www.rhinestonespast.com

Dragons Breath Stones Jewelry

2011-09-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

Dragons Breath stones were created for jewelry in the early 1900s, they are made of glass with metal added to the glass to create rich multi colored stones, blues, reds, purples, with the fire from inside. These stones are called many things by collectors, jelly opals, Mexican fire glass opals. I have only seen them in cabochons, they are beautiful and highly collectible. I have this pin set with Dragons Breath stones in my eCrater store http://rhinestonespast.ecrater.com/

German Silver;

2011-06-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

German Silver;
If you have ever seen a piece of jewelry stamped German Silver, it actually is not silver at all, it has the silver color but is made up of different metals such as copper, zinc, and nickel silver or also known as gunmetal....If it's stamped Sterling then it is 9.25 or higher silver.

Vintage Trifari faux Pearls worn by Mamie Eisenhower

2011-04-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Trifari Pearls {faux} 3 strands were custom made for Mamie Eisenhower in 1953 to wear to the inaugural ball..This is her picture wearing the vintage Trifari pearls.

Information on earrings with screw on backs.

2011-04-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

Information on screw back earrings;

Screw-back earrings for non pierced ears was first patented in 1894, and I believe were not made after the late 1940s.. This is an example of Art Deco earrings with turquoise blue unusual rhinestones with the screw backs...

Cleaning Rhinestone Jewelry

2011-01-20T02:52:00.000-08:00

Rhinestones are the first to show age on your costume jewelry, if they have gotten wet and have foiled backs the water will destroy the foil, turn it black or dark and I don't know of a way to save them you will have to replace them, moisture is your rhinestones worse enemy.

I use a very soft brush to clean them first then I use a Q-tip and windex, since it dries quickly, you can also use rubbing alcohol in the same manner, spray the cleaner in a small bowl barely dampen the Q-tip and rub lightly over the top of the rhinestone, then use a soft cloth to dry it, turn the item upside down on a soft cloth so in case there is a drip it won't run under the foil.

Testing Pearls

2010-11-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

This may not be an exact science for testing your pearls, but if you cannot get them to a jeweler this is what I do; Clean a couple of the pearls with a damped cloth or q-tip, put one of the pearls between your front teeth and rub your teeth across it, if it is gritty like sand it may be a real pearl, but some of the high quality costume pearls have been coated with a pearl coating, and the only way you can tell is if the coating comes off and reveals the glass bead beneath. I usually take a loupe or magnify glass and inspect each one first to see if there is any peeling or scratching, and if they are costume there will usually be some type of flaw. A jeweler friend of mine also told me that her husband who was jeweler for many many years, said that the smaller the light on a real pearl the better the quality. This same test is used for Fresh Water Pearls. Please don't ever use any soap or harsh chemicals on your pearls, or put them into a sonic cleaner, as it can damage them, my daughter had an expensive pearl ring and was wearing it while washing dishes, it removed the lustrous finish and the pearl was dull after that. I never dip them directly into water, since this can damage or weaken the cord they are strung on, just use a soft cloth dipped into water and wipe them carefully. Perfumes and lotions can damage pearls if allowed to stay on them, it's best to put your perfume and lotions on before adding your pearls, and wipe them off before storing them....
These vintage beauty's are in our store; http://www.rhinestonespast.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=420

Stampings on Gold and metal jewelry;

2010-11-12T05:08:00.000-08:00

There are stamps on gold jewelry that sometimes are confusing, some of the European stamps are almost impossible for the average person to understand, like me. If you have jewelry with any of the numbers below and wondered what they meant this may help you in identifying it. Some costume jewelry is heavily coated with gold, most is 12k gold filled and the majority of them are stamped somewhere on the piece, but a some are not so when testing it, you have to rub it down to the base metal to test it using an ink eraser in an inconspicuous place. If someone tells you that a piece is 12k gold, more than likely it is plated, you very rarely see jewelry done in 12k solid gold...

375 = 9c/ct

538 or 585= 14K

750 = 18K also an Eagles head {French}-18K

14KP = plumb {exact} this was not used until the 1980s.

Russian stamps = 56=583= 14K

Platinum = 900 Plat-100 Irid the dogs head was used after 1912 for platinum.

