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My Favorite Three Picks for the Best Antique and Vintage Jewelry Price Guides and Authors

I have been collecting Antique and Vintage Costume and Fine Jewelry for over three decades. Most of what I bought was from the Saturday and Sunday flea markets at the local drive-in theater and at a once a month massive open air antique market held in the mountains near where I grew up. I never paid much, a quarter here, a dime there and sometimes a few dollars however over the years until I really became a serious collector, I probably had no more than $500.00 in an amazing collection of over 2,500-3,000 pieces. 

Over the years I have collected many types of jewelry. At first it was bracelets, then rings and when I got out of college and pursued my career as an interior designer, I found pins and earrings to be practical and suitable. In the mid-60’s to early 70’s I bought a lot of colorful and heavy “plastic” pieces and most were bracelets. I just loved the dull clunk they made when they hit against my desk… well I am sure you know where this is going… you’re right most were Bakelite. One in particular is a wonderful art deco black, red, orange, yellow and green fins clamper bracelet and it is like having a carnival on your arm. It fits great and feels sturdy andit brings me joy. It wasn’t until I received Harrice Simons-Miller 2002 third edition Official Price Guide to Costume Jewelry, that I realized the bracelet is called “Philadelphia” and has a market value of up to $5,000 making it the Holy Grail of Bakelite jewelry.

I also became quite passionate for the charm bracelets made in the 1960’s by Napier. At one point I had over 30 of them and I rarely wore them I just loved holding them. I had the colored fruit, the Asian theme, and my favorites was the marine theme with seashells and seahorses. Over the years I paid between $1.00 – $5.00 each for them and in early 2000, I sold them individually on eBay for $125.00 and up to 245.00 each. What a great return, right. Well yes but a day does not go by that I regret selling them. They gave me more happiness than the monies they brought.

As I became more sophisticated in my jewelry search I began to love all things Miriam Haskell, Eisenberg, Pennino and Boucher. All of these names seemed to come with a higher price but still affordable and all quite luxurious. Then there came Staret, McClelland-Barclay, Schreiner, Dujay, DeMario, Reja, Deja and Alfred Philippe and Alfred Spaney’s extra special pieces made for Crown Trifari. Needless to say I was smitten and would never turn back. After a while and as I was getting older, I started to understand the beauty of 19C Victorian and Art Nouveau and in particular the mourning pieces made during and after the Civil War. The Art Deco period pieces also caught my attention because of their architectural angled designs. Well enough about me… 

Throughout the years it was truly guesswork as to what I should pay for a piece and then the harder part came when trying to find out how much a piece was worth. As a result I found that the public library had many jewelry price guides and I poured through them all for days on end and would pick out my next piece I was obsessing for. Through this research, I found three authors who stood out as being the best at giving the right information for just about anything you might need to know as an antique and vintage costume and fine jewelry collector or dealer.

The first is Jeanenne Bell. Jeanenne Bell has been on Antiques Roadshow as a jewelry appraiser and is one of America’s leading authorities on antique jewelry. She has written many books and the first book I bought of hers was “How to be a Jewelry Detective”. This book is filled to the brim with priceless information about the clues to solving jewelry mysteries. She gives easy to understand tips for testing materials, gem cuts, hardware and findings throughout the ages, marks and a whole lot more. I have recommended this book to literally 100’s of my buyers on eBay who may not be sure what gutta percha is, or is it ivory or bone and what is a briolette cut stone. She answers them all and she even has a small pocket size field guide to take along to the shops and flea markets.

My favorite book of hers is Collecting Victorian Jewelry which is a real treat for the eyes and is beautiful enough to be left out for others to peruse. In this book she shows an amazing range of incredible museum quality pieces of Costume and Fine jewelry. Each piece is a work of art and each has an easy to understand description and value assigned. She imparts the history associated with the Victorian era and who all of the main characters were. She enlightens the reader about this period in time that was all about romance, passion and heartache. Very good read and a very good aid to the serious period piece collector.

My next favorite author is Harrice Simons-Miller. I have two of her price guides, Costume Jewelry 2nd edition and Official Price Guide to Costume Jewelry 3rd edition. What I love about her books is that she knows her stuff as it relates to costume jewelry dating from early Art Deco up to the present. Her books are very good for identifying the major players in the costume and fashion design industries. She really clarifies what each jewelry designer’s signature look is and her photographs and descriptions will give you an edge when you are out in the field. Her values are truly representative of retail in fine antique or jewelry boutiques and give the reader the parameters as to what to spend to get your jewelry collection “fix”. She has bought from me on eBay on a couple of occasions and each piece she purchased was always a little odd and unexpected, making me think she knew of or was creating a trend which others were yet aware.

My third favorite author is Roseann Ettinger. She has a series of price guides that are not only about jewelry but other vintage collectibles with a lot of concentration on fashion and the fifties. Her jewelry price guides include her “popular” series and include “Forties and Fifties Popular Jewelry”, “Popular Jewelry of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s” and my all time favorite of hers “1840-1940 Popular Jewelry” the revised 3rd edition. Her price guide covers jewelry pieces that you actually might come across and be able to own for not a lot of money. Unlike Bell and Simons-Miller who are showing museum quality and hard to find pieces, the pieces shown in Ettingers are really quite attainable and I have actually had many of her pieces that she has described. Her photographs are quite large making it easy to see the details of the pieces and she doesn’t dwell on the glitzier side of jewelry but the real down to earth stuff that most of our mothers and grandmothers would have worn.

There are many great costume jewelry price guides out there from Nancy Schiffer, Lillian Baker, Christie Romero for Warman’s, Cheri Simonds, Ronna Lee Atkins and more, but my first three will give the beginner or even well seasoned antique and vintage costume or fine jewelry collector or dealer a well rounded wealth of knowledge and pricing guidelines.

For even more super jewelry tips and great jewelry to buy, visit Vintage Gems Emporium at www.vintagegemsemporium.com. Registration is free and easy.

About the Author: My name is Candace Daugherty and I live near Charleston, South Carolina. I am an entrepreneur and have worked as a retail design and marketing consultant with many internationally known retailers and fashion designers over the past 30 years. My true passion however is Antique and Vintage Costume and Fine Jewelry. I have collected jewelry for over 35 years and own many incredibly fabulous book pieces as shown in the many of the jewelry price guides discussed above.

Since October 1, 2008,  I along with three others have founded the first of its kind, an exclusive auction boutique for antique, vintage and new costume and fine jewelry. We started Vintagel Gems Emporium at www.vintagegemsemporium.com with three philosophies in mind. The first is to be a specialty boutique in an Auction Venue just for the collector and specialist of antique and vintage costume and fine jewelry. The second is to be the lowest cost auction or fixed price venue on the internet. And the third is to put the entire Virtual Gems Emporium community first with unbelievable customer service and fair equal treatment of all trading partners.

www.vintagegemsemporium.com

 

About the Author

My name is Candace Daugherty and I live near Charleston, South Carolina. Since Mid September -October 2008 I along with three others have founded the first of its kind, an exclusive auction boutique for antique, vintage and new costume and fine jewelry. We started Vintage Gems Emporium at www.vintagegemsemporium.com with three concepts in mind. One, a special boutique environment in an Auction Venue just for the collector and specialist of antique and vintage costume and fine jewelry. Two, to be the lowest cost auction or fixed price venue on the internet. And three to put the entire Vintage Gems Emporium community first with unbelievable customer service and fair equal treatment of all trading partners.

Vintage TRADE SECRETS REVEALED! Insider Video EXCLUSIVE!! (Part 1 of 5)

SPECTACULAR 46″ Str Vintage Amber African Trade Beads $2,600.00

Rare Vintage Antique 1901 Carriage Trade Catalogue Horse Drawn Engraving Sample $2,499.99

Over 640 Vintage Non Sport Trading Cards In Excellent Condition $2,400.00

Vintage Native American Indian Trade Bead Necklace Coral Gemstone Deer Hide $1,700.00

1938 Gum Inc. Horrors Of War Vintage Trading Cards 198 Card Lot No Doubles $1,499.95

VINTAGE 1959 TOPPS #10 MICKEY MANTLE BASEBALL BASE BALL TRADING CARD cjg $1,300.00

Vintage HUGE Folk Art Trade Advertising TAVERN Sign “MEMPHIS BELLE” New Orleans $1,100.00

VINTAGE FRANKOMA PALM T11 CLUB TRADE WINDS TIKI MUG $1,299.99

VINTAGE FRANKOMA CLAM SHELL T10 CLUB TRADE WINDS TIKI $1,299.99

Vintage Heirloom! – Nightwatch Vintage Carpenter’s Trade Lamp $1,200.00

VINTAGE COLLECTIBLE RARE R11 NYC NY SUBWAY ROLL SIGN WORLD TRADE CENTER WALL ART $1,150.00

Dealers only Display Clock Trade Sign vintage watch store antique old cast iron $899.99

5 1/2″ VINTAGE WORLD TRADE CENTER CAST METAL STATUE 1st $1,000.00

Vintage Silver China Trade Astrology Book Covers $1,000.00

1860 Vintage * History of Slavery and the Slave Trade * Publ 1860 CIVIL WAR RARE $930.00

Navajo Rug Gap Trading Post Vintage $900.00

Rare Vintage tackle Fly Lure Shop Fishing Trade Sign wood Handpainted 50s 60s $899.00

World Trade Flag / Banner / vintage / early 80′s $800.00

Vintage NAVAJO Atkinson Trading SQUASH BLOSSOM NECKLACE Bisbee Turquoise $809.10

Emilio Pucci 60s-70s Vintage Logo Silk Printed Dress size 8 – Trade with us! $799.97

AA+ VINTAGE SERAPE SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN BLANKET OR RUG TRADE BLANKET $750.00

Copper fish BASS restaurant vintage kitchen seafood BIG TRADE Hanging SIGN old $699.00

BOSTON TRADE COUNTER TOP CIGAR CUTTER VINTAGE $695.00

VINTAGE FRANKOMA COCONUT T7 CLUB TRADE WINDS TIKI MUG $699.99

VINTAGE 1940′S ABT CHALLENGER 1 CENT ARCADE TARGET SHOOTING TRADE STIMULATE $650.00

WORLD TRADE CENTER VINTAGE 1970s BUILDING PLANS BOOKLET $639.99

Vintage Mod Brownette TNT Barbie Original Trade In Box MINT!!! $600.00

VINTAGE FRANKOMA COCONUT T7 CLUB TRADE WINDS TIKI MUG $599.99

VIBRANT Vintage Wool Pendleton Striped Antique Indian Trade Blanket! $556.50

OUTSTANDING Vintage 30′s Beacon Ombre Antique Camp Trade Blanket ~INDIAN DESIGN! $542.50

Vintage 70′s KISS LOT mego dolls figure ace frehley paul lunchbox trading cards $555.00

Vintage LOT 103 Tobacco Cigarette Leather Trading Card University College $550.00

VINTAGE10 ft AUTHENTIC MOVIE HOME THEATER COLLECTIBLE UNIQUE RETRO TRADE SIGN A+ $550.00

VINTAGE BARBIE DOLL TNT TWIST BRUNETTE TRADE IN BOX 1966 MINT COND. SWIM L@@K $549.99

COMPLETE 1966 Bat Laffs Topps Trading Card Set VG Cond Rare Vintage Batman $540.00

Vintage Trade Sign,Chief Motif, Round Masonite, $539.10

Leader, MANFG. Co. Overlocker, Sewing Machine, DC-1, Vintage, Antique,Trade Mark $379.99

AIRSHIPS BALLOONS AIRCRAFT 50 Vintage Postcards pre-1940 and 6 Trade Cards $499.00

Collectible Venetian Glass vintage Trade Bead strand $500.00

Photo Shop SIGN Vintage Folding ANTIQUE Camera Trade advertising photography ~ $499.99

VINTAGE TENNENT’S BEER DEALER’S TRADE MARK Porcelain Enamel Sign C1940′S RARE $499.00

ANTIQUE VINTAGE AFRICAN TRADE BEAD STRAND BARREL CORAL TURQUOISE GLASS BEAD LOT $495.00

VINTAGE10 ft AUTHENTIC MOVIE HOME THEATER COLLECTIBLE UNIQUE RETRO TRADE SIGN A+ $495.00

Herve Leger Long Full Length Gown Dress Large Trade with us! Banded Blue Vintage $476.97

Vintage 30′s Beacon Style Cotton Antique Camp Trade Blanket ~NICE Indian Design! $455.00

A STRAND VINTAGE BUTTERSCOTCH NATURAL AMBER TRADE BEADS $450.00

RARE! VTG 1930s 1940s Men’s Motorcycle Boots Langlitz Cordovan A&N Trading Co. $440.00

Tattoo Doorway Shop entry display trade sign vintage store advertising pin up $399.99

A STRAND VINTAGE BUTTERSCOTCH NATURAL AMBER TRADE BEADS $420.00

Vintage 6-layer Chevron Trade Beads Strand $400.00

VINTAGE TRADE BLANKET/ BEACON STYLE/ INDIAN CAMP BLANKET $399.00

DIESEL DEALER DISPLAY stand up Jeans vintage tire SIGN trade store advertising $349.99

Vintage HUGE Wooden Double Sided *Trade Sign* Shoe Clothing Store New England $400.00

Vintage Mohogany Advertising Window Trade Sign Dentist 68″ x 54″ Folk Art $399.99

RARE VINTAGE TRADE SIGN BIKE HICKORY TWIG BICYCLE FOLK ART ADIRONDACK TENNESSEE $299.99

Authentic Vintage Murano Chevron Trade Bead Necklace–Very Nice!! $399.00

Star Wars Japanese Yamakatsu Vintage Display 30 Packs 120 Trading Cards Japan $395.00

Wild! Vintage Old c.1960 BATA BULLETS Trade Sign HUGE Sneaker CONVERSE~HIGH TOP~ $348.95

Antique Vintage Amazonite Trade Bead Necklace Hand Knotted Gemstone Beads $382.50

VINTAGE RUSSIAN BLUE COLBOLT GLASS TRADING BEADS $385.00

Fred and Friends Half Pint Creamer $8.99 Creamer that looks like a milk cartonTempered glassFunny, take off on classic milk cartonDish washer safe Fred and Friends. Got cream? Half Pint is an artfully blown and molded glass creamer that captures the comforting familiarity of a mini milk carton, just like the ones Mrs. Fontaine used to pass out in the school cafeteria. Simple, elegant, whimsical- it’s a gem de la creme. Individual Gift Bo…

Zevro EMY100 Indispensable Sugar ‘N More Dispenser $7.98 Designed to let you have sugar and other powders conveniently on hand, the Indispensable Sugar ‘n More Dispenser is easy to use. With its ergonomic design, it is ideal for anyone with limited dexterity or hand strength. Simply press and the sugar is dispe…

Alessi Michael Graves Kettle with Small Bird Shaped Whistle Designed by architect Michael Graves in 1985, this kettle is the first of a group of products designed in the 80′s and 90′s by the architect. This was the first group of products by an American designer to be included in the Alessi catalog. It opened the way for the playful design style that subsequently characterized the 90′s, and thanks to an inspired mix of post-modern and pop idioms, it has be…

Out …

I WOULDN’T TRADE ALL THE SILVER COOTS 1932 SHEET MUSIC This piece of vintage sheet music is guarenteed to be complete and in good to excellent condition for a previously owned piece. It may or may not be split down the seem….

Rough Trade – Shaking the Foundations – vintage vinyl record …

Black Carbon Transfer Paper 24 X 48 Inches 4 Sheet Pkg – Reuseable $7.33 If you are buying any of the 29- series plans and need tracing paper, this is one to choose from since it comes from the same warehouse, you will save on shipping. Place our special formula transfer paper on your wood, ink side down, then lay your tracing pattern on top. Trace the pattern lines with a stylus or a ballpoint pen, pencil or anything with a dull point on it. Too sharp a point and you …

Alfi Trade WHVEG3-1098-ORB 6.50 in. Vintage III single lever entertainment-prep faucet with traditional swivel spout and solid brass side spray- Oil Rubbed Bronze Vintage III single lever entertainment/prep faucet with a traditional swivel spout. Solid brass side spray. This faucet is also available without the side spray WHVEG3-1095. Spout Length: 6-1/2″. Height: 4-1/2′. Color: Oil Rubbed Bronze….