As I search through countless Myspace profiles... I am hit with the numerous amounts of usernames with that magical word that stops me everytime "Vintage". As a Collector of Vintage, and Antique Jewelry, I am sometimes amazed at what others deem "Vintage". Sadly enough, I feel the proper respect to manufactures such as DeLizza & Elster, Miriam Haskell, Eisenberg, early Christian Dior pieces, Stanley Hager, Trifari (early Trifari) Hattie Carnegie and countless others, DO NOT recieve the proper respect that I feel is there due.


Many of the styles in jewelry that can be seen on countless celebrities, fine jewelry stores etc etc... imitiate alot of these designs in the pieces that are found today. Designers such as Frank Hess who designed some of the most amazing pieces are over shadowed by the Jacob the Jeweler type jewelry that you will hear about on every other MTV special on a celebrity when they discuss how much they may spend in clothing, cars and of course jewels.But the thing about Vintage Jewelry with Collectors is that a full Parure by say Miriam Haskell or Delizza & Elster's Easter Egg Demi can hit the thousands in auctions on Ebay. Find a full Parure by Har ( Hargo Jewelry Company of New York) who were known for there genie/aladdin type jewelry that estimates around $1200-1500 dollars, you have officially entered the Collectors Hall of Fame with a pit stop in La La Land. Not one piece of material in the construction is made of gold, silver or diamonds. But there is HISTORY!!!I would rather have any of those pieces before a diamond or a pearl. Why? Because 1/2. 1, 2, or a 3 carat diamond is a dime a dozen when they can be made anywhere(and you can financially afford it).

But ORIGINAL pieces of jewelry made by manufactures that no longer exist during a time when it probably cost $7 in the 60s but now estimates in the thousands? Thats priceless. To own something you know is no longer in production, to have an original, NON MASS PRODUCED piece? Gives me chills.I despise New Age Reproductions pushed off as originals. Or individuals who manufacture the fake "Weiss" jewelry. No matter how good the reproduction, the flavor and originality of the true designers that came before the ones who are here today, cannot be mimicked. Miriam Haskell jewelry utilized baroque pearls from Japan that were hand strung to make original pieces that are so hot on the collection market. Her showrooms feautured some of the most amazing pieces of jewelry by her chief designer Frank Hess. Those creations worn by Hollywood starlets did them justice. As a Seller, its hard to part with such pieces when there is so much history that was involved with the creation.

I own an online store, blog and an actual boutique. And I spend more time discussing Jewelry than selling. I have seen individuals sell at flea markets jewelry they considered "Vintage" just due to the fact there older aunt or grandmother wore the piece. Or termed "Antique" and "Old" because it was a brooch.And each time I do my duty and explain how in fact the piece in question is none of the above and get the I dont have a clue what I am talking about look due to my age. When in fact, the conclusion was based on the fact for instance that the brooch could not be 18th century due to Aurora Borealis coating was used in the 1950s and it was quiet impossible for there jewelry to have been manufactured in that time due to this. The basics people... research your items before using the "V" word.