Emerald & Sapphire Sherman Rhinestone Jewelry

Where do I start with this breathtaking set? It's absolutely amazing and the deep emerald green and sapphire blue navette rhinestones are so glamorous! I love the style of the large flower- shaped clip earrings and the curved "shrimp" brooch is one of my all time favorite Sherman styles. You will see this design documented time and time again in my posts.

This sparkling set was purchased online for what I feel was nearly a "steal" and originated in Toronto. It always amazes me that so many beautiful sets are still available to purchase and I'm so pleased that they are (my hubby may feel differently though LOL!!). The deep vibrant colors are striking and the condition is mint, not a mark on either the rhinestones or on the back of any pieces. I don't know how they did it, but the earrings are extremely comfortable, yet feel secure when worn. Definitely a sign of high quality and attention to detail. 

The necklace I have photographed with this set is large and was purchased from a jewelry dealer in my area. All rhinestones have the aurora borealis finish and sparkle as the light hits them. The necklace is set in gold plate while the brooch and earrings are set in rhodium. All pieces are clearly marked Sherman.

I love the emerald green shades and know that with the upcoming holiday season (can you believe it's almost October!!) these pieces will definitely be worn and enjoyed! 

Champagne & Turquoise Sherman Rhinestone Jewelry

One of the best deals I have made on eBay was for this magnificent "pinwheel" or "porcupine" shaped Sherman brooch with large clip style earrings. This beautiful set was listed with a starting bid of only $39.99 and believe it or not, I was the only bid! Unfortunately for the seller, the camera that was used did not do this beautiful set justice. My jaw hit the table when it arrived, I couldn't believe how exquisite it was in person.

The sparkling slender champagne navette rhinestones are mixed with a champagne aurora borealis that reflect an almost turquoise color. The domed setting is curved taking full advantage of the light on all sides creating a breathtaking array of reflection. The matching earrings are slightly curved and are so comfortable when worn, you can barely tell you have them on.  

The second set which is done with the same color combination, also includes a nice amber colored rhinestone and is made in a leaf design. The pretty drop earrings were purchased separately but are a perfect match in color and design. This set wasn't quite the bargain the first one was but well worth purchasing.

Both sets documented today are in excellent condition, everything is clearly marked Sherman and all pieces are set in shiny gold plate.

It never hurts to check online for bargains and sometimes the best deals can be made when you take a risk by bidding on an auction that doesn't have a great photo.  Those of you familiar with Sherman quality and designs can count on a beautiful piece if it's signed Sherman and the condition is excellent. The first set documented today proves that the picture isn't always the most important consideration when bidding. I'm certainly glad I took a risk that day!!!

Sherman Black Japanned Rhinestone Settings

One of the most sought after styles of Sherman rhinestone jewelry is that which is set in the black japanned or "gun metal" casings. The majority of Sherman jewelry was set in shiny rhodium plate followed by gold plate, however the japanned settings are by far the most rare. Usually seen on pieces with deeper colored rhinestones like black, red and fuchsia, this unique color setting can make even the palest shades pop by providing a black outline around the rhinestones.

The coating on a Japanned setting is done by applying a derivative of coal tar to create a matte or glossy black colored finish.  First used when manufacturing mourning jewelry, this process soon found its way into many lines of rhinestone jewelry. 

The three examples I am documenting today show both the glossy and matte finish. The amazing earrings feature more than a 2" drop and combine both marquise and round cut smoke colored rhinestones. This is the only glossy japanned setting I have seen to date but fingers crossed, I find a brooch, bracelet or necklace to match them someday.

The round open-style brooch features the more common matte finish of japanned setting, however the champagne colored rhinestones which are an unusual choice, come to life with the black outline. Like the earrings, I hope to match this lovely brooch with either earrings, a necklace or bracelet sometime down the road (wouldn't all three be nice LOL!!).

Lastly, the jet black "shrimp" brooch with clip earrings is a striking combination of black rhinestones with the matte finish of black japanned setting. Again, these "shrimp" or "pinwheel" designs are by far my favorite Sherman style.

All items documented today are clearly marked Sherman and in very good to excellent condition.

