20th Century Costume Jewelry, 1900-1980 (Identification & Values (Collector Books)) [Hardcover]

Ronna Lee Aikins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004 | Series: Identification & Values (Collector Books)

For those who thirst for knowledge of costume jewelry, Ronna Lee Aikins brings a new book that covers an even broader variety of jewelry than her first book, Brilliant Rhinestones. Her latest book, 20th Century Costume Jewelry, will enable the novice and experienced collector to appreciate a multitude of designs. Eisenberg, KJL, Coro, Monet, Trifari, Lisner, Kramer, Pell, BSK, and Gerry's are just a few to be featured. This book is organized according to style and types, with more than 600 color photos and over 800 sparkling pieces. Chapters on aurora borealis, accessories, beads, flowers, gold tones, silvertones, and rhinestones are just a few to be showcased in this book. There is also a chapter dedicated to how to select and wear jewelry according to skin tones and face shapes. Basic tips for jewelry care, fun facts about jewelry, and many vintage advertisements are provided. 20th Century Costume Jewelry will help you select an item in a personalized fashion. 2005 values.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The updated second edition of 20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980 is a winning identification and value guide that deserves a spot in any collection strong costume jewelry history or values. Katie Joe Aikins works with special collaborator Ronna Lee Aikins in an outstanding pairing of color photos, values and detailed descriptions on makers and trends. Any costume jewelry collector will find it invaluable --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Katie Aikins has helped her mom (Ronna Lee Aikins) with writing books since the publication of Brilliant Rhinestones in 2003. Katie will graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in December 2007, with a Master s Degree in the Art of Teaching English. Katie has appeared in Country Living magazine with Ronna in an article about vintage costume jewelry. Katie has been in Pittsburgh Magazine, as well, in an article with Ronna about vintage handbags

Ronna Lee Aikins has collected costume jewelry for over 15 years and her book, Brilliant Rhinestones, is based on her personal collection. She owned a unique boutique offering vintage costume jewelry and clothing as well as new jewelry and couture. Pieces of her collection were also sold at an upscale Nashville, TN, clothing shop. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574324136
• ISBN-13: 978-1574324136
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 20th Century Costume Jewelry is Not in My Century, March 2, 2005

By 

M. Garza "ggmsmolly" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 20th Century Costume Jewelry, 1900-1980 (Identification & Values (Collector Books)) (Hardcover)

This book was purchased along with the sister, companion, Brilliant Rhinestones. While I can appreciate the time that the author has devoted to her book (per review on Brilliant Rhinestones obviously by the author's husband) feel that the quality of the photographs is very poor. When I spend money like this on a book, expect jewelry that looks like I want to reach out and pick it up. Many of the darker items are washed out in the background. Felt that the prices were a little overinflated. The concepts for the books are excellent, but this author needs to work on her photography.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book and use it often!, December 9, 2008

By 

Sandra K. Farley "jewelry nut" (Princewick, WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980 Second Edition (20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980: Identification & Value Guide) (Hardcover)

I have been collecting, buying, and selling antique & vintage costume jewelry for a number of years, and have consequently learned much about the jewelry, designers, and history of this artistic medium. I have also compiled quite a library of reference books thru these years.

This is why I do not completely understand the negative reviews that have been written about this book. At the time I received the book it was exactly what I needed to help me appreciate, and value, the many unsigned jewelry pieces I had acquired!

The book is very well organized with tips for the care of costume jewelry, short synopses of some major designers, choosing jewelry styles, etc. It also covers crystal jewelry: a type that has gotten little mention from other authors, Avon jewelry, signed and unsigned bead jewelry, gold tone & silver tone jewelry, silver, rhinestones, floral designs, and much more, giving short histories, dates and values of each featured piece.

I found no fault with the quality of the photos other than that some of them were a little dark, but not so much that one could not see the detailing of the designs. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions Mrs. & Miss Aikins gave to the pieces. You can tell from these that they researched, extensively, each jewelry piece presented in the book.

I consider this book to be the 'fill in the gaps" resource I needed to add to my costume jewelry reference library! I use it each time I need to find information on those some of those old (and not so old) "mystery" jewelry pieces that give no clues as to era, designer, or type of materials. And, I usually find something that will "put me on the right track!"

As far as I'm concerned this is a 5 star book!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorry folks, save your money, June 24, 2008

By 

jewelaholic (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980 Second Edition (20th Century Costume Jewelry 1900-1980: Identification & Value Guide) (Hardcover)

This book would have benefitted from a lot more research and from inclusion of pieces other than the personal collection of Ms. Aikins and her mother. There are numerous incorrect dates - the most glaring of which consist of labelling aurora borealis pieces as being from the 40's or even 30's when the process didn't exist until about 1953. The descriptions are too "cutesy" rather than factual - ex labelling yellow and black pieces "for Steelers fans" and elephants "for Republicans." Some necklaces are measured by hanging length, others apparently by total length. The list goes on and on. It certainly would be a bad choice for a beginner to rely on, and a more seasoned collector would find it maddening. Give this one a pass.