Thanks so much. I do hope that this was not a waste of your time. This type of data sharing may be considered a "sale" of information under California privacy laws. Look at the findings and fittings on brooches. I will definitely pass this on! A diamond eternity band dating from the Edwardian period sells for $2,100 at Isadoras Antique Jewelry shop. Rub the material on clay pottery or concrete to test for the jet. You may be sat at home right now wondering what Im talking about, so Ill explain before we continue. There are some brooches with unique clasp fastenings that don't fit the mould of any of these descriptions, but since they are less widespread, they are less useful to us when dating jewellery. I hope this was clear. The Fishhook Clasp is a decorative variation of the Box Clasp. They are the same size (each are approximately 4 1/2 cms long, 2 1/2 cms wide and 1/2 cm thick); a curved almost diamond shape with curved edges and linked together with string that is threaded through the narrow ends. Hello! Both freshwater and saltwater pearls are very rare in the wild, so most pearl jewelry out there is made from cultured pearls, made commercially by humans. And, I wish I'd known about the 409 & Bakelite. With so many different fakes out there, telling the difference between genuine pearls and fake pearls can be tricky. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These 5 clues are a wonderful place for me to begin. Jewelry mirrors time, culture, and societal values. I was wondering if I could email you a picture of my great great great grandmother 2 rings. I have a old ring that I bought for my sixth birthday. We are unable to find the selected article! It would help if they have all of their stones, but sometimes I can replace them, or work around the empty spot. So prior to the Georgian period, which ran from 1714 to 1836, ribbons, cords, and hooks were the primary necklace fasteners and this continued until the 1800s when the tongue clasp was introduced. I ended up getting a pair of earrings and could not figure out when the post was made. The only problem, The world of chains is a fascinating one. The decade they were most prevalent in is usually used to identify pieces made in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. she is asking for your help, not for you to be soliciting hers), Hi.. i would like to send some pics for advise on a pair of earings. Freshwater pearls are typically duller than saltwater, so are usually dyed to make them appear shinier. Theyre given an artificial coating to give them a pearl-like appearance, but they simply arent pearls. Hi I bought a necklace at a jewellery fair many years ago its pink stones they feel cold to touch and in between so many beads there are circles of what looks like small diamonds ( who knowes ) the fastener is a barrel shaped screw In and has made in France stamped on the fastener I am curious to know of this is costume jewellery Thankyou. These slots could just be a bar or a thin square outline. Learning the lingo, like how a lavalier differs from a dog collar, can help tremendously when shopping for a vintage piece. Because it doesn't fit perfectly, could it be authentic, but not meant for your pendant? I have old bracelet but no marks and I have no idea the year made or place. The necklace is one of the oldest forms of jewelry known to man. Lobster claw clasps get their name from the fact that they are shaped like a lobsters claw. The trombone clasp (shaped like the instrument) was patented in Europe in 1850 and was usually handmade. Firstly the author posted this article in 2016 .. she is hardly reading your comments daily.. and .. secondly ..it was an article inviting comments from readers NOT offering you free advice. (6 Rules), How to Wear a Necklace with Different Shirt Types, Should Men Wear Necklaces? This is another example of a hidden or concealed clasp. Thank you for all the terrific information! Ita a birthstone ring with five stones and a silver band holding them in. Fittings refer to the parts that can be custom-made for a piece. Buckle clasps are also rarely used in gold and other metal jewelry. This 1950s emerald paste wedding ring is listed at ruby lane for only $200. These marks can also make a tremendous difference in the value and collectability of the jewelry. I wondered how old some of my jewelry is. Jet is light and as strong as plastic. Vintage jewelrys value will be determined by its quality, rarity, and cut. I am so glad I can help share it here. It's very informative-I'm just learning about the artists and their distinct talents. Hi I have a brooch which is a moon shape with a c clasp green And clear stones in how do I find out when it originated from? Plastic is the most obvious of all materials to decipher. Vintage jewelry pieces that the necklace clasps were made with round levers date a clasp-free jewelry clasps can add a necklace, roundels. Can You Wear a Pendulum as a Necklace? They're 22k gold with lots of insets but not precious stones. Black Hills: Originating from the gold rush in South Dakota, Black Hills gold has a unique look due to its usage of different gold colors, including yellow, pink, and green. The spring mechanism keeps the clasp closed. Hooks to secure a rhinestone necklace were popular in the 1940s-1960s while strong lobster style clasps were. Look for hallmarks on the clasp, chain, or pendant. Early fastenings for necklaces were cords, up until the 3rd century BC. Use of filigree in necklaces, bracelets, and rings. This is so informative. There are no discernable markings on the earrings with the naked eye. in 2022, How To Make A Necklace 2022: Top Full Guide, How to Make a Cord Necklace Without Clasp? Trombone clasps are so named after the musical instrument that needs a push and pull to operate. Just a note: jet breaks easily. The trombone fastening is ideal for a brooch this shape and size, as it straddles roughly the centre point of the brooch, holding it firmly and securely in place while wearing. Thread stud earrings from 1890 are thicker in diameter, and the nut is much heavier than those that are made today. and I will gladly take a look and share with you what I think. The exact meaning varies, When choosing a necklace, the last thing on most peoples minds is the Necklace clasp. However, this piece is not all authentic. The spring ring clasp was invented in the early 20th century. This material was introduced into England in 1841. It was first introduced by the Fowler brothers of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1883. 2. Very interesting! Can I mention a great vintage jewelry research & educational site? There is a clasp fastening usually referred to as the extended C clasp that predates the C clasp with which were more familiar. And even then you are still not using the words please or tank you. Youre likely very familiar with the locking C clasp, as they are used today quite frequently. This was so that the brooch could be affixed to the thick and heavy fabrics used in Victorian clothing. To test for jet, rub the material on concrete or clay pottery. I have researched this myself for days with no luck and am asking for help. And other tips. It is made from the sap from a Malayan tree. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Early examples of locking C clasps have the spinning lock opening downwards. These slots could just be a bar or a thin square outline. They are also cheaper than saltwater pearls because saltwater are rarer and are therefore more valuable. To create friction, you can rub the material on your clothes. Email me at mcdonaldkaren400@gmail.com. All I know is that Vero jewelry, I think only brooches, was made in the 1960s, as late as the 80s. Good sources for this information can be found at Researching Costume Jewelry History and the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks. Jewelry findings are ready-made pieces that jewelers use, such as clasps, pin stems, hinges, etc. I was hoping to get some guidance to determine its actual age. This helps me to understand the market better. Thanks! It has enameled and rhinestone flowers. Color gemstones and enamel are correlated to the architecture and decorative arts of the time. Links to other sites are usually no longer workable as this is a vintage archive now. Slide clasp A slide clasp secures closure . Only when I cleaned it did I realize it was silver. Gutta-percha can also be black. Antique Necklace Clasp, Vintage Clasp, Necklace Clasp, Choker Clasp, Gold Plated Clasp, Jewelry Repair, Vintage Findings, Jewelry Making 5 out of 5 stars (1.1k) . The style of the chain, the material, and, Do you have a drawer full of tangled necklace chains? Often those pieces had chain link extenders onto which the hook could be secured, allowing adjustability in the length. This type of clasp uses this push pull method of closing. Have you seen this before? Platinum, one of the rarest metals, will also have a higher value than jewelry made in the 1980s. It appears to have a clasp (unchanged) from the 1920's, has filigree and round silver discs and tear drops that dangle from it. Ruby Lane. In the many types of chain links and necklaces we can observe today, we can get glimpse, When it comes to your wedding day, you want to look your best. Hidden Georgian spring clasp Thanks so much. (If I had to do it over again, it would be of higher quality but, when I did the video, only smaller file sizes were allowed. The center star has five enamel points and five different images. Ladder clasp A ladder clasp is an old-fashioned fastener used for watches. Two examples of southwestern rings. It had alternated stones of light and dark yellow stones the entire ring with these circle stones in atotal Val total shape with and adjusted band pending printed what is it worth??? This circa 1950's necklace features thermoset plastic in iconic turquoise. This clasp is designed for multi-strand necklaces and bracelets. I have what i believe is an old ring. I began seriously researching vintage jewelry a few years ago. That's right, kitschy! I have a pair of earrings that have .925 (C) M stamped on the backs. It is silver or white gold and has a blue ceramic / glass face with 2 painted flowers ( millafiore?) On the other side of the spectrum, if you own a piece of pearl jewelry that you believe to be vintage, check whether it has a lobster claw clasp. When pressed, a notch on the non-box side levels it off so that it slips inside the box. Whether choosing a clasp for convenience, for securely fastening your necklace, or even for aesthetics, here are 31 types of necklace clasps to consider. About.me, How to Identify the Materials of Black Jewelry. I know they were not made to be worn on the french wires they are on. Collectors and buyers can use clasps, chains, patina, and other small details to determine what kind of vintage jewelry they have and how much it may be worth. If i sent a picture would you know when this style was used? When these hallmarks are absent, its down to jewellers to use other methods of establishing a date of production. It has a very distinctive look. The band is screwed in. Knowing which color gemstones were predominant at certain times in history goes a long way in helping to date a piece of jewelry. To date, a necklace by the clasp first identifies the type of clasp on the chain. You have probably all scared her off unfortunately from ever writing another. You say it's not all authentic, but then that your jeweler said the pieces were designed to be switched out. Jet is now illegal to mine, making it extremely valuable. Nice video, The author of this article is merely giving readers advice and information on how they may date/identify their antique and vintage jewelry THEMSELVES. To be able to wear the earrings I am going to have to get the posts replaced. It was popularized in the Victorian Era. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The lobster clasp came into use in the late 1970s. Its also complicated and similar to coal. A good necklace chain should be durable and strong, so it, In choosing the perfect necklace lengths for women, there are many different factors to consider. Hi, I was given a beautiful bracelet that belonged to my great grandmother. Remember that the value is not always about the intrinsic value. After some research, I learned what it really is. Fake pearls are man-made beads and are typically made from glass, ceramic, plastic, shells, or alabaster. I have a piece and know nothing about it. The tongue clasp was a sprung metal tongue which fitted into a slot. Really interesting video - well done. Browse Similar. Brightly colored semi-precious gems such as peridot and opal can be included. Can you help? Your article is the first one I've seen on the web which actually helped me. Contact Us If so, youre not alone. There are 2 markings that appear to be letters and maybe numbers. It is made from the sap of a Malayan tree. A safety mechanism locks the two ends in place. Crepe stone is another black material and is made of glass. 2. For example, older brooches may have a C-clasp or trombone clasp, while newer brooches may have a safety clasp or . A good test for Bakelite is to put 409 bathroom cleaner on a cotton swab and touch a small hidden area. Mariana Fuzaro from So Paulo, Brazil on November 13, 2014: Very helpful article. I had a jeweler get the marks off the back for me: H within a circle then S088. The locking C clasp, therefore, has remained a very popular design choice. Considered the ultimate fashion accessory, pearls come in all shapes and sizes. I can take picture if you would like to see it. It is more commonly found on antique bracelets than necklaces. ), This is really great stuff. Kellythomason00@icloud.com, What can you tell me about a gold locket with the coat of arms of the prince of wales engraved in shell on the front and initials in hair on the inside, I have a Hedison Jewelry Co with the mark 'Hedy'.