Gift Ideas for Women

Vintage Gold Bracelets

Donning a vintage gold bracelet is a simple and understated way of making an elegant statement, no matter what your attire. This is a very versatile piece of jewelry that will go as well with casual couture as it will with formal wear. No matter the style a person prefers, there will be many selections from which they can choose, from simple and elegant to broad, elaborately carved or decorated bracelets, and many styles in between. Vintage gold bracelets are always in vogue due to their timelessness and classic appeal.

Opt for Authentic or Inexpensive?

There are a staggering number of vintage gold bracelets and vintage gold bracelet knock-offs on the market, today. Whether a person opts for the real deal and purchases a genuine authentic piece, or a quality replica of a vintage bracelet, price, quality and appeal are factors to consider. However, an important aspect to take into consideration is the quality. You may be fortunate to get a few years worth of wear out of a knock-off piece that is actually a poorly constructed replica of vintage jewelry. Authentic vintage gold jewelry, on the other hand, will be able to be passed down for generations to come. Additionally, knock off gold pieces simply do not boast the same weight as authentic gold jewelry. If someone were to try on the cheap reproductions of a “vintage gold” bracelet, they would know it for a fake in an instant.

Choosing a Style

If you would like to own a timeless piece that will never go out of style, a clever type of vintage bracelet that you might want to consider is a vintage gold charm bracelet. Vintage gold charm bracelets lend an aura of girlish innocence to your apparel that would be difficult to attain with other pieces of jewelry. Alternatively, if you are going for a more edgy look that will command attention, you might want to choose vintage gold bangle bracelets, as these provide a roughed-up edge that starlets such as Rihanna and Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) have been known to choose for wearing to red carpet events.

Vintage Watch Bracelets

Those people who find vintage jewelry interesting and attractive should consider adding vintage watch bracelets to their wardrobe.  Bracelet watches that were made prior to 1962 are considered vintage. This style of watch has the unique advantage of looking like a bracelet, but it offers the function of a time piece as well, making it both fashionable and functional.

Many people enjoy this style as it usually comes complete with a long history. Not only is the watch company an important part of the watch but often these styles of watches cannot be duplicated among today’s styles. You can find many of these styles of watches in estate jewelry collections. You may even have one sitting in an old jewelry box at home. The bracelet style of watch came into fashion in the early 1900s.
Vintage watch bracelets can be found that were made by a variety of well-known watch makers. You can find ones made by Hamilton, Bulova, Rolex and a host of other fine watch makers. These companies incorporate the practicality of a timepiece with the elegant design of the bracelet and strap. They are often adjustable so that they can fit just about anyone’s wrist.

There are even companies that have replicas of some of these fantastic designs of vintage bracelets watches. Of course, the replicas will be considerably less expensive than the original ones, but these offer a person the opportunity to own a bracelet watch at a much lower cost.

However, if you are looking to purchase the real thing, you need to make sure that it is not a counterfeit. You need to be able to verify the authenticity of the piece you are considering from those selling the watch. Many companies on the Internet have a large selection of vintage watches available for purchase in varying styles and at different prices. Vintage watch bracelets are an excellent addition to anyone’s jewelry or watch collection as they combine the two pieces into one beautiful, unique and valuable piece of jewelry.

Look into the Past and Find a Vintage Bracelet

Whether you are seeking the perfect gift, basking in self-indulgence, hoping to enhance your collection, or simply accessorizing, you will find that there is a vintage bracelet to satisfy your desires. The only problem that you may encounter is making a decision. Vintage bracelets are available from hundreds of vendors displaying their wares anywhere from E-bay to 5th Avenue. A wide variety of materials, styles, designers, and prices, make your selection virtually limitless. Whether you choose a $49 used vintage silver bracelet or a $5000 Cartier 22K gold vintage tennis bracelet, you will find that shopping for vintage bracelets transports you back to the classic eras of the past.

Although the large selection of vintage bracelets available makes it easier for you to find just what you are looking for, it should also make you wary about getting the appropriate value for your purchase price. Particularly if you are shopping online, be sure to read the vendor’s return policy and any feedback offered by previous buyers. Since you will be limited to seeing a photo of the bracelet, the return policy is doubly important should you be dissatisfied with your purchase once you have received the bracelet and are able to try it on.

Buying vintage jewelry can be addicting, and if your casual purchase of a vintage watch bracelet becomes an initiation into the world of serious collecting, you will realize that many dealers use the term “vintage” rather loosely. For example, a vintage diamond bracelet may be advertised as “vintage estate” but would not necessarily have come from an estate. Rather, the term “estate” should refer to the fact that the item was previously owned. Calling an item “vintage” simply means that it comes from a particular historical period, and each of these periods is characterized by its own particular style, not only in jewelry but in art, literature, architecture, and music as well.

