by Michelle Greysen

Created on: May 23, 2009

Although all the rage and highly collectible of late one can still find affordable signed vintage jewelry pieces if you are looking in the right place. The most obvious is finding it tucked away in the dresser drawers and closets of your old aunts. Short of any family treasures there are still a few good places to hunt.

Spring and summer are the best times to happen across local fundraising rummage sales and church bazaars offering many wonderful treasures all donated in hopes of bringing some much needed cash to the cause. Not much is scrutinized at these types of sales and many treasures can still be had.

Garage sales are your next stop but get their early to beat the collectors well ahead of you on the path. Thrift stores are hit and miss, some are still in check realising that what they sell is raising money for charities and are not gouging on price, but others are acting as if they are knowledgeable antique dealers deciding because they saw something similar on eBay that their item ends up priced beyond their average customer's pocketbook and doing no favours for their charities, themselves or their clients as the over priced items sit for months and months and are finally reduce in order to clear.

Knowing what to look for can often be the difference between finding a treasure and passing up the junk. Signature jewelry was not just reserved for the valuable authentic stone and precious metals. A great deal of the costume or paste or junk jewelry of vintage era was signed by many a renowned maker and carries strong values and climbing.

Maker marks are often tucked away and not noticed on quick glance. Earring posts screw end is a good place to check for a tiny marking as well as under bracelets along necklace clasps and in the pin backs of broaches. It is a good practice to carry a jeweller's loop or a pocket magnifying glass and a small piece of polishing cloth to wipe the item and survey for a mark. Over time you will get good at recognizing certain maker's work or taking the chance and buying a pile unchecked if the price is right. Often a maker would mark some and not all making an unmarked piece often as valued as it marked counterpart when it can be proven to be the maker's work.

Designers' and Makers' mark to watch for can include simple marks such as Coro (1919 - 1979) or Corocraft (1933 - 1979), Henry Schreiner marked his worked as "Schreiner New York" in the 1950's through to the 70's, and "JJ" was the simple mark of Jonette Jewelry Company of Rhode Island producing pins since 1935 and specifically known for their Christmas Tree pins. Avon has produced and marked work since 1871 carrying value to collectors of Avon memorabilia. Other popular signatures to look for are Hobe, Beaujewels, Hollycraft, Isenberg Ice, Trifari, Boucher, Josef, Lisner, Vendome and many many more.

Metal casting set, faux pearls, rhinestones, gold toned metals, Bakelite and plastics, pastes, glass cabochons, rhodium plated, demi-parure, prong set, pave and more are all terms you will come to know and look for as you enjoy growing your collection over time.

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