As collectors, it is sometimes wiser to invest your money in a few very collectable pieces rather than several more common pieces. Investing in any Sherman japanned jewelry is indeed a wise investment certain to more than hold its value!

 

Joan Rivers Classics Tomorrow's Collectible Jewelry

It seems like every time you turn around there is another celebrity on either QVC or the Canadian Shopping Channel promoting and selling their own line of costume jewelry.  Without mentioning any names, I've seen fake stones so large they look dull and tacky to other lines where the jewelry looks like it will fall apart the minute the 30-day money back guarantee is up. Overall, I'm not a big fan of the modern costume jewelry but I have taken note of Joan Rivers' line which has a very good chance of becoming collectible sometime down the road.

Joan Rivers Classics Collection can be purchased on both QVC and TSC as well as online. Her jewelry is made with Swarovski crystals and her settings are either rhodium or 22kt gold plated. Some of her designs are a bit too modern for my taste but I do think there will be a following of collectors long after pieces of her jewelry are retired. I happen to have a few that I have photographed for this post that I like to wear when I'm going for a more casual look. 

The line bracelets have lots of sparkle with stones that are individually claw set which is the mark of excellent quality.  The settings have retained their shine with no wear to the platting and they each feature a double safety lever on the push style clasps. They look nice when worn in groups, as Joan refers to as "Life Stripes". One other nice option modern costume jewelry offers is pierced earrings. The ones photographed are lever backs and match the widest line bracelet perfectly. My mom has this set along with an identical one in greens that I know she wears often.

This cherry pin is one of my favorite designs from Joan's line although I do wonder how long the pave set stones will stay in place.  Fingers crossed this one doesn't get dropped. The enameling on the other hand is very well done. Mom has this pin as well although I'm not sure how often she wears it.

The last two items from Joan Rivers Classics Collection that I believe will continue to climb in price are anything with Russian eggs and the sets with interchangeable color stones. The bee pins are also highly collectible. This pair of earrings along with the bee pin have the check-board cut rhinestone color options. 

As any collector of jewelry knows well, it is important to keep the original boxes and authenticity cards when you purchase any of the modern costume jewelry. It not only ensures the preservation of the jewelry and all of its components but will keep your pieces at the top of the list for jewelry collectors of the future. 

I'm sure that there are several other high-end modern costume jewelry lines that will continue to increase in value.  If you have a favorite that you are now collecting, please leave a comment and let us know. 

Striking Fuchsia Rhinestone Sherman Demi

Well, what words can describe the gorgeous vibrant shades of fuchsia and aurora borealis rhinestones that make up this magnificent Sherman demi-parure. Sets like this go fast and I was fortunate to get to a flea market in my area early where a well-known jewelry dealer was setting up her table. She had several other pieces of Sherman jewelry but I just couldn't resist adding such a vibrant set to my collection.  

Individual pieces are nice to have but when you have the opportunity to acquire a matching set in any of the highly sought after colors, it's worth the extra investment to buy it.  Sadly, as prices continue to increase, pieces of sets like this one are often sold separately. Once a matched set gets separated, it's nearly impossible for any collector to put them back together. Over time, more and more pieces of this magnificent jewelry get absorbed into collections all across North America and abroad reducing the number of available Sherman jewelry that comes up for sale. 

For now, this lovely set will stay together even though the brooch and earrings are not my favorite style but leaving them behind just wasn't an option. Storing everything in an original "Jewels of Elegance" metal case increases the value even more. I've seen these empty cases sell for $30 + online and nothing protects your rhinestone jewelry better when its in storage.

All pieces documented today are in absolute pristine condition, set in shiny rhodium plate and clearly marked Sherman.

Whether you are going out to at a nice restaurant or to a formal Christmas or New Year's Eve party, this beautiful set will look elegant on everything from that little black dress to a tailored classic pant suit.  Wear your Sherman, it's much too pretty to keep hidden away! 

Ultimate Sherman Jewelry Rigid Cuff Bracelet

So it's time to bring out the "big guns" which is what these magnificent Sherman rigid cuff bracelets are. Probably the most exquisite and highly collectable of all Sherman rhinestone jewelry, these bracelets are easily breaking the $1,200 mark on eBay.  I remember about two years ago watching a dark purple one with matching earrings and necklace go for around $700 and thinking that was ridiculous!  Well silly me, that same set would probably fetch somewhere around $3,000 + today.

