The older the better

{If you don’t like old things, skip this post! 🙂 }

Sometimes older is better, don’t you think?  I’ve always thought so in many ways.  Lately I have been preoccupied with vintage pieces to use in my jewelry.  I guess it was just a matter of time before my two “obsessions” came together.  I’m torn between heavy duty wire and metal work and a more delicate type of eclectic jewelry, where anything goes.

I have two books that I’ve been pouring over whenever I get the chance.  These books are filled with gorgeous design ideas and inspiration.  If you love vintage bits and baubles too, then maybe you own these books as well.  The book titles each capture the look that I love with just two words.  Amy Hanna’s book, Rejuvenated Jewels  is full of dreamy pieces that include souvenirs from Paris and old religious medals. 

In Semiprecious Salvage,  Stephanie Lee takes you on an archaeological expedition…turning techniques and tutorials in to a literal adventure.  This book really captures where I am in my little world of jewelry design:  wire, metal and “found objects”/vintage treasures. 

Lately I’ve been researching and shopping for great old pieces to incorporate in to future jewelry.  I’m talking about old rhinestone necklaces and brooches, vintage chain, special religious pieces, lockets…you  name it.  This is the same fervor I’ve had for searching out blue and white transferware over the years (but we’re taking a break with that).  I’m waiting for a few books to arrive from Amazon about identifying and appreciating costume jewelry.  I might as well educate myself…this is actually new for me.  Afterall, I didn’t know what what pot metal was or when “c” clasps were used! 🙂

Who can resist the sparkle of vintage rhinestones?  I sure can’t!  I’ve been reading up on their history, believe it or not.   When you think of rhinestones, do you think of those old cat pins with a single rhinestone eye (1930’s)?  Or how about those brooches with that irridescent, rainbow effect (1950’s)?  I’ll share with you some of the interesting bits of trivia I’ve read about rhinestones, the classic staple of costume jewelry:

• Rhinestones were named after the Rhine river where they were collected as rock crystals.
• Rhinestone jewelry is also referred to as “Paste”.   A long, long ago imitation stones were pasted in to a replica of an original piece of expensive jewelry.  Royalty and people of prominence would travel great distances by coach and would bring their jewels.  Robbery was commonplace, therefore the wealthy began to commission replicas of their ornate originals and bring those instead!
• In 1775 the French jeweler, George Frederic Stras, created a process that imitated diamonds by coating the underside of glass with a metal powder.
• Older pieces have an open, foiled back.  Glass with a high lead content could mimic gems by reflecting and refracting light. 
• Cutting rhinestones was all done by hand and very labor-intensive.  Rhinestones were at the time only affordable to the very wealthy!
• In the late 1890’s an Austrian jeweler, Daniel Swarovski developed a glass cutting technique that allowed facets to be done by a device thereby incredibly reducing the labor involved….the birth of rhinestones as we know them today!
• The aurora borealis coating (iridescent quality) was developed in 1955.  This is good to know when dating a vintage piece.

Would you believe my friend Kerry went to an estate sale yesterday and today and was kind enough to go scouting for rhinestones for me!  They seem to have such amazing finds up there in NY….and much more reasonable than the high prices around here!  Here are a few of the finds she made..

And here are some sparklies from my growing rhinestone collection…

Tomorrow I’m off to a big, annual flea market in Leesburg.  I’ll let you know if I find anything good! 🙂