Jewellery from Boxing day is now with.......

Well with Christmas day over and Boxing day just half over we have started our great Winter Sale of vintage jewellery right through to our new jewellery collections. In fact everything on Jewels and Finery UK has a 25% reduction (if over £1.40). This special discount is available from Boxing day and finishes on the 12th January 2013. It will automatically be applied at the checkout.

So have a look at what we have in vintage jewellery:

Fabulous vintage brooches that were produced before the 1990s. This one has sparkling emerald green rhinestone with a gold plate setting. Early twentieth century estimated date that is European in origin.

Then we have also:

Vintage earrings both clip on earrings and ear earrings. This pair are vintage angel wing clip on earrings with single diamante stones.
Then not forgetting:

Our original vintage necklaces and pre owned ones. This photograph is of two faux pearl necklaces for the price of one.

Not only does Jewels & Finery UK sell vintage jewellery but also new jewellery with a collection from Susie Carol of cameo jewellery. All are unique and available in just small limited editions.

There are over 1,000 different items on our fabulous website. So many are unique and original that you will be spoilt for choice. You will find essential earring backs for replacing ones lost of unsuitable. Then we have good quality clip earring pads and cushion pads/pillows for extra comfort and to help with their fit. They are not the cheaper sticky pad ones but in a plastic that helps with grip and a soft support for comfort. Just right for your vintage earrings. 

A book of Ciro Pearls & Jewels (First part)

One of the great producers of jewellery in the UK was Ciro Pearls. Although an English jewellery company, they sold worldwide with shops in America, London, Manchester, Glasgow and many other places. We will be showing a brochure/book from the company, just one of many produced by them. This one was from around the Coronation in 1953 of Queen Elizabeth. The books were not dated but although they looked the same, they were different.

This edition starts with photographs of the replica Crown Jewels that they made and were on display around the UK, during the Coronation year.  Below is the St Edward's Crown.

The jewels were commissioned by the owners of Kemsley newspapers. It appears several sets were made and were much more than stage property. It cost in the 1950s, about £10,000 to produce them - I wonder where they are now?

Top three crowns in order: Imperial Crown of State, St Edward's Crown, Imperial Crown of India.
Below the top three: Prince of Wale's Crown, The Modena Crown.

Above is the Ampulla in the shape of a golden eagle, which contains the oil that is included for anointing the Sovereign. The Golden Spoon into which the oil is poured.

On Jewels & Finery UK, you will find some of the vintage pieces produced by Ciro of Bond Street. Some were signed and will be on designer jewellery, but many of their items were not signed. Famous for their pearl necklaces and sparkling rhinestone brooches.

Then there are reproduction jewellery of the actual Crown Jewels. This is the small pin brooch of the anointing spoon.

This is just the first 3 pages from the Ciro Pearls book and during 2013, we will be showing the rest including some dress clips and pearl necklaces with their distinct clasps. Have a Happy Christmas. 

Tacky alien jewellery and the end of the world.

Reading many articles about the end of the world on the 21st December 2012, early this year. Some so fantastical that you couldn't quite believe and some that common sense told you the answer. The Mayan's calendar ends on the 21st. Does this mean the end of mankind - Now come on they just run out of room at the Mayan Palace and couldn't fit the 22nd in. 

Then there's the belief that the winter solstice is this year unique, with an alignment of planets that will open up a black hole and let the aliens return to earth. Well that's nothing new, we can not be the only species in the great big galaxy, so why worry about something that you can not control. However it gave me the idea to collect alien jewellery. Having already a growing collection of Egyptian and dragon jewellery, as well as many other costume pieces that I liked. I needed to have something else to focus on. At the start of a collection you buy lots of different pieces and then start to become picky and the collecting slows down. Now with me, its not that I would wear the pieces, but I just like the thrill of hunting down and finding them. 

So as I was looking for something a bit unusual to collect, alien jewellery seemed like a good idea. This is the result of about 4 to 5 months of collecting.

Now I would not wear any of them. Well maybe an alien necklace - if the prediction came to pass. However I would never wear it and stand under the space ship and wave a banner say welcome!!

Alien shaped figural jewellery was more difficult to find. Most was on the cheaper end and a little tacky. This is just 4 necklaces found. All new jewellery and all via Ebay.

Who hasn't played Space Invaders? This is a very large alien necklace from a place called "Helpless Romantic" from the 1980s. This pink plastic Space Invader pendant is about 4 1/2 inches wide. Helpless Romantic has since folded, but for more Perspex jewellery that is fun and would be great to collect try Tatty Devine.

More tacky new alien jewellery from China, unfortunately the watch does not work and the black coloured alien has a dubious extra piece between its legs!!

Not much in the way of vintage pieces available. So opted for a few new badges. Then the alien brooch in the middle found by chance recently at a local vintage fayre. No idea how old but unfortunately a small black diamante is missing. No collection would be complete without ET! This pewter coloured ET tack brooch is new and from the US. 