1/20 14K or 12K GF = Gold filled.

RGP = rolled gold plate

HGE = heavy gold electroplate.

Silver = 925 = Sterling 92.5% silver.

800, 825, 830, 850, 900 are European or Continental stamps for silver.

EPNS = Electroplated nickel silver

Alpaca = copper, zinc, nickel, 2% silver.

2010-11-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

The colors of stones for the month of your Birthday..

January-Garnet
February-Amethyst
March-Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April-Diamond
May-Emerald
June-Pearl, Moonstone
July-Ruby
August-Peridot
September-Sapphire
October-Opal, Tourmaline
November-Yellow Topaz, Citrine
December-Turquoise, Blue Topaz

Garnet comes in every color under the sun except blue.
Amethyst can come in various shades of purple, from a deep purple to a pale pink.
Aquamarine ranges in color from a colorless pale blue to a teal color, the most prized deep blue Aqua.
Diamonds are clear white colorless stones.
Emeralds can be from a deep grass green which are highly collectible to a pale green with yellow cast.
Pearls can come in many shades from white to black, but the white are the most popular.
Moonstones a wide array colors,from colorless,blue,pink,yellow,brown,or gray with a silvery sheen.
Ruby has from a deep blood red to a pinkish red color.
Peridot are a light yellow green to bright green to an olive color.
Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow except red which is a ruby.
Opals are white and black with many colors radiating from inside the stone, a rainbow of color flashes.
Tourmaline come in every color from black to colorless, yellow,blue,pink,purple,and green.
Yellow Topaz are from a pale yellow to the Imperial Topaz which is a reddish orange color.
Turquoise color varies from a turquoise to green blue to a sky blue color.
Blue Topaz is found in sky blue to a deep blue.

Fakes Forgeries Reproductions.

2010-03-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Fakes Forgeries Reproductions.

I have recently purchased a Maltese Cross pin and after receiving it discovered it was a fake, the seller said it was signed by Weiss so I don't know if she was aware that it was a fake or not, I was thinking about returning it but thought this might help some others in making sure they are getting an original and not a forgery or reproduction. Please note that I am not an expert on all of the jewelry, but after having so many wonderful Weiss designer pieces designed by him this was obviously not made by him, since the workmanship is very shoddy, the front looks nice but if you look closely you can see the imperfections, and especially the back, it is not smooth and has gaps in the metal, it does however have the Weiss stamp but is not an original creation by Weiss, his pieces are finished nicely on the back, very smooth, nothing like this one. As far as I know this is the first fake I have come across in all these years of collecting, but sometimes even the experts are fooled, so I may have received one too! When a certain designers jewelry is highly collectible and bringing high prices then someone decides to reproduce it to make some money, and some do a very good job of it, I think it's a shame to try and fool people, and I would never knowingly do this to anyone, but it happens even with costume jewelry!

www.rhinestonespast.com

Japanned Metal on Vintage Jewelry;

2009-10-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-10-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

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

Arts and Crafts Sterling Agate Antique Ring

2009-09-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Arts and Crafts Jewelry.
I have just added some gorgeous Arts and Crafts jewelry, this ring is an example of one of them and it's beautiful!
A gorgeous antique vintage Arts and Crafts ring stamped sterling, I'm not certain of the stone at first I thought it was petrified wood since my Grandmother had one from the 1930s-1940s era that looked almost identical and she said it was petrified wood, but on closer inspection it looks like it could be picture moss agate, hopefully the photos are good enough so that you can decide? The ring is in very good condition, a size 6 and the stone is 1 and 3/8 inches long by 3/8 inch wide, it is beautiful silver jewelry.

www.rhinestonespast.com

Pink Rhinestone Brooch 1940s Era Jewelry

2009-09-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

1940s Rhinestone Brooch.
A fabulous huge vintage 1940s era rhinestone brooch, the pin is typical of the 1930s-1940s designs and is done in bright pink navettes glass rhinestones with open unfoiled backs that look like real gemstones, with clear rhinestones in the center of the flower setting to finish off these pretty stones, heavy gold plating and very detailed, nice condition with a slight bit of wear on the gold which it is hard to find these beauty's in perfect condition since they were worn and loved, it is 3 3/4 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide. Beautiful collectible designer costume jewelry, this one is not signed but reminds me of the large elaborate Eisenberg pins.

