Fun - you can play dress up or incorporate into a modern wardrobe. It's always fun.
Quality - Many of the designers of Vintage Costume Jewelry started out as Fine Jewelers. Panetta was a master in Platinum and Alfred Philippe of Trifari had worked as Jeweler for Cartier.
Variety - There is a style for every mood and occasion, and many styles can be changed, parts can be added or taken away,. Coro Duettes are a perfect example of that. A pair of dress clips that becomes a brooch. How creative is that?
Green - If you like jewelry and live a green lifestyle, you can't go wrong with vintage jewels.
Price - although some rare pieces can go into thousands, there is no way you could by the quality, style, variety and design for the same price today.
Investment - if you know the trends you can make some pretty good investments, on occasion.
Vintage Hand Painted Mary Our Lady Medal Pendant 800 Silver - Estate Jewelry
Absolutely gorgeous vintage to antique hand painted image of Our Lady set behind glass in elaborate gilt 800 Silver frame. The pendant measures 1 5/8" tall including the jump ring on the top. It is 7/8" at the center, the widest point. The image when measured in the setting measures 31/32" tall by 9/16" at the widest point. There are 2 marks on the reverse side at the very tip on the bottom. One reads 800 for the Silver content. The other is a diamond shape split in half, one side is not legible, the other reads AR. It is in excellent vintage condition but it was terribly tarnished. ran a cloth to enhance the details and found out that some of the gilding is lots. Still a gorgeous and very unique piece.
Beautiful vintage 18k Yellow Gold medal, pendant or charm of Our Lady measures 7/8" tall and 14mm in diameter. It weighs 2 grams or 1.3 pennyweights. It is marked 750, the European mark for 18k gold on the back, and 1AR on the back plus "Uno-A-R" on the bail. In excellent vintage condition, there is one tiny nick on the edge that is only visible on the back, not visible on the front.
Gorgeous antique Art Nouveau Period locket with St Joan of Arc's raised image. Lovely portrait, with beautiful facial features and flowing hair, she carries the French banner with Fleur de Lis. Locket slides opened to reveal an early 20th Century boy's picture, which has been left in place, as found. Photo is bezel set with bubble glass cover and original bezel.
Pretty Victorian inspired charm cluster representing Faith (Anchor), Love (Heart) and Charity (Cross) . It measures 9/16" by 7/16" overall including the jump ring. Marked Sterling on the Heart charm, circa 1960s. Patina has been left in place.
A favorite of Victorian times, it has held it's appeal to this day. Charm is actually a set of 3, the Anchor (Faith), the Heart (Charity) and the Cross (Hope). Length is 5/8" or 22mm including the jump ring.