Start Collecting Vintage Coro Costume Jewelry

One of the best designers of costume jewlery for beginning, or of course experienced collectors, is Coro. It was so plentiful, and so affordable, that I know youve seen examples – in your moms or grandmas or even your own jewelry box.

So many beautiful Coro pieces from the 50s and 60s are still around, that Coro jewelry is an affordable way to get started buying good-quality pieces.

The Coro jewelry company was started in 1901 by Emanuel Cohen and Gerald Rosenberg. They did not personally design or manufacture jewelry they contracted with designers and jobbers to produce it. Their genius was in their business skills, and by 1920 Coro jewelry was being sold in dime stores all over the country. Even during the Depression, Coro was able to build a new factory.

A unique Coro brooch is called the Coro Duette two separate dress clips connected with a patented clasp.

Another prized Coro style, actually borrowed from Trifari, is Jelly Belly pins. They are figural pins, often of animals, with a clear acrylic stone placed in the center, or belly of the pin. Highly sought after by collectors, Jelly Belly pins can cost several hundred dollars. But be aware that there are modern reproductions of these pins, for sale on the Internet.

For me, Coro spells 1950s and 1960s. The sets of rhinestone earrings, necklaces and pins evoke the days when women dressed in hats and gloves, with jewelry matching their outfits, just to go shopping or visiting.

Coro used several different marks also called signatures on their jewelry, and its important for the collector to know something about them, since the marks can help date the piece. There are actually over 80 Coro trademarks, but well touch on ones youre most likely to find.

The most common one youll most likely see is the Coro script signature, with a Capital C( 1919-1979). Other marks may read Coro Craft, (1935); Corocraft(1938); Corocraft with a Pegasus (1933-1979); or Vendome (1944-1979).

A good rule of thumb for dating Coro jewelry is to remember that if you do not see the copyright symbol, , next to the word Coro, the piece is probably pre-1955, when the symbol was added to the signature.

As always, when considering the purchase of vintage jewelry, examine it closely to be sure it is in good condition. The best investment pieces should be in excellent, near mint condition.

What Are The Jewelry Options For Men

For many decades, most jewelry beyond a pocket watch or wedding ring were reserved for women. You would never see a man other than a pirate, wearing an earring or having any portion of his body pierced with an ornament. These days, men wear a wide range of jewelry, and many are influenced by hip-hop culture to get jewel-encrusted rings, necklaces and teeth covers.

What are the best jewelry gifts for men and how much jewelry is considered ideal?

Bracelets

Most men do not wear bracelets. That type of jewelry has not quite caught the fancy of men. With the exception of medical alert bracelets, there will not be many men out there sporting a bracelet on either their wrist or their ankle. Sometimes, a man can get away with a bracelet if it has the name of his wife or children on it.

Earrings

It has become acceptable in our society for a man to wear earrings, sometimes on both ears. Often, men will go beyond the ear and pierce their nose, lip, eyebrow, nipple and a host of other places. Earrings have become so common on men that few people even look twice at it. Make sure your husband or boyfriend will wear an earring before you buy one for them.

Watches

For men, an expensive watch is a form of jewelry. Do not be afraid to buy him a gold or silver watch. It is one of the few forms of male jewelry that has changed little over time. If you want to go classic, get a pocket watch with a decorative chain that he can hang from his jacket.

Necklace

A necklace was never seen on a man in the past, but, following World War II, necklaces became more and more fashionable. A small gold necklace with an important symbol hanging from it can be an excellent gift. But, don’t go all out and buy him a jewel-encrusted necklace with some strange word hanging from it like J-Rock.

Cuff Links

This is an old staple for the male jewelry catalogue. Any classy and well-dressed male will have expensive cuff links to put on their expensive coats. Don’t go for a too flashy one, but a small silver or gold cuff link can be a wonderful gift to class up any outfit.

There are other items you can buy for your husband or boyfriend if they want jewelry, including designer sunglasses, rings and other things. The things described above are some good examples of what to have and what to avoid.

Best Game Ideas For A Home Jewelry Party

Games at jewelry home shows can take the pressure off the guests. Games are fun and it always adds excitement to any occasion, so why not have it on your jewelry party? Its not just about selling and buying jewelries its also about having fun and enjoying the time that you spend at the party. Heres some game ideas fit for a jewelry party.

I would recommend the so called memory game , the idea is to put several kinds of jewelry pieces on a tray, let everyone take a look for just a few minutes maybe 2-3 min the most. Then have them write as many pieces of the jewelry that they can remember from that tray. The person with the most pieces described or written wins the game. It is interesting also when you have the guests do games that allow them to be acquainted with the jewelry. That way it ignites their interests of buying the items, especially when they get to try it on.

It is the responsibility of the host to entertain and motivate your guests to buy your pieces and at the same time have fun. When you host a jewelry party one of the fun and easy game to play is Give me what I want, this game is played by asking any item from your guests, just anything that you can see around the place or any item from their purses even the ones they have on, like a shoe, a bracelet, a tie just anything you can think of. And to make it more challenging, be more specific with the items that you are asking for, example give me a pink lipstick or give me a red flats of course you also have to be sure that the items are possible to find. The winner or should I say winners is the one who handed you the items first, so be ready and be creative with your prizes as well.

Another ideal game to play is the jewelry scavenger hunt. Each party guest is handed a piece of paper with a written clue describing one of the pieces of jewelry on the display table, example sapphire earrings, whoever has that clue will have to find that piece of jewelry on the table. Each clue is for a different piece of jewelry. The first 3 to find the piece that matches the clue on their paper wins the game. Or it could be the last 3 to accomplish the activity gets the prize. You can always make revisions and present a more challenging game. Good luck!

