11/07/2025
✨ **Treasure-hunting for costume jewellery? Here’s what to look for!**
🪪 Look for designer / maker signatures — **Sherman, Weiss, Trifari, Napier, Monet, Coro, Lisner, Miriam Haskell, Sarah Coventry, Ciner, Juliana (D&E), Kramer** — signatures often add value and help resale
💎 Inspect stone settings — prong-set rhinestones are usually higher quality than glued; multi-prong settings often mean better craftsmanship
✨ Check rhinestones — avoid darkened, yellowed, or missing stones; **Aurora Borealis (AB)** stones are desirable
⚙️ Look at metal quality — gold-tone or rhodium-tone plating should wear evenly; flaking or copper showing underneath = lower quality
🔐 Examine clasps / closures — old box clasps, screw backs, and early clip-backs can indicate age; smooth hinges are a good sign
🏋️♀️ Feel the weight — heavier pieces often mean stronger construction
🧵 Check for missing beads or repairs — mismatched strands can lower value
🌈 Look for unique materials — glass, crystal, enamel, **Bakelite**, lucite, celluloid, shell & wood can be collectible (Bakelite gives off a warm smell after friction!)
🔍 Inspect the backs — clean finishing, sturdy soldering, and even plating indicate better quality
🟢 Avoid verdigris — that green crust can spread and is tough to fix
🕰️ Consider style & era — Art Deco, Mid-Century, 1950s glam & bold 1980s designs often have great value
💞 Look for matching sets — **parures** (earrings + brooch + necklace) are extra desirable
📿 Check stretch bracelets — elastic can be replaced, but missing beads reduce value
🎨 Examine enamel — chips reduce value, but rare colours / themes still sell well
🦋 Watch for brooches — floral, figural animals, holiday themes & statement pieces are always fun finds
🔦 Identify stones that glow — some older rhinestones, glass & uranium glass fluoresce under UV light
🎁 Check for original boxes or tags — branded packaging boosts value
✨ Trust your gut — if a piece feels special or unique, it probably is!
🔎 Happy hunting! 💍