Had to widen my remit for this collection. Not many aliens about! So went for the theme of space and found this set of earrings and a necklace of a NASA space ship. No idea how old unfortunately. Could find plenty of alien and space ship cufflinks, as well as watches and rings. many with alien images from films but they were new and I really wanted to have more older pieces in this collection. I have brought a pin from the 1969 moon landing and it is on its way from America at this moment.

Lastly there are quite a few alien keyring. The silver alien face has a light that lights up the eyes and it came in a space saucer shaped tin.  All not new apart from the little plastic ET. I have a few more and yet haven't decided in how to use them, maybe a charm bracelet or ET necklace. I did have a Pixar alien charm bracelet but that seems to have migrated into my daughter's jewellery box.

I will continue to add to this collection and unfortunately we do not have any aliens on our website Jewels and Finery UK, but plenty of other vintage jewellery as well as new jewellery. How about starting your own collection, it does not have to be aliens? Lots to choose from: flowers, hats, butterflies, shoes, dogs, cats, bugs and so many other great figural.

Now for 2013 (as the world is highly unlikely to end on the 21st) what to collect? There was this story of a giant asteroid that hit the earth around 65 billion years ago, and caused a chain reaction that effected dinosaurs to such an extent that they died out. Mm mm now I have an idea for another strange but fun collection.
       

Just some of our festive jewellery this December!

With December flying bye, we have been adding more festive jewellery as well as other types to Jewels & Finery UK. From sparkling party wear to everyday occasion with Christmas brooches, earrings and cameo necklaces. We hope there is something for everyone. We have chosen the most unusual and unique to the more fashionable pieces.

A hand made Christmas felt brooch by Susie Carol jewellery and accessories with a wooden happy Christmas tag. Use on clothing or for the more unusual on a present or a Christmas card.

Red expandable stretch bangle bracelet in a bright red colour. Modern and pre owned jewellery - so not yet vintage.

Our keyring selection of vintage and new pieces will make great stocking fillers. This stone pebble keyring has "believe" written on it and we have many other styles.

Large pendant cameo necklaces for Christmas includes Christmas tree and bells designs. New and suitable to wear during the Christmas and holiday season.

Choose a beautiful jewellery piece for a Christmas gift

Yes it's that time of the year for Christmas jewellery. The thrill with Christmas gifts is not in the receiving but the giving. So choosing something to match that person is an art in its self. Especially if anything like my husband. Every year, our family asks for a Christmas list or what does he really want? But nearly every year he can not think what he wants until the very last moment or not at all. So he never gets anything very interesting, as by that time its too late to buy online and the shops are quite depleted.

 Vintage brooches

A piece of vintage jewellery may not be for everyone. But its something that would not be found in the usual shops. Providing you order early enough or take up the Express delivery option in the last couple of weeks in the UK.

Here are just a few pieces of vintage jewellery available and as we also sell new jewellery. There are some great designer pieces just right for buying yourself as a Christmas treat.

Rhinestone brooches

We have some gorgeous vintage rhinestone brooches that are so suitable for adding to your Christmas day clothing or attached to a dress for the New year's celebrations.

Vintage bracelets

  How about a genuine vintage stretch bracelet from the 950s to 1960s. Or go for a new version of a vintage style stretch ring to match your stretch bracelet.

Lots of different choices for Christmas gifts of vintage necklace. The majority of our vintage jewellery is sent in a gift bag or box, so no extra stress of looking for suitable packaging.

For the man in your life - go a little towards vintage mens jewellery. With tie pins, cufflinks and an assortment of Gothic pieces to look through and choose, as well as "traditional" style ones available.

vintage mens jewellery

Then something to wear over the festive season that is new but a take on the vintage cameo jewellery.

Cameo necklaces

  Just one of the newer cameos that are available and just that little different to wear.

What is a brooch that is said to be vintage?

This is a quick coffee break guide to what is a brooch that is vintage?
So to be an original and genuine vintage is to do with its age rather than its good looks. It can either have been produced between the 1920s to the 1990s, or be at least 20 to 25 years old. Not an easy thing to distinguish as there are many brooches on the market, with many of them not being vintage at all but new ones in the style of a vintage brooch and pin. Any piece of jewellery that was made between the Art Deco years of the 1920s and 1930s right up to the last decade of the twenty first century. Is said to be true and real vintage. It is actually easier to look at decades rather than splitting it up into years. Because dating can be difficult - unless you have an advert dated or a brochure or company catalogue.   

We have many original vintage brooches available on Jewels and Finery. Here are just a few:

There are many different styles of brooches and the above are just a small selection that we have. Along with antique, modern and small brooch pins available.
 

Clips for holding a scarf in place

Clips for holding a scarf in place - "Scarf Clips"

There has been a revival of using clips for holding a scarf in place. We have plenty and more to add as we go along. Popular from the 1950s and reaching a peak in the 1980s, scarf clips are just irresistible to wear. Plenty of different styles and eras to choose from.

