Jewelry help- Miriam Haskell

eel

eel

Registered Guest
I know there are jewelry people here so I'll see if ya'll know...

I got these necklaces at the flea market for a steal, intending to throw them in my jewelry box and wear them

then I saw the signature and did a quick search, wow, some Miriam Haskell pieces go high, yet others don't

here is my question what makes some go for a hundreds (and more) and others go for tens of dollars?

they are glass
both the pink and yellow are signed
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the yellow is signed on the little hook, and my camera didn't want to take that close a picture

the same jewelry box had these two also. I suspect the pink glass choker is also Haskell, however it is missing the hook and the extra beads to hook to. Is there a way to tell, I have seen similar marked ones on ebay, but am afraid if it isn't marked I am SOL.
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the pearl one is unmarked but I love the style and will keep it

also, cry with me, ONE EARING....ONE FABULOUS EARING :cry: (unmarked) what should I do with it?
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I think that the same question - why are some pieces more valuable or sought after than others - (both signed and unsigned) applies to Miriam Haskell jewelry as well.

First there is design, then condition and then how "rare" is it. Most really sought after Miriam Haskell jewelry is not signed but is recognizable from the design, construction and components. Haskell jewelry was not signed until the very late '40's. A lot of very similar looking jewelry was made in W. Germany and in Japan after WWII. Your new pieces are pretty and very wearable. Maybe you could convert the earring to a pendant? Or put out a WTB for the other one.

For more than you will ever be ablt to remember about Hasell take a look at Cathy Gordon's Imageevent pages on Haskell. Cathy and Sheila Pamfiloff wrote a wonderful book that was published in 2004 on the subject:

http://imageevent.com/bluboi/book;jsessionid=scmg8firf2.tiger_s

Here's a link to the signed period:

http://imageevent.com/bluboi/haskellsignedpieces

Linn
 
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that Haskell (and other makers) offered several versions of the same pieces in their line. I think Haskell labelled them A, B, C. The differences were more layers and more decorative elements in the more expensive line.

There are a lot of pieces that look like Haskell that are from W. Germany and Japan, so unless you have an exact match and/or a signature, it's tricky to attribute them. A good way is to find the piece on Cathy's site and compare the findings and all the design elements. Your lily of the valley pin made in pearls could be Haskell or from another company or country. They All copied each other- LOL. Could you have a picture of it? ( Include the back.)

Linn
 
here it is Linn
it was a pain to photograph because those little "flowers" dangle, so my son took these, while I held it
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back
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I picked it up for only a couple dollars, and because I liked it. I usually buy stuff I like which is why I have waaaay too much stuff :help:
I also got it because I used to do French beading and thought this was a great idea to add to a future piece, if I ever decide to take it up again
But was totally surprised to see the similar piece on that site.
 
Hi Eel -

I don't think your lily of the valley piece is a Haskell, but I'd say it is certainly inspired by the Haskell lily of the valley pin and necklace. The back of your pin doesn't look "right" to me. Haskell used a Russian gold finish and according to Cathy, almost all pieces with filigree backs are from the signed period. You will find the Haskell pin and clip backs in this album:

http://imageevent.com/bluboi/haskellclippinbacks;jsessionid=czd2m79zd6.tiger_s

It's areally pretty pin, and I'm sure you will enjoy wearing and all your other new pieces. It's always a good idea to buy what you like!

Linn
 
wonderful finds!

i have nothing useful to add, just wanted to say i'm completely in love with that earring and will happily (?) cry with you over the loss of it's mate. wah, wah. but it's fabulous even by itself. i like linn's idea of making it into a pendant.
 
I don't have anything to add except that these pieces are all great--what a neat find! And, my thought right off, too, when I saw the earring is to make a pendant out of it--it's beautiful, and I'd guess that the opal is real.
 
yes I agree, especially looking at those clean backs pictured on the links, my pin is not a Haskell, but I'll proudly wear it in spring time. Thanks so much Linn, for all the info, and everyone else for the comments.
Now I know more about costume jewelry! I wish I knew more about everything. I could tell plenty of stories about things I passed up...and then those good ones about things I took a chance on.
 
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