How To Wear Estate Jewelry - Revving Up The Retro

Oh, what a week. 
Obviously I've been grumbling on a daily basis about all of the busy work that goes into getting my taxes completed...so I decided to take a break from the all the wasteful spending by the government things that annoy me about the modern world and concentrate on the loveliness of past at the LA Antiques Show.

It seemed to be a much smaller show this year than the shows that I've gone to in the past...a sign of the times non?There were some very attractive antiques, books and Mid-Century abstract paintings that struck my eye.  But I'm afraid that I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with the estate jewelry. 

This week what I am loving are these pieces from the Retro Period. 

Vintage Van Cleef Retro Bird Brooch with Rubies, Diamonds and Sapphires in Patriotic Style in 18K

During WW2 both fine and fashion (costume) jewelers showed their support for the war effort by designing patriotic jewelry.  They created brooches with specific war related motifs such as army jeeps, American flags, military insignias and medals.  Many of their designs also stayed within the patriotic genre by using red, white and blue gemstones like the rubies, diamonds and sapphires in this VCA brooch.

My photos don't do justice to how beautiful the stones are in this piece...but here's what the VCA brooch looks like being worn

Isn't it charming?

Another great vintage estate jewelry piece from the late Retro Period that I have been wearing this week is this Cartier sapphire brooch which comes with matching earrings.

Vintage Retro Cartier Sapphire Brooch and Earrings in 18K

These pre sputnik style designs were highly popular in the late Retro to the early Mid-Century period.

Here is the Cartier set being worn. 

Yes I know that jewelry buyers today are looking for contemporary pieces such as VCA Alhambra necklaces and Cartier love bangles. While they are certainly chic, they just don't evoke any curiosity.

For me there's something wonderful about wearing jewelry that has a history.  It always makes me wonder who owned this piece?  How was it acquired?  Was it a special gift? What outfit was it worn with?  Did the wearer have a father, husband, lover or son fighting overseas?

So many questions and so few answers.  Provenance is rarely available.

Such is the nature of antiques and estate jewelry.

OK, so back to my grumbling.

I highly recommend that you read this article from Bloomberg

The Fed Rescue Program Too Bizarre to Be True: Michael Lewis

It's always good to know what your hard earned tax dollars fund!

Vintage Vogues of Christmases Past

In a time long ago, in a place far far away, fashion magazines weren't all about celebrities and the latest actress du jour.  As David posted about today, Vogue back in the day, had beautifully illustrated cover art.

Regard

How fabulous is this illustration?

I can't read the date but I'm guessing the early 1920's

And here's another cover one with the Brancusi like beauty.

1920's also I suppose.

In addition to to illustration Vintage Vogue had clever constructions

such as this cover art from 1940.

I love how the title was formed with pieces of Retro Jewelry.

And note the classic Retro ruby and diamond bracelet, it reminds me of this beautiful bracelet.

Retro Ruby and Diamond Bracelet in 18K circa 1940

Ah, crunch time is on for another few days and then the Christmas break.

I can't wait.

Also, I've been enjoying all the blogs with gorgeous Xmas decoration

Here's one that I recommend mynottinghill.

Jewelry Biz - We Get Quoted...Sometimes

Just to let you know that occasionally someone does take our opinion seriously...

as this is the second article in Rapaport where we've been quoted.

Sorry, but we can't let you know what we actually said...because you have to have an account

with the top secret 'to the trade only' Diamonds.net.

We just want to know when the Wall Street Journal is going to call us for a quote....

We are patiently waiting.....

St Patrick's Day Treat

I thought that I'd be spending St. Patrick's Day chasing down a rainbow and finding a pot of gold, but it's 85 degrees in Beverly Hills, no rainbows in sight and I'm not delving into the Irish Whiskey...yet.
But almost as good as finding a pot of gold is the fact that Beladora.com estate jewelry was featured in 7 pages of fashion editorial shots in the April issue of Elle Magazine.

Here's a really cool period piece, a French Retro Bracelet in Rose Gold

and here is the big sculptural gold bracelet that I posted about two days ago. It looks so much better being worn than in a photograph.

I'll post more photos when I get them.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

Erin Go Bragh

Wild About Retro

OK, not that you asked but I thought I'd tell you anyway, what I wore to the Neiman's event.
Since it was sponsored by the very elegant ladies of the Friends of Virginia Robinson Garden's
I just had to wear a little jewelry.
Usually I wear garden themed jewelry to these kind of events, little flower, butterfly or bee brooches.

But this time I went a little more bold. On the lapel of my Chanel jacket I wore this 1940s Retro bow brooch with gigantic citrine in yellow and rose gold. It isn't on Beladora yet because I love it so much that am contemplating keeping it for myself.

And this classic 1940s Retro tank tread bracelet.

Cool aren't they?

Vintage Value Venture - A Big Bold Retro Ring

It's all a matter of scale
Retro Jewelry is all about being big and bold

Often the photos that you see on the internet don't give you the full idea of the scale of the piece
so here is an example of a Retro ring that looks smaller on Beladora.com than it really is.

Retro Citrine Ring

If you shop online, don't be shy about asking for additional photos of any piece that you are interested in.

Savvy Shopping - Bring On The Retro Brooches

Staying quiet and cool in the air conditioning yesterday I finally got around to reading the new September issue of Vogue with the cover photo of Charlize Theron looking just a t'wee bit alien-ish.
The multi page Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue ads left me uninspired.


But the editorial featuring the 1940s inspired looks photographed by Steven Meisel was simply brilliant. I particularly loved the black and white photo of the two models (Karen and Liya, if you must know) in the Thomas Maier for Bottega Veneta dresses. That photo was museum worthy.

What I just don't get it this.
Vogue's website Style.com, the Forties Trend featured Ben-Amun costume jewelry.
So the print magazine encourages its readers to buy outfits in the $2500-$3500 range, with $1000 shoes and $2000-$3000 handbags, but the website promotes $98 costume jewelry.

Hey, if anybody gets the whole 'look for less thing" it's moi.
But $2500 dresses and $100 brooches....in terms of intrinsic value makes absolutely no sense.
Flat out, the better investment in terms of long term value is, of course, estate jewelry.

Vintage Tiffany Retro Aquamarine Brooch from Beladora.com




Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Retro Ruby and Diamond Brooch from Beladora.com

I love big bold Retro brooches. These two just happen to be signed so definitely more on the pricey side. But there are lots of magnificent un-signed Retro brooches on Beladora.com that are perfect for a lifetime, and not just for this year's Forties trend.

In The Swim - Retro Style

Have the editors of Marie Claire magazine been reading BHB?
I noted the similarities between BHB's Beachy Keen
and
Marie Claire June issue's Steal or Splurge highlighting Retro swimwear
according to MC
Feel-good Gidget glamour is back!
Peachy-keen retro suits flatter
every beach body and budget

Vintage Retro Citrine and Ruby Ring in Rose Gold

Vintage Retro Tank Tread Bracelet in Rose Gold

Well whatever.

I love the Retro look in swimwear and in jewelry

it's glamorous...but with a sense of humor

and I'm all about not taking myself or fashion too seriously.

Here's some more Vintage Retro Estate Jewelry

Here's the Marie Claire Retro style swimwear and stuff.