Crystal Sterling Beaded 1920s Vintage Necklace

2009-09-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Just listed these gorgeous crystal beads.

Oh what a beautiful vintage 1920s crystal necklace with a sterling clasp in it's original deep blue velvet box, they were tested and are clear crystals not glass, highly faceted in various sizes, they are 34 inches long, they are not perfect I'm not sure if the cord is stretched but as you can see from the back photo there is some cording showing, so may need to be restrung for safety sake, they are very heavy and I do think the cord is secure. They are breathtaking collectible jewelry, and very clear crystals, and what sparkle they have.

www.rhinestonespast.com

Coro Duette Clips Pins Vintage Jewelry

2009-09-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

Duette Pins Clips Brooch

Duette also Duet clips pins are so unique, they consist of 3 or 4 pieces, the base which hold the clips with a long pin attached and depending on the style having two or three clips, most were loaded with rhinestones, and are very popular to collectors today. They were first manufactured by the CORO company in 1931, some had the Coro stamp while others only a patent number. Many company's such as Weiss and Eisenberg followed suit and made their own Duette pins, one more elaborate than the other. I have seen just the back part of a Duette which holds the clips sell for $30 and $40, so if you only have that part don't discard it since a collector may have the clips and not the back pin part. The Duettes had many uses, they were worn as a large pin or brooch with it altogether, or taken apart and the two clips were used on a dress at the bodice to make an otherwise drab dress or blouse have some sparkle, and you were ready for a night on the town. Some ladies used them on their shoes also, but they were designed for the dress or coat. A lot of company's did make shoe clips which dressed up a plain pair of heels. The one in the picture here I have in my store and it is not signed nor does it have a patent number, but judging by the huge glass stone and the shape of it I am dating it to the middle to late 1930s, it shows no wear and is beautiful.....
www.rhinestonespast.com

Native American Navajo Tribal Jewelry

2009-09-06T05:33:00.000-07:00

Most Native American Tribal jewelry was not signed by the artist, nor for the metal content, but most of the artists used sterling silver 925 and used what was available for their stones, such as Turquoise, Coral, Mother of Pearl and some have used Carnelian. Some artist are highly sought after and have created beautiful designs and very fine workmanship, and maybe you have noticed that some of the Mexico jewelry resembles the Native American jewelry, the reason for this is some of the tribes did migrate to Mexico and they exchanged their works, but Mexico is required to stamp their jewelry, where the N.A. are not. The Navajo jewelry is sought after by collectors as the ring pictured above, very nicely made and fine natural turquoise and coral, this ring is stamped inside Sterling, and dating from the 1960s-1970s, they were very popular then, and demand is on the rise today.
This beauty is also available in my store....

www.rhinestonespast.com

Fix for yellowed glue on Rhinestone Jewelry

2009-09-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

Fix for yellowed glue on Rhinestone Jewelry

I used to see this a lot on older rhinestone pieces of jewelry where the glue has turned yellow through the years, there is a fix for this but it may require you to buy a good quality rhinestone glue " I think the best is "G-S HYPO CEMENT" or from your craft store, because when you use this method it will cause the stones to loosen. You can use nail polish remover that has acetone in it, use it very sparingly on a Q-tip and rub lightly to remove the old glue, and put a towel down so that if a stone does come out the soft towel will catch it so that you can glue it back in, making sure that you clean the nail polish remover off and dry the piece well before replacing the stones. My Grandmother wore a lot of rhinestone jewelry, and lost many stones over the years, she didn't have any glue I guess, because so many of her pieces she actually used bright red nail polish to set the stones back in, these have been passed down to my daughters and the stones are still in place, but they don't look too nice from the backs.
The set above is gorgeous from the 1940s, it was made so well that the glue has not yellowed and the rhinestones are vibrant and full of sparkle, I have this set in my store....
www.rhinestonespast.com

Vintage Goldette Jewelry Necklaces

2009-09-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Vintage Goldette Necklaces

