This magnificent archaeological-revival necklace is a true museum piece.The continuous uniform fringe decorated with beads, wirework and florettes of this necklace is typical for the work of Eugène Fontenay. A demi-parure of very similar design is illustrated in French Jewelry of the Nineteenth Century, Henri Vever, translated by Katherine Purcell, p. 643. and a similar necklace plus matching earrings were sold last year at Sotheby's for $ 52,000!

Today's vintage jewelry word - Abalone - Wearable Treasures from the Sea

Abalone is a word which refers to the "pearly" interior shell-lining of a mollusk with the same name. Many times, it is used as inlay - often seen as strips in bracelets and other types of vintage jewelry. There are a wide variety of shades of abalone, but the shade that is most prized is the small "green heart" abalone. This lustrous mollusk shell lining is made of alternating layers of calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Abalone is considered by many to be in the same family as mother of pearl.

Collecting costume jewelry has been a passion of mine for many years and over time, I have acquired a lovely collection. In those early days, my only sources for finding pieces were local auctions, flea markets, antique shops and yard sales. Knowing that the chances of finding a match later was next to impossible, my main focus was on purchasing sets. Even while keeping this in mind, every now and then I would find a lone piece that I just couldn't resist.

I am a huge fan of pewter jewelry. It is a wonderful material that gives the appearance of a silver look but without the headache of the tarnish that occurs with silver when it is exposed to air and moisture. Also, pewter has a very "earthy" feel to it that I like. I remember a particular gift that I was given by good friends when I was leaving college. It was a Jonathan Livingston Seagull pendant in pewter. I still wear it and it gives me some lovely, nostalgic memories.

I just love a good old-fashioned flea market! We have a large one nearby and I always look forward to my Sunday jaunts. Being centrally located in Canada and also a border city to Niagara Falls, NY I am never surprised at the variety of items that find their way to our rural flea market. Thankfully, there is no way a fake could end up here since those are usually sold at more sophisticated venues where a buyer is likely to pay more money and in this area people are quite frugal.

By far one of the most underrated styles of vintage jewelry readily available today are the brightly colored thermoset plastic pieces. This wonderful vintage jewelry was popular back in the 1950's and featured the most colorful and glossy moulded plastic inserts. Although mass produced, each piece was securely glued into place on rhodium or gold plated backings which made it possible to create a near limitless array of designs.

One of my husband’s favorite replies when asked what he does with military satellites is “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.” The term "need to know," is used by the military to describe limited access of sensitive data. With need-to-know restrictions, even if you have a top security clearance, unless you have a specific “need to know” your access to certain information is denied.

”Has the postman been yet?” That’s me asking my husband if any of my latest jewelry purchases have arrived today. I’m quite crestfallen when he tells me the only thing that came was an electricity bill or flyers for take-out pizza. Doesn’t my postie know that it’s my jewelry I’m waiting for and not that stuff? Now I have to wait another 24 hours to see if he brings me anything tomorrow. Oh the agony of waiting for my latest fix!

Somewhere online, at a collectibles shop or even in a tea room there rages a debate over unsigned jewelry. While the vast majority of costume jewelry is beautiful - even wondrous at times - at some point, we became more interested in who made it than in the actual piece. It is reasonable to assume that when the great 20th century designers produced their jewelry they could never have imagined the collector's frenzy today.

A little over a year ago I purchased this sweet woven bead necklace. I have been collecting the loomed beaded Victorian necklaces for a while...the ones that date to the 1880s to early 1900s. At the time I purchased this necklace...I just assumed that it was from the same time period but just a different style. Apparently I was not alone in my assumption. Often these are misidentified as American Indian or late Victorian.