Topic: Jewellery: Glass, paste, diamante, marcasite

[Frank]

Most of the Art Deco Marcasite is set in steel.

[josordoni]

If you want modern/retro then of course vintage Butler and Wilson is a name to conjure with.  

This site seems to have a load of costume jewellry for you to wonder at:

http://www.treasurebox.co.uk/designer_jewellery_gallery/butler_and_wilson_biography.htm

[josordoni]

Oh sorry, I was rushing, just looked at that link again, and it is all modern new stuff.   :oops:

[Frank]

An important producer of crystals for jewellery were of course Swarovski, founded by Daniel Swarovski in Wattens, Austria in 1895. They were using electricity from the beginning for cutting, probably a first.

Of course the modern production is a little... err... tacky

[Tigerchips]

As mentioned earlier, there is a lot of costume jewellery in some Judith Miller's books, I have Judith Miller's "Collector's Guides: Costume Jewellery" (2003).

Which has in it:
Chanel
Christian Dior
Coppola e Toppo
Coro and Corocraft
Fahrner
Hattie Carnegie
Hobe
Joseff of Hollywood
Kenneth J Lane
Lea Stein
Lisner
Maison Gripoix
Marcel Boucher
Mazer Brothers
Miriam Haskell
Schiaparelli
Stanly Hagler
Trifari
Vendome
Weiss
Amongst others

Their are also sections on:
Austrian Fruits
Bakelite
Christmas tree pins
Coro duettes
Plastic Jewellery
Scottish agate

There is a Czech section but it's only on one page.  

The book is just how I like it, big close up pictures, a little detail of the companies but not enough to boar me half to death.

I have a few pieces of Miracle, I'm not sure if they have glass or minerals in them (perhaps both).
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_1417.jpg

Also, I have a no thrills Trifari Broach and a Coro necklace - which I think has glass stones in it.
http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10011/Picture_1420.jpg
I could be wrong but I don't think there is much market for these as they are not intricate enough.

[Pip]

I'm glad you mentioned Lea Stein, Tiger - I have a couple of Lea Stein brooches - she produced brooches using cellulose - sort of layered them up with interesting glittery layers in between the cellulose and melted them.  I bought two quite rare early butterfly brooches of hers for £15 each - much to hubby's derision - he was convinced they were modern plastic rubbish.  He had to eat his words though when we saw some on a TV programme valued at £50 each.  I couldn't resist doing that 'see!!!!' thing you do to someone when they've been proved wrong.

[Sklounion]

Hi,
The major centre for costume jewellery in Czechoslovakia has always been Jablonec nad Nisou (Gablonz). The truly excellent museum there is well worth a visit.
regards,
Marcus

[Connie]

An important producer of crystals for jewellery were of course Swarovski, founded by Daniel Swarovski in Wattens, Austria in 1895. They were using electricity from the beginning for cutting, probably a first.

Of course the modern production is a little... err... tacky

Swarovski is still the leading producer of quality rhinestones.  IMHO they can't be beat for clarity and sparkle.

The giftware line is only a small fraction of their business.

I have quite a bit of custome jewelry on my website. My favorite is Julianna but I can't keep it in my shop.

[heartofglass]

2 excellent books on glass costume jewellery/beads are "Glass in Jewellery" & "Baubles,Buttons,& Beads" by Sybille Jargsdorf, a German writer/researcher.
Lots of info on the beadmakers of Bohemia & Germany,& also Venice.
Most of the beads & other components(metal fittings) used in costume jewellery in 19th-20th C. came from Bohemia.
These weren't usually marked with makers names, however designer or importers names were often added, even if they had little or no input in making the items.

[RoynMargaret]

Great start. Thanks to all who have replied. I have enough to keep me going for some time