one day -- seven thrifts

[Magpie18]

Well, I had to be in the San Fernando Valley Friday morning so I figured I might as well hit a few thrifts. I live in Los Angeles.

Started with GW on Ventura.  Two Sterling silver rings donated two days earlier, one marked Sarah Coventry, total $9.  So far so good.

Down the street, Cancer Society Discovery Store, two paperback novels 50 cents each. OK

GW off VanNuys, NADA

Jewish Federation Council thrift a few doors down. NADA  Although I am always amused at the setup at this one.  It was obviously originally a bank -- they have not bothered removing the walk in bank vault -- they are using it as a stockroom, with the door bungee corded open. 

GW off Roscoe, a few paperbacks a little less than Cancer Society.  A little bit disappointed, this GW has a large selection of jewelry but nothing was interesting today.

GW on Lankershim,  they had about 10 pieces of jewelry.  Doesn't anyone donate jewelry anymore? NADA

Salvation Army on Lankershim,  this one has one of those Sally boutiques.  I appreciate the concept of boutiques but whoever was in charge of sorting hasn't a clue as to value & collectibles. NADA

Oh well, traffic was light so I only spent the morning.  Got to watch the gas through -- it is about $3.65 a gallon was the cheapest cash only grade.

[valleythriftshopper]

GW on Lankershim,  they had about 10 pieces of jewelry.  Doesn't anyone donate jewelry anymore? NADA

Salvation Army on Lankershim,  this one has one of those Sally boutiques.  I appreciate the concept of boutiques but whoever was in charge of sorting hasn't a clue as to value & collectibles. NADA

I hardly ever find jewelry at the thrifts, either the employees take all the good stuff or they sell it on Ebay. 

Ditto for Sal Army here - they try to be a boutique staffed by people who haven't a clue as to what boutiques sell.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I've gotten a lot of vintage costume jewelry at our various Red White and Blues over the years. I ended up decorating a small fake Christmas tree in it, in fact.

Our other stores really don't have much, though, by way of jewelry.

[Magpie18]

Well, one of GWs I mentioned -- the one on Roscoe -- always seems to have a lot of jewelry.  It is down the street from the GW area clearance outlet so maybe there is some logic to that.

I have chatted with the staff at the Roscoe store,  evidently there are regular customers who either sell on eBay or perhaps at the Rose Bowl flea market or have an antique store.  Those customers ask to have EVERY piece of jewelry pulled from the display & go through them one by one with a jeweler's loupe.

No wonder whenever I do find jewelry to buy, it is newly donated.

I also buy jewelry lots on eBay & donate the items I don't like or can't use to GW.

[valleythriftshopper]

When I was at the SA the other day the cashier was wearing a nice vintage necklace.  I asked her if she got it at the store & she said no, that she bought it in a "tray lot" at an auction.  She said she & her husband go to auctions all the time & get stuff cheap.  I have never been to an auction, but if you are interested in old jewelry you may want to check out one of your local auction houses.

At least you have thrift jewelry that is worthy of pulling out of the case.  I rarely ask to see anything because it is plainly visible that it is junk!

[valleythriftshopper]

I've gotten a lot of vintage costume jewelry at our various Red White and Blues over the years. I ended up decorating a small fake Christmas tree in it, in fact.

Putting a few sparkly bits in a bowl with some old glass ornaments is fun too if you don't have enough to do a whole tree. 

[valleythriftshopper]

Found a nice little vintage brooch/pin at The Survival Center for 50 cents yesterday. 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj292/thriftshopper/hi.jpg

I did not recognze the maker but went to a my favorite site for costume jewlery research:
http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarks.html

Has just about everything you'd want to know about costume jewelry makers.  The maker turned out to be Harry Iskin who worked out of Philly & NY form the 30's until 1953, there was a great article about his business that someone put a lot of reseach into. 

I love discovering new jewlery makers I nver heard of before.  This pin is 10 K gold plated or filled (over sterling I assume because it was tarnished)  with the center flower done in rose gold.  I polished it a little but left some tarnish beause I like the old look.  It is not so valuble, but adorable!

The Survival Center thrift cracks me up because only the clothes & health & beauty products have set prices , so the cashier decides what the price will be from non-clothing, which in most cases is 50 cents to one dollar.  So I paid more for a bottle of conditioner (1.50, but a good brand) than this cute pin or that piece of fabric I got several days ago, which have more value.

[Magpie18]

Your pin looks to be circa WorldWar2,  the style is called Retro Modern.  Retro Modern is later than Art Deco & Art Noveau.  Abstract floral sprays, bows & ribbons are common elements.  Due to the material limitations of wartime, this style typically has large rhinestones (or in this case pearls) used instead of the multitude of small stones seen in Art Deco.

If it is sterling, then it should be marked on the back.  Because of wartime supplies,  sterling was actually more plentiful than base metal for jewelry use.

[valleythriftshopper]

It is only marked 1/20 10K but I have never seen gold tarnish like that.
Great info!