Fall in love with autumn with this acorn and nut necklace.  I believe that the seed beaded acorns and hollow seeds/nuts are vintage although the findings appear to be more contemporary.  Perhaps someone put these older pieces together in this fashion more recently.  In any event, the large scale of this piece and color combination are sure to enhance any turtleneck sweater and pencil skirt combination.  Quite the conversation starter.  Not recommended for the faint of heart.

Measurements

18.5 inches from end to end.

Acorns are 1.5 inches long and 1 inch at their widest.

Seed pods/nut clusters drop 2.5 inches.

Condition

Other than the mixing of old and new as noted above, I see no visible flaws.

Grade: Excellent

Three galloping gazelles add an air of Art Nouveau style to this 1930s or more likely 1940s necklace by Coro.  Necklace bears their Pegasus mark with Coro in a tapered rectangle and Des. Pat. Pend. below.  All of this can be found on the fold over clasp.  The links at the back of this necklace have a pattern stamped on them.  Set in silver toned metal.  I was surprised to discover all the “stones” are plastic.

Measurements

15 inches in wearable length

1 inch at it’s widest point

Links are .5 inches wide.

Condition

My mother replaced several of the turquoise colored stones, although she did such a good job, I can’t tell which of the small ones are originals or replacements.  The larger ones are all original to the piece.  There is some wear to the metal on the reverse.

Grade: Very Good

Breathtaking brooch in pink with prong set rhinestone accents appears to be by Miriam Haskell. Upon closer inspection, one finds a heart shaped, applied plaque on the reverse that is marked Amourelle ©. The mistake is easily made as jewelry marked Amourelle was manufactured by Kramer of New York in the early 1960s. Wonderfully created by former Miriam Haskell head designer Frank Hess after his departure from her firm. Pieces marked Amourelle were only manufactured for a few years, which explains to their scarcity. These pieces are hard to find, so snatch this one up while it lasts.
Soft pink seed beads are wired to filigree and assembled in three floral shapes. Pink art glass beads (Venetian? Murano?) have wavy white lines. Filigree has floral motif with fleur de lis. Fantastic design in magnificent detail.

Measurements

1 inch in length 1.5 inches in width

Condition

This brooch has a few flaws to note. The large rhinestone has some visible foil loss. There are a few spot of corrosion on some of the wire. It’s visible in some photos, but looks much worse than it does in person. I thought there was seed bead loss on the medium flower, but I can’t find any loose wires in that area. None of these flaws are noticeable while wearing.

Grade: Very Good

This striking flower basket necklace by Hollycraft is dated 1950 on the reverse. It has a gilt metal chain and castings, the latter set with blue and clear crystal rhinestones. The smaller flower has citrine colored, crystal rhinestone petals. A similar necklace by Hollycraft (only in pink) can be found on page 167 of Judith Miller’s 2003 book, Costume Jewelry. It was given a value at the time, of $280-$320.

Measurements

16.5 inches in wearable length

Center piece is 1.75 in length and 1.25 inches in width.

Condition

There is a small amount of foil loss on the rhinestones near the clasp of this necklace. The stones are cut to a fine point and are in an open backed setting. The foil has just barely worn off the very tips.

Grade: Excellent

Lovely lavalier style Art Deco necklace.  Braided silk cording is joined with metal beads and links with a stamped pattern.  Three faceted round, jet black beads graduate to a nicely faceted oval pendant suspended from the necklace.

Measurements

Necklace is 28 inches long with a drop of 2.5 inches.  Center stone is .5 inches at it’s widest point.

Condition

Flaws include a few minor flea bites to the stones, and some scratching.  Mostly to the smallest round stones.  Very minor fading to a small portion or two of the cording.

Grade: Good (considering age: Very Good)

This 1940s necklace features brilliant oval shaped rhinestones with small round accents and a swirly baguette rhinestone ribbon.  Centerpiece is attached to snake chains and this choker necklace is adjustable with a fish hook closure.  I knew this was Trifari the moment I saw it as I have a few necklaces this style and age in my personal collection.  Finding the mark was a bit of a trick.  The fish hook was bent into it’s shape (during manufacturing) with the Trifari crown mark on the inside.  It is followed by Pat Pend. Gold toned metal.

Measurements

Adjustable choker necklace measures 14 to 16.5 inches in wearable length.

Center measures 3 inches wide and 1.5 inches in length

Condition

There is some very minor surface scratching to the metal plating.  All stones are in excellent shape with no yellowing, darkening, or other flaws.

Grade: Excellent

Call it what you like. Black faceted glass, French Jet or sometimes it even looks like hematite. Graduated, three strand choker necklace appears to have originally had a hematite style coating that has worn away a bit. Cut steel spacers. Center piece is silver toned filigree heavily accented with wire work a la Miriam Haskell. Metal leaves, wired prong set rose montees, faceted black glass prong set stones in pear, emerald and round cut shapes. The reverse of the center piece is covered with a piece of filigree. Attached is an oval cartouche that reads DeMario NY.

Measurements

Necklace adjusts in length from 14 inches to 15.5 inches. Centerpiece measures nearly 1.5 inches in length and 1.75 inches in width.

Condition

This necklace has wear from use. The sliver colored coating has worn down to the brass beneath in several spots. Including the metal leaves in front, the fish hook clasp and also the reverse of the centerpiece. One spot is clearly visible in the photo of the signature. One of the centers of the flowers has movement, but does not appear to be truly loose or in danger of coming undone. There are knicks to many of the beads. They are small, but none the less they’re there. There are some very small spots where there is a little verdigris. Several cut steel spacers are a little rusty. These are all things I did not notice until I went to carefully inspect the condition of this necklace before listing here. A thorough, careful cleaning would do wonders. Someone loved this necklace and wore it often.

Shown with a 1976 bicentennial quarter to give a size reference.

Grade: Good

This amazing necklace features aurora borealis rhinestones in two sizes. Heavily faceted stones are in raised settings with multiple heavy duty prongs. Reverse is stamped Kramer. Gold toned metal. Circa 1950s.

Measurements

16 inches in length 11.5-15.75 inches in adjustable wearable length Large stones are 1/2 inch in diameter

Condition

One stone has had almost all of it’s A/B coating worn off. It is only noticeable upon close inspection. There is significant wear to the A/B coating throughout. One stone has a small flea bite sized chip. No foil loss and quite stunning when worn around one’s neck.

Grade: Very Good

Circa 1930s tailored machine age triple strand, choker necklace. Tiered centerpiece with ring and ball bearing details has a six strand chain tassel. Softly colored, gold toned metal. Great movement and timeless style. Reverse of push/slot style clasp is stamped REINAD.

Measurements

15 inches in wearable length.

Centerpiece measures 1.5 inches tall and .75 inches at it’s widest.

Tassel drops nearly 2.5 inches.

Condition

Necklace has been worn and there is significant wear to the gold toned metal, particularly on the back of the clasp. Minor surface scratching, also concentrated on the clasp. Overall, fine wearable condition by a hard to find designer.

Grade: Very Good

Measurements

16 inches in wearable length.  The necklace can be twisted a little more to make it a tighter fitting 15 inches.

Clasp is 1.5 inches in height and both sides together extend over 3 inches.
Condition

Very good vintage condition.  There is a slight discoloration to some of the stones in the pavé centers.  They appear far more yellow in the photos than in reality.  There is slight wear to the plating on the inside of the clasp.  Otherwise magnificent!

Grade: Very Good

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