CAN'T BELIEVE THIS JEWELRY IS BY SHERMAN?!

Have you ever come across a piece of Sherman jewelry that you can't believe is a Sherman? I have, and more than once. I now own 3 pieces that I wouldn't have given a second glance except that I noticed that famous scripted Sherman signature on the pieces.

Take the one shown in the photo: it has none of what we usually associate with jewelry by Gustave Sherman. Where are the Swarovski crystals? The Aurora Borealis stones? What, no glitter?

Well actually it does glitter thanks to the excellent gold plate Sherman used in this piece and the construction is superb: 3 gold-plated interlocking chains hang to a length of 24 inches from which dangles a shiny gold-plated bezel is an owl-like pendant measuring 2 1/2" X 1 1/2". Then some more tassles. So different from any Sherman I've seen and yet decidedly Sherman. There's that signature right beside the locking piece. Click on any of the photos to see more views of this piece.

This kind of Sherman jewelry doesn't fetch the dollars that traditional Shermans do, so I would look at it less as an investment piece, and more as a fabulous piece of jewelry that is utterly contemporary in its styling. It's one of these pieces you can wear to the office to add that feminine touch to a suit, or simply to jazz up an everyday bit of clothing.

I have noticed lately how much of a comeback costume jewelry is making. In this past weekend's GLOBE and MAIL (Life Style) they had a section titled "Costume Drama". I couldn't believe how the chunky look of wood & plastics etc. are making a comeback. And the prices! Ay yay yay! While I expect to pay big dollars for gold and gemstones, who would guess some of this stuff is going for hundreds, even thousands of dollars?! What I'm wondering is what will it be worth in 50 years time ... if it lasts that long? At least Sherman jewelry has been around for 50 years or more and some of the pieces are still as good as new, thanks to the quality of the workmanship and materials. Oh by the way, in case you're curious, I'm only asking $65 for that delightful Sherman in this post. You can buy it from my SHERMAN JEWELLERY SHOWCASE or via MY SHOP AT RUBY LANE. It's unique! It's quality and it's Sherman!

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION on JEWELLERY by SHERMAN

The Sherman Jewellery company was a baby boomer business i.e. it began operating in Montreal, Canada in 1947.

The "Jewels of Excellence" produced by Gustave Sherman's company have become so valuable because Sherman's goal was to use only the finest quality materials and stones available at the time. Sherman imported his "findings" as they are called, from the B.A. Ballou company in Rhode Island. The stones in Sherman pieces were made by Swarovski in Austria.

(Click photo above to see enlarged view. This is gorgeous!)

Another thing that set Sherman jewellery apart was the backings: rather than using chromium plating which was prone to peeling and chipping, Sherman used rhodium-plating. Rhodium comes from the platinum family of metals and is extremely durable. Durable is right! Some of my Shermans still have their original silvery shiny rhodium backing showing next to no wear. They look brand new!

Sherman's insistance on the highest quality made his pieces more expensive than other vintage jewelry of the time. But if they were expensive then, they have become even more so now. Sherman jewellery still fetches a high dollar today and is as much a collector's item as Miriam Haskell, Schiaparelli, Trifari, Schreiner, or Hobe or many others.

In future posts, I'll fill you in some more or just which pieces and colors are most in demand. While you're waiting, be sure to check out some of my gorgeous Sherman pieces at SHERMAN JEWELLERY SHOWCASE

DISCOVERING SHERMAN JEWELLERY: My Story

Blindsided by the gold rush!

(click photo for larger view)

Over a year ago, while selling on Ebay, I got caught up the "gold rush" ie. if you wanted to make money, you sold gold. Gold bracelets, rings, necklaces or scrap ... it didn't matter. You'd always find a buyer for your gold pieces!

So one Saturday, I headed out gold hunting at garage sales. Foolish me thinking anyone would sell gold at a garage sale! I hit the ritzier area of our city. Much to my surprise and delight, I found a lady selling gold, rings and some super sparkly stuff that was very beautiful but not of interest to me at that time.

I purchased a lovely vintage gold bracelet from her which took all the money I had on me and as I walked away, she said "You're not interested in any of the Shermans?" She looked incredulous when I said "no", I was just after gold. She shook her head, probably thinking I was passing up on the real gold: jewellery from vintage Canadian designer, Gustave Sherman.

Some months later, while surfing vintage designers on Ebay, I discovered why she shook her head in disbelief. Jewelry by Sherman was selling like hotcakes at prices I couldn't imagine folks would pay for pretty, but pre-loved (nice word for used or worn) swarovski crystals and rhinestones. I had to find out more ... and did I ever!

And that, dear reader, is what I hope to share with you in this new blog. Stay tuned! By the way, that gorgeous set shown in the photo is available from both my website at SHERMAN JEWELLERY SHOWCASE or via my SHOP AT RUBY LANE Lots more photos of this piece too in the RUBY LANE SHOP.