Vintage Jewelry Pro

Patek Philippe is credited with creating the first wristwatch in 1868.  Prior to that time people did make attempts to adapt watches so that they could be strapped to the wrist.  But Mr. Philippe really invented the first modern wristwatch.  When these watches  first appeared on the fashion scene they were called wristlets and were primarily thought of as an accessory for women.  However, the onset of World War I saw a change in that point of view.

Soldiers found that strapping a watch to the wrist was far more practical than trying to pull out a pocket watch during battle.  At first, soldiers would use a leather strap  to attach a watch to the wrist.  Then, in the early 1900’s, two methods were created that made it easier to attach watches to the wrist.  The expandable bracelet was flexible and made it easier to put on and take off wristwatches.  In addition, wire loops (lugs) started to be used in order to attach straps to the watches in a simpler manner.

Other improvements were also made during wartimes.  The first alarm wristwatch was made in 1914.  In 1925 the first watch containg a perpetual calendar was created by Patek Philippe. 

By the time the war ended the men’s wristwatch had become an acceptable adornment in everyday life.  After that there were a host of improvements made to the wristwatch.  In the 1930’s wathes became waterproof and shock resistant.  Later, in the early 1950’s we saw the introduction of battery powered wristwatches.  The 1960’s brought quartz watches to market and the 1970’s brought in digital timepieces. 

The next time you glance at your vintage wristwatch remember that the war made wristwatches popular and is ultimately responsible for the replacement of pocket watches for everyday use.

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Yes! There’s plenty of vintage jewelry out there for Hippie Chicks. And, the best thing about being a hippie chick is that the vintage pieces you buy are generally lower in price than older pieces.

Although there’s room for debate, the ‘hippie’ generation began in the early 1960’s and lasted through the mid-1970’s. While there was a lot of turbulence and upheaval during this era, there was also plenty of room for love and peace and creative expression.

Hippies were also known as ‘flower children’ and many young women wore flowers in their hair and the vintage earrings and necklaces and other jewelry from that time often incorporated floral themes.

So, let your hair down, let loose, and let your creative hippie chick out now and then.

There are a few fantastic 1960’s vintage pieces available from the Rusty Zipper at the time of this writing.

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If you know even a little bit about vintage jewelry then you know that the variations and themes are endless. It would simply be impossible to categorize and discuss them all in one place. However, it’s safe to say that most readers will be aware that there are vintage rings, vintage brooches, vintage earrings, and other basic vintage pieces that can be worn on a regular basis. However, there are other treasures that we don’t hear about as much when buying and researching vintage items. For example, how many of us know anything about vintage sash buckles?

A vintage sash buckle is used to hold together a sash. A sash is generally made of cloth and is most often used around the waist in the same manner as a belt. Unlike a belt buckle, a sash buckle is usually a separate piece that is not permanently attached to the sash itself. This allows you to use the buckle with as many different sashes as you desire. I strongly urge you to consider purchasing one of these vintage baubles to add to your wardrobe. They are extremely versatile and lots of fun to wear!

Another often overlooked vintage gem is the swizzle stick. They were carried by both men and women before the turn of the century. They came into popular use with the introduction of sea-going passenger ships. Most often men had them available to swirl in a lady’s glass of champagne in order to reduce carbonation. There were several benefits of this swirling action. First, the reduced carbonation made it less likely that a lady would find the need to belch. Second, it reduced the likelihood of sea sickness. Finally, the powder or rouge on a woman’s face was not disturbed by flying bubbles. Although not technically a piece of jewelry, these vintage pieces can be creatively used today to add a touch of whimsy to your collection. For example, they can easily be used as hair sticks. They come in beautiful shapes and styles made of silver and gold.

And, speaking of hair ornaments, don’t forget to look for vintage hairpins, hair combs, hair sticks, and other hair ornaments while you’re shopping for vintage pieces. The variety of vintage hair accessories is startling and you can find these items available for use with any type of hair style. The great thing is that they are available for purchase in a variety of price ranges so you will undoubtably find something within your budget.

Other fun and unusual vintage baubles include bridal bouquet holders and perfume bottles. Some of these are absolutely exquisite as they are often very intricate in detail and design. Of course, you will only use the vintage bouquet holder once but you may certainly pass it down to your children. Perfume bottles will last a lifetime and using them adds a touch of luxury to the everyday routine of getting dressed.

