Marcia is a Marvel!

I know the reviews here comment on the "bloated" values they think Marcia gives her jewelry, and to be honest she is slightly off the mark on some things, but this book values are from 2002, when the market was stronger, and people would spend money for quality and crap alike. It is a different world for Vintage Jewelry today in almost 2011. I love the sections on Hollycraft and Weiss especially, the photos are very informative, and the sections have a good selection of the varying styles from each designer, and the fact Marcia loves this stuff like I do, just comes across in every page. A valuble tool, but anything by Costume Jewelry Guru, Harrice Simmons Miller would be more accurate, cleaR and helpful in my opinion. That woman knows her HIGH END like nobody's business.

Information Okay....Prices WAY off

This isn't a bad book, as long as you don't use it as a price guide. The prices are generally 10x higher than what you'd expect to pay or get for an item. The pictures are generally good, though not as sharp and clear as I'd like, and the information about the various designers is good.

In reviewing jewelry guides which are often used as price guides I am trying to take a couple random samples and show book values compared to actual values received on closed ebay auctions. It is as such....
pg. 19 Kenneth Jay Lan Frog Parure. Book value 395.00, actual ebay closing bid 59.05 with all pieces in excellent condition. (okay so not 10x value here)
pg. 188 Trifari zodiac brooch. Book value 35.00, actual ebay closing 3.50
pg. 229 Tortolani Market Street Trolly. Book value 125.00, actual ebay closing 9.51.

As you can see value in book do not indicate the value you'll receive if you sell an item or the price you'll have to pay for a piece for your own collection. Some of the highest end designers (i.e. Miriam Haskell) prices may be more accurate than others. Yes, books are not an guarantee of the value but should be an indication of the value of a piece. I think this book very much overvalues the jewelry pieces.

I would recommend this book to a collector who already has a few jewelry collecting books and is just looking to add to their collection to find more of the treasures and get a bit more information. It wouldn't be a good "first" book as the values are very off and doesn't include some of the more popular designers that are very collectible such as Coro.

Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry Vol. I

I love Sparkles' books! She is very knowlegeable, is passionate about costume jewelry, and the photographs (taken by her husband) are wonderful. This particular volume covers 30 manufacturers - out of them, I only regularly come across Trifari. That is the only drawback to this book, but it is fantastic when used along with her other jewelry reference books. One big reason I like her books is that she shows jewelry that is is more accessible, and not just high end jewelry that I can't find ... or afford!

Signed Beauties of Costume Jewelry Identification

I really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of really great pictures of the jewelry. The descriptions are excellent, The only dislike was that there weren't more designers, I would have liked to see some Juliana, and Coro, but overall a great book for the costume jewelry collector!

Another One for the Collection (Literally)

I bought this, knowing its age and the price was perfect. I have several of her other books and enjoy them. I read the reviews before purchasing it as well. I do agree that the prices are a bit off at this point, with the recession and all but I am constantly amazed at how many folks are still collecting so the competition is still out there! I found two pieces I own in this book, which adds to their value by reference. I still collect by what I like and what I can afford. I think the pictures are fun to browse through and that Sparkles clearly enjoys what she has done for years. This book did not have any Coro in it, so that was a bit disappointing considering how popular it is. Enjoy it for what it is--an older journey through collecting. Liked it being a hardback; holds up better. Would not buy it new.