WEC: Thoughts about Jewelry

In time for Valentine's Day, an all photos blog of angels and devils in costume jewelry. Enjoy the photos. ANGELS Silver Pin Unsigned Pin Silver Pin Givenchy Pin Silver Buckle Jasperware Earrings JJ Pin Unsigned Pin JJ Pin Lenox Ceramic Pin Pin by Art Pin from Spain Razza Pin Carnegie Pin Angel by TC Vintage Pendant    Left Unsigned Pin / Right Kerr Pin Unsigned Pin Unsigned Pin Unsigned Pin Unsigned Pin Liz Taylor for Avon Unsigned Pin Kirks Folly Pin James Avery Charm William Kerr Pin Raphael's Angel Silver Charm From the Vatican Library Collection DEVILS U.S. Army 88th...

Flowers and hearts are common motifs in costume jewelry but if you look hard enough, you can find examples of sports themed jewelry too. I hope these photos inspired you to look for your favorite sports in costume jewelry.    Sportsman's Fob    Sports Charms   Medallions, Baseball and Basketball  Skier's Pin Gymnastics Medal Golfer's Cuff Links Leather and Wood Pin Florenza Pin    Bowling Pins Sonia Henje Ice Skating Rhinestone Pin    Griffin Badminton and Tennis Charms YMCA Medallion Gold over Silver Charm    Bicycle Fob and Charm TEAMS AND STADIUMS    Kinney Silver Charm Lunch at the Ritz University...

Amethyst is a type of quartz that presents as violet or purple. The color comes from iron and aluminum in the quartz. It's a semiprecious stone and is the traditional birthstone for February. Deposits of amethyst in Brazil, Mexico and Russia, are extensive. As a result of availability, stones can be very reasonably priced. Costume and fine jewelry with amethyst is fairly easy to find on the secondary market and comes in all price ranges. Historically, the stone was said to protect its wearer from drunkenness. Today, believers of the healing power of stones, attribute amethyst to help with both physical and...

This is part two of a two-part blog showcasing jewelry in the shapes of mythological creatures A link to part one is at the bottom of the page. GRIFFON The Griffin is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion, and the head, wings and talons of an eagle Gold Pendant    Art Deco Bracelet Fraternal Organization Pendant PIXIE A Pixie is a supernatural folkloric character with small human-like features and pointed ears. The pixie is mischievous and can be seen in several iterations including elf, sprite, imp, brownie and leprechaun. Pin    Silver Charms Plastic Pin Pin Pin...

Figures in fantasy and mythology are a rich source of inspiration for artists of all kinds including, of course, jewelry designers. This is part one of a two-parter showcasing jewelry in the shapes of mythological creatures including the Mermaid, Pegasus, Unicorn, and Phoenix. Stay tuned for part two featuring the Griffin, Pixie, Dragon, Hippocampus and more. MERMAIDS Mermaids are mythical half-human sea creature with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. A mermaid is often seen with long, flowing hair. Though not as common, mermen, half man, half fish, are also seen in art, design,...

Alice Caviness was a Long Island, New York jewelry designer who started a company of the same name in the 1940s. She retired in 1970 but her company continued making jewelry until 2000. Alice Caviness jewelry is known for its imaginative designs and high quality materials, Caviness pieces were originally sold in exclusive, high-end shops and boutiques. They are somewhat difficult to find in the secondary marketplace and consequently prices can be above average to high. They are available though and worth seeking out. Alice Caviness was involved in every stage of her business from design to marketing She was joined in her...

A circle is a simple, familiar geometric shape. Symbolically circles represent endless love, eternity, infinite energy, and even the Divine.  Circle pins were especially popular in the 1950s and 60s. Usually worn on a cardigan sweater, there were a number of meanings attached to them. Wearing one might mean you've been "pinned" or "going steady." Add a pearl to it and the meaning becomes "true love." A circle pin with a bow symbolized "we're tying the knot."  The circle a classic design motif in jewelry with thousands of examples. I don't have thousands, but as you scroll through, you'll see quite...

The Chinese New Year takes place on January 28th this year. It will be the Year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar. The rooster is tenth animal/symbol in the Chinese zodiac. Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. Years of the Rooster include 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029. In honor of the Year of the Rooster, here are a few examples of roosters in costume jewelry. Pique Pin Hallmarked Tibet Gerrys Pin Bakelite Pendant or Sweater Pull Fob Pin Charm Be sure to visit World of Eccentricity & Charm to see...

Garnet refers to a group of minerals in various colors. Garnet is the January birthstone. The most commonly available garnet is dark red in color. Other names are given to other colors. Almandine garnets are darkest red leaning toward brown. Spessartine and Mandarin garnets are uncommon and orange in color. Demantoids and Tsavorite garnets are green in color. Crystal Structure Model of Garnet from Wikipedia Garnets are used as found. Enhancements just as heat treatments used with other gemstones have proven ineffective with this mineral. Rough Garnets       Garnets in jewelry have been used for over 5,000 years or more. Garnet...

Seashells, the hard protective exoskeletons of sea animals, can be found in all shapes and sizes. And that's also true for jewelry with seashell designs which is the focus of today's blog. Enjoy the jewelry and the facts about shells interspersed among the photos. SEASHELL SHAPED JEWELRY Unsigned Pin Kenneth Jay Lane Necklace SEASHELL FACT:Mollusks don't shed their shells; as they grow they just secrete more material (calcium carbonate and proteins) which makes the exoskeleton grow. Margot de Taxco Silver Pin Art Pin SEASHELL FACT:Most seashells open from the right. Although there are some species with shells that are always sinistral, or left...