Vintage bracelets from the Georgian period (1714-1837) are truly antiques and difficult to acquire because of their rarity. It was an age of respect for the richness of the natural world, and a typical vintage silver bracelet might feature leaves or birds decorated with precious gems. The Victorian era spans the years of Queen Victoria’s reign, 1837 until her death in 1901, but subtle differences can be seen in artistic expression during the early, middle, and late periods of that era. The Early Victorian period retained the Georgian period’s homage to nature but simplified its expression. A vintage gold bracelet from this era might be etched with vines or clumps of grapes. The Mid-Victorian period was marked by the untimely death of the queen’s husband, Prince Albert. A vintage bracelet from this period of mourning would probably display heavy, dark stones such as onyx or jet.  By the Late Victorian period at the turn of the century, bracelet designs had become much more ornate, featuring brightly colored gemstones and later, during King Edward’s reign (1901-1915), becoming quite expensive. A vintage diamond bracelet could easily come from this era. Art Deco is the style attributed to the period between the World Wars (1915-1935) and is characterized by geometric designs reflecting the growth of the industrial world. Estate jewelry, which was introduced by Hollywood and features showy bangles and large stones, is currently enjoying great popularity and has come to be synonymous with the Retro period, commonly designated as 1940-1970. A vintage charm bracelet from the 1950’s would typify this period. Besides satisfying your aesthetic appetite, shopping for vintage bracelets can also offer an interesting glimpse into the past.

Beautiful Vintage Pearl Bracelets

Do you love vintage stores and vintage clothing? Do you love dressing up and accessorizing? If so, you should consider purchasing a vintage pearl bracelet. Vintage pearl bracelets are a classic and beautiful addition to almost any outfit, whether it is vintage or modern.

With their neutral color tone, they can mix well with virtually any color you choose to wear, and with the variety of styles and kinds out there, whether you want something really fancy or something more for day to day wear, you can find what you're looking for.  When you buy vintage you know you're getting something a bit more uncommon than you could find in contemporary jewelry. That way, you won't show up at a party only to find someone else there is wearing the same bracelet as you are!

Pearls themselves are beautiful and treasured gemstones, known for being round (although they are occasionally teardrop-shaped or otherwise) and iridescent. Most pearl jewelry you can find consists of white or off white pearls, but they can also be found in a variety of other shades and colors, such as blue, green, pink, and even black. Pearls are also known for their feminine quality, as they are gemstones that are by and large favored by women, probably for their delicate features. They have been used as jewelry for many thousand years now, having been worn by royalty through the ages.

Vintage jewelry, such as pearl bracelets and necklaces, besides being quite beautiful and charming, can also be quite valuable. Many vintage items increase in value the older they get, providing they are in good repair. If you're not a pearl bracelet type of person, but you have found your grandmother's old vintage bracelets, don't just pack them away in the attic somewhere! They may be worth quite a bit of money. It's definitely worth it to look into their value, which you can do by doing some research online or getting them appraised by a professional jeweler. Many people these days make money off of finding vintage items at places like yard sales and thrift stores, buying them from those who don't know their true value, and reselling them at a profit. Not a bad way to make money; it can actually be a pretty fun undertaking for the right person!

Then again, some people choose to simply buy and keep such vintage jewelry. Collectible jewelry can be fun to own--some people may keep it around to wear, while others may never wear it to make sure its quality does not degrade. Collections like this can make great gifts for children or grandchildren!

Whatever you choose to do with your vintage pearl bracelets and jewelry, try shopping for some today. You'll find it's quite beautiful and a lot of fun to shop for!

Vintage rhinestone jewelry has really caught on of late. If you enjoy visiting estate sales, you have probably noticed that almost any older piece of rhinestone jewelry gets snapped up almost instantly. Choosing to collect and wear vintage jewelry is a great way to ensure that there are a limited number of people wearing the same fashion accessories as you. Everyone wants to own and wear a particular piece of jewelry that feels unique.

Some ladies love vintage jewelry because it reminds them of their grandmother, mother, or a special occasion in their past.   Others just love the way it looks and the quality of the actual pieces which has allowed them to last for so long.

Modern jewelry stores mass-produce similar styles of popular jewelry pieces for purchase. Moderately priced fashion jewelry often duplicates these exact same styles sold in fine jewelry stores. Many spouses, family members, and friends often desire to purchase a special gift for a special lady they know, but don't know where to start looking for ideas. Shopping for beautiful vintage rhinestone jewelry can help to create a look that is hard to duplicate and shows that some thought was put in to the purchase of the gift.

Vintage rhinestone jewelry is great for special occasions, dinner eaten out, or for daytime accessorizing. There is no need to wait around for the modern fashion industry to bring back a fashionable piece of jewelry. Beautiful vintage jewelry is timeless and never goes out of style. Here are some ways to accessorize with vintage jewelry pieces.

Rhinestones are a popular way to imitate sparkling diamonds or colored gems. Vintage jewelry incorporates rhinestones heavily throughout the design pieces. There are many very glamorous pieces of rhinestone jewelry that catches the eye and the light. Popular famous musicians at one time relied heavily on these popular jewelry pieces to present a glamorous look while performing onstage, conducting interviews , or while out to and about in the public eye.

