Piece #23 of 100: Boy, oh boy! I should have worn these last week when we went wine tasting in Sonoma! These vintage silvertone earrings are marked Celebrity, which dates them from the 1950s, up to the middle of the 1970s. Just looking at the clip and the design, I would date these from the […]
Red and White Princess Necklace
Piece #21 of 100: Where do I begin? The red tear-drop rhinestones are 18mm tall (in other words: humongous) and the necklace drops four inches from the neckline. This was part of Mom’s cruise and party collection. You can see her wearing them (along with the matching earrings) in 1987 in this cute pix.
Lion Door Knockers
Piece #20 of 100: These two-inch door knockers are signed Kenneth Lane. On the clip of the earring, the “Kenneth” is above the “Lane” with a copyright symbol between them, which means these are from 1960s or 1970s. Kenneth Jay Lane later made a similar pair of earrings (a bit smaller) with rhinestone eyes for […]
Norma Jean Rhinestone Hoops
Piece #19 of 100: Adorned with 8mm Swarovski rivoli crystals, these pretty things hang 2 3/4″ from top to bottom. They have a satin-brushed finish, and look like they were molded from clay. The clip-on back is marked Norma Jean. I remember Mom wearing them. And I think they are really pretty. Do I say […]
Op Art Earrings
Piece #18 of 100: These silver toned op-art earrings are fun, fun, fun! Did I mention they were fun? They are two inches across, and each concentric ring moves independently in all directions. When you move your head, these earring wave, creating a true op art sensation. So what is op art, exactly? According to […]
King Tut Necklace
Piece #14 of 100 For those days when one King Tut just isn’t enough, here’s a gold tone necklace adorned with five! Is this great or what? It looks like a museum shop piece, but I do not know where it came from. Since I’m always asked, I’ll go ahead and tell you. No, I […]
Enameled Roses and Rhinestones
Piece #12 of 100: This sweet brooch reminds me of Mother’s Day. Doesn’t it look like the perfect gift to give to Mom? Except that as an adult, I never gave my mom this kind of jewelry, because she was always asking for “big and funky,” which this enameled Trifari brooch is obviously not. Whenever […]
Turquoise and Shell Bracelet
Piece #11 of 100: This one completely stumps me. I have never seen anything like this. I wish Mom could help me. But she can’t. Actually her memory isn’t all gone, as some days and moments are better than others. It is possible that one day I could ask her, tell me the story of […]
Black Enamel and Pave Rhinestones
Piece #10 of 100 I like the weight of this bracelet. It’s quite hunky. The bracelet is not signed. My brother thinks it’s a knock off of a famous designer. Anyone know if this pave X design is from a famous designer? Please let me know. I think it might be keeping my brother up […]
Aqua Pearl Leaves
Piece #9 of 100: Excuse me. Did your mother leave her pearl earrings in my mother’s jewelry box? Because I don’t know how these got here. Really. Never saw my mom wearing anything like this. No dangle at all. Ha rrumph! They’re beautiful though, aren’t they? With a Coco Chanel suit, or maybe one a […]
Navy Florentine Brooch
Piece #8 of 100: Over the last year, friends and family have inquired about Mom’s health (she’s fine, considering) and what’s new with me? Well, I answer, I’m going to blog about Mom’s jewelry. You mean you are going to sell it? No, I’m not going to sell it, I’m going to write about it. […]
Rhinestone Dangles
Piece #6 of 100 I first wore these beauties on New Year’s Eve, and have managed to find a few other opportunities since then! They are definitely conversation starters. At about 4″ inches long (shoulder dusters) I think of them of one of Mom’s most iconic pieces. They really represented her taste in bling and […]