We love our costume jewelry, and when we find a piece that has the designer’s name, or “signature” on the back, we know we have a piece that can be dated and its value better understood. Sometimes manufacturers made unsigned jewelry that was sold to department stores, which then put the jewelry in boxes with the store’s name. For the next 227 pages you’ll be treated to photographs and detailed descriptions of unsigned brooches, necklaces, earrings, parures (sets), dress clips and accessories. Marcia “Sparkles” Brown has given us some answers, and hundreds of gorgeous photographs in her book, “Unsigned Beauties of Costume Jewelry, Identification and Values”. Now what about starting a collection? It’s a visual treat and a well researched book that you’ll refer to over and over. Page 15 tells us. There’s a comprehensive section on dating your jewelry, including a time chart, fashion style dating and art trends, followed by expert advice on care, restoration and storage. Why do we call it costume jewelry? A fascinating chapter on rhinestone history takes you from the kings of France through Daniel Swarovski’s processes to the present time. Several pages of photographs of rhinestone butterfly pins finish the chapter. Stone shapes and settings are examined and illustrated with drawings and examples. One reason is that fine jewelry of gold and gemstones was worn by ladies of wealth and position, while the cheaper, “fake” jewelry was worn by the poor or women of “ill repute”. It not only shows a multitude of unsigned jewelry pieces, but also gives you history, concepts and the basics of starting a collection. More photos illustrate this section. And why, when there was such obvious artistry and craftsmanship involved in producing the piece, was it left unsigned? Finishing up the book are an extensive glossary and a bibliography that will tempt you with many titles of books about antique and vintage costume jewelry. The chapter on collectibilty will show you what to look for, how to choose, how to examine condition, and how to evaluate craftsmanship. But what about the literally millions of pieces of beautiful costume jewelry that have no signature? Costume jewelry was made in vast quantities in mass production, and to keep up with demand the makers did not always take the time to stamp their name or company logo on each individual piece. The book is divided into sections, with many photographs illustrating every page. Makers of fine jewelry were proud to put their signatures on their creations, while artisans who made fake jewelry were just working to make a living – it was a lower class profession without the pride of putting one’s name on one’s products. We learn about different metals used in costume jewelry, such as white metal, gold plating, sterling silver, vermeil, rhodium, silver plating, enamel, japanning and gun metal. This book is a must-have for the collector or anyone who buys and sells costume jewelry.

With time there have been several changes introduced in the designs and styles of jewelry boxes.

Good jewelry boxes are works of art. Some exquisitely made wooden jewelry boxes are antique pieces which have been crafted by master craftsmen and are collector’s items. Wooden jewelry boxes are available in various finishes and textures. The soft lining ensures that the delicate pieces of jewelry kept inside are not damaged in any manner. Examples of such wood varieties are rosewood, ebony, blodwood, bocote, jatoba, kingwood, lacewood, olivewood, padauk and many more. With exteriors made of good quality wood and the interiors lined with soft satins and velvets, wooden jewelry boxes make perfect nesting places for your jewelry. The most common type of jewelry box is one with a wooden flip top lid. Several special boxes are created with wood sourced from other countries. The musical jewelry boxes made of wood have their own special kind of charm. There are several established firms who specialize in making wooden jewelry boxes. In many of these, once the box is opened, a musical tune plays lightly in the background. The choices range from warm mahogany wood, white ash, cherry, maple, koa, walnut, birch, burl and other varieties found in America. The type of wood used and the quality of craftsmanship determines the price of the jewelry box. With time there have been several changes introduced in the designs and styles of jewelry boxes. For those who want inexpensive wooden jewelry boxes, several can be found at local stores.

These pieces are made by bulk manufacturers. Some innovative designs seen in wooden jewelry boxes are those with divided compartments and lift out trays or with frame and panel lids as well as raised “pillow-style” lids. Many of these boxes are available in a host of designs, and are also sold in a variety of types. Wooden jewelry armoires are tall units, with stacked drawers and often with hooks to hang longer items such as necklaces. Jewelry boxes are available in various price ranges to suit different needs. If you are an avid jewelry collector, wood jewelry boxes will definitely protect and store your precious items from wear and tear. You can also use these boxes to store your jewelry when you are traveling from one place to another. There are those that are commonly available in stores and exquisite and unique pieces which can be bought only in renowned auction houses. You can always find music jewelry boxes made of wood for instance. A well made jewelry box is a beautiful object to possess and to give as a gift. Most of these boxes have an interior lining of satin, suede, or velvet, so you know you are giving your treasured baubles the best protection.

Furthermore, if you have a large collection, you can always opt for the bigger jewelry chests. Wooden jewelry boxes have become the most popular of these boxes due to a few reasons, which you will find below. The brilliance and decadence a natural stone presents reveals the natural beauty found in the world. Some popular wood types include mahogany, maple, cherry, walnut, and birch wood. Often, wood types with excellent finishes are used since they are bound to result in excellent finished products. If you want a wooden box with first-rate quality, you need to be prepared to pay for more. Whether you are buying for yourself or purchasing a jewelry box for a loved one, make sure the purchase is worth your expense. Since these wooden boxes are sold in a variety of styles, you need to make a review on the selections first before actually purchasing anything. Simple in design, yet complete with its own luxurious attraction as well. Wood jewelry boxes can last for a long time, as long as you maintain the proper care. For the contemporary jewelry collector, jewelry boxes in modern designs are available as well. Since the beginning of our fascination with jewelry, we have also desired a place to keep our gems and jewels. Oftentimes, the type of wood used and the design adopted for the wood jewelry boxes determine the price for the end product. There are antique wooden boxes for those who want a more vintage style. Jewelry has long been one of the most sought after luxuries of our time. One of the most popular of these places is the jewelry box. Many types of wood are being used to make beautiful jewelry boxes. The first reason wood is preferred over other material is due to the natural beauty we find in the various types of woods. Mind you, this particular style has stood the test of time and become popular over many years. However, you also need to check on whether the jewelry box suits your collection, especially if you plan on expanding the number of items in the future.