Sensational Schiaparelli
Some of my favorite costume jewelry from the 1950s was designed by Elsa Schiaparelli. I like these pieces because they are strikingly different from those of other designers of the...
Jewelry History
Here are some other published books and online resources to help with understanding the history of costume jewelry. Learn about design and utility patents which are useful in identifying authentic vintage costume jewelry.
Learn about vintage costume jewelry
Books & Online Resources
Barbara's recommended books and online resources for those interested in the history of costume jewelry.
Costume Jewelry Design & Utility Patents
Utility Patents
Read about utility patents for costume jewelry, and how they can help identify the maker and the date a piece was made
Design Patents
Learn about costume jewelry design patents, and how they are different from utility patents.
Latest Blog Posts
Vintage Pearls for Modern Brides
Pearls have been called the gem of queens and the queen of gems. For centuries, they have been associated with love, marriage, seductiveness and femininity. Not surprisingly, pearls have been...
Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for unique vintage gifts? Our annual Holiday Gift Guide is full of ideas! Find authentic vintage costume jewelry and purses that are truly unique. See what's new, shop our...
Tennis, Anyone? The Story of the Line Bracelet
How did a flexible, narrow, straight-line bracelet set with diamonds, known as a "line bracelet" in the 1920s, suddenly become a "tennis bracelet" in the late-1970s?