Collecting vintage costume jewelry can be a very satisfying hobby. One that can easily turn into a profitable business if you can bear to part with cherished pieces. One of the names that is fetching high prices in today’s market is Sherman.
Sherman jewelry was made in Canada from 1947 to 1981, and despite its exceptional quality, not much was ever documented. Somehow, despite producing some of the best quality pieces of the era, Sherman jewelry stayed below the radar – until now.
Sherman Quality
If you’re lucky enough to hold a piece of Sherman jewelry in your hands you’ll immediately notice the quality of the stones. They are noticeably more brilliant than most. Part of the reason for this is the reverse foiling process (a technique developed by Swarovski especially for Sherman). Notice too that each and every stone is prong-set – Sherman never glued stones.
Color and Design in Sherman Jewelry
Designs were often innovative and strong colors were frequently used (although there are also many clear and aurora borealis pieces out there). The bold colors sell for a pretty penny these days – especially red.
Sherman Jewelry Prices
The attention paid to detail and quality was so exceptional that it is rare to find a Sherman piece with missing stones. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why prices have jumped so dramatically in recent years. Some of the most expensive pieces are the rigid cuff bracelets. It’s not unusual to see them in antique stores for $1,000 or more. Some have even sold on Internet auction sites for two and three thousand dollars.
Since prices are inflated at the moment, so do your research before buying. Make sure you understand what you are buying and why. As with anything, prices may go down again and you don’t want to get stuck with something you feel you paid too much for. Unless you really know what you’re doing, buy it because you love it, not because you think you might be able to turn it around for a quick buck.
Signed and Unsigned Sherman Jewelry
If you think you’ve found an authentic Sherman piece, flip it over and check the back for a signature. In her book All That Glitters, author Valerie Hammond says that members of the Sherman family assured her that each and every Sherman piece was signed. If the signature is in an oval nameplate it likely dates from the 1950s, if it’s square, the 1960s and beyond.
Next time you’re in a second-hand or thrift store, check their jewelry section. It isn’t unusual for less knowledgeable sellers to have pieces and not know their value. You may be one of the lucky ones who picks up a piece for a song!
Join the Conversation