Marcasite Jewelry

Made from Pyrite, also known as Fool's Gold, Marcasite jewelry is one of the prettiest class of jewelry available on the vintage market.  Known since ancient times, Marcasite jewelry is often set to a sterling base and in Art Nouveau designs.  Marcasite jewelry is made from many, many small stones of Pyrite, a form of iron disulphide, cut into facets that make the jewelry sparkle and shimmer.

Courtesy of SoCalJewelBox

Made popular by Queen Victoria when she wore it, along w/her mourning clothing, after the death of her husband, Marcasite jewelry often has a Victorian flaire.  Designs range from lockets and flowing brooches, to figurals and animals.

Courtesy of scdvintage

Generally speaking, more modern pieces have glued in stones, while older pieces are hand set w/in the base of the jewelry.  When shopping for Marcasite jewelry, it's best to choose marked pieces to ensure quality and grade of base silver.

Courtesy of SanDiegoJewelryShop

Pyrite, metaphysically speaking, is associated with the Zodiac sign, Leo, and has calming, healing, balancing properties.  True Marcasite, on the other hand, is another form of iron disulphide, but it's structure is more brittle and less stable for jewelry making.  Marcasite and Pyrite, as metallic stones, are also thought to bring one financial fortune.

On the left: Marcasite; on the right: Pyrite
Courtesy of http://www.wire-sculpture.com

Something Old, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Vintage Eisenberg Brooch by CherryLippedRoses	My last blog post discussed different ways in which you could wear vintage brooches.  To complement that post, today, I'd like to talk about using vintage jewelry as wedding accessories.
Vintage jewelry is timeless, elegant, and modernly fashionable, all at the same time.  Vintage jewelry can be used by the Bride, the Mother of the Bride, and the Bridesmaids to complement and accent their ensembles on that special day.
Vintage jewelry can also help you fulfil those old superstitions for a happy and prosperous wedding by being both something old and something blue.	Vintage German Bracelet by ChrysalisEShop
Victorian Chalcedony Brooch by VictorianSentiments	Or even being something borrowed - what a way to pay tribute to a loved one by borrowing a piece of her vintage jewelry, just like Kate Middleton did, for your accessory.
A highly creative use for vintage jewelry as a wedding accessory is to make a bouquet of vintage jewelry.  Just attach your favorite vintage brooches to the petals and ribbons of your bouquet.  For your man, you can make a matching boutonniere out of similar brooches.	Vintage Brooch Bouquet by HairbowsVonderworld
And don't forget that you can always use your vintage brooch to accent your updo on your special day. Many wedding blessings to you from the Etsy Vintage Team.

Fresh Picks: Bodacious Brooches

Last week, Kim of Cranberry Manor shared innovative, fun and sophisticated ways to Wear That Brooch. To get started on your own unique look, check out these autumn inspired vintage finds!

Bakelite Brooch Pin Carved P... BakeliteBakery $45.00	Vintage Rhinestone Brooch Ba... OhFaro $37.00	Vintage West Germany Brooch ... ChrysalisEShop $11.00
vintage victorian brooch bra... beadtopiavinta... $12.95	Vintage 50s CC Curtis Creati... CranberryManor $40.00	VIntage Leaf Sprig Brooch - ... opalessence $18.00

Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites

Wear That Brooch

With the holidays fast approaching, I thought I'd take a moment to showcase some very fashionable ways to wear that vintage brooch you've been dying to show off all year.

