Bulgari Necklace - 1972

I thought I would start my Christmas list early.  I am head-over-heels in love with this Bulgari necklace from 1972.  Black onyx and diamond stripes set in gold.   Yes, that will do nicely!

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Wild Accessories - 1966

During the Mod craze of the mid 1960s, accessories became bold and fun right along with clothing.  Today, a look at some fun things from 1966.  Would you wear these today?

Above, Veruschka wears a collar made of blue rhinestones by Jack Gilbert.

Huge white plastic earrings by Paco Rabanne.

Peter Bateman wig made of strands of rhinestones.  That's one way to sparkle at night!

Mirrored cubes made into earrings and a ring by Antonio Lopez for Paris House.

Plastic jewelry by Ingeborg/Georgio for Richelieu.

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Saks Holiday Catalog - 2000 The Jewelry

More from the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Preview catalog from 2000. While not technically vintage, I do think it is interesting to see what Saks and the designers were showing 10 years ago. Today, a look at some of the jewelry.

Orlando Orlandini for Simon Sobie 18K gold necklace with diamonds. Sold for $7525 in 2000.

Marlene Stowe 18K gold, platinum and diamond butterfly and leaf pins. Sold for $2900 to $4400 in 2000.

Yuri Ichihashi handwoven 18K gold multistrand necklace with diamonds set in platinum. Sold for $18,000 in 2000.

John Hardy Batu Mas Collection earrings, ring, and bracelet in 18K gold and aquamarine. Sold for $3045 to $6825 in 2000.

Michael Dawkins 14K gold and South Sea pearl necklace with diamond clasp. Sold for $13,395 in 2000.

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Jeweler Ilias Lalaounis

1973

I was thumbing through a magazine from 1973 that had a feature on Greece, when this image caught my eye. Well, not the image so much. It was the necklace that grabbed my attention. Stunning, no? This sculptured silver butterfly with articulated wings is set with semi-precious stones and hangs from a plexiglass collar. It was designed and made by Ilias Lalaounis.

1969

Turns out, Lalaouinis is quite the talented artist. He is a 4th generation jeweler who joined the family business in 1940. He studied ancient techniques for working with 18 and 22 karat gold. In the 1950s, he began designing jewelry based upon ancient Greek artifacts, and his career took off.

1983

In 1969, Lalaounis left the family business to form his own company. He opened several stores on various Greek islands, as well as in cities throughout the world. Today, the company thrives and Ilias' daughter Maria has become the 5th generation jeweler in the family.

1957

In 1993, Lalaounis opened the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens, Greece. Here you can see over 3000 pieces of jewelry designed by him throughout the last 60 years. It's well worth a stop if your travel plans include the Greek Isles.

1985

If you'd like to see the current designs being offered by the Lalaounis company, take a look at their gorgeous website, and be prepared to drool.

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Holiday Gifts - Jewels 1957

Since you are enjoying the jewels so much, here's one more post. By rights, these ads from 1957 should have been my Monday post so they would go in chronological order, but it didn't work out that way.

Tiffany emeralds and diamonds set in platinum.

Harry Winston. I'm not sure what the origin of the tradition is, but most Harry Winston ads feature birds. This one looks rather menacing.

Van Cleef & Arpels

In 1957, Rolex would custom make a diamond watch for you. Shown here, the Basel Fair model featured 208 diamonds in a platinum setting for a mere $10,000 (that's $76,000 in today's dollar!).

This jewelry from 1957 seems rather tame compared to the ads from subsequent years. I still like the David Webb enamel jewelry from 1966 best. How about you?

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Holiday Gifts - Jewels 1975

More holiday jewels, this time from 1975.

Bulgari

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany

Elsa Peretti had just joined Tiffany the previous year, and the company is already featuring her designs in full page advertisements in 1975. Interesting to note that the ad states these earrings are for pierced ears, which were becoming very popular with younger women. But Tiffany placates it's traditional buyers by pointing out that you can also wear this pierced earring as a pin.

Van Cleef & Arpels cabochon emeralds and diamonds set in 18k gold.