These were manufactured in low numbers and that is reflected in what it must have taken to create one of these masterpieces.  They are huge at a full 1 1/2" wide and this particular style (there are two that I have seen) is double tiered.  This one is made in three separate "rigid" sections hinged together with a large hidden box-style clasp.  The rhinestones are a medium to dark blue aurora borealis in both angled marquise and round cuts, absolutely breathtaking. I can only imagine the social events these would have been worn to back in the 50's or 60's.

I know that many of them came from the Western region of Canada and that is where this one originated.  I was told that it had cost around $100 in the early 60's and had spent several years in a safety deposit box in Vancouver before being purchased by a local jewelry dealer. She kept it in her own collection for many years and through a conversation we were having one day at a flea market mentioned she was thinking about selling it. So it pays (or doesn't it LOL!!) to let local jewelry dealers know what you collect because the odds of me trying to duke it out on eBay for one of these is pretty darn low. This dealer who has sold to me before, knowing I was a collector, took me aside and offered this beautiful cuff bracelet to me at a price I couldn't refuse!  I honestly didn't think I would ever have the pleasure of seeing one in person let alone own one but here it is in all its glory. 

The pretty drop earrings I have paired it up with would have perfectly matched that $7,000 + necklace and bracelet I wrote about a couple of posts back if they had been in fuchsia.  For this bracelet though, the blue is a perfect companion and I love the unusual blue crystal drops. Striking!

All pieces documented today are clearly signed Sherman, set in shiny rhodium plate and are in very good, if not excellent condition.

Now if only I could get invited to that social event of the year so I would have a chance to wear them!!!

Crystal Bib Necklaces with LeC & Sherman Beads

A lot of the vintage jewelry I have collected over the years has been purchased at flea markets, yard sales and online but every now and then, I have the opportunity to acquire some very special pieces for my collection.

A couple of years ago, I was casually browsing in an antique store in my neighborhood where I found a new inventory of costume jewelry on display. The owner told me a bit about the origin of this beautiful jewelry and I was saddened to hear it had belonged to a lovely lady I had known.

Her name was Edie and I knew she had passed away only a month or so before.  Probably somewhere into her 80's, Edie had been charming, fun loving, spoke her mind and had a quick wit that would crack up everyone around her.  She had been an independent woman who had taken care of herself having never married or had children, well ahead of her time. She had worked at Eaton's her entire life and had remained attractive and vibrant well into her retirement. She was fit and trim, dressed with exquisite taste and style and never had a hair out of place.  Her jewelry was beautiful and I remember well admiring it whenever I would see her. Most was probably purchased at Eaton's while she worked there so her jewelry was of excellent quality and condition. I was so shocked to find it at an antique store surprised that anyone who had known her would dispose of it that way.

I was told by the store owner that her niece had inherited her jewelry and I expect that after picking out the genuine gold and gemstones had discarded the rest. I had him point out everything that had been Edie's so I could decide which items I would buy being so appreciative of the opportunity to purchase it at all. There were pieces of Sherman, a rhinestone duet, beaded necklaces, Coro thermoset and rhinestone demi parures. 

This post is devoted to the gorgeous beads she had owned.  The Sherman faux pearl and rootbeer beads were well loved and believe it or not, I can still smell her perfume on them. The collars are exquisite and I can't help but wonder what event she had purchased such elaborate crystal bibs for. The last set with earrings is my absolute favorite to date having been manufactured by LeC which was a high end division of Boucher jewelry. This set is so heavy and of such superior quality (check out that magnificent clasp!), it rivals, and at the risk of ticking off every Sherman collector out there, perhaps surpasses anything I have seen in Sherman beaded parures.

From time to time, pieces of Edie's jewelry will be noted in my posts where it will be fondly referred to as "An Edie" so if you notice that description popping up from time to time, it's not some unknown jewelry manufacturer. Edie's jewelry is now a very valued and appreciated part of my own collection and I can't help but smile when I see it remembering the delightful woman who had once owned it.