In Your Hair
	At parties and special events, show off your updo or brand new haircut w/a fancy vintage brooch.  If your hair is thick, you can just fasten the brooch to your hair like you would a barrette.  For thinner manes, use bobbies pins or hair clips to secure your brooch. Katherine Heigl wears her brooch behind her ear, but you could also use vintage brooches at the crown of your head or in the middle of a bun or at the nape of your neck. For more impressive looks, use more than one brooch and mix it up in both color and size.  Try different placements as well. You don't have to reserve this look for special occasions.  Add a brooch to your everyday hair style to brighten it up.
On Your Head
Vintage brooches make wonderful additions to a hat and/or a scarf. Attach the brooch to the knot of a scarf under one ear or behind the head, or attach them anywhere you like. The Schiaparelli to the right has a brooch in a complimentary color to that of the hat.  To add a bit of pizazz, trying attaching an over-sized brooch or a vintage brooch in a contrasting color. Again, add more than one and mix up the colors and/or sizes.	1960s Schiaparelli Cloche Hat by alexsandras
On Your Clothes
French Dress Clip by CranberryManor	Dress (or fur) clips were a very common fashion accessory at the turn of last century. These often very large, high quality, and very ornate pieces can still be used today to secure a garment in lieu of the buttons. In addition to the above, brooches can be used to bustle up a dress that may be too large or to decorate your waistline on anything from a formal gown to an everyday pair of jeans. For a more traditional route, use a brooch at the nape of your neck to dress up a scarf or attach a brooch over your heart.  To rock this look, try using a heap of brooches and place them everywhere.   You can also adorn just the lapel w/a bunch of brooches. You can use a scarf or bandanna as a wrist band and attach a favorite brooch to glam it up - this makes everyday wear come alive!
Kim Cattrall
On Your Accessories
Use a brooch to dress up a pair of boots, to add bling to a purse or clutch, or to jazz up a necklace. Mix things up by varying colors, shapes, and sizes. There are so many possibilities!	Crepe Clutch with Weiss Brooch by RubysPlace
I hope you can find some more useful ideas for your mother's and grandmother's jewelry after reading this post. If you have other ideas, please feel free to share by including those ideas in your comments.

The Tears of the Goddess Pele

Vintage Peridot Necklace
by
birdie1

August's Birthstone - Peridot - The Tears of the Goddess Pele

Legends claim that Peridots are the tears of the Hawaiian Volcano goddess, Pele, and small Peridots can be found all over the beaches of the islands.  Used by the Ancient Egyptians to commune w/nature, and prized for its brilliance, Peridot is said to be the symbol of the sun.  Often called evening emerald because it is said to glow in the dark, Peridot is thought to calm anger, aide in healing, and enhance power.

Antique Color Plate
from 1906 Encyclopedia
by
SeagullIsland

Peridot is the stone for the Zodiac sign, Libra.   But the constellations for August are actually Leo the Lion (July 23 - August 22) and Virgo the Virgin (August 23 - September 22).

Peridot is most often found in jewelry, but in Ancient times, was used to make drinkware and decorate armor, boxes, turbans...

Ah... August's birthstone, Peridot - love to say the name and love the cool, green color.  Peridot, a variety of Olivine, is the modern birthstone for August, while Sardonyx, a striped form of agate, is the traditional one.

An ancient Gregorian Calendar muses:

Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.

Fenton's Violets in the Snow

Fenton Silver Crest
Violets in the Snow Vase
by MyMilkGlassShop

To continue my series on Fenton Silver Crest, this week I will discuss the decoration, Violets in the snow (VITS). VITS is the first Louise Piper decoration, and was first seen on Silver Crest in 1968.

Louise Piper is a renowned Fenton artist who came to the company in 1968 and was a beloved fixture in the decorating rooms - many artists expanded their skills under Louise's tutelage.  Fenton glassware with Louise's name on it are highly sought after and extremely collectible.

Louise's gorgeous decoration of delicate purple flowers graces more than the Silver Crest line, and first appears on Spanish Lace in 1974. VITS was discontinued by the end of 1984.

The hardest to find pieces include the ashtray, the candy box, the table and classic lamp, the pitcher, and the square planter.

This glassware makes a stunning, everyday decoration. I'm especially fond of the Silver Crest Violets in the Snow Handled Bon Bon, which I use to offer small treats on the coffee table.

It is with a sad heart that I end this article w/the notation that Fenton will be shutting down its main furnace and discontinuing its traditional glassmaking business.  We are witnessing the end of an era and the disappearance of US made decorative glassware.