Piaget diamond and lapis lazuli watch set in 18k gold.

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Holiday Gifts - Jewels 1966

Need some ideas for holiday gifts? How about a few jewels from 1966? Click the pics for larger views so you can drool.

David Webb

Van Cleef & Arpels

Tiffany

Harry Winston

Which would you choose? Me? The ram's head bracelet by David Webb, thank you.

In other news:

Over the weekend I found out that Couture Allure has been chosen as the Best Site for Vintage Fashion by Time Out Singapore magazine. Thank you!

Also, check out the photo of Jayne Conroy looking gorgeous in a vintage 1950s suit purchased from Couture Allure at Fab Over Fifty. And do watch the inspiring video featuring Geri Brin, founder of faboverfifty.com.

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Joseph Warner Bracelet - 1965

This photo caught my eye today, but not for the Oscar de la Renta red silk dress and cape. Very pretty, but what captured my attention was the bracelet. Row after row of crystal rhinestone covered spheres with a dangling tassel of the same. Isn't it magnificent?

I wanted to reach in to the photo and grab the model's hand out from under the cape to get a better look.

I continued to flip through the magazine, and there it was again, this time worn with a white brocade and black satin evening gown and cape by Dominic for Matty Talmack. And this time, we can see the bracelet in all it's glory, although in black and white.

The bracelet is by Joseph Warner. The Joseph Warner company was in business from about 1953 - 1971. They were known for their high quality workmanship with sparkling rhinestones often set into japanned (black) metal settings.

Warner jewelry is not commonly found and commands higher prices today, although there are many pieces available online. I didn't find anything like this bracelet, but I'll be watching!

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Jewelry Trends - 1961

In 1961, dress silhouettes were very sleek and simple with no fussy necklines to be seen. Jewelry was an important way to accent that look. The hot trends in jewelry that year were:
- Drop earrings
- Multi-strand bead necklaces in short lengths
- Longer 22" length necklaces with larger beads
- Large chunky pins, many in floral shapes
- Bangle bracelets worn in pairs
- Large sparkling cocktail rings

From the Paris runway, Christian Dior necklace of grey, white, and black cut-crystal beads. Also came in a longer version.

From the Paris runway, Lanvin three strand necklace of faux pearls dotted with tiny rhinestones
.
From top to bottom:
- Miriam Haskell floral brooch with jet black stones
- Mimi di N.-Brania gilt and rhinestone ring
- Bergere gilded wire flower brooch with faux pearl center
- Scassi pin of gilt metal with rhinestones and a green stone at center
- Trifari pair of bracelets in gilt with pavé rhinestones

From top to bottom:
- Hattie Carnegie three strand necklace of terra cotta color beads
- Joseph Mazer ring with pavé rhinestones in clear and blue
- Monet 22" strand of gilt beads
- Monet four strand chocker of gilt beads (2 necklaces stacked here)
- Brania long necklace in gilt with black beads

From top to bottom:
- Castlecliff ring with huge baroque mock pearl and topaz colored stones
- Marvella Coutura three strand necklace in faux jade and gilt beads
- Marvella Coutura drop earrings with faux coral teardrops
- Sandor Goldberger maltese cross pin set with faux lapis stones

Written content is copyright of Couture Allure. If you are reading this anywhere but on the Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog, it is via RSS feed.

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Elsa Peretti Jewelry for Halston

5 years before joining Tiffany, Elsa Peretti began her jewelry career by designing pieces for Halston and Georgio di Sant'Angelo in 1969. Halston had just started out on his own in 1968 and had become friends with Peretti when she worked as a model.

Her first piece of jewelry was a small bottle suspended from a chain for Sant'Angelo. It had no stopper and was meant to hold a flower. But it was her work with Halston that put Peretti on the map. Halston's minimalistic designs were the perfect background for Peretti's sculptural pieces.

From 1971, Peretti's silver buckle, necklace, and cuff bracelets are worn with Halston's white satin halter dress.

Peretti's silver belt, ring, and earrings worn with Halston's white satin dinner pyjamas.

