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

  • Changes

    First, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. While waiting for the turkey I took the time to review Chapter One of Collecting Costume Jewelry 404. I was horrified to realize that the draft – not the finished product – for Chapter One Part II was published in error. Goodness, the draft is a…

  • Sweet Romance Jewelry

    Sweet Romance Jewelry has been added to Chapter Three, I hope you enjoy it. I want to wish everyone a happy, safe Thanksgiving! Love, Julie

  • Joan Rivers

    Good morning, Joan Rivers information and jewelry has been added to Chapter Three of Collecting Costume Jewelry 404. Although I do not have a huge amount of Joan Rivers jewelry, I have a strong affection for her jewelry. I first learned that costume jewelry was signed from watching Joan River and Kathy Levine on QVC…

  • Nolan Miller Update

    Good morning, This morning I added a new entry to the Nolan Miller Information list under Pins. It is a trio of Nolan Miller Pretty Pavé Flower pins/pendants and matching earrings. Each of the three pins measure 1 1/4″ in diameter. The pierced earrings are 3/4″. I purchased all of these pieces in one lot.…

  • Haskell Christmas Tree

    I love Miriam Haskell wired Christmas Tree pins. It felt like Christmas today because I was able to acquire a different design for my collection. I currently have five trees – four different designs and one duplicate design. These trees were designed in 2001 by Millie Petronzio for Haskell. At that time, I understand, she…

  • Siam Sterling

    Today I want to explore some of the wonderful information in a book titled “Overview of Siam Sterling Nielloware” by Charles Dittell. My copy is the third edition published in 2012. Niello is a black mixture used by craftspeople for hundreds of years as an inlay on engraved or etched sterling. The process involves an…

  • Adele Simpson

    Good morning, Today I want to share an antique store find. It is a rare 1950s era Adele Simpson pin measuring a little over 2 1/2″ in diameter and featuring prong-set emerald and rose navette-shaped stones. Adele Simpson was a talented and famous fashion designer. Her jewelry was only made for a few years in…

  • Bob Mackie

    A brief section on Bob Mackie QVC jewelry has been added to Chapter Three of Collecting Costume Jewelry 404. His jewelry designs are original and very “Bob Mackie” in style. The carousel horse pins are my personal favorites. I selected a black and pink horse for my collection because I love those colors together and…

  • Family Beads

    I love beads especially old glass beads. Today I want to share with you two necklaces made with unusual and beautiful glass beads. The first necklace is part of a set including a bracelet and clip earrings. The set was passed down to me from my mother who received the set from a relative. I…

  • Monet Mystery

    The beautifully designed collar necklace and door-knocker style earrings are signed Monet. I purchased them online believing from the description that the semi-circle links were stones. However, when I received the set, I decided they were NOT natural stones but were “resin” simulating the look of natural stones. Rather than be disappointed, I was intrigued…