Miriam Haskell ~

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What a rich & lovely look, this nosegay in Russian gold piled high with leaves, buds, tendrils covering and holding bunches of large and small faux baroque pearls. I still marvel over the fantastic condition of this vintage beauty; someone took very good care of it. One large faux pearl with golden end caps sits in a dramatic claw setting partially hidden behind a sheaf of pearl & floral delights, all wired together in the Haskell way. The brooch is  2 7/8" tall x 1 3/4" at the widest, but oh, how chunky it is, with layers and layers standing 1 1/8" from the pin stem. If she doesn't have a Haskell, now is the time, and this is the jewel!  Very Good condition. Brooch is signed on oval plate in back. $110

Harry Iskin is known for his elegant 1930s & 1940s Retro Modern Designs. Some of the jewelry is better than the markings. For instance, during the war Iskin created sterling vermeil jewelry, but not all of it is marked sterling. Also, often the gold fill is higher quality than stated. When you buy Harry Iskin jewelry that is marked only 1/20 10K GF, take it to your jeweler and have it tested! Never consider jewelry like this an expense, but an investment.

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SOLD What a beauty. The way this brooch is shaped, with the leaf fronds curled down & flowers turned sideways as if to look up to the sun is unusual, but not the great Iskin quality. Like many other WWII retro jewels, while this brooch is not marked sterling, our tests show the metal is between 500 and 800 silver, and filled with 10k yellow and rose gold. The two purple stones glow like real gemstones from their prong double-decker floral settings. Brooch is a good size at 3" x 3" and  has the standard Harry Iskin mark,  with the 'I' imposed over the 'H' along with the terms "1/20 10K".  Excellent condition, in spite of spots of tarnish in back. 

HOBE Hobe is one of the oldest American jewelry companies, beginning late in the 19th century and closed only recently. Hobe has produced some of the finest costume jewelry in the world. Beginners should know that, during the 1960s and 2970s,  Hobe styles underwent many changes in design, necessary with the 1960s Mod, Hip, and Flower Power revolutions. At the time other well established houses closed, Hobe, due to their ability to adapt, stayed in business. Yes, you will see not only the most gorgeous costume jewelry by Hobe, but you will also see Hobe jewels unlike earlier designs, jewels attuned to the fashions of the 1960s,m '70's and '80's. As such, you can track the history of costume jewelry though Hobe designs. 

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Hollycraft ~ Founded in NYC in the late 1930s and continuing throughout the 1960s, Hollycraft jewelry is not only beautiful, but a great investment.

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Whew.. You might as well wear black lace! Wonder what he'll say--or do--when he sees you in this signed Hollycraft pendant in the dip of your décolletage, and the dangle earrings enhancing the depth and sexy sparkle of your eyes. The pendant sparkles with floral arrangements of clear diamante crystals overwhelming the plump, domed, black japanned setting, held by a jeweled bail with black S chain on either side, leading to the japanned foldover clasp. The chain is 23" total, with the pendant and jeweled bail dangling an extra 3". The necklace is signed (c)HOLLYCRAFT in back. The unsigned japanned clip dangle earrings are just as high in quality and match exactly, though they are probably not true mates to the necklace. Be sure to look at the detail picture where you can see the rhinestones are the exact color of those in the necklace, and just as bright and sparkling. The earrings are 1 1/2" long, and their dangles merry dance is sure to drive him wild! Enjoy all three beautiful pieces in Excellent condition. $120

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It's almost as if these jewels breathe pure, sweet springtime. We offer you today this silver tone necklace and matching clip earrings. Blossoming from the draped, bejeweled foliage are small pale pink enameled flowers centered with bright clear rhinestones in the openwork centerpiece, linked to herringbone chain leading to a jeweled foldover clasp. The necklace fastens at 15 1/4" with an added 1 1/2" drop. Any seeming discoloration in the images is due to the trickiness of scanning bright silver. All stones are intact, bright and clear; all finish is faultless. There are no dark or dead stones. Each piece is signed and dated HOLLYCRAFT CORP. 1953. Excellent condition, with only minor wear to the edges of some of the pink flowers. Enjoy this unique, highly collectible vintage Hollycraft floral necklace set! $142

Hong Kong ~ There were many pieces of jewelry imported by Hong Kong before WWII, through the late 1940s and early 1950s, then again after the Korean war. Some of the jewelry is very nice, of at least the same quality as the Japanese and German imports. From Hong Kong, one can find many very pretty multi-strand necklaces of glass, faux pearls & art beads, some with fancy clasps, fruit & flower necklaces & bracelet sets. Whenever I find one of these nicer pieces or sets in top condition, they will be listed here. 

India ~ East Indian jewelry is beautiful and highly collectible. If you want true Boho, not the fake Boho out stores today, get vintage India jewelry.

Italy, Italian Jewelry~Vintage Costume Jewelry marked Italy or Made in Italy.

Jeanne Produced costume jewelry as early as 1917, closing it's doors circa 1970. The mark is rare and the jewels high in quality.

JJ Jonette Jewelry Company produced jewelry from 1934 until 2006. The company began as Providence Jewelry Company, then Lisker & Lisker. After WWII, the name was changed to Jonette Jewelry Company with the marking JJ, in a variety of texts. Their figural and novelty pins are highly collectible, and their vintage lines are becoming more sought after since the company closed. Their figurals from the 1970's and 1980's are among the best; the big pewter brooches are so thick and sturdy you can literally use them as weapons! Some are gold plated and even sterling silver (I don't think they ever marked it--you have to test!) They also had some interesting modernist designs which are now very hard to find, as are the 60's - 80's pendants and necklace sets.

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Make way for Merlin~ This giant JJ wizard is a book piece, seen on page226 of COSTUME JEWELRY 303, by Julia C. Carol. The cast pewter is highly detailed, and pictures don't who how bright are the hot pink, blue and purple are the stones are on his hat, which is also centered with a larger Aurora Borealis AB cab.. And his glass crystal ball is bright and shining. From the mid-1980s, JJ produced a series of wizard brooches, and this is a favorite. Measuring 4" tall x 2 1/2" wide, he's sure to be noticed. Excellent condition. Signed in back (c)JJ.  $45

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Karla Jordan ~

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We couldn't resist offering you this wonderful, heavy necklace set by Karla Jordan. Some of her greatest jewels were made in the 1970s, and she did Art Deco revival very nicely with this design. A classic spread wing and step pattern motif in the necklace centerpiece and the earrings are done with carved howlite which has been dyed coral, a color complimentary to complexions of all shades. Howlite, like many gemstones, is cool to the touch and feels heavenly against the skin. The necklace fastens with a lobster clasp at 18". The centerpiece dips 2" deep in the center. The matching clip on earrings measure a lavish 1 1/2" tall x 1 1/8" wide. Signed Karla Jordan on the hang tag. Everything is in Excellent condition. Enjoy for $60

Judy Lee

Diamante Clear Crystal Rhinestone
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Cameos,
Antique & Vintage Cameo Jewelry

Sterling Silver Vintage Jewelry