of sparkle. The graduated three strand necklace has decorative Florentine style,  strand attachments in back.  It is choker length and will fit up to a 16" neck. The earrings are cluster clips.

Mint Condition