I thought this was an interesting article from styleathome.com.  I display my grandmother's Sherman jewelry on, around and draping out of an old musical jewelry box I received from her.  Do you have any interesting ways of displaying your jewelry?



http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/styling-secrets/unique-ways-to-display-vintage-jewelry/a/21731





Here are some of our mall displays for your viewing pleasure. You can see my grandma's jewelry box in the top left of the second picture. I "borrowed" it to my booth at the antique mall to display my jewels.

Vintage Jewelry Survey - Results Published June, 2008



What do other people who buy vintage jewelry collect? What kinds of designers do people enjoy? How many pieces do they own? Are their interests similar to yours? Here are the most popular answers given by our newsletter subscribers. 



Q. What is your primary reason for buying vintage jewelry?

A. I enjoy collecting it.



Q. What types of costume jewelry do you enjoy buying?

A. Rhinestone, designer signed and "Whatever I like."



Q. 3. Where do you like to buy your jewelry?

A. Antique malls and shops.



Q. Have you bought any vintage costume jewelry in the last year?

A. Yes.



Q. How many pieces do you currently have in your collection?

A. More than 100.



Q. What sources do you use for learning about vintage jewelry?

A. Mostly internet, then books.



Q. How many vintage costume jewelry resource books and guides do you own?

A. 1-5.



Q. Do you have a favorite vintage jewelry designer?

A. No, I like many different designers.



Q. If you had to pick a few, who would be your favorites?



RESULTS (each list of designers is ordered from most to least votes within each category)



Very Popular (Chosen by more than 20 people): Miriam Haskell, Weiss, Trifari



Popular (Chosen by 10-19 people): Coro, Eisenberg, D&E (Juliana)



Moderately Popular (Chosen by 5-9 people): Sherman, Kenneth Jay Lane (KJL), Florenza, Har, Sarah Coventry, Hobe, Kramer, Boucher, Various Mexican Sterling Designers



Less Popular (Chosen by 2-4 people): Mazer / Jomaz, Lisner, Joan Rivers, Joseff of Hollywood, Hollycraft, Demario, David Andersen, JJ, Chanel, Art, Heidi Daus, Matisse, Ciner, Vendome, Schreiner, Nolan Miller, Cini, Pennino, Kirk's Folley, Van Dell, Monet, Whiting & Davis, Panetta, Alice Caviness, WIlliam Kerr



Special Mention (Chosen by 1 person): Bogoff, Hattie Carnegie, Schiaparelli, BSK, Barklay, VRBA, Staret, Sandor, Sweet Romance, Lunch at the Ritz, Piddley Links, Miracle, Sphinx, Butler & Wilson, Selro, Christian Dior, Avon, Jensen, DeRosa, Laguana



So why do all these people like to buy vintage jewelry? What do they do with it? Some answers may surprise you!



The answers in no particular order are:

- to restore

- to wear

- to study

- for re-enactment purposes

- to frame for art display and keepsake

- to re-sell

- for gifting

- to appreciate

- to remind of a loved one

- to brighten up the day

- to capture art and beauty of the past

- to play with



Do you have an interesting collection? Tell us about it!

Hello! I hope your jewelry finds have been good thus far this summer!



I came across a doozy of a brooch and earring set in the most vibrant fuchsia color. The minute I saw it, my instinct said Sherman but I turned it over and no signature! So does this mean the set is for sure not Sherman? Not at all. There is some misinformation out there that all Sherman jewelry was marked. This is not the case. I have had two pieces side by side and not a difference to them and I do very thoroughly inspect my jewelry. Not only that but in beaded parures with the necklace, bracelet and earrings you'll often only find one piece marked although they have the same workmanship and use the same components and may have even came in the same Sherman box. I have a set like that right now that I'm struggling with as well. In addition, other dealer friends agree that they also have had unsigned Sherman.



So, what do you think about attributing unsigned items to a designer?  Is it ethical?  Should price be affected and if so, how much?