Vintage Swarovski Aurora Borealis

As classic as crystals themselves, Swarovski Crystal Aurora Borealis (or AB) refers to a specialized finish that adds an extra rainbow effect to already prism-throwing, cut leaded crystal beads. The coating is created by breaking down metals to a gaseous state within a vacuum-like machine, where the effect is applied to the already cut crystal. Swarovski worked on and perfected the effect in the mid-1950’s, developing it initially for designer Christian Dior. This is a key tid-bit when pricing and purchasing vintage jewelry – it is highly unlikely that a piece that includes Aurora Borealis beads or rhinestones would date back before the early 1950’s.

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Vintage Copper Flower Components 

Produced in the US ca. 1960’s, these fabulous vintage copper and brass pieces were originally manufactured to use on the ends of brooches and pins. After my travels to the antique markets in Brimfield this week, I unearthed a couple of finished pieces where I recognized our components. Repurpose these parts using your own original ideas to make them current or use them at the ends of pins as they did in the 1960’s and 1970’s. These pieces are extremely malleable in that you can bend the petals in or out to sculpt them to fit your design and beading needs.

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Vintage Moonglow Lucite Beads

A classic finish found in Lucite as well as nylon and casein vintage plastics, the term ‘moonglow’ refers to a style that looks as if it glows from within in a subtle, pearlized style. Popularized in the early 1960’s by Best Plastics of Providence, Rhode Island, you’ll find this finish in beads as well as bangles, hoop earrings, cabs set into pins (commonly referred to as Jelly Bellys at times in the vintage jewelry trade), and other vintage jewelry styles. You’ll find the most unique selection of moonglow beads here at The Beadin’ Path because we purchased the remaining contents of Best Plastics 4 years ago.

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Vintage Japanese Carved Glass Pendants

These lovelies were found over 10 years ago by one of our ‘vintage scouters’ in a desginer’s overstock buy. We found boxes and boxes of them in their original packaging marked “Made in Japan.” Small cardboard boxes were loaded with tissue-wrapped packages. Just the packaging alone in some of these finds is a design inspiration. These pressed glass pieces were made in the 1940’s and created to look like real jade. The press-moulded design (which is actually not carved glass: a term many will use) is a floral lovely garden motif. Hurry because they are limited as is all vintage and when they are gone, they’re gone.

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