Beth's Beauties Vintage Collectibles

Feb. 05, Instyle Magazine, "stylefile - jewel box"

2005-01-14T18:07:00.000-05:00

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eye of the tiger

Take a walk on the wild side with bold tigereye jewels. This gem of the jungle, which was first popular in the swinging sixties, is a type of quartz that got its name from its distinctive yellow and brown stripes. Today's jewelry shows off the stone in unique shapes, from discs, cabochons and teardrops to little bamboo stalks. You can pair almost any of these pieces with your daytime look, be it a sweater and jeans or a jacket over a sleek sheath. The big earrings, however, should be reserved for nights when you're on the prowl.

1) Bracelet of 18kt gold and tigereye, Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co $2,100. 2) 18kt-gold ring with bull's-eye, Stephen Webster, $3,460.. 3) 18kt-gold cuff with tigereye and diamonds, Mish New York, $24,700. 4) Tigereye pendant on vermeil chain, M+J Savitt for Michael Kors, $1,150. 5) Tigereye earrings on 18kt gold, Kara Ross, $2,200.

Page 4, Aug. 04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

2004-09-23T19:15:00.000-04:00

Page 4, Aug. 04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

what to collect next
Flowered brooches are this season's must-have embellishments. Here's what else experts predict will be popular in the near future:
* Eighties power jewelry. Look for pieces that scream status, excess and glamour. A designer name (Chanel, YSL, Givenchy) ups the ante. "They're the most identifiable with the period and give the most bang for the buck," says Decades' Cameron Silver.
* Jumbo sizes. "Scale is going to go very big," says New York City dealer Ellen Carey.”Look for earrings, long pendants, chunky cuffs from the 1930S and 1950s-either wood or metal snake shapes-and enormous cocktail rings from the 1940s."
* Mexican and Native American silver jewelry. These belts and cuff bracelets are the perfect combination of ethnic and oversize and were the highlight of the Ralph Lauren fall 2004 show. "It's highly collectible right now," says LA. Dealer Connie Parente. "Look for pieces from the thirties up to the sixties."

Top: 1980s crystal-and-faux-pearl necklace, Chanel, $1,850; Left: 1980s crystal earrings, Yves Saint Laurent, $650;

what's old is actually new

Avid collectors live for the thrill of the hunt for the perfect vintage piece. But if you're more interested in just getting the look, take an easier route. Some of the biggest names from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, including Chanel, Miriam Haskell and Kenneth Jay Lane, continue to produce pieces in their signature styles (in fact, many of them are reproductions of old designs). But remember that the new pieces are fashion items, not investments. "If you want your jewelry to keep its value, the originals are a much better bet," says Judith Miller, author of Costume Jewelry: The Complete Visual Reference and Price Guide. In terms of quality, she says, "Older jewelry, ,especially the Miriam Haskell pieces, are phenomenally well made."

Left: Crystal drop earrings ($190) and necklace of glass pearls and Austrian crystal ($150), Miriam Haskell;. Right: Faux-coral ring ($63), faux-jade, -coral,-turquoise and -pearl necklace ($250) and faux-turquoise earrings with rhinestones ($80), Kenneth Jay Lane;

Page 3, Aug. 04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

2004-09-23T19:12:00.000-04:00

Page 3, Aug. 04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

Four decades to watch Get the look with old – or new – gems

‘40s STYLE HALLMARKS During World War II, American jewelry makers often used less-expensive silver, pewter, crystal and plastics like Lucite. Hollywood glamour inspired opulent designs, while women entering the workforce wore scaled-down gems. Names to know: Coro, Miriam Haskell, Trifari and Joseff of Hollywood. Vintage pieces, above: Lucite-and-vermeil brooch, Trifari, $550, and crystal bracelet, $225; Crystal-and-pewter brooch, Schiaparelli, $300. New Gem (Lower right) Colored and pave cubic zirconia bracelet, Noir, $135.

‘50s STYLE HALLMARKS Postwar optimism was reflected in big, cheerful jewelry t hat added playfulness to the decade’s ladylike clothes. Standout designers: Christian Dior, Hobe, Hattie Carnegie, Charles, Hollycraft. Vintage pieces. Right: bakelite and crystal bangle, Charles Elkaim, $310, Crystal bead necklace, Eugene, $155, Faux-turquois brooch, Christian Dior, $350. New Gem (lower left) Crystal and resin bead necklace, Roxanne Assoullin for Lee Angel $475

‘60’s STYLE HALLMARKS One part mod, two parts Mrs. Robinson, sixties costume jewelry was influenced by all the cultural movements of this turbulent decade: pop art, flower power, space travel, psychedelia. Pieces by Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Kenneth Jay Lane are an highly collectible today. Vintage pieces, left: molded plastic, rhine one and metal brooch, Valentino, $1,250; Lucite-bead necklace, $85; Acrylic bangle with silk inset, Pucci, $350; NEW GEM (lower right) Porcelain bead earrings with goldfilled chains, Egem, $96;