Goldette jewelry started in 1958 and ceased in the mid 1970s, so this beautiful jewelry is highly collectible. I have two Goldette necklaces in my store now, one in the gold metal with the bold golden glass stone is signed, but the one that is in a silver metal with the gray Intaglio with multiple chains is unsigned, but to the collector they have come to recognize the Goldette by the unusual and bold clasp, the gold toned necklace does not have this bold clasp the silver one does. The Goldette jewelry is beautiful and designed very well, and has stood the test of time. The two that I have were made in the 1950s-1960s, and have a Victorian look....

www.rhinestonespast.com

2009-08-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Cleaning green verdigris from metal jewelry

I thought I would give a few hints that I have learned along the way on cleaning costume jewelry.
Sometimes you may receive a piece of jewelry that has green on the metal, copper and brass I have found will do this, I use a white distilled vinegar and a small soft toothbrush and cotton swab to clean the verdigris off. I don't dip the jewelry into the vinegar, as you know it is an natural acid, so as soon as you have cleaned the green verdigris off your jewelry be sure and rinse it well, and dry the piece well, on some chains it's difficult to dry so I use a hair dryer on a low cool setting.
www.rhinestonespast.com

B.David Rhinestone Crown Jewelry

2009-08-15T14:20:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful vintage rhinestone Crown brooch, it is signed by the artist B.David and they have become very popular as collectible jewelry. His jewelry has withstood the test of time of 50+ years since it was designed in the 1950s, most of David jewelry still looks very nice and the stones still have their luster and sparkle, and most of his jewelry had tiny faux seed pearls. The pastel aurora borealis rhinestones are of the highest quality, and the Crown pin is sought after by collectors, many of the famous designers made a Crown pin.
The B.David company was founded in 1945 and closed their doors in 1993. I have found that not all of B.David jewelry is stamped by the artist, this one is stamped at the very top of the crown on the back, but I have another that is identical that is not signed, plus another I had quite awhile back only had the B. stamped on it, looked as though when they stamped it only half of their name hit the metal. These pins look beautiful on any type of clothing and since the rhinestones are all prong set will hold up and be gorgeous for years to come....
www.rhinestonespast.com

Rhinestones Those fabulous sparkling stones we all love.

2009-08-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Rhinestones get their name from River Rhine Germany, the origin of the rhinestones came from here, this is where the first pebbles of rock crystal were found, they are faceted stones made of glass, and most have the foil backing to enhance the brilliance of the stone, and once the foil backing becomes scratched or exposed to water they lose their brilliance, and nothing I know can save them they would have to be replaced. The rhinestones have also been known as paste, which paste stones are also glass and have been used in jewelry since the ancient times..
A lot of the famous designers used brilliant rhinestones in their costume jewelry as this unsigned Weiss pin from the 1950s, it has marquis, round, and baguette stones and is fabulous, it does have a small flaw, two of the marquis or navette stones have a tiny bit of dark at the very tip of the stones which is hardly noticeable, and is very difficult to find these old pins without some small flaw since they were worn and loved, but other than that it is in wonderful condition, and is a very large size 3 inches by 2 inches. These are very popular now with collectors, and most know by looking at the piece whether signed or not that it is indeed a Weiss. He made a lot of jewelry for Sears Penney's and other department stores, which did not have his stamp or signature on the back. He is my favorite designer other than Eisenberg and Trifari, they used the most brilliant rhinestone crystal stones for their creations.
By the way, I have this brooch available in my store......
http://www.rhinestonespast.com

Passion for Vintage Jewelry

2009-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

I am making this page about antique and vintage jewelry because I have always had a passion for jewelry, the more it sparkles the better. So I have decided to take my passion and offer it to others with the same love for collecting flashy rhinestone costume and fine vintage jewelry. I don't know of anyone that doesn't have a yen for something in jewelry, and I have acquired so much that I have opened a vintage online jewelry store, with everything from the late 1800s to the 1990s, and quite a variety of items. I can't help myself from buying things that catch my eye, but like any true collector you eventually run out of space to store it, and it gets really bad when you have forgotten what you do have. I am still uncovering my collections, and am amazed what I have that I haven't seen in years.
RhinestonesPast.....Selling antique vintage and costume jewelry
Visit us at http://www.rhinestonespast.com