11.25.06
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:46 am by Laura
The individual beauty of each bead, every one of these small “works of art”, captivates and thrills. Still, any collector will testify to the fact there is much more to be experienced from a study of bead collections than just aesthetics. Bead collectors are afforded a unique opportunity to explore history from a tactile point of view. After all, who can ignore the link to the past provided by ancient beads? The process of charting the history of the human species is facilitated by archaeological evidence. This evidence often appears in the form of ancient beads. However, recent discoveries may just prove that ancient beads are not just historical artifacts. They may, in fact, also provide evidence of mankind’s developing sense of beauty, art and spirit. They may be a simple, yet clear, testimony to our social, cultural, spiritual and intellectual growth.
So, you may wonder, just how long has this fascination with beads been around? When did humans start making beads? There has been much debate over the years as to an exact answer to these questions. Until recently, it was commonly believed the earliest beads were products of the first modern humans, Cro-Magnon Man, European residents of the Late Old Stone Age (beginning 38,000 years or so ago). These early beads were simple adaptations of shells, fossils, seeds, stones and animal and fish vertebrae. They were threaded with animal sinews or vegetable fibers through naturally formed holes or perforations. Ancient burial grounds and cave paintings dating from about 30,000 BC produce evidence of necklaces and pendants made from these types of beads. They were worn as trophies as well as for personal adornment. Apparently, ancient humans also believed that they would acquire the strength of their prey and in some magical way be protected if they wore beads fashioned from body parts of the slain creature.
However, recent archeological findings from the Loiyangalani River Valley (in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania) suggest that humans were making beads as far back as the Middle Stone Age-between 280,000 and 45,000 years ago. Ostrich egg beads and numerous other artifacts, including ochre pencils, carved bone and stone tools, were recovered.
Archaeologists involved presented the findings from the dig at the Paleoanthropology Society Meeting in Montreal, Canada in March of 2004. The items were all excavated by an international project known as Serengeti Genesis.
The conclusions reached by scientists after examining this new evidence, has rocked the archaeology community and given rise to a new timeline. The most startling theory is base on the evidence provided by the beads. Scientist say that the Stone Age beads found during project Serengeti Genesis could be the strongest evidence yet that humans developed sophisticated symbolic thought much earlier than once thought. Archaeologists believe that the carefully worked ostrich beads (which have no use as tools) provide the clearest evidence to date that humans could think symbolically before 35,000 years ago. That is the time when artwork and sophisticated artifacts start to appear commonly.
Just ponder for a moment the importance of this remarkable discovery. There is now evidence supporting the theory that mankind’s developing facilitation with bead making was more than instinctive. In fact, this fascination with beads may just be historical evidence of humanity’s development of higher thinking processes? And to think, it all started with a bead.
This important scientific/archaeological development brought to you by the BEAD!!!!!!
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05.20.06
Posted in Jewelry Design at 9:57 pm by Laura
The first time I came across the phrase “New OLD Stock” in an item description I assumed it to be a listing error. After encountering the same phrase repeatedly, in multiple listings and from different sellers, it dawned on me that the phrase was meant to convey information of some importance to buyers. Judging from the price of the items using the description, the reputation of the sellers listing the items and the other associated terms in the listings (rare, difficult to find, vintage, limited quantities, etc.) items described as New OLD Stock were at the top of every “in the know” jewelry collector/designers’ “must have” list. But before I added New OLD Stock Jewelry Components to the top of my “must have list”, I wanted to know what made them so special.
New OLD Stock (NOS) when applied to whole pieces of jewelry, car parts, computers and watches etc. generally refers to vintage inventory from stores that has never been used or sold. This inventory is old but is in new condition.
The most logical approach to discussing the use of the term New OLD Stock as it applies to jewelry components is to begin with a question. What happened to the warehouse stock of components belonging to the manufacturing jewelry firms of the last century and a half when those firms closed their doors? Most collectors know that the East Coast of the United States was a mecca for the production of costume Jewelry during the late 19th and early 20th century. Many of those manufacturers have since gone out of business. Prior to going out of buiness each and everyone of those manufacturers maintained well stocked warehouses. Those warehouses were filled with the components, which until the demise of the manufacturing company were destined to be assembled into jewelry.When those businesses closed down, due to economics, death or merger, many of those warehouses were simply locked up. In many cases the inventory was not liquidated until years later. And if you were fortunate enough to be present for the final liquidation of the warehouse contents, then you would have been able to purchase New OLD Stock jewelry components consisiting of rhinestones, clasps, pins, stampings etc. .
The trick to locating New OLD Stock components in the 21st century is finding a reputable seller who has access to that liquidated inventory. More about the search for these rare components in future blogs……..
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05.19.06
Posted in Swarovski at 7:01 pm by Laura
So who among us has not heard of Swarovski Rhinestones? Unless you have been living in deep seclusion for the greater part of this last century, you already know that the House of Swarovski sets the standard for cut, clarity, brilliance and consistency in the Rhinestone industry. When the term “Austrian” is used in reference to a Rhinestone, it is usually of Swarovski crystal company origin. The range of colors and variety of cuts available through Swarovski can prove overwhelming. And although you can easily locate Swarovski color charts on line, until recently it has been virtually impossible to locate a clear and comprehensive Swarovski Stone Chart. When ordering Rhinestones should you order a 3pp or a 25ss? Do you even know the difference? What about cut? Are you looking for a Rivoli or a Chaton? After spending an unsuccessful month searching the internet for a chart showing the cut (by name and with a diagram) as well as the Swarovski Company item number (i.e. 1012, which, by the way; is a Chaton) I decided to compile my own reference chart. I published the results on the Port of Mystery Website at :.
Swarovski Stone Chart.
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I hope the chart proves useful to other confused Rhinestone lovers…. I’ll post more information on this subject as time allows along with some great sources for New OLD stock replacement rhinestones at affordable prices…….
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