‘70’s STYLE HALLMARKS As the decade progressed, ethnic-inspired jewelry of silver, turquoise, wood and feathers gave way to sleek disco sheen. Look for haute-hippie chokers, cuffs and rings by Pierre Cardin, Hermes and Gucci, and glittery late-seventies designs from Whiting & Davis, Valentino and Givenchy. Vintage pieces, left: enamel rings, Pierre Cardin, $350 each; Brass necklace, $550; Leather-and-goldplate logo bracelet, Gucci, $350. NEW GEM (lower right) Brass cuff, Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun, $120;

Page 2, Aug. 04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past

2004-09-23T18:56:00.000-04:00

Page 2, Aug.04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

Low to High Sparkly pins, both vintage and vintage-inspired, at every price....

1) Vintage 1960s enamel and gold-tone brooch with faux pearl, Coro, $65;

2) New vintage-style crystal-and-resin brooch, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel, $133

3) New vintage-style silver-plated brooch with rhinestones and crystals, R.J..Graziano, $165

4) Vintage 1940’s faux smokey-topaz and tourmaline brooch, Elsa Schiaparelli, $300

5) Vintage 1950s colored rhinestone brooch, Hattie Carnegie, $450

6) Vintage 1980s crystal and faux-pearl brooch, Chanel, $950

What to know before you buy
* Examine pieces to make sure stones are secure and metal parts are intact (bring a loupe or magnifying glass). Pick it up: In general, the heavier the gem, the higher the quality.
* Ask if a piece has been repaired or has had stones replaced. Stay away from damaged pieces (or ask if you can get an assessment from a repair shop before buying). Repaired pieces aren't necessarily worth less than pristine ones, but it's good to know what you're getting.
* Look for signed pieces, stamped or soldered with a designer's name or trademark. They're more desirable to collectors, as they'll appreciate in value.
* Peruse shops and Web sites to familiarize yourself with important styles and designers. Two recommended references: Costume Jewelry: The Complete Visual Reference and Price Guide, by Judith Miller (DK Publishing), and Amazing Gems: An Illustrated Guide to the World's Most Dazzling Costume Jewelry, by Deanna Farneti Cera (Abrams).
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1970s green-and-clear crystal necklace, Yves Saint Laurent, $350;

Care & Handling
Costume jewelry, made from inexpensive base metals, glass,and faux pearls and gems, is quite fragile; Here are some tips to preserve old and new pieces:

* Keep jewelry away from soap, lotion, perfume and hairspray, which can all cause damage. Store in boxes in acid-free paper or Ziploc bags.
*Clean jewelry with a soft-bristle toothbrush or a cotton ball soaked in distilled water or JewelryJoose (jewelryjoose.com). Use a soft jeweler's I cloth or chamois to clean metal settings.
*If a stone falls out, reattach with jewelry glue (try Zap-a-Gap or GS Hypo cement; 805-499-8959). See an expert for other fixes (base metals and faux gems can't be soldered like fine jewelry). I

Above: 1950s blue-and-green Austrian crystal Pineapple earrings, $150; Left: Inew vintage-style rhinestone and-crystal earrings, Banana Republic, $38
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Page 1, Aug.04, Instyle Magazine, "Jewelry with a Past"

2004-09-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

In Style Magazine, August 2004: "Jewelry with a Past" - Page 1

"Vintage costume gems, such as colorful brooches and cocktail rings, glittered from dozens of fall runways. Now's the time to let them light up your wardrobe. Pick up stone-encrusted pieces from the forties and fifties, as well as baubles that channel sixties pop art, seventies grooviness and eighties glam. 'It's whimisical and affordable,' says N.Y.C. dealer Melody Rodgers of the jewelry, made of faux gems and inexpensive metals like silver and gold plate. Read on for each era's hot designers and freshest looks, and let the hunt begin. - Jenniefer Tung"

Clockwise from top: 1960's crystal necklace by Mimi d'N... $450, 1939 gold-plated cuff with crystals by Coro ...$750., 1950 lucite and rhinestone brooch... $295, 1950's bakelite earrings with Swarovski crystals... $119, 1960's lucite logo ring, Courreges... $165.

Welcome!

2004-09-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

Hi all,
Welcome to Beth's Beauties Blog

This is a place where I will post information on Vintage Collectibles.

Stop by often and see what's new.

In the meantime, visit my Vintage Collectibles store online at Rubylane.com....

just go to www.bethsbeauties.com

Buy vintage pocketbooks, 50's barware, vintage costume jewelry, vintage kitchenware and much more....

There's a beauty there waiting for you!

Beth