Gift Ideas for Women

Beautiful pieces of jewelry make precious gifts for loved ones or special treats for yourself. Additionally, the right jewelry can become a wise investment that will preserve value for you and your family or future generations to come. Read on to find out more about the types of jewelry that make sense as investment pieces.

Diamonds truly are a girl's best friend. One of the most popular jewelry investments people make involves jeweled pieces with diamonds. Before buying diamonds as an investment, become very familiar with the four C's: color, cut, carat and clarity. Choose diamonds that score as high as possible in each of these areas to make sure that you get the most value for your money spent. This helps ensure that you can preserve as much worth as possible and look forward to value appreciation in the future.

Consider investing in jewelry made by famous designers. These types of jewelry hold their value and appreciation quite well, especially if they have been well maintained. Look for pieces that you can buy below market price at outlets such as auctions and estate sales.

Buy jewelry in .925 sterling silver and 14k, 18k or 24k gold. Especially with the strength of the gold and silver markets, these metals will make great investments that will continue to hold value and appreciate over time. Gold and silver have been used for centuries to preserve value. They continue to be used by many as reliable investments.

If jewelry is already one of your passions, then collecting investment-quality pieces is an ideal next step. Use the tips above as inspiration to get you started on the way to building your own personal collection of investment jewels and take comfort in knowing that you will be adding to your family's financial security for years to come.

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 Charm Bracelet

If you love the look of old world fashion, you may want to purchase a vintage charm bracelet. These fashionable, attractive, and versatile bracelets can come in several different styles. One can opt to purchase a charm bracelet made of chain link metals like silver or gold. They are also available as single or double rope styles. The best part about vintage charm bracelets is that the offer a person the opportunity to choose the charms that they may want to display on it. A person can choose charms that reflect the types of hobbies or activities that they enjoy, or else look for charms that reflect their personality. Every vintage bracelet that is adorned with personally chosen charms becomes unique to that owner.

You can purchase a vintage sterling silver charm bracelet. These silver bracelets are more rare than the traditional gold ones are, so if you are looking for something that is unique, you may want to consider a charm bracelet made of sterling silver, rather than gold. You can also find vintage silver charm bracelets with or without charms already attached. If you want to choose your own vintage silver charms for the bracelet, you can certainly do that as well.
A well designed vintage bracelet is the perfect accessory piece for any style of evening wear, or casual wear. You can create your own look and wear the bracelet with a pair of comfortable jeans and a casual top. If you really want to give someone a special gift, the various antique charm bracelets that are available would be ideal. They are both elegant and charming and will look great with many different styles of apparel. You can also get gemstone charms if you want to give the gift as a birthday present or to create a perfect gift for a Mother’s Day present.
The appeal of the vintage charm bracelet is obvious for women of all ages. You can give the bracelet as a special holiday gift to a young girl complete with charms that represent the various activities and passions in her life. A vintage charm bracelet makes an ideal gift to give to another person, or yourself!

Vintage Bakelite Bracelet

Anyone who has ever worn a vintage Bakelite bracelet knows the smooth, natural feel of wearing these pieces of jewelry. When they slide it onto their wrist, they realize that they have found something special. A piece of polished Bakelite jewelry has distinct marbled colors in shades of ivory and many other hints of color throughout the entire piece. The unique colors and numerous geometric shapes used in these pieces have attracted many collectors throughout time. Vintage Bakelite jewelry is bought and sold, as well as worn by collectors all over the world.

Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic that was created by inventor Leo Baekeland in the early 1900’s. In the 1930’s, it was used primarily for kitchen utensils. With its innate ability to hold bright and vibrant colors, it was a perfect retro fit for that era. Some of the more common Bakelite kitchenware pieces, with which some people may be familiar, are the cutlery sets with bright handles in a multitude of colors. The jewelry industry quickly stepped in and began using this beautiful innovation in the production of fantastic Bakelite bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry pieces.