Vintage rhinestones are a great alternative to to expensive, high-fashion jewelry. Many vintage items were modeled after a time period where women dressed in a manner that is a bit more sophisticated than we commonly see in society today. The majority of the jewelry looks that were produced in years past by jewelry manufacturers and smaller jewelers had more detail and design elements than you might find today unless you are willing to spend the money required to buy high end jewelry.

Vintage bracelets come in a variety of different materials, styles, and looks. Many older and antique bracelets are bold and eye-catching. Pair bold bracelets with glamorous earrings. These bracelets may be best reserved for women that enjoy some attention. Wearing bold pieces of jewelry may not be appropriate for all professional environments. One way of incorporating vintage bracelets is to wear them with modern classic pieces of jewelry.    

Wearing vintage jewelry can help to expand current jewelry wardrobes. Consider mixing vintage rhinestone jewelry with modern fashion jewelry to create fresh new looks. Wear modern or vintage earrings with newly selected vintage necklaces. Use these tips to help create a unique vintage look that will meet your fashion preferences.

I'm including a video here with tips for cleaning your vintage rhinestone jewelry. I hope you find it helpful!

Collecting Miriam Haskell Vintage Jewelry

If you like the old retro look for fashion you might be interested in the style of Miriam Haskell vintage jewelry. The pieces are designed from an era long past, but not forgotten.

Many of the vintage pieces are reminiscent of the 1930’s and 40’s style of jewelry design. A good example is the bracelet that is believed to have been designed by Robert Clark. The bracelet has a large amber colored glass flower with a clear crystal bead inside it. The adjacent beadwork around the bracelet is also in shades of cream and amber.
You can also find a brooch designed around the World War 2 period that incorporates several small yellow and red beads in a flower design. The flower designs were a popular choice for this era and were often designed to be very large in appearance. Even though the pieces are large, the subtle colors of the period keep them subdued so they don’t become overpowering pieces of jewelry. The brooch measures 3 1/8 inches by 3 ¼ inches. It can be found selling for about $495 online. The piece is unsigned and does not claim to be the authenticated work of any one particular designer.
The style and designs of the vintage bracelets vary by designer. The Haskell Company was famous for having a lot of skilled craftsmen in their employment. Unfortunately, they also produced several works that are not signed by the designers. This is true for a lot of the pieces that were created by the designer Frank Hess. Although a professional jeweler and person that deals with antique jewelry pieces can find ways of identifying particular designer’s works even when they are unsigned. The Hess pieces use a lot of silver and turquoise in their design.
You can also find a book detailing the Miriam Haskell vintage jewelry lines. The vintage jewelry is also popular among people that collect antique jewelry items. If you have jewelry pieces that you believe may be authentic Miriam Haskell pieces you can have them authenticated by a certified antique jeweler. Many of these pieces are considered quite valuable and sell for a few hundred dollars. The Hess silver and turquoise brooch sells for $300 online. In addition to being rare and original works, the jewelry is also very beautiful and can be worn with some of today’s more formal attire. If you like original styled pieces of jewelry you’ll like the styles from the Miriam Haskell line.

Have you ever fancied yourself wearing a beautiful vintage ivory bracelet but you always hesitated to buy one because you are not sure of how to take care of it? Jewelry made with ivory is quite beautiful but it does require a little bit of special care compared to other types of jewelry.

If you are interested in purchasing or collecting vintage jewelry what important aspects do you look for and where are the best places to find them?

Ivory jewelry was traditionally made with elephant tusks until it was regulated and banned in many parts of the world. Today you will find jewelry pieces of ivory made with the tusks or teeth from hippopotamuses, boars, sperm whales or walruses. Vintage ivory jewelry was made from elephant tusks in the 19th century and was very popular during the time. Today there are many collectors enthralled with collecting rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces all made with ivory.

Ivory is a porous material that can absorb body oil and can easily be stained. When it is not being worn it is best stored away in a dry warm area where it will not be effected by high humidity. Dust can be removed using a soft brush with gentle strokes. Wear cotton gloves when handling ivory so as not to transfer skin oils to the piece. Grime, dust and dirt can easily be removed by rubbing a vinyl eraser over the ivory. If you find a bad stain you will need to take the piece to a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned.

There are a couple of things that you will want to make a point of looking at when you are considering the purchase of vintage jewelry. If you can, look at the piece in natural light from all angles. Check the piece for verdigris on the findings and the metal portions; this can sometimes be cleaned and removed. Inspect all the moving parts on each piece to make sure they are still in working order. You may run across quite a few pieces that require much repair work and you need to decide if they are worth your time and money to have this type of work done.

There are a variety of places where you may purchase jewelry of the vintage persuasion including that prized vintage ivory bracelet you may be wanting. Check at estate sales, local auctions, flea markets, antique shops and local papers.