on โ18-04-2013 10:14 AM
Good morning everyone, I have this beautiful vintage necklace I bought from a deceased estate auction. I was hoping someone could help me with identifying the stones. They are the most gorgeous shade of blue...would they be crystal or glass maybe. The chain is very old looking. As I am selling this item I didnt want to attempt to clean it. Tina
on โ18-04-2013 11:05 AM
on โ18-04-2013 11:55 AM
thanks kopenhagen. I would love to clean it but wouldn't risk it.
on โ18-04-2013 12:00 PM
any ideas on this pendant. It looks quite old as well. Sadly it is missing 2 of the purple stones.
on โ18-04-2013 01:49 PM
The necklace first. With a lobster catch like that it is not going to be very old - I would be guessing 1970's on. Actually jewellery like this is still being made today. The metal work has been given an "antique" finish - not to deceive, but because antique style jewellery is considered attractive. When you say "clean" - do you mean the stones or the metal work? If the stones are secure in their setting, a brush with a dampened toothbrush is not going to hurt. If the stones have open backs, and are very grubby, you could try a drop of washing up liquid in the water you moisten the brush brush with. If you mean the metal chain, unless it is rusty or something, I would guess it is meant to look that way. Always dry costume jewellery very thoroughly after cleaning it - use a hair dryer on a low setting.
The pendant I would guess is Bohemian / Czech 1930's though it is often hard to judge from a photo (see remarks about "antique style" above.) The use of filigree metal work and coloured rhinestones is very typical. It seems to me there may be something stamped on the pendant loop? Sadly if it missing 2 coloured rhinestones it is of little value - I have many craft boxes full of rhinestones of different shapes and sizes - it is rare you are able to find one matching replacement, let alone 2.
on โ18-04-2013 02:03 PM
Thank you very much siddies, It is the metal work on the necklace I would like to clean as it looks like it is a gold or copper colour under all the dirt.
You are correct about the pendant loop having 2 hallmarks but they are very worn down and grubby & I cant make out what they are. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Tina
on โ18-04-2013 07:09 PM
You are correct about the pendant loop having 2 hallmarks but they are very worn down and grubby & I cant make out what they are. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Tina
Hello again. I think it is very unlikely they are "hallmarks". I hope I did not mislead you into thinking this is made from silver - I rather deliberately said "metal work". Although it is obviously rather difficult to tell from this distance I think it is very unlikely it is made from silver - I would have thought some base metal, like nickle. I thought the stamped marks may say "Czech" (various spellings) or even "Metal", which was quite common on costume jewellery from this period.
on โ19-04-2013 10:44 AM
Hi siddies, No you didnt mislead me. I didn't think it was made of silver. I dont know much at all about vintage jewellery & when I say "hallmark" I should probably say stamped. I try to learn a little by reading these boards. Tina