Above is an Eloxal modernist vintage scarf clip circa 1970s.

Flower vintage scarf clip with a pearl bead centre.

Cameo vintage scarf clip in red and white.

Scarf clips 1960s fashion brochure from Style A Scarf

I do love collecting old brochures and adverts for vintage jewellery. This one is for scarf clips and I estimate its from the 1960s or early 1970s. Called "Style A Scarf" and produced by Bernard Shaffer Ltd, England. This 8-panel brochure shows how to use a scarf clip and also some of the styles from the sixties.

Love the eyeliner on this lady with the scarf and clip creating a classical bow look.

Three styles for using a scarf clip and scarf continues on the inside page. A cowl neck style that uses a scarf clip with a bar brooch as well. The Ascot Bow ha just an ornate clip with a long scarf that tightens to form a big bow at the front. Now the last how-to is a fabulous turban look. So very sixty hippy chick!

The middle section covers four panels. It shows how to have a beach or summer house look. A great way to keep your hair in place on holiday. Bow Babushka with a square scarf. Western with the scarf fastened to one side. Gipsy creating a hat from a scarf that would be ideal for the beach. Butterfly Bow and Cravat for different looks around the neck.

   
This panel shows a further way on how to fold a scarf called the Smoke Ring (circular scarf) and how to use a scarf clip with a bar brooch. There are 7 different vintage scarf clips with antique and modern 1960s fashion styles. This is ideal for dating vintage jewellery.

Last back panels that explain about the British brand Style-a-scarf and gives two more ideas about using a clip as a pendant and a bracelet.

Last page has another 8 different ways, so who said vintage scarf clips were limited in use?  

Unusual bead used in necklaces to wear to any occasion

Decided this bright sunny September morning to write a little about unusual vintage bead necklaces. Now we have many other types of vintage necklace, but I do like the beads the most. Now I collect beads and have many different types so that one day they will be transformed into necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other types of jewellery - but there is never enough hours in the day.

This great bead necklace from Hong Kong circa 1970s is typical of the beads that were predominately in plastic that came from Hong Kong in the 1960s to 1990s. many were unusual colours and shapes. Still around today. Damaged necklaces can be transformed into something wearable and they are just lovely beads that are not made any more.

These are clay beads with a coating of enamel. Squarish and quite unusual. Vintage and probably around the 1980s - 1990s decade. Now today we have polymer clay that can also be turned into lovely beads that will be unique as you made them yourself.

Now I have written about carnival glass bead necklaces before but I do love the colour and look. Also known as iridescent necklaces, but I will still call them carnival as that is what I grew up with.Black beads coated with this gorgeous "oil on water" effect. It gives them this shiny blue colour that reflects and changes colours when worn. Not only that they are of good well made.................glass.

Light weight jewellery of a type of aluminum called Eloxal

Tuesday Topic of the day on the jewelry ring was for Eloxal jewellery. Apparently it is light weight aluminum that is very shiny and does not tarnish. This rang a bell that I have come across many pieces especially in vintage bracelets and vintage scarf clips. These were made in West Germany and usually marked as such and date from the 1950s to the 1970s. Eloxal stands for electrolytic oxidation of aluminum.
Already realized that several bracelets and scarf clips listed on Jewels & Finery fit this description. I went hunting for a bracelet that seemed to be similar to one shown. This is what I found:

Not a brilliant photo but this is very shiny in a gold tone vintage bracelet that is light weight dated to the 1970s. Unsigned.

Bit better photo of the segments of the bracelet.

The back - shows how shiny it is.

This was the vintage bracelet I had in mind. Again very light weigh with a pictorial covering of orange fish. No idea what this is called, but its "bubbles" in translucent and coloured orange and black that make up the design.

Close up photograph of one of the fish. Again this one is unsigned and probably dates to the 1960s. the bracelet is quite wide and fits like a cuff.

Back of the vintage fish bracelet - shiny and lightweight.

Found quite a few vintage scarf clips - this one photographed well some did not! The front piece is very shiny and light weight but the clip mechanism and plate is in a different metal and heavier probably a brass alloy.

Unsigned back of the above scarf clip.

All the above vintage scarf clips have light weight aluminum type fronts all quite shiny with brass clip mechanisms. The last scarf clip is signed West Germany the others are not.

And lastly this vintage bracelet.

This vintage bracelet would be a souvenir type circa 1960s/1970s. In a light weight gold tone. Again very shiny with motif of a swallow with a letter, a mushroom, a man in a Dutch type of clothing with a ladder carrying something?, a horse shoe and clover leaf and lastly a pig. Have no idea what this all means and the bracelet is unsigned.

I think they are all of Eloxal or part Eloxal.They are waiting to be photographed properly and will be added to the website later this year.