| We love our costume jewelry, and when we find a | | | | collection. |
| piece that has the designer's name, or "signature" on | | | | A fascinating chapter on rhinestone history takes you |
| the back, we know we have a piece that can be | | | | from the kings of France through Daniel Swarovski's |
| dated and its value better understood. | | | | processes to the present time. Several pages of |
| But what about the literally millions of pieces of | | | | photographs of rhinestone butterfly pins finish the |
| beautiful costume jewelry that have no signature? | | | | chapter. |
| And why, when there was such obvious artistry and | | | | Why do we call it costume jewelry? Page 15 tells us. |
| craftsmanship involved in producing the piece, was it | | | | We learn about different metals used in costume |
| left unsigned? | | | | jewelry, such as white metal, gold plating, sterling |
| Marcia "Sparkles" Brown has given us some answers, | | | | silver, vermeil, rhodium, silver plating, enamel, |
| and hundreds of gorgeous photographs in her book, | | | | japanning and gun metal. More photos illustrate this |
| "Unsigned Beauties of Costume Jewelry, Identification | | | | section. |
| and Values". | | | | Stone shapes and settings are examined and |
| One reason is that fine jewelry of gold and | | | | illustrated with drawings and examples. |
| gemstones was worn by ladies of wealth and | | | | Now what about starting a collection? The chapter |
| position, while the cheaper, "fake" jewelry was worn | | | | on collectibilty will show you what to look for, how to |
| by the poor or women of "ill repute". Makers of fine | | | | choose, how to examine condition, and how to |
| jewelry were proud to put their signatures on their | | | | evaluate craftsmanship. |
| creations, while artisans who made fake jewelry | | | | There's a comprehensive section on dating your |
| were just working to make a living - it was a lower | | | | jewelry, including a time chart, fashion style dating |
| class profession without the pride of putting one's | | | | and art trends, followed by expert advice on care, |
| name on one's products. | | | | restoration and storage. |
| Costume jewelry was made in vast quantities in | | | | For the next 227 pages you'll be treated to |
| mass production, and to keep up with demand the | | | | photographs and detailed descriptions of unsigned |
| makers did not always take the time to stamp their | | | | brooches, necklaces, earrings, parures (sets), dress |
| name or company logo on each individual piece. | | | | clips and accessories. |
| Sometimes manufacturers made unsigned jewelry | | | | Finishing up the book are an extensive glossary and a |
| that was sold to department stores, which then put | | | | bibliography that will tempt you with many titles of |
| the jewelry in boxes with the store's name. | | | | books about antique and vintage costume jewelry. |
| The book is divided into sections, with many | | | | This book is a must-have for the collector or anyone |
| photographs illustrating every page. It not only shows | | | | who buys and sells costume jewelry. It's a visual |
| a multitude of unsigned jewelry pieces, but also gives | | | | treat and a well researched book that you'll refer to |
| you history, concepts and the basics of starting a | | | | over and over. |