Antique Brooch
Brooches are not just for our grandmother’s ladies. Brooches are currently on fire and super trendy at the moment. Whether you purchase a brand new one or dig that old antique brooch out of your jewelry box, you will be in with the fashion this season. The antique brooch its self, may look a bit tarnished, but I have the solution. First of all, make sure that any beads or jewels on the antique brooch are in place. Try taking a bobby pin or something similar to the jewels and see if you can wiggle them. If they seem to be intact and there is no foil showing from the back of the jewels and or beads, then you may begin the cleaning process. Take a ½ cup of water, about 3 drops of dish washer soap and a few small drops of ammonia (all house hold products we should all have already). Then take a tooth brush and scrub the stones. Do not let the rest of the antique brooch get the solution on it, because it may tarnish. Also if you want to make sure to clean the antique brooch to the best it can be, take toothpicks and or pipe cleaner to get into each and every stones crevice; it does the trick. Then once you’re done cleaning your antique brooch with the solution I have suggested, you may then rinse the antique brooch under water and repeat as it may be needed. Just please be careful when you are drying your jewelry. Pat the antique brooch dry; do not rub, because you may rub and loosen the stones right out of place. Once you clean your jewelry up, it will look as good as new without paying the “new” price.
Antique Brooches
A fun fact many may not know is that brooches have been around for many years. The first brooch was created around as early as 14th century B.C. As many may not know, the antique brooches, back in the 14th century B.C were first created to hold clothing together. At first the antique brooches served as a function. It wasn’t till much later on that it was created as a decoration. Also, the antique brooches, back then served as symbolism to determine hierarchy rankings. People wore these antique brooches to show if they were married, single, a warrior, a chief, and or a man or woman. Also if you were in auxiliary or part of an army you also wore a special symbolic brooch. Although the history of jewelry and antique brooches may come off to some as a complete snooze fest but, I think it’s kind of cool to know and understand why we have the things we do and how they first made their way through out our American History.
Antique Cameo Brooch
Out of the entire collection of brooches that are out there one of the most unique (in my opinion) would have to be the antique cameo brooch. It typically is made from a porcelain type material and typically has a woman’s face carved into it, but there are also versions with a woman’s face etched in jewels too. The antique cameo brooch can be found in many different colors, but it is usually made with white or peach color porcelain. I tend to like the black version personally (it’s a bit more unique). The actual name for the artwork is Antique Silver Black Charm Cameo Brooch. It has three different sets of jewels that hang below the pin and it is really inexpensive (which is great news for us, especially with the economy the way it is). It sells for a low price of only $14.62 and could look pretty cool pinned to a fun scarf. The antique cameo brooch is only one of the many cool brooches that exist today. If you got on the internet and started searching you could probably find hundreds of thousands of pretty sweet ones. However, I think the best way to find brooches is to go to antique shops. You can find super old, yet super cute and rare pieces, plus it makes for a fun day.
When it comes down to it, I really think we owe a lot of respect to Jacqueline Kennedy for giving the brooch back its popularity. Back in the 1960’s when she became our first lady she turned into this fashion icon with impeccable style. She really took the current brooch and gave it an entirely new meaning by the way she wore it. What we got out of Jacky Kennedy came brooches, style, and how to be a lady. I, as well as half our country’s women, still look up to Mrs. Kennedy even after all these years. Her style has never died and either has the brooch, so ladies, “get pinning.”