Jewelry by KarlaKristine

11/04/2022

Costume Jewelry: Junk or Treasure?
I recently did an extensive appraisal for an estate. Among the items to be appraised was a large bag of costume jewelry, which I handed back to the daughter.
She was surprised that so much she thought was real was costume. She said, "I do not want this bag, and I don't wear costume jewelry. Toss it out for me."
At that moment, I felt I should try to explain costume jewelry; she might change her mind.
She might be surprised that there is value in some of the items she owned. It might take some research, but I did not feel that these pieces were something she should toss out as junk.
After 37 years in the jewelry industry and as an appraiser, I cannot tell you how much costume jewelry I have seen. Some of the pieces are just stunning.
My client asked if I could explain the costume jewelry types and why some are more valuable than others. What kind of stones were used, and what is the difference in the metals used? Why do the metals look so real? Who were the designers of costume jewelry?
It is our self-expression for which we wear our collectibles filled with such craftsmanship and artistry. Costume jewelry can make a bold statement, colorful, whimsical, or dramatic.
When you look at a piece of costume jewelry, many contain different materials, such as plastic, glass, rhinestones, crystals, ceramic, faux gemstones, and pearls, large or tiny seed pearls, even items made from wood.
Global Interest
For years you could pick up these treasures at weekend garage sales, swap meets, or an antique mall. Today there are hundreds of collectors throughout the country using the internet highway.
The internet has opened the door for collectors all over the country. There are costume jewelry organizations and clubs; it has become an open-door worldwide. Members of these groups buy, share, sell, and trade their jewelry collectibles.
Costume jewelry does not have the same intrinsic value as fine jewelry, but it does have history, and much can be learned.
Eye-Catching Artistry
The artistry and manufacturing of costume jewelry can be breathtaking. New or old, these costume pieces can be as eye-catching as fine jewelry.
Fine jewelry, however, is typically made from platinum, gold, and fine silver. Costume jewelry is made from much less expensive base metals, such as stainless steel, copper, brass, and nickel, which are often a combination of other metals.
Metal Treatments
Because base metals can tarnish, corrode, or discolor, various treatments are applied to the base metal to keep it shiny.
Among the treatments are:
Electroplating. An electric current is passed through a metallic solution that causes the object(s) to be coated by the metal in the solution.
Gold or silver plating. Electroplating deposits a thin layer of silver or gold on a base metal.
Rhodium plating. Rhodium, a white metal, is coated onto jewelry to give it a shiny surface, which keeps the item from tarnishing. This process will wear off in time, but it can be redone.
This has just been a brief overview; learn more about the different metals in costume jewelry by reaching them through gem books.
Costume Jewelry Stones
Costume jewelry uses many different stones, such as brightly colored glass cabochon stones. These typically have a high dome, which often resembles the end of a bullet.
Foil-backed stones. Usually, each stone is the same color but with variations from the foil backing.
Torchworking, Lampwork, or flameworking. In this type of glasswork, a torch or lamp is used to melt the glass, which then can be formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements.
Jelly Belly. A reference to a figure, usually an animal pin with a rounded middle made of polished Lucite.
Margarita, primarily used by Swarovski in costume jewelry. The name refers to the scalloped shape of the stone rather than the colors. These are drilled in the middle and often set with a decorative rhinestone-tipped pin inserted through the center.
Rivoli. This multi-faceted crystal rhinestone is faceted on the top and bottom, and manufactured by Swarovski.

Designers
Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Both designers were instrumental in creating costume jewelry that was acceptable in high fashion — and expected from the 1930s onward.
Miriam Haskell. With her creative partner Frank Hess, this American designer of costume jewelry created affordable pieces from 1920 through the 1960s.
Trifari jewelry. Among costume jewelry designers, Alfred Philippe is a revered name. Trifari produced highly desirable pieces from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Marcel Boucher. This costume jewelry influencer has roots in fine jewelry; he worked with Cartier as a model maker.
James Napier of the Napier Co. As styles changed in the 1920s, they were influenced by European jewelry. Napier introduced a Paris-inspired line in 1920, often sold in fine jewelry stores.
Sarah Coventry home jewelry parties. It is recognized as the oldest direct-selling jewelry company in the world.
Look (and research) Before You Toss
There are many more notable costume jewelry designers, but this brief overview will help buyers recognize pieces of value.
Stop and look at what you have or the jewelry your grand mum or mum wore when you were growing up. You might have a little treasure.

05/07/2020

Emerald, the birthstone of May,
This stone with its beautiful bright tone, evokes for the coming of Spring time. It possesses a wonderful green color.
Emeralds are one of the rarest gemstones. Origin of these mined stones can be found in Zambia, Brazil, Columbia and Afghanistan. The country the crystal was mined also plays a part in the color.
Colored stones also have the 4c” s, color, cut, clarity and carat weight.

Color:
The trace elements in an emerald Chromium, vanadium, and iron. It is these that determine the color. Color is very important to the value. These stone will range from light to dark. Bluish green to bright green is the most desired.

A good colored stone cutter can also enhance the color by adjusting the proportion’s or the facets arrangements. This is done to bring out the best in the tone, hue and saturation.

