Monday Must Have: 1970s Vintage Lariat Necklace by Goldette

A beautiful gold tone vintage lariat necklace by Goldette from the 1970s. Features a fleur de lis pendant with glittering diamantes and faux seed pearls. The pendant slides for adjustability. Goldette was a line of jewellery made by Circle Jewellery Products – New York City. Founded by Ben Gartner in 1958, the company produced a wide range of high quality costume jewellery up until its closure during the late 1970s. 

Vintage Necklace by Goldette

Acrylic Cast Bridal Jewellery Bag by Ted Noten

By Photography: Atelier Ted Noten / Artwork: Atelier Ted Noten [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

I love this 'Ageeth's Dowry' bridal bag by Dutch jewellery designer and conceptual artist Ted Noten. Acrylic cast containing jewellery donated by the bride's family, with double pearl string carrying strap

Vintage Costume Jewellery Designer: Kramer

Kramer Jewellery Creations was extablished by Louis Kramer in New York City in 1943. The company produced a vast array of beautiful costume jewellery up until its closure in the late 1970s.

Kramer favoured an extravagant style.  His lavish designs incorporated numerous sparkling rhinestones creating a look synonymous with luxury. His high end pieces were made using the finest Swarovski crystals and complemented the glamorous fashions of the 1950s.

Kramer’s artistic talent was admired by Christian Dior who commissioned the company to produce jewellery under his name. These pieces are particularly collectable and sought after by vintage costume jewellery collectors today. Also popular are pieces marked ‘Amourelle’; a rare line of jewellery produced by Miriam Haskell designer Frank Hess.

The wide range of jewellery produced by Kramer included glittering bracelets, necklaces, and full parures as well as many figural pieces.  

Vintage Kramer Bracelet

How to store vintage costume jewellery

Vintage costume jewellery can be very delicate so it is important to store it carefully. Here are a few tips to keep your vintage jewellery in pristine condition.

·         Wipe jewellery with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Perfumes, cosmetics and hairsprays contain chemicals that can damage costume jewellery.

·         Store flat in a cool, dry place. Avoid placing jewellery in direct sunlight or anywhere hot as this can melt any glue and cause stones to loosen or fall out.

·         Store each item separately to avoid scratching and chipping of jewellery. Protect delicate items by wrapping in a soft cloth or jewellery pouch.

·         Avoid storing in plastic bags as moisture can become trapped and cause damage.

What is Costume Jewellery?

Costume jewellery is often referred to as ‘fake’ or ‘imitation’ jewellery as opposed to ‘fine’ jewellery which is made from precious metals and gem stones. 

In the 1930s, fashion couturiers created imitation jewellery to accessorise their designs, which is where the term ‘costume jewellery’ is thought to originate. Although the phrase originated in the early 20^th century, costume jewellery has been worn for thousands of years.  Jewellery made from shells, bone and various other materials was worn very early in our civilisation for many different purposes including the display of wealth, status, love and worship

Wearing jewellery to display wealth and status became less appropriate with the shortages experienced during World War I and II and the popularity of costume jewellery increased around this time. The mass production that followed made jewellery much more affordable. Pieces were designed to accessorise current fashions and be replaced when new trends emerged. The benefit of this was that manufacturers were able to create many extravagant and unusual pieces which would have been too expensive to produce if precious metals and gemstones were used.

Costume jewellery marks a moment in time and reflects the fashions of the day. It gives a snapshot in history, and is one of the reasons vintage costume jewellery is so popular amongst collectors. Although a lot of costume jewellery was not originally designed to last, many pieces have survived and will continue to be worn and loved. In my opinion this is what makes vintage costume jewellery so special.

How to clean vintage costume Jewellery

In order to preserve vintage costume jewellery it is very important to take care if you decide to clean it.  Costume jewellery was not always made to last but to be worn as a fashion accessory and replaced when new trends emerged. For this reason it is a lot more delicate than fine jewellery. However, if looked after correctly vintage costume jewellery can continue to sparkle for many years to come.

Moisture is the biggest enemy of vintage costume jewellery and submersing your jewellery in any kind of liquid should be avoided at all costs. This is particularly important if the piece contains rhinestones, as liquid can cause damage and darkening of the stones. Chemicals can also cause damage therefore many jewellery cleaning solutions are not suitable for costume jewellery.

For rhinestone jewellery a dry polishing cloth is the safest method but if necessary you could use a soft brush such as a make- up brush or baby toothbrush to gently remove any dirt build up. Be very careful if the piece contains aurora borealis stones as the coating can be easily scratched.  If the piece is very dirty, a damp cloth can be used, followed by a dry cloth to polish. Avoid wetting the jewellery and continually blot any moisture from the piece. Rhinestones often have a foil backing which can become easily damaged if moisture gets behind the stones. If the jewellery does get wet, make sure it is dried thoroughly with a hairdryer on a cool setting (heat can also damage rhinestone jewellery).

For rhinestone or crystal jewellery that is not foil backed, a small amount of glass cleaner can be used. Buff with a soft dry cloth.

Gold , silver, rhodium plated  and vermeil  jewellery can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaning solutions as this can scratch and damage the plating. Make sure any soap residue is removed and dry thoroughly. Avoid using any chemical cleaning solutions.

Always store your jewellery in a cool dry place and avoid direct sun exposure.  Avoid direct contact with make-up, perfumes and body lotions as these can contain chemicals which lead to tarnishing. Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wear.

                                                                                                                                                 

Monday Must Have: Vintage 'Juliana' Brooch by Delizza and Elster

This weeks Monday Must Have is this lovely vintage Juliana brooch by Delizza and Elster. Featuring sparkling green and hot pink navette rhinestones this brooch is a stunning addition for any Juliana vintage jewellery collector. This brooch is a book piece and is featured in Katerina Musetti's book 'The Art of Juliana Jewellery'. 

Vintage Juliana Brooch by Delizza and Elster