Recent Finds and Vintage Pin?

[KevinM]

This is some purchases from 2 of my latest visits to some TH's. A 34" real Amber necklace, a pair of sterling fire opal earrings and ring, swarovski frog brooch/pin, Irish sterling pin, an old sterling floral ring, and two 10k gold filled pins that say Sweet Adelines and one