Clarity:
Natural emeralds are highly included; this is due to characteristics. These inclusions happen during the formation of the crystal. Emeralds are a much softer stone than a sapphire or a ruby, and can chip or break much easier. The place and kind of inclusions are important to note. Emeralds have more visible inclusions than most other colored stones possess.
Inclusions should be deep under the surface of the stone. Fractures on the surface of the stone can cause damage to the stone when being wearing or during setting.

Cut
As with diamonds, the cut of the emerald refers to its faceting, shape, width and depth. Ideally, an emerald should be cut symmetrically with uniform facets that allow for the best in color and brilliance.
“The rectangular or square step cut called “emerald cut” is thought to maximize the shape of the rough. This is the most common cut, and hence why the name “emerald cut” stuck, even when applied to other gemstones” (from GIA).

Carat weight:
Bigger is not always better. The above factors will determine the price of the stone. The larger the size of an Emerald the higher the price could be, but with that said, a smaller stone could equal in the same price.

Purchase your emerald through a professional and be sure it is accompanied by a Gem Identification Certificate.
The treatment to emerald’s is done using resins or oils. This treatment is an excepted practice in the trade. Any and all treatments to any stone must be disclosed. This is mandated by the US Federal Trade Commission.

04/02/2020

Stone of the month…DIAMOND

The stone for April, Greek word adamas, meaning “invincible. Considered the Love stone.
One of the largest and most prized diamonds in the world is the Cullinan1 or the Star of Africa weighing in at 530.20. This pear shape diamond is set in the Royal Sceptre. This is kept in the Tower of London, UK.

Diamonds are the hardest. Hardest is the resistance of a mineral to being scratched. It is an important exam in identifying specimens. On the Mohs scale, diamond is a 10. The Mohs scale refers to the ability to scratch, not break-ability. Can you break or chip a diamond? Yes. Different conditions can cause a diamond to break along the cleavage lines, chip or fracture.

A full cut diamond has 58 facets and a single cut diamond has 16, 17 or 18 facets.

We all know the 4C’s of diamonds, I like to say that there are 5C’s. that is because many stones today come with a certification. This is very important. Theses are diamond grading reports from recognized Labs such as GIA, (Gemological institute of America). Laser inscriptions are also a good source identifying. This is done by inscribing your certification number on the girdle of the stone (see picture). It is so small that it takes a ten-power loupe to see it. It does not devalue the stone in anyway.

Color, cut, clarity and carat weight are other 4C’s.
What influences the scintillation (sparkle) of the diamond is how well it is portioned (cut). Many people get confused on cut and shape. Shape is i.e: round, pear, marquise and so on.
In your diamonds the lack of color would be your (Color).
Diamonds come in a wide range of colors such as black, pink, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, brown, gray and purple. Many of these body colored diamonds are very rare and very expensive. Some colored stones are much less expensive.
Color saturation and its uniformity play a large role in its desirability. Of course, size and the cut are important as well.

Clarity of the stone is the imperfections or inclusions. Weight is the physical weight of the stone. This is calculated by weighing the stone on a diamond scale.
Diamonds are sold at price per carat. The larger the carat weight the more the price is per carat.

Synthetic diamonds mimic natural diamonds. There have now worked there way into jewelry stones. The stones are lab grown; lab created and this material is made by a control process. Now even colored diamonds are now in the marketplace.

03/26/2020

Dear Friends and clients,
We are living in a different time from what we have known as our daily routines. Most of us have never witnessed or dealt with a situation such as COVID-19.
But now that we are self-quarantining and finding ways to organize and occupy our time, do not forget to look in the jewelry box. This, too, can be organized.
Here are a few suggestions when organizing your jewelry:

Broken items: Put aside all broken items in one pile for repair.

Bead strands: Separate strands of beads or pearl necklaces that need to be restrung. Check for breaks or loose strings and that the clasp is tight and closes properly.

Ring sizing: Try on your once-favorite rings that are now too small or too large. Place those items aside for possible resizing.

Scrap: Unwanted silver and gold items can be scrapped for money. The price paid to you will amount to the daily market price for gold or silver on the day of the melt.

Appraisals: It is important to review all the appraisals for your jewelry. Are they up to date (within 5 years)? If not, they should be upgraded for current values for insurance replacement.

Cleaning: Most jewelry can be cleaned at home, but if you are not sure, call your me. Over time all jewelry will lose its sparkle. This can be caused by chemicals, pollutants and general wear. I suggest that about every six months or so to take your items in for cleaning and to be examined. I check for loose stones, breaks or cracks in the metal due to wear.

My next post will outline the techniques.

08/14/2019

07/19/2018

Don't forget to update your jewelry appraisals..

01/11/2018

09/27/2017

When was the last time you checked your ring for wear (very thin) or bent prongs? Most people don’t realize that a problematic prong can cause a stone to fall out or even be the cause of your stone to chip.
It is important to look at your ring and inspect them. This can be done with a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe.
Look for a bent prong, or a missing prong. Feel the top of the ring with your finger. Does it feel ruff? If you find any of those issues, do not wear your ring.
A procedure called “re-tipping can be done. In some cases a new head will be necessary.
Now check the bottom of your ring, this is called the shank. Do you see any cracks in the metal? How thin is it?
If you have any of these issues give me a call and let’s get this taken care of.
www.JewelrybyKarlaKristine.com