Changing up a chain
I'm thinking continually about jewelry value and how to make the most of what's in our wardrobes. Le Duc gave me a heavy gold chain years ago; lately, since I no longer dress in business attire, it felt formal. To change the mood and use a lustrous 14mm freshwater pearl just longing to be worn, I decided to reno.
The jeweler, Pam Chandler, sent me a shot of the pearl without the pin attached, wanting to know what I thought. It did not raise my pulse: just too plain.
I asked for a more detail and (I think) mentioned India. Pam added faceted Sri Lankan moonstones to add interest without competing with that pearl. I was happy, and within budget.
And worn:
My friend Kate, who has a similar chain, showed me another way to dress it down. One day, she was sifting through her jewelry box and found a ca. 1900 pin of her grandmother's. She pinned it to the chain, and voilà, a pendant.
Kate attached the pin through one link, but it's not necessary; you need a vertically-oriented pin sturdy enough not to strain when closed over the chain or a horizontal pin that is fine enough to thread through two or more links.
Here I am trying Kate's trick with my antique bee pin:
Play with your pins and brooches; button shapes hang well because the weight is balanced. If you don't wear it as a pin, a conversion to a pendant is not a compicated matter and well worth it if you like the design. (Several readers have also converted pins to necklace clasps.)
If scouting a new piece, look for a vintage pendant (or pin that can double as one); a little apparent age is part of the nostalgia, but make sure the pin or hook is secure.
I'm smitten by an Edwardian flower pin, with its gentle patina and whimsey; price, $22 from Etsy seller Glasscreekstuio.
A Victorian seed pearl, opal and enamel pin/pendant; price, $179:
The jeweler, Pam Chandler, sent me a shot of the pearl without the pin attached, wanting to know what I thought. It did not raise my pulse: just too plain.
I asked for a more detail and (I think) mentioned India. Pam added faceted Sri Lankan moonstones to add interest without competing with that pearl. I was happy, and within budget.
And worn:
My friend Kate, who has a similar chain, showed me another way to dress it down. One day, she was sifting through her jewelry box and found a ca. 1900 pin of her grandmother's. She pinned it to the chain, and voilà, a pendant.
Kate attached the pin through one link, but it's not necessary; you need a vertically-oriented pin sturdy enough not to strain when closed over the chain or a horizontal pin that is fine enough to thread through two or more links.
Here I am trying Kate's trick with my antique bee pin:
Play with your pins and brooches; button shapes hang well because the weight is balanced. If you don't wear it as a pin, a conversion to a pendant is not a compicated matter and well worth it if you like the design. (Several readers have also converted pins to necklace clasps.)
If scouting a new piece, look for a vintage pendant (or pin that can double as one); a little apparent age is part of the nostalgia, but make sure the pin or hook is secure.
I'm smitten by an Edwardian flower pin, with its gentle patina and whimsey; price, $22 from Etsy seller Glasscreekstuio.
A Victorian seed pearl, opal and enamel pin/pendant; price, $179:
But we could go more modern, too. Here's a David-Anderson "snow crystal" brooch that coverts to a pendant, set with a native, rose-coloured Norwegian mineral, thulite, named for the mystical isle of Thule. BIN price on eBay was $199 and though it may be sold by now, I wanted to show this honey!
A vintage pendant makes a distinctive layering piece, and evokes a time when workmanship was several notches higher. Though I am showing pieces from online vendors, readers have scored treasures at vintage shops, church rummage sales or thrifts.
Keep your eyes open, stash a few twenties for the right moment, and tell us what you find!
Comments
Love the look...
I love the David Anderson designs....Modernist jewelry is a fun way to add oomph to a basic outfit.
A fun post today which inspires me to rethink what is in my jewel box.
Anon: Do you mean loose around her neck, versus as a choker?
une femme: Jet lag ;) ! The pin made into a clasp requires professional re-styling. (Even a single earring can be made into a clasp), but Kate's idea needs no jeweler.
materfamilias: A good chain (in any material) is a foundational piece for a jewelry wardrobe as it's so versatile, can layer or be worn on its own.
Jane M: Thanks; there are not many ideas that are so easily DIY.
LPC: You need not spend a lot; just like your house decorating projects, there are various price points, and the end result is well worth it.
hostess: Yes, many women have those fine chains. I gave several to my jeweler and was delighted at the price they brought.
Kristien62: Yes, I have done this with pearls too, but with 'everyday' versus the bigger-deal ones as some pins can abrade.
Cathy W
In answer to your question about how my grandmother wore her chain/brooch combination, she wore a gold chain (not thin, not thick). It was longer than a choker, maybe opera length. She then pinned her broach on her dress, 'catching' the chain through the pin. The chain was not taut, made looser by the pinning, which raised it a bit. I once asked her why she wore this combination and she said as a guard against loosing the brooches. They were all amazing...diamonds etc. Perhaps it was just to make sure not to loose the brooch, but it was her signature look to me.
http://www.johnlewis.com/sharon-mills-1960s-rhodochrosite-david-anderson-norway-brooch-silver/p1713074
Anon@ 1:08: Similar pieces-both are vintage sterling silver of nearly same size; slightly different centre stones. The John Lewis brooch is priced much higher, $525. As of this moment, the eBay piece is still available for BIN price of $199.
http://www.shefinds.com/2014/the-not-your-grannys-pearl-trend-is-so-good-your-grandma-might-actually-wear-it/
And there is one sublime jeweler hidden in there. Sophie Bille Brahe uses beautiful pearls in her audacious and original work. You can see more here:
http://sophiebillebrahe.com/
Women over 50 look best in genuine pearls and can find pieces at prices similar to that of some of the costume stuff shown in that slide show- or it's worth saving for.
Thanks for sending us the link; it's fun to see what's out there.