New Page!

I've got a new page on the blog that I hope you all take a few minutes to check out. 

Found at: http://richardmansel.com/tag/bibliophile/

Besides being a "Jeremy" (see here), I am also a bibliophile. That is to say, I'm a book lover.  As I've been getting deeper and deeper into the fascinating world of costume jewelry, I've been busy collecting reference books.  Yes, there are a lot of great websites out there, and I will eventually compile my favorites into a page as well, but there's something about a book. A book with fantastic, mouthwatering pictures and information. One I can dog-ear and be full of post-it notes.  To be perfectly fair and honest, there are some books on this list that I use more than others, and in the future, I'll be indicating those.

Anyway, the new page is titled Jewelry Reference Books. I've also tried to link to the listings for the books on Amazaon, so if you're interested, you can add them to your collection as well.

I'm also hoping to do reviews of the books that I have in the future. I will be linking to those from the page for your convenience as I go.

Ooooh... a Sparkly!

My husband has always teased me about my penchant for sparkly items. Especially rhinestones.  When I'm in an antique mall, at a flea market, or even at the mall, I am easily diverted from my plans by the glimmer and glisten of something sparkling out of the corner of my eye.  Recently, I made him sit down and watch an animated movie that I loved when I was growing up. The Secret of NIMH



Since then, when I get distracted by jewelry, where-ever I am, he'll say in a very "Jeremy" voice... "oooooh, a Sparkly!"

If you've never seen it...Enjoy the clip!

"I've always wanted a sparkly of my very own!"

Bogoff Jewelry

Being a resident of the Chicago area, I tend to find a lot of jewelry that has a signature of "BOGOFF." It's always beautiful jewelry with an incredible presence.

Not knowing much on the company, and being curious in nature, I figured I'd do some research on them and share it here.

This post is merely a compilation of information that I have found in books and online. There are some far more in depth articles out there. See the bottom of this post for links.

Bogoff jewelry that I have found usually has a style and construction that consists of silver or rhodium plated pieces, paste set rhinestones, and either clip or screw-back earrings.  The majority of the pieces that I find are made with clear rhinestones, though I have seen pieces with pale blue in person, and have found pieces with other colors online.

Though the rhinestones are paste set, which in many circles is a code word for "cheaply made," the pieces from Bogoff are consistently high quality pieces with gorgeous design. 

Bogoff Up Ear Earrings by Pink Astilbe Vintage at Etsy

According to the book Collecting Costume Jewelry 101 by Julia C. Carroll, the company was founded in Chicago by Henry and Yvette Bogoff. "In the latter part of the 1920s this company produced accessories, including rhinestone buttons. In 1946, Henry began to design and manufacture rhinestone jewelry." (page 112)

The Bogoff company name is often connected online and in books with "Spear Novelty Company" in Chicago. However, Carroll points out in her Collecting Costume Jewelry 202 book that "the 1955 Jewelrs' Buyers Guide lists the company as Jewels by Bogoff located in Chicago, Illinois, with no mention of Spear Novelty." (page 151)

Various sites around the internet and in several books have varying dates for the end of the company, with the majority of sites claiming that the company closed in the late 1950s, though one claims the company was producing jewelry all the way until the 1970s. 

Bogoff Necklace by Pink Astilbe at Etsy

Perhaps the best website with comprehensive information about Bogoff Jewelry is Illusion Jewels, who managed to get an interview with Henry and Yvette Bogoff's son. It is well worth the read for the information as well as the pictures.

Other great images of Bogoff Jewelry can be found at Morning Glory Antiques. There they have a fantastic collection of vintage jewelry advertisements for Bogoff jewelry.

My favorite greeting!

I ran into a friend while out and about, and she greeted me in a way that just made me smile.

"Hiya! How're you doing! Ohmygosh, I LOVE your jewelry!"