Born in the Month of July

I'm going to interrupt my series on Fenton Silver Crest to highlight this month's birthstones and such.

Vintage Boudoir Art Deco
Vanity Set
by KowGirlKitsch

People born in July are born under either the sign of Cancer (June 22 - July 22), the crab, or Leo (July 23 - August 22), the lion.

Cancers and Emeralds

Cancers traditionally claim Emerald as their birth stone, while Leos claim Onyx.  Emeralds, a member of the beryl family, were thought to have mystical powers and enhance clairvoyance, love, and happiness, and are also thought to promote healing.

Trivia - Emeralds are one of only two gemstones, the other being Topaz, that is listed as a birthstone in all of the ancient lists.

To find more offerings of Emeralds by the EtsyVintageTeam - please click here.

Vintage Mexico Sterling &
Black Onyx Necklace
by MaryBethHale

Leos and Onyx

Onyx, a form of quartz and one of my favorite gemstones, comes in the traditional black, or can be found with white bands on black or brown.  Onyx is also thought to enhance intuition and promote healing, and help curb bad habits.

My favorite form of Black Onyx can be found carved in old Mexican jewelry, similar to the example to the right.  These handmade pieces are very impressive in their design and creativity.

Mythology - Roman legend has it that the god Cupid trimmed his mother Venus' fingernails while she was asleep along the banks of the sacred Indus River.  As those clippings fell into the river and rested along the bottom, they turned to Onyx, as they were originally part of a god's body.

To find more offerings of Onyx by the EtsyVintageTeam - please click here. 

The Ruby

Modern, Mystical, and Ayurvedic philosophies (visit my blogpost for June for more information) all claim Ruby as the birthstone for July.

Vintage Ruby Red
Juice Glasses
by JudyGoVintage

Tiffany & Co., c1870, also promoted Ruby as July's Birthstone w/the following poem:

The glowing ruby shall adorn,

Those who in July are born;

Then they'll be exempt and free

From love's doubts and anxiety.

The Ruby, a Corundum variety, and the second hardest stone after Diamond, was often used as a talisman in ancient times to ward off evil and is thought to bring security and contentment.  Because of it's fiery color, Rubies are often associated w/everlasting love and good fortune.

Trivia - Only the red form of the gemstone is considered a Ruby, all other colors are considered Sapphires.

To find more offerings of Rubies by the EtsyVintageTeam - please click here.


Birthflower

The birthflower for July is the Delphinium, or Larkspur, thought to symbolize joyfulness.

1922 Delphinium Lithograph
For Framing by SurrenderDorothy

FOODIE FRIDAY -- R Is For RADICCHIO

It's interesting how our tastes change over time, or having something prepared in a new way can change your perception. I used to dislike radicchio, even picking it out of salads. I found it to be bitter. A couple of years ago, I had GRILLED radicchio as a side dish at a local eatery. It was amazing!!! I immediately tried to replicate the recipe, and it turned out quite well. Grilling it tames the bitterness, and actually imparts an almost nutty flavor.

(photo courtesy of marthastewart.com)


Here's some information on this tasty green, from epicurious.com:

radicchio
[rah-DEE-kee-oh]
This red-leafed Italian CHICORY is most often used as a salad green. There are several varieties of radicchio, but the two most widely available in the United States are Verona and Treviso . The radicchio di Verona has burgundy-red leaves with white ribs. It grows in a small, loose head similar to BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE. The leaves of radicchio di Treviso are narrow and pointed and form tighter, more tapered heads. They also have white ribs but can range in color from pink to dark red. Other radicchio varieties have variegated or speckled leaves in beautiful shades of pink, red and green. All radicchios have tender but firm leaves with a slightly bitter flavor. Radicchio is available year-round, with a peak season from midwinter to early spring. Choose heads that have crisp, full-colored leaves with no sign of browning. Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. Besides being used in salads, radicchio may also be cooked by grilling, sautéing or baking.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/tools/fooddictionary/entry/?id=4169#ixzz1QtkZBXb8

