This post will answer these questions:
When did seed pearl jewellery become popular?
How do seed pearls differ from other pearls?
Why are they called seed pearls?
Are seed pearls natural?
What colour range do seed pearls have?
Probably the most famous pearl is the world is Le Peregrina. The 500-year-old pearl is pear shaped. Its previous owners included the King of Spain, Napoleon Bonaparte and Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Burton bought Le Peregrina in 1969 as a Valentine’s Day gift for Elizabeth Taylor. He bid $37,000 at auction in which the Spanish royal family were also bidding.
Gueldy was established in 1905 by Messrs. Lelaurin & Sergent. It was situated at 370 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore in Paris. Monsieur Sergent was also the founder of another concern which manufactured affordable perfumes and cosmetics. This brand was known as Sergy. The business was very successful & the Gueldy brand was highly regarded. In 1925 Gueldy attained the highest accolade possible, winning the gold medal at the 1925 Paris Exhibition. Naturally this fabulous scent and its associated products were sought-after all over the world.
Without doubt Stratton were the most successful brand of British powder compact. The quality of their enamel was clearly superior to the other British brands at the time. Vintage Stratton accessories are highly collectible today and many have proved to be a good investment.
With thanks to the material written by Juliette Edwards in her book The Stratton Identification Key, collectors can say for certain what model is rare, uncommon & common. Coupled with known years of availability it is possible to build a big picture of exactly how rare an item is.
Walker & Hall was a very successful manufacturing business based in Sheffield, England.
The company was established in 1845 by George Walker (1816 -1881) who was an experienced electroplate practitioner and his brother-in-law, Samuel Coulson, who put up the capital needed to fund the venture.
In 1863 the cosmetic firm Bourjois was established on the great boulevards of Paris in the theatre district.
During this era France was the world's second leading economic power. The famous actor Joseph-Albert Ponsin prepared perfumes and makeup for his fellow actors. Initially these formulations were created in his own home.
