I have mentioned before that I love to wear and collect vintage jewelry. And so without further ado, here is my collection so far.
Note that I am not a jewelry photographer and am not going to spend the necessary money to set up a jewelry photography studio, so most of these pieces looks a lot better in person.
The piece that started it: a gold, orange and yellow piece given to me by my grandma.
It came with matching earrings. I never wear them because the clip-ons are painful! But I will find a use for them. (buttons on a cardigan perhaps?)
The second piece I got, also given to me by my grandma. It is much less orange in person--a beautiful coral color.
This one was so hard to photograph! Stunning clusters of pearls and colored crystals. A real statement piece that always gets attention. A gift from my mom.
Also hard to photograph: silver with beige crystals, turquoise and seed pearls. One of the first pieces I bought myself.
One of my more recent purchases (which makes it a favorite until I buy another)
This is why I love vintage--look at the detail!
Another newer piece--I fell in love with the color of the stones (not quite as bright in person) and the chains mixed in.
And this clasp! I think I will wear this necklace sideways to show off these big, gorgeous stones.
Not totally vintage--a handmade piece that re-purposed the vintage bird charm. Contains small rubies and seed pearls.
Substantial .925 sterling silver earrings. I love these--they are my go to pair. Though they are very heavy...
An eBay find. Neat bracelet with different Paris monuments represented. It is a souvenir piece from the 1950s
This piece is lesser quality than some of my others, but I loved the colors. It was just such a sweet piece.
An absolute favorite of mine. It is all handmade with LOTS of silver. My mom got it for me at an antique show. Since then, I have seen many factory imitations but none measure up to this. Those are vintage typewriter keys.
An Etsy find (and another gift from my mom). I have an obsession with vintage watch faces, so here is a bracelet of them. People who don't "get it" often ask me if the watches work (no) and then look at me like I'm crazy. I look at them the same way.
I also collect hand-painted vintage pins. I keep my good ones in this case. I saw it when I was 15 and made such a fit over it that my aunt bought it. I have since learned that a case this size and shape is very rare, desirable, and expensive. Fifteen year old me had a good eye.
Inside of the case.
One of my favorites for its unique subject matter and intricacy
My other favorite. This one is newer but it is the only one I have that is 100% hand-painted. Up close it is really impressive.
And that's it! (for now...) Any other vintage jewelry lovers out there? What do you collect?
There are several things that I will buy the store brand/cheaper version of. But there are some things that I find necessary to pay a little more for--you can really tell the difference in quality of these products.
1. Ketchup: I've tried the store brands, they just taste like sweet, red goop. And with that in mind, I also buy the more expensive...
2. French Fries: The brand names have larger fries and more potato taste
3. Mascara: It goes on better, lasts longer, never smudges and makes my eyes look great!
My favorite mascara: Lancome Hypnose Waterproof in Black
4. Leather shoes and handbags: I admit. I will judge people by their shoes. You can just see (and smell!) cheap or imitation leather and it looks shabby.
Adorable Cole Haan bag
6. Clothing: I used to go to bargain stores and, yes, had tons of clothes. But where are those clothes now? They quickly fell apart! Cheaper clothes may look stylish, but seams rip, buttons fall off, fabric looks and feels cheap and you are constantly picking little threads out of your clothes! With the more expensive pieces, I have them for years and they still look great and I still get compliments. Sure, I don't have as many clothes. But what I do have is quality that lasts.
7. Jeans: All I have to say is go to IndiDenim and get custom made jeans. Considering they're custom, the price isn't that bad. And they will change your life (maybe that's a little dramatic, but they are awesome)
8. Tea: The difference between drinking something heavenly and drinking something that tastes like weeds
Trader Joe's has really great tea--this jasmine is one of my favorites
9. Liquor: This should speak for itself.
This and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice--yum!
10. Vintage or Handmade Jewelry: it's (almost) one-of-a-kind--you aren't going to walk into any store and find it again--and such a great addition to any outfit. Just be prepared: people really notice vintage pieces and you'll likely get a lot of compliments.
Gorgeous necklace made from several different salvaged vintage pieces.