RECIPE: GRILLED BALSAMIC RADICCHIO


INGREDIENTS:

* 3 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 TBS balsamic vinegar
* 2 TBS orange Juice
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
* 1 teaspoon orange zest
* 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper (optional)
* 2 large heads of radicchio, each quartered through core end
* sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
* 1/4 - 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese shavings (parmesan will do in a pinch)

DIRECTIONS:

Whisk oil, vinegar, orange juice, garlic, rosemary, zest, and crushed red pepper in large bowl. Add radicchio and toss to coat. Marinate 15 minutes.

Prepare barbecue or stovetop grill pan (medium heat). Drain marinade into small bowl. Place radicchio on grill or in pan; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill radicchio until edges are crisp and slightly charred, turning occasionally, about 6 minutes. Transfer radicchio to serving platter. Drizzle with reserved marinade and sprinkle with cheese shavings.

****************

Serve it up on a nice vintage platter:

There's Nothing Like a Trifari

By Kim - CranberryManor

Trifari Jewelry has always been a name synonymous with creativity, quality, and glamour. Even the jewelry made in modern times is of quality and style, and collectible in its own right.

The company can trace its beginnings back to 1910 when Italian immigrant, Gustavo Trifari, and his uncle began producing jewelry under the name Trifari & Trifari. Gustavo, 2 years later, decided to branch out on his own under the brand name Trifari. Continuing to produce high quality, costume jewelry, that rivaled the real thing, Gustavo met his partner & sales manager, Leo Krussman in 1917. Trifari & Krussman was later formed in 1918. When top salesman Carl Fishel joined the company in 1923, the name changed again to Trifari, Krussman, and Fishel, and the trademark "KTF" was born (the T in the middle is larger than the other 2 letters, denoting the senior partner, Trifari).

The 1930s & 1940s was the grand age of costume jewelry for many design houses, Trifari included. This was the time that Alfred Phillipe joined the company as head designer, producing some of the most outstanding jewelry the company has seen. Very, very collectible, Phillipe designs are elegant, glamourous, and timeless.

Some of the company's most popular, and most collected, designers, outside of Alfred Phillipe, include Jean Paris, Andre Boeut, and Diane Love. Pieces by these designers still command some of the highest prices Trifari jewelry can bring.

Even old magazine and fashion advertisements form a very popular collecting genre of Trifari Jewelry. For a wonderful selection of old Trifari ads, please visit Morning Glory's Trifari Ad Page.

Trifari Jewelry is marked, most commonly with what is referred to as the "Crown T" mark. Hallmarks w/a © indicate a production date of post-1955. For an extensive description of Trifari marks, please see Illusion Jewels Trifari Section.

Trifari became part of the Monet group in the 90s, and is today owned by Liz Claiborne and in off shore production.

My personal collection includes a wonderful array of Trifari figurals, and my quest is to acquire each piece in the specific lines, from the pearlescent Fantasia Collection to the oh so cute Pets Collection.

The Etsy Vintage Team offers a wonderful collection of Trifari Jewels - please click here.

Welcome New Member: Cranberry Manor

A visit to Cranberry Manor is like a stroll through a crystal garden, full of sparkle in every color of the rainbow! Kim's Etsy shop specializes in vintage designer signed jewelry, and also includes beautiful pottery and art glass as well.

With an amazing selection of 1880s-1980s jewelry, choosing one example is impossible! Personally, I am in love with this 1950s-60s hematite and rhinestones set from the House of DeLizza & Elster. It includes a mesh band necklace with pendant or brooch, plus clip earrings. Wow!

Although new to the Etsy Vintage Team, Kim has been part of the Etsy community for 2 1/2 years, and is also the Team Captain for the Vintage Jewelry Sellers of Etsy (VJSE). We're thrilled to have Cranberry Manor join our roster. Welcome!