Newbie looking for good identification books for Vintage Costume Jewelry

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Shikaku Neko, Mar 15, 2017.

  1. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Ideas where to get them without spending a lot of money? Good identification websites that are free? What books would you recommend? Thanks for any help or advice! I'm looking to learn❤
     
  2. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    What area are you interested in?
    Costume?
    Victorian?
    Plastics?
    Silver?

    Be sure to check back tomorrow after people have had time to see your question.
     
    Shikaku Neko and KingofThings like this.
  3. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Ok thanks! All of the above? Lol. I really do love ALL of it. I just love the history of it & the hunt for interesting things. I just want to know what to look for. I think anything in a Victorian style is gorgeous & also love Vintage costume jewelry. 20s-mid century? Art Deco draws my eye. Truthfully I just like beautiful old things & they're better with a story to tell. Ive always wanted to learn & never gave myself the time to do it, now I'm determined. May sell some, mostly keep some & just want to know what to look for & how to tell what's good vs bad honestly besides WOW! That's pretty! I'll gratefully take any advice anyone is willing to share, I don't have much money to start, which is why I'll look to sell a few pieces in the beginning I think so I want to know all I can. THANKS!
     
  4. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    I looked for sine books online but holy geez they were expensive so looking for alternatives or recommendations
     
  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    while other info is available ..there just is no good alternative to a fine book...

    try searching fine auction house sales.....or picking up old catalogs.....
     
    artsfarm, judy and Shikaku Neko like this.
  6. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Suggestions on the best books to have or where to get them really cheap?
     
  7. bercrystal

    bercrystal Well-Known Member

    I think the one I go to first for marked jewelry is Julia C. Carroll's series of Collecting Costume Jewelry 101, 202 & 303.

    Unmarked jewelry is tougher because most books only show you the pretty side of the jewelry & the way you ID a lot of the pieces is how it is constructed.

    There are also a lot of wonderful websites that help you out as far as who made what type of dangles on necklaces, who used what type of latches on their bracelets, the construction of pieces in different eras, etc. If you click on the first thread at the top of this page there are many of those websites listed.
     
  8. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Yes those books you suggested are the ones I was looking at but out of my price range right now unfortunately. I'd love to see the list of websites. Any way for you to tag me in the tread or help me find it? I don't see a thread showing the websites. Thank you! ❤
     
  9. Jo Taylor

    Jo Taylor Member

    If you go to the top of this thread you'll see it's nested under the main 'Jewelry' forum.
    It's the opening post there which has the ID info.
     
    clutteredcloset49 likes this.
  10. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Start at the library and ask them to get the ones you want to see.

    You'll soon find there are certain ones you favor, then you can save your money and buy them for your own reference.

    I find quite a few on Abebooks.com Read the descriptions. Sometimes they are written in and you may not want that.
     
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  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    If you have a "SAVER'S" near (like GW, but supports Epilepsy Foundation) you they usually have tons of books to go through...and cheap!!! Also, when searching for the books you want, have you checked into the USED ones...they usually list at much cheaper and are in pretty good condition! Also what Cluttered said above!!!!
     
  12. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Library is a good idea, I didn't even think of that! I don't even know if there is a public library where I live to be honest, it's sort of a dying breed. I definitely want reference pictures. Maybe there's a bookstore at the mall (somewhere else I never go...lol) so I can look for the section & snoop around then try to find them used. When I've looked I do seem to end up with those 101 202 303 books online. What's the difference between them or is it just the edition? Is the content different I really couldn't tell.
     
    Aquitaine likes this.
  13. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Geez. Sounds great but idk what that is so I'm guessing not. I'm in nc right now in terrible awful Fayetteville. There's NOTHING here but food lions & dollar generals & fast food. Not even a good flea market which I used to like doing. I may just need to go on a road trip but can't be too far. I've heard there's a good flea market in Raleigh.



     
  14. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member




    I've never heard of abebooks! I'll check it out! thanks!
     
    Aquitaine likes this.
  15. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    You can sort by least expensive first.
     
  16. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

  17. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member

    Bakersgma and komokwa like this.
  18. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    You're very welcome, Shikaku! The site has so much to look at, it's sometimes ages before a new member sees these "reference threads" attached at the top of several forums. Even longtime members (like me!) sometimes forget they are there. (Happened to me just yesterday!)
     
  19. Shikaku Neko

    Shikaku Neko New Member




    Those links are GREAT! I couldn't find them. I still want to find a good book but just don't have the money right now it seems for a good one so this is really helpful
     
  20. artsfarm

    artsfarm Active Member

    I'm on a perpetual budget, and buy almost all of my reference books used, on Amazon. $3.99 shipping each, and the books are almost always a fraction of what they are new. Pricing info might not be accurate, but you can look sold prices for jewelry online.
     
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