| When thinking of vintage jewelry manufacturers, one | | | | abound, oftentimes in shades of both yellow gold and |
| can pretty easily drop names like Coro, Trifari and | | | | rose gold. Iskin pieces can be found with a variety of |
| Barclay, three of many well-known manufacturers | | | | colorful prong-set rhinestones--deep wine reds, |
| that were active in the Retro era. The Retro era is | | | | vibrant blues, emerald greens--although Iskin generally |
| generally defined as the years between 1935 and | | | | did not mix colors on the same piece unless it was to |
| 1950 or so, the World War II era, when platinum, | | | | incorporate clear rhinestones as accents. |
| gold and base metals for such frivolous uses as | | | | Run a quick internet search for "Harry Iskin" and you |
| jewelry manufacturing were scarce. Gold-filled and | | | | will come up with a bunch of fine examples of his |
| sterling, using both semi-precious and synthetic | | | | work. If you might have an interest in acquiring a |
| gemstones, became more prevalent and the lines | | | | piece or two of Iskin jewelry, be sure to acquaint |
| between fine and costume pieces blurred a bit due | | | | yourself with the distinctive "I inside an H" |
| to the scarcity of manufacturing materials in general. | | | | manufacturer's mark used by the Iskin |
| The earmarks of the Retro period include the use of | | | | Company--photos of the mark are also easily found |
| larger rhinestones and cleaner, less fussy designs than | | | | with a quick internet search. |
| that of the Art Deco period preceding it. Among the | | | | Oddly, though Iskin designs are clean and stylish, |
| manufacturers of the Retro period was Harry Iskin, | | | | using quality materials and feature prong-set, rather |
| who was a wholesale manufacturer from 1930 or so | | | | than glued, rhinestones, Iskin isn't regarded as a |
| until the early 1950s. Harry Iskin's business apparently | | | | top-end manufacturer. Consequently, Harry Iskin |
| ended in bankruptcy in 1953. | | | | pieces can still be had for a relative song, whether |
| The majority of Iskin's designs feature a stylized | | | | you purchase from an online vintage costume jewelry |
| floral or bow motif with good sized, well-placed | | | | site or try your hand at eBay bidding. |
| rhinestone accents. Iskin designs can be found both in | | | | A beginning collector of vintage costume jewelry |
| gold fill and sterling silver and it doesn't appear that | | | | would do well to start by adding an Iskin piece or |
| Iskin produced pieces using lower-quality metals (i.e., | | | | two to their acquisitions. Iskin's well-made products, |
| pot metal) during this time. | | | | still looking good after 65-plus years, indeed |
| Iskin's designs are easily recognizable after viewing | | | | withstands the test of time. |
| even just a piece or two. Graceful bows and curlicues | | | | |