Vintage Bakelite can be found online from auction sites, Bakelite jewelry companies, and private collectors. Some of the wider band, intricately carved, vintage Bakelite bracelets can for sell over $700. The original Butterscotch and Philadelphia bracelets generally command high prices. Many of the thinner bracelets are about a half an inch wide and are easily recognizable and contain marbled orange, green, or yellow coloration with inlaid dots. These bracelets can sell for approximately $500-$600. Some of the other vintage bracelets include colorful bangles that are created in marbled earth tones and can sell for $150 or more. Combining a number of these bracelets together can make beautiful color combinations and the distinctive clicking noise that they make is very identifiable as belonging to Bakelite vintage jewelry.

Many companies attempt to imitate the colors and unique 1930’s retro look and feel of vintage Bakelite. If you are considering starting your own collection, you may want to make sure that you only buy from reputable dealers.

Though bracelets are one of the most popular pieces created with Bakelite, there are other Bakelite jewelry items including carved pins, hair barrettes, earrings, and necklaces. You can begin your collection, or add to it, by purchasing a vintage Bakelite bracelet at a flea market, estate sale, garage sale, or from any number of online vendors.

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.

Vintage jewelry is stunning. The pieces often contain an incredible amount of detail, and they allow the wearer to add a unique touch to any outfit. This article will help you learn a few different ways to wear this jewelry.

Consider wearing your vintage jewelry in a way that is different than what was originally intended. A brooch looks great converted into a headband or a barrette. Necklaces can be wrapped around your waist and worn as belts or added to purses to create elegant accents. This strategy is also a wonderful way to use a piece of vintage jewelry that has been damaged; you can make it functional again by turning it into something new. Get creative and have fun with this process!

Vintage jewelry often makes a statement. The pieces tend to be more ornate than regular jewelry, so it is best to only select one or two pieces to wear at a time. For example, if you have a large vintage ring, you may decide to pair that with one other item that is a little plainer. Alternatively, you could wear two average size pieces of vintage jewelry at the same time if they go well with what you are wearing. Be careful not to over accessorize with these pieces!

You can't wear your vintage jewelry if you do not take care of it. It is important to properly clean these pieces to extend their life and to help you look your best while wearing them. When you first obtain a piece, bring it to the jeweler and allow them to inspect and clean it. For pieces that you wear often, try to clean them every other month. You can use a soft toothbrush and water to remove dust and other pieces of dirt. Never submerge the jewelry in water. If the jewelry is made of gold or silver, and does not contain any jewels, you can also use a cleaning solution made up of water and ammonia. Whichever method you use, it is important that the jewelry is dry before you store it.

Some older jewelry can cause your skin to become discolored or to break out in a rash. This is usually because the vintage piece has been plated, and it is so worn that the original metal is now exposed. You can solve this problem in one of two ways. First, you can place a barrier, in the form of material or fabric, between your skin and the jewelry. Alternatively, you can use clear nail polish to cover the area of the jewelry that touches your skin. This technique is used primarily for pieces that are causing discoloration on your skin.

Vintage jewelry is more stylish now than it has ever been in the past. Because these pieces are older, and therefore different than other items in your jewelry collection, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration when wearing them. Using the tips in this article will help you make a statement and wear your pieces in a way that will flatter you.

Trifari vintage jewelry can add a little style and class for the discriminating eye. Whether looking for bracelets, necklaces, brooches or other items, this vintage jewelry might be just the touch needed to add a little bit of elegance to your look.

Some Trifari jewelry has been recreated or reissued according to their time frame and styles. For instance, the Trifari vintage bracelet boasts a design circa 1940s. Its floral design is decorated with cobalt blue navettes, sapphire blue tear-drop shaped petals and clear rhinestones set with bezel.

Trifari necklaces circa the 1950s can also add that desired vintage look. The Lucerne necklace designed by Alfred Philippe in 1953 is simple yet elegant with its two rows of Trifanium-plated clear rhinestone accented with baguettes. Trifari also includes a gold-toned adjustable necklace that can also work as a choker. It is tastefully decorated with topaz cabochons set with bezel and a topaz glass stone in a pear shape.