Peretti's silver and leather belt, silver cuff bracelet, and silver with ivory earrings with Halston's yellow acrylic sweater.
Peretti's ivory cuff bracelet and ring worn with Halston's white cashmere and dacron caftan. The wood bracelets and ivory necklace are by Catherine T. Noll for Fabrice.

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Vintage and Antique Jewelry on the Auction Block

The next couple of weeks will bring loads of vintage and antique jewelry to the auction block in several cities around the world. But first, lets talk about an exhibit of ancient jewelry.

1st Century BCE Parthian Earrings
Gold, garnet, and turquoise

The National Jewelry Institute is presenting "Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry: Exquisite Objects from the Cradle of Civilization". The exhibit has pulled 135 pieces of jewelry from museums around the world, some more than 7,000 years old. The exhibit is open at the Forbes Galleries on Fifth Avenue, New York through December 31 and then will travel to The Field Museum in Chicago where it will be on display February 13-July 5, 2009.

1930's cherry amber Bakelite
4 strand necklace with 88 beads

Estate Roadshow Auctions in Mount Pleasant, SC will conduct an auction on December 7 of vintage and antique jewelry from the estate of Connecticut antique dealer Louise Mondani Graham. The collection includes fine and costume jewelry, most of which was purchased in the 1950's and 60's, put away in boxes and never opened again. About 40 percent of the collection consists of costume jewelry by such designers as Miram Haskell, Christian Dior, Jorgen Jensen, and Alice Caviness. The best part? You can bid online at the Estate Roadshow website! The entire catalog is on view now and you can start bidding today.

20th century amethyst necklace
owned and worn by Deborah Kerr

Bonham's, London will bring to auction 132 lots of fine jewelry on December 4. Included in the auction will be 5 lots of jewelry from the estate of actress Deborah Kerr, who died on October 16, 2007. The entire catalog is available for online viewing at the Bonham's website. Preview in London begins November 30.

Diamond and ruby floral clip, 2" diameter

Weschler's Auctioneers in Washington, D.C. will conduct an auction of jewelry, coins, and watches on December 6. Included will be 204 lots with a wonderful selection of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Victorian jewelry. The entire catalog is on view at the Weschler website. Preview in D.C. begins November 30.

Verdura onyx and multi-gem
Maltese cross bracelet

Christie's, New York will offer an auction of fine jewelry on December 11. The sale includes 283 lots featuring such designers as Bulgari, Cartier, Lalique, Tiffany, Harry Winston, and Verdura. The entire catalog is available for view at the Christie's website and preview in New York begins December 6.

18K gold, Lapis lazuli and diamond earrings

Joseph DuMouchelle will offer an auction of Jewels, Time Pieces, and Artwork on December 7 in Dearborn, MI. The complete catalog is available online at the DuMouchelle website, and you can bid online. Preview begins December 4.

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Vintage Tiffany Gold Jewelry from 1959

Lovely aren't they? This ad for Tiffany jewelry comes from the December 1959 issue of Glamour magazine. If you could find any of these pieces today, they would be quite valuable.

From top:
Wild Rose pin 18K $50 ($370 today)
Leaf Bouquet pin 18K $55 ($407 today)
Twisted Rope bracelet 18K $185 ($1371 today)
Double Shell earrings 14K $38 ($282 today)
Feather earrings 14K $32 ($237 today)
Tulip Bouquet pin 18K $37 ($274 today)
Fluted Flower clip-pin 18K $58 ($430 today)

Those today prices are from the CPI calculator, which tells us if we spent $50 in 1959, that same $50 is would equal $370 in 2008. As for what you could buy these pieces for at Tiffany today?

The closest 18K gold bracelet I found was this braid bracelet for $2400. As for earrings, you can get a basic twist knot style for $475. Tiffany doesn't offer any 18K pins similar to those shown here. I guess the price of gold has outpaced inflation!

I won't recommend any sites for vintage Tiffany jewelry, but I will advise you to be very careful and purchase from a reputable dealer, as fakes in the jewelry market are rampant.

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