Winter-themed brooches maintain their value, appeal antiques
When it comes to dressing up, cold weather offers opportunities to add accessories to an outfit like scarves, gloves, hats, etc. In winter, we tend to don our best clothes and jewelry to bring some sparkle to the somewhat dreary season. And when it comes to jewelry, albeit fine or costume, a big statement piece makes the outfit. While earrings and bracelets are must-have accessories, a brooch tops off any blazer, sweater or winter coat. Read More : Kuwait's Gallery Bawa collaborates with Saudi pioneer Ahmed Mater on digital exhibition When it comes to winter brooches, there are some aspects of the popular keepsakes that should not be overlooked. Gemstones like opals, diamonds and aquamarines are often the choice of the season for their color when included in brooches. Precious metals like sterling silver and rose gold, yellow gold or white gold are always in fashion. In the winter months, silver, platinum and white gold get the nod over other colored metals.
Settings
The importance of a brooch’s setting — preferably in precious metals — should not be overlooked. Look for classic settings like circles, wreaths, snowflakes or flower forms. Prongs are a quality indicator for both fine jewelry and costume jewelry brooches. Look for prongs holding crystals,
gemstones, or other cut stones — the more prongs the better. Most faceted cut gemstones are set with at least four, but even better if there are six, prongs. Prongs should be curved and tightly set to secure
the gemstone on a brooch. Pinback clasps can come in many types including c-clasps or rotating clasps to secure the
brooch to the garment. These settings are important to value and the look of a brooch.
Styles
For seasonal brooches, some of the most popular styles are those that resemble poinsettia plants, evergreen trees, reindeer and wreaths, or other winter themes like sleighs, snowmen or snowflakes, to name a few. Many collectors realize that brooches are making a big comeback on the fashion scene, and the bigger the better. Statement brooches are commanding high values, and vintage brooches from the mid-1900s to the late 1900s enjoy a very active market online within active selling platforms such as eBay.com, Etsy.com, Mercari, ShopThrilling.com, and Poshmark.com, among many others.
Gemstones
The most popular gemstones used in brooches are white pearls to recall a wintry mood, in designs such as snowmen, snow-covered trees or angels. Diamonds or rhinestones are selected for brooches to give that look of snowy crystals, too. Blue topaz and aquamarines are usually paired with pearls in winter season brooches. Faux gemstones such as Austrian crystals and clear, blue, or other colors of carved cabochon stones may also figure in the designs.
When it comes to fine jewelry, look for high-quality materials and designs by some of the most impressive designers like David Yurman, Paloma Picasso, Chanel and others. For costume jewelry collectors, brooches of the winter season by Hattie Carnegie, Miriam Haskell, Alice Caviness and Ben Amun always hold their value for the long term.
Settings
The importance of a brooch’s setting — preferably in precious metals — should not be overlooked. Look for classic settings like circles, wreaths, snowflakes or flower forms. Prongs are a quality indicator for both fine jewelry and costume jewelry brooches. Look for prongs holding crystals,
gemstones, or other cut stones — the more prongs the better. Most faceted cut gemstones are set with at least four, but even better if there are six, prongs. Prongs should be curved and tightly set to secure
the gemstone on a brooch. Pinback clasps can come in many types including c-clasps or rotating clasps to secure the
brooch to the garment. These settings are important to value and the look of a brooch.
Styles
For seasonal brooches, some of the most popular styles are those that resemble poinsettia plants, evergreen trees, reindeer and wreaths, or other winter themes like sleighs, snowmen or snowflakes, to name a few. Many collectors realize that brooches are making a big comeback on the fashion scene, and the bigger the better. Statement brooches are commanding high values, and vintage brooches from the mid-1900s to the late 1900s enjoy a very active market online within active selling platforms such as eBay.com, Etsy.com, Mercari, ShopThrilling.com, and Poshmark.com, among many others.
Gemstones
The most popular gemstones used in brooches are white pearls to recall a wintry mood, in designs such as snowmen, snow-covered trees or angels. Diamonds or rhinestones are selected for brooches to give that look of snowy crystals, too. Blue topaz and aquamarines are usually paired with pearls in winter season brooches. Faux gemstones such as Austrian crystals and clear, blue, or other colors of carved cabochon stones may also figure in the designs.
When it comes to fine jewelry, look for high-quality materials and designs by some of the most impressive designers like David Yurman, Paloma Picasso, Chanel and others. For costume jewelry collectors, brooches of the winter season by Hattie Carnegie, Miriam Haskell, Alice Caviness and Ben Amun always hold their value for the long term.
Source: lancasteronline.com
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