| To wear and enjoy a beautiful piece of antique and | | | | piece has raised pads soldered to the back of the |
| vintage jewelry with a history behind can be a | | | | Brooch where the clasp is attached then it is a |
| wonderful, exhilarating experience. For many it is a | | | | replacement clasp. |
| lovingly addicting hobby. The more you collect, the | | | | Another good clue to dating a piece and determining |
| more you want to collect! It's that exciting! But when | | | | the value of Antique and Vintage Jewelry is to look |
| buying these jewels of yesterday, how can one be | | | | at the metal content where there might be some |
| certain that what they are buying is truly authentic | | | | underneath wear, usually in back where it would rub |
| and not relatively new and/or of it's claimed value? | | | | against the clothing. Genuine Gold and Silver, even if it |
| It's always advisable to buy from reputable dealers | | | | has wear, will not show a base metal underneath |
| who guarantee their items plus learning what to look | | | | since it continues all the way through. Many costume |
| for in a piece. Attend Antique & Collectable | | | | pieces from the nineteenth century and into the Art |
| Shows, browse Antique Shops and read lots of | | | | Deco period were made of gold and/or silver over |
| books to familiarize yourself with period styles and | | | | base metals such as gold over brass, silver over |
| their findings. | | | | brass, silver over copper, gold over copper, etc. |
| When looking at a piece, examine it carefully both | | | | That's one way of knowing the piece is at least 60 |
| front and back. An genuinely old piece will have all the | | | | years old and more. During the war years of the |
| ingredients to confirm its authenticity. Many jewelry | | | | 1940s there was a shortage of base metals where it |
| styles do tend to overlap so always check the entire | | | | affected the jewelry industry so sterling silver was |
| piece for clues. Is the piece signed, hallmarked? | | | | substituted. If you see a marking such as "1/20 12K |
| Surprisingly enough a lot of antique jewelry was | | | | on Sterling" then 1/5 of the piece is 12K gold and is |
| marked in the most unusual of places so check along | | | | likely to be from 1942 to 1945. Vintage Bakelite which |
| the edges, inside of the bale, the pin stem and even | | | | is a Polymeric Plastic invented by Leo Hendrik |
| on the back of the pin stem! You'll be amazed at | | | | Baekeland in 1907, became popular in jewelry design |
| what you could find and where you will find it. | | | | during the hardships of World War II also. There are |
| Suddenly a piece of jewelry that you thought was | | | | several tests in determining Authentic Antique and |
| newer or made of silver plate or gold plate now may | | | | Vintage Bakelite Jewelry using Formula 409, Hot |
| be seen in a different light as genuine antique silver | | | | Water, Simichrome Polish and a Q-Tip. Still some |
| or gold and have a lot of value! | | | | Bakelite such as Black Bakelite may not test positive. |
| A lot of old jewelry such as Victorian Jewelry was | | | | Since Bakelite is either cast or molded it would not |
| not marked. So now what? A Victorian brooch with a | | | | have a seam line anywhere and the workmanship |
| long pin stem extending outward is a good indication | | | | should look hand carved and not be crudely executed |
| that it's early Victorian while a shorter one is of a | | | | as if a stamp was used. On Vintage Bakelite |
| later date. The "C" clasp is another indication that the | | | | brooches, the clasp would be embedded into the |
| piece is old. Remember that there are always | | | | piece. |
| exceptions to the rules since the "C" clasp was also | | | | Fine Jewelry containing Diamonds or Precious Stones |
| used later on in Europe so take every detail into | | | | such as Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires are either |
| account to come to your full conclusion. Look at the | | | | bezel-set, inset or set with prongs and will always |
| hinge and the clasp of a brooch, bracelet, necklace, | | | | have open-backs for maximum brightness. Air bubbles |
| etc.. Does it look like a clasp used today or does it | | | | seen in stones is a clue right off that the piece is |
| seem a bit different to you? Compare new pieces to | | | | glass. Marcasites which were substituted for |
| old pieces. Does the jewelry have a brass spring ring | | | | diamonds as early as the 1700s, regained it's |
| clasp from the 1930s or a shiny gold plate clasp? Are | | | | popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. A higher valued |
| the findings on a piece consistent with the design of | | | | marcasite piece would have better workmanship |
| that era? Those small differences could answer your | | | | where each marcasite would be set with tiny prongs |
| questions and drastically influence the value of a | | | | or beads versus glued in ones and because of this |
| piece. The tube hinge was generally used until the | | | | the stones will stay in place longer. This is also true |
| 1890s where the safety catch clasp became popular | | | | for Rhinestones in Vintage Costume Jewelry where |
| in the Art Deco 1920s period. Over the years the | | | | prong set ones are valued higher than glued in ones. |
| appearance of the safety catch clasp has changed so | | | | These are just some of the many tips to knowing |
| it's good to recognize the old from the new. Many | | | | your Jewelry. It's so helpful to learn what to look for |
| clasps on old jewelry such as pins broke in time so | | | | when buying Antique and Vintage Jewelry which also |
| replacement ones were soldered onto the back. All | | | | can be as much fun as wearing and collecting it! |
| better Jewelry is soldered at some place but if the | | | | Knowledge is definitely Jewelry Golden! |