http://www.howtomakebracelets.net/how-to-make-550-cord-bracelets/
While costume jewelry is all the rage right now and can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of fine jewelry alternatives, vintage pieces can be worth serious money in todayÂ’s marketplace. Initially, this fine jewelry alternative made an appearance in the states following the conclusion of World War I. Initially purchased in French boutiques by gi’s preparing to return home after winning the war, the inexpensive jewelry became the new fashion sensation. Demand for the high quality imitation pieces reached incredible heights during the “roaring twenties” and a host of new manufacturers rushed to meet the surging demand, including: Florenze; Trifari; and Weiss.
Vintage costume pieces are classified as any ring, necklace, or other type of jewelry not prominently featuring any precious metal or gemstone and made in relatively large quantities. It is literally cheap if compared to their fine jewelry counterparts. Essentially, the imitation pieces are the rock bottom alternative to the far higher priced fine jewelry.
When released initially, authentic fashion jewelry could easily be found in the one to five dollar range prior to World War II. The Great Depression and poor sales caused some of the jewelry manufacturers to go out of business but a surprising number did manage to hang on. The height of popularity was reached in the late 1950’s through the late 1960’s. Today, high quality costume pieces are more popular than ever and make great gifts for young girls, teenagers, and even adults.
While originally quite inexpensive, authentic costume jewelry manufactured between 1920-1970 has appreciated greatly in value in many cases. There are three main things that help determine the value of authentic vintage pieces: Availability; Quality of Materials; Craftsmanship
While there were several manufacturers, they produced jewelry in varying quantities. It is well known that giants like Trifari, Florenza, and Coventry produced thousands of pieces each season. On the other hand, there were DeMario, McClelland, and Barclays who only produced small batches. Therefore, they are both rarer and have greater value when other variables remain constant. A Florenza bracelet will typically be worth less than a similarly designed DeMario bracelet. There are always exceptions so be sure to research pieces carefully because sometimes the larger players purposely produced some designs in small quantities making them more valuable than typical pieces from the company.
Without question, stone quality is a large variable when it comes to assessing the value of a piece of vintage jewelry. One place renowned for using exceptionally high quality stones and gemstones is Eisenberg so finding a piece that is not already high-priced is difficult but it is still possible to find a cheap unsigned one.
Currently, vintage costume jewelry made by companies like Weiss, Hollycraft, and Bogoff tend to be under-priced on the market and thus make a better investment. In addition, vintage pieces made from bakelite are worth major money in todayÂ’s market so be on the lookout for this hidden gem that sometimes appears at flea markets!
Besides the materials used, the quality of metal, stone, and/or gemstone play large roles in determining the value of a piece. Manufacturers known to consistently craft superior pieces were: Monet; Kramer; and Danecraft. These pieces tend to be more durable and therefore make to the marketplace in better condition thus making them more valuable.
Jon Kreps is a jewelry expert specializing in vintage cameos, indian jewelry, and authentic costume jewelry. To learn more about appraising costume jewelry, visit http://www.vintagetemptations.com
Tying a reef knot
|
|
Bracelets $9.99 Aspiring jewelers will find their starting point with these twenty projects. Throughout this collection they are conveniently presented with easy-to-follow instructions and variations to show how color can affect the design. Crafters will learn to fashion designs using lacing cord ribbons as well as materials such as metal glass and beads. Inspiration abounds with this easy basic do-it-yourself approach to jewelry fashions. 48 pages |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/African Princess $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Mermaid Mist $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Firecracker $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Victoria Garden $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Crystal Drama $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Antique Elegance $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Lavender Mist $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Glass Bead Kits – 6 Bracelets/Indian Turquoise $5.99 Manufacturer: CousinQuantity: up to 6 braceletsSize: Assorted SizesColor: see below for colorsComposition: GlassTake the guess-work out of matching! Each kit contains enough glass beads and clear stretch cord to make up to six bracelets. |
|
|
Rexlace Activity Pack-Bracelets Bracelets $3.99 Make Mobiles Bracelets Necklaces and More Out of STRAWS ! Kit will make 6 different gimp bracelets using Gimp Lace beads and pompoms. |
