Need Help Please -- Whole Lotta Costume Jewelry!

Was up at my cousin's today and he and his wife said that they hadn't sorted through his Mom's jewelry and they didn't want to inadvertently send something valuable to the thrift. (She passed away several years ago.). So, I said let me take a look and I sorted some gold and silver pieces -- some rather sentimental items which were nice to see -- and the costume jewelry. What I'm wondering is if there's anything in the costume jewelry that is "better" than thrift store. Photos below and I apologize that they aren't all that clear when enlarged. The only piece that I could see a name was a long plain chain with a "D'Orlean" tag on it. There's a cool multicoloured bead necklace, but we couldn't figure out if it is glass or ceramic. There is one vintage Stratton compact and IIRC some people collect them? My aunt was fond of pearl necklaces -- I don't think any of them are real, but I forget how the tooth test works! Thanks so much for your help!













More pix in the next reply...

 

I'd loop everything there....seeing as how folks here are always finding precious metal among costume pieces...

rub a pearl along the edge of your front teeth.....if smooth like plastic...it's plastic...if it's gritty...and rough like a natural material...Voila ....pearl !

 

Those pearl earings look silver. Yeah, check everything carefully, chuck the rest in the bin.

 

I wonder if those multi-colored beads might be dyed beans?

 

I'm curious about what those pieces with green 'gravel' is called because I have a few pieces of it. I love that pin with the black and green swirl

 

RE: seventh photo down (bottom right of photo) . . .

love, love, love two pieces: to the far right the silver pin with a flower in the center and "almost butterfly wings" coming from behind the flower, and the gold-tone(?) flower with leaves pin. Pretty pretty.

 

Lower bracelet is sterling and moonstone.

 

From the 1960s.
Kent's looks more turquoise color than green.
The darker greens are usually low quality jade.

 

The cross is most likely 12K GF. I sell them for 10 - 30 depending on engraving details.

 

Can we see a better picture of the elephant pin and the blue necklace.


The moonstone bracelet is probably the oldest and nicest piece in the lot.
All of it appears to be decent quality.

Check the pearls by running your teeth over - sandpaper feel is real.

 

MOS, completely off topic I know, but is your Avatar one of the images/selfies that one of the simians in the Indonesia National Park supposedly took???? I think it's neat!!! Was just reading an article about it on KelbyOne!

 

The cross also looks like it might have a stanhope viewer in the middle (I see a circle). That can increase the value.
.

 

Thanks -- I couldn't remember if rough meant fake or real for pearls. I think they're all fake, only one seemed to be slightly rough on my teeth. I've pulled all the sterling, gold and Norwegian stuff, but as I didn't have a loupe or magnifying glass, I may have missed a couple.

 

Well, it won't get chucked in the bin, but will go to the thrift I think. That's my way of recycling! Will get my cousin to put on his glasses and gat out his magnifying glass!

 

Thanks for the dating. It's not really a set, but the earrings, bracelet and necklace all have the chips in them. Didn't know if anyone is interested in that style anymore. They are mid-green chips, probably to give the impression of jade, but exactly what the stone is, I'm not sure.

 

Thanks for the info! I think my niece wants it!

I wondered about the finish -- it is a bit worn, but it's not a "junky" piece.

 

The silver pin is base metal and I think supposed to look like silver filigree. It's quite pretty and has a small bit of black glass in the centre of the flower. The gold-tone flower is nicely made, but I couldn't see a mark.

 

I was just going to comment on that piece, I love it !

 

Thank you, Kentworld.