Believe it or not, the items listed in this article are just some of the more unusual vintage pieces. However, this is not an exhaustive list by any means. Perhaps we’ll take a look at some additional items in a future post.

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The often free flowing and somewhat mystical style of the Art Nouveau period makes it my favorite. In this era we see vintage jewelry that catches the essence of femininity and lighthearted whimsy. Jewellery created during this phase was really made for and worn by the ‘hip’ crowd.

While each country invented its own special style when making this type of vintage jewelry, there are certain characteristics that were prevalent in pieces made during this time. Free flowing lines and S shaped curves are seen in many of the treasures from this period. For example, you might find a vintage brooch containing a feminine figure with long flowing hair.

Another major theme seen in Art Nouveau jewelry is the use of natural and organic subjects. You will likely see living things such as butterflies, birds, vines and flowers when out shopping for vintage rings, bracelets and other baubles from this era. For example, you might find a vintage necklace that incorporates an intricate design of flowers, leaves and dragonflies.

There is a special sense of mystery and fantasy that comes to life in many of the vintage pieces from this period. The combination of nymphs and fairies with natural objects like vines and snakes make these jewels fascinating and fun.

Art Nouveau designers focused on artistic expression rather than the use of expensive materials. You will notice that much of the jewellery crafted in this era contains lesser metals and semiprecious stones such as moonstones and opals. The use of these types of translucent stones adds to the ephemeral feeling that comes through in many of these vintage items. However, there is also a lot of color to be found in pieces from this time.

Vibrant colored vintage pieces from the Nouveau designers were often created with the use of enameling techniques. Striking vintage brooches, rings, and other items were made with enameling methods such as cloisonné, plique-a-jour, and champlevé. Even if you currently have no idea what these methods mean, you will undoubtably appreciate the beautiful effects they contribute to vintage jewellery from the Art Nouveau era.

The jewelry created during this time has a fresh, unique, and spontaneous quality that brings out the feminine spirit. Take a bit of time to look at some vintage bracelets, earrings, or rings from this time. I think you’ll find these pieces quite enchanting and fun to wear.

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So, you may be thinking that vintage cufflinks are the perfect gift for your spouse, life partner, or significant other. And, you might be right about that. On the other hand, it’s just possible that your love of vintage cufflinks doesn’t extend to your mate. And, even if you’re absolutely positive that your other half would love a pair of fine vintage links, there are things you should consider before making a purchase. Let’s take a look at several important matters that will help you decide when and how to buy cufflinks for your man.

First, think about how often you and your special guy head out for a night on the town. Is it once a month or once every decade? It may be that you can count the number of times you’ve been out to a formal function with your partner on one hand. If you’ve been with your spouse or boyfriend for a long time and you rarely get dressed up and attend formal events then vintage cufflinks may not be the best gift choice. A woman can wear vintage earrings, bracelets, and other vintage pieces with just about anything. However, these days men rarely wear cufflinks except on formal occasions. So, if you and your man hardly ever get dressed up then chances are your money would be better spent on something other than vintage cufflinks. Perhaps a vintage necklace to go with your new dress?

Second, even if you and your partner attend a lot of formal functions, you have to consider your man’s style preferences. Some men really have a sophisticated style of dress. Such men pay attention to detail and enjoy adding fine touches to their wardrobe. Other men prefer to keep things a little more simple. Such men may have a style that is a bit more rugged and they may not enjoy having to fumble around with vintage cufflinks when getting dressed to go out. One easy way to determine this is to look in your guy’s closet. Does he actually own a shirt that is made to be worn with cufflinks? If not, you might wish to have a quick chat with him about whether he has a desire to add cufflinks and the necessary shirts to his wardrobe.

Third, let’s say you’ve determined that your man would really enjoy some vintage cufflinks and that he has a use for them. How do you choose which type of cufflinks to buy for him? This is the hard part because there are so many choices available in the vintage market. If your partner is into more ornamental cufflinks then you will likely find something that meets his taste by looking for cufflinks made around the turn of the century in the early 1900’s. These vintage pieces will generally be more intricate in design but also costlier than those made a few years later in the 1920’s. If your man prefers a sleeker more masculine design then look for links made around the 1920’s. These vintage cufflinks have the advantage of being less expensive than those from the turn of the century. Another option is to choose items made a little later in the 1930’s or so. These are from the Art Deco period and generally have geometric shapes and strong lines. Unfortunately, they tend to be pricier than those made in the 1920’s.

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