Japanned Metal on Vintage Jewelry;

Japanned Metal on Vintage Jewelry;
If you have ever seen an old pin or piece of jewelry that the entire metal was covered in a black shiny covering it is probably Japanned metal which is made from coal tar, as the pin above, sounds terrible I know but jewelry designers back then used everything imaginable to make their costume jewelry. Some of the later items may have enameling, but most of the earlier used this method. This is one I have in my store...
This is a vintage 1940s brooch pin and it does require a small stone as it is missing one and also it looks as though one was replaced as I can see the glue around the stone, I believe this to be an old Weiss pin done in multi colored rhinestones and set into a flower shape done in a black Japanned metal, it looks as though there is a name stamped on the back but it is so heavily covered that I cannot make it out, it is a large brooch 2 3/4 inch tall by 1 1/2 inch wide it seems in good condition other than the above mentioned please remember it needs a small rhinestone. Nice vintage collectible jewelry.

www.rhinestonespast.com

What is Pot Metal Antique Vintage Jewelry.

Pot Metal Antique Vintage Jewelry.
I'm sure everyone has heard of a pin or vintage piece of jewelry being made of Pot metal, and wondered exactly what that term meant; it is made of all different kinds of metal dumped into a vat and melted together to make costume jewelry, it usually has a dull silver gray look, but some of the designers put a shiny metal such as gold or silver over it to give it a bright finish. This fur clip is an example of the early pot metal jewelry with a silver wash or layer over it. I have this beauty in my store...

What a beautiful antique fur clip it has nice bright rhinestones that may be paste stones, it is from the 1920s-30s, I don't see a designer name but is quality jewelry and is 2 inches by 1 1/4 inch the clip is 1 3/4 inches long and has a nice design on it , also the clip isn't tight till you get something in it when you go to open it its easy to open for 1/8 inch then you have a hard time trying to open it, all the teeth are there so would hold tight, just thought I would mention that, it is a white metal over pot metal and it's in very good condition other than mentioned, on a scale from 1-10 I would rate it a 9 because of the clip, it has a curve to it so it does not lay flat, no stones missing and gorgeous jewelry and reminds me of the old Trifari clips.
www.rhinestonespast.com