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Friday, January 17, 2014

2014 Vintage Purchase #2: Milk glass earrings

With each vintage purchase comes the research to date the item and understand its history. I believe it's important to know where your items come from to truly appreciate the value as well a know that you're getting a true vintage item. There are many sellers out there who inaccurately describe their items either due to the their own ignorance or they are playing up the "vintage" popularity to make a buck off the naive buyer.

This past week, I bought these lovelies for a steal. The seller described them as true vintage '50s earrings, but I knew better. These aren't 1950s. These are older based on the screw-back. But I wasn't going to tell the seller that. She may increase the price.





A few months back I purchased some earrings that had screw-backs. These types of earrings do not require a pierced ear. These were quite popular during the early 20th century when ear piercing was considered in poor taste. Screw-backs were made en masse up until 1930 when clip-on earrings were invented (perhaps in response to the Great Depression making these earrings more cost effective?). In the 1940s, it was back to ear piercing.

These are also milk glass earrings which were highly sought and valued among the upper class during The Gilded Age (1870s-1910s). Milk glass was widespread thereafter up until the Depression Era when glass was more translucent and thus produced in limited capacity.

Floral designs were a popular theme during the 1930s. Jewelry from this era featured more metal than gems with intricately designed patterns whereas the 1940s incorporated more silver.

Based on this research alone, these earrings could date no later than the 1930s. And all for $8!

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