Adopting The Idea Of Deciding To Use A Jewelry Tree Stand

How to know what to look for when buying a jewelry tree stand will better prepare one for selecting the most effective way to keep their valuables organized and in like new condition. With so much money being spent on high-end jewels, it is hard to understand why one would want to toss them in a drawer or jewelry chest among other forgotten pieces.

One popular way to do this is through the use of a jewelry stand. They come in many designs, shapes and sizes and are created from different materials. Almost any type of jewelry can be stored for safe keeping on a stand such as this. It provides a space for necklaces and bracelets that will not compromise their worth with tangles, kinks or crimps. Earrings must be stored in another way, to ensure all of their parts are together and well organized, but there are holders made specifically for these as well.

Most holders are beautifully embellished and blend seamlessly with bedroom decor when sitting out on a dresser, while others are perfect for a wardrobe or walk-in dressing area. For convenience, those kept near a closet can be better coordinated with a particular outfit, helping to make matching a cinch.

With the many different characteristics and designs integrated into jewelry stands, it should easy for a person to find one that suites their taste and personal style best. Themes such as butterflies, dragonflies, flowers and birds can be found on many of these unique stands and are made out of materials such as wood, ceramic, acrylic, wrought iron, and more. From simple to elegant, jewelry stands are easily found to meet any budget.

Jewelry stands can be found in many department stores, discount retail chains and jewelry shops to fit every budget. Keeping jewelry in its place is possible and affordable for anyone wishing to protect their valuables. Another reliable source for finding the perfect stand is simply by carrying out an online search.

Jewelry holders are made to accommodate very few or very many pieces at one time. They are offered in different sizes and designs, but most are in a “tree-like form” with “branches” that extend from the trunk to hold necklaces and bracelets. Shorter branches can be used to hang rings and other smaller trinkets. This is where the name “Jewelry Tree Stand” originates from.

Other unusual shaped jewelry, such as earrings and broaches cannot be kept on a jewelry tree stand, however, there are other options, such as those that are made specifically for that purpose. Keeping them in this way may require more time, but organization is key when caring for fine jewelry.

For small pieces of jewelry, one may want to consider using see through containers with lids or clear bins that can be labeled. This will help one to locate colors and styles easier to decrease the chances of not remembering that they are there. Again, organization will ensure longer life and condition of any jewelry one has.

If going away or leaving home for a period of time, one may want to place their jewelry holder in a less conspicuous area or at best, in a locked safe. Jewelry that is nicely displayed in a room or in plain view may pose too much of a risk, resulting in a possible burglary.

Respecting valuables can give a person a great feeling of respect for themselves. Just by taking the time to find the best jewelry tree stand to meet a persons individual needs, will not only provide a safe play for their belongings, but will also preserve beauty and elegance all in one central location. This will especially be important for one who wishes to one day share their treasures with future generations.

Start Collecting Sarah Coventry Costume Jewelry

I remember the neighborhood ladies getting together for Sarah Coventry jewelry parties, back in the 1970s. We were young housewives, without a lot of money to spend, so we loved to visit and see what new, inexpensive jewelry Sarah Coventry had to offer.

Now those vintage pieces are very collectible, and the popular designs are just as beautiful and wearable today. An eBay search turns up over 1800 Sarah Coventry pieces available for bid or sale. Not all of them are vintage, since Sarah Coventry jewelry is still sold on the Home Shopping Network.

Charles H. Stuart started Sarah Coventry in 1950, and named the company for his granddaughter Sarah Ann. The designing and manufacturing was done by outside companies. Never sold in retail stores, the affordable jewelry was only sold by consultants at home parties. The company was sold in 1984, and in 2003 the jewelry was again sold through home parties, and is still sold that way today.

If youre interested in collecting vintage Sarah Coventry, here are some things to consider:

Since there was a huge volume of Sarah Coventry jewelry on the market, complete rhinestone sets are the most collectible. Prices are still relatively low, but as more collectors discover the pieces, prices should rise. Try to find Sarah Coventry jewelry in original boxes.

The company used several different marks on their jewelry:
Sarah Cov with the copyright symbol
SARAH with the copyright symbol
Coventry with the copyright symbol
SaC, SAC, or SC
Canada and Sarah with the copyright symbol

Sarah Coventry jewelry was made in a wide range of styles and quality. Good weight and attention to detail were typical, and the elaborate rhinestone pieces were very well made. Rhinestones were used in classic color combinations, and enamel jewelry was also produced. Pieces were made in gold tone and silver tone metal. Be aware, however, that there are also many average to below average Sarah Coventry pieces.

If youre buying for yourself, for your own pleasure and not necessarily for investment, its important to buy what you like, and examine the condition of each piece carefully.

A good way to date Sarah Coventry jewelry is to review vintage advertisements found in jewelry books. Fine Fashion Jewelry from Sarah Coventry, by Jennifer A. Lindbeck is an excellent resource.

Sarah Coventry produced many different styles. Some of the more popular pieces were figural pins, like owls, which were very popular decor items in the 70s. Other figurals were flowers and animals. There were gorgeous rhinestone creations and other pieces crafted with turquoise and faux pearls, and even a gold tone pin with an enameled miniature of the Mona Lisa. There was something for every budget and taste. The better pieces and the hostess gifts for parties are now especially collectible.

If you conduct an Internet search for Sarah Coventry, youll find many many sources with pieces for sale. Be on the lookout in thrift shops, yard sales and estate sales. There was so much Sarah Coventry jewelry produced, that you should be able to start or add to your collection very easily.