Philippe's 1940 Red Carnation Necklace, is metal base rhodium-plated, and gives just enough color with its rhinestone red centered carnation highlighted with enameled leaves flanking either side of the carnation.

Trifari vintage jewelry also includes an array of brooches and pins for the wearer needing to complete an ensemble look or simply add some flair. The Fruit Salad Pin Clip, circa 1935, is a tri-colored pastel creation in the shape of a shield. This clip even boasts the monogram in homage to Krussman, Trifari and Fishel. The 1952 Promenade Brooch comes with matching clip back earrings. This silvertone design claims a simple mix of baguette, round, oval and trapezium clear rhinestones.

Trifari vintage jewelry is inspired by different eras and the most popular styles of the time. The Trifari art deco revival necklace and earrings, in red and cream colors, harkens back to the 1980s resurgence of the art deco style with its lipstick red shade meant to compliment any wearer. The enameled bow pin in black is also from the 1980s looking back to an earlier era, specifically 1930s era cartoons!

For those who prefer matching sets in order to be perfect from head to toe, the Crown Trifari necklace and earring set in blue cube bead and givre glass, is one option. This circa 1955 set comes with a double-strand necklace and earrings designed with faux pearls, blue givre glass cubes and glass beads. If a pin and earrings are the ticket, try the Trifari red enamel leaves demi with its matching red rhinestone drops.

Collectible Vintage Art Deco Jewelry

Vintage Art Deco jewelry often has its origins in the 1920s and 1930s.  This type of jewelry is often considered a collector’s item.  Depending on the particular piece, the price can reflect the popularity and relative rarity of quality samples of this style. 

There are many people that collect jewelry from this era.  Not only because of its beauty, but to have some kind of connection to the past.  There have been many women that have taken a look at their own mother’s collections as well as grandmother's to find some beautiful vintage jewelry.  Not only the sentimental value, but also the unique elegance that the jewelry has, will enhance anybody's style and wardrobe.

The different types of materials that were used to make them often characterize Art Deco jewelry.  The Art Deco style was extremely popular in the 20s and 30s and utilizes the Cubism theme.  What this means in part,  is that many geometric shapes were often used. This can be seen not only in the elegant jewelry of the time, but also in the architecture, furniture and advertising graphic designs.  Many times you see the use of silver on this type of jewelry and marcasite utilized in the creation of a variety of popular styles.  This type of jewelry style was used to create long dangling earrings, as well as beaded necklaces.  Hat ornaments were also all the rage, using different types of plastics and enamels as well as assorted gemstones.

The different necklace styles may entail using different types of colored glass to create their symmetrical and geometrical shapes.  It is very common to find green colors, pale yellow glass stones and vibrant red clear glass as well in these lovely old Art Deco designs.  You also find many of these pieces combining the silver metals that are often associated with Art Deco jewelry.  There are numerous brooches that will utilize shapes such as squares, circles and  triangles in geometric designs.  These are also often highlighted by colorful gemstones.

The earrings of this particular style include the long dangling styles sometimes seen in images of the late twenties and thirties.  Different types of Crystal, cut with extreme precision, and even lapis glass encased in chrome are used to create these earrings.  Bakelite plastic was sometimes utilized and carved into different geometric shapes to create some very interesting Art Deco style pins.  This style definitely had a huge following, as the women of the 20s and 30s began moving away from the heavier Victorian pieces.  These pieces offered wonderful color and interesting shapes.  The long necklaces and short hemlines made for a drastic change in women's fashion.  There are many vintage Art Deco jewelry pieces available for sale online.  Depending on the materials used to create peace, the prices can range anywhere from $100 and up.  This is a style that has held its popularity well over the years.  Although there was a short time when it fell out of favor, it is back in style now and a great way to connect with the past while looking fabulous and trendy.

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.