Collecting Costume Jewelry 101

My name is Julia C. Carroll. I’m the author of four books on collecting costume jewelry. Welcome to my Collecting Costume Jewelry 101 webpage and BLOG for beginning and intermediate collectors!

Thank you to everyone who purchased and enjoyed my books. The four titles below are unfortunately out-of-print and only available in the secondary market.

However, there is good news!

For fun, I wrote Collecting Costume Jewelry 404 The Basics of Recognizing Great Design. It is available to read for FREE by clicking on the Collecting Costume Jewelry 404 cover. Of course, the information is copy protected, so permission is required to copy the text or photos.

The Information link on the red ribbon leads to additional reference materials and articles.

My weekly jewelry blog follows. Scroll down to read previous entries or click the BLOG INDEX link below for an alphabetical list of past blogs.

BLOG INDEX

  • Donald Stannard, Medusa

    Donald Stannard worked with Kenneth J. Lane from 1968 – 1972 when he launched his own brand. He is known for bold designs created for Broadway, TV, movies, and for famous stars of the time. Often his jewelry is sculptural and eye-catching. His most famous designs include a large twin lion necklace and foo dog…

  • Buying DeLizza Doubles

    Both of these lightweight floral pins were designed and manufactured by DeLizza and Elster. The peridot pin is featured in Collecting Costume Jewelry 404 and described as one of my favorite pieces to wear. This week I was happy to find a light sapphire version, in silver tone metal, with the same DeLizza and Elster…

  • White House Black Market

    Chico’s FAS, Inc. is a Florida based company founded in 1983. Today Chico’s FAS includes three brands: the original Chico’s, White House Black Market (since 2003) and Soma (since 2004). [Information from www.chicofas.com] Chico’s and White House Black Market are “mall boutique” and online stores that include fashions, jewelry, and accessories. Although mass produced for…

  • Fun Finds, Fun Quiz

    With temperatures in the high 90s, I am entertaining myself by going through jewelry boxes I have not opened in years. Today I want to share with you the contents of one box and pose a “subjective” design challenge. The box contains four 1940s era vermeil (sterling with gold plating) pins. Each pin is in…

  • Phyllis Originals, Boxed Boutique Jewelry

    Phyllis Originals jewelry was made by M. & S. Manufacturing Co., Inc. located in Providence, Rhodes, Island and dates from the mid 1940s through the early 1960s. (M. & S. Manufacturing also produced jewelry signed Scitarelli.) After the end of World War II large costume jewelry companies grew to meet the demands for costume jewelry…

  • Boucher’s Gifts

    This Boucher design is a much-cherished part of my collection. My husband gave it to me for our 47th wedding anniversary. When I look at the design, I think of our loving life together. While free to fly apart, we choose to stay together. My sweet husband didn’t buy this pin because he loved the…

  • Recent Additions to Julie Vos Jewelry

    It has been a busy fourth of July week, but I did find time to post additional examples of lovely Julie Vos jewelry to Chapter Four, Collecting Costume Jewelry 404. Beginning Left to right: Butterfly station necklace and Butterfly stud earrings, two bangle bracelets one with iridescent coral stones, Antonia hoop earrings, a toggle bracelet…

  • Invisibly Set Stones

    Today I want to explore the term “invisibly’ set stones, first with a look at the history of the term and then with examples of ways costume jewelry brands imitate the “look”. History Many of the techniques found in high-end costume jewelry originated with innovations in fine jewelry. For example, Van Cleef & Arpels patented…

  • Kafin Jewelry Creations

    Very little is known about the origins of the lovely jewelry signed Kafin New York. Several sources online give the dates of operation from 1946 – 1963. I am unable to verify this information; however, the dates are consistent with the style of the jewelry. The Jewelers Buyers Guide from 1954 lists Kafin Jewelry Creations,…

  • Update Nolan Miller Goddess of Love Set

    Today I’m thrilled to add the Nolan Miller Goddess of Love bracelet to the pendant and earrings shown in an earlier blog. It measures 7 1/2″ X 3/4″. It is a link style bracelet with faceted heart-shaped stones alternating with emerald cabochon stones. The design is fluid. Although heavy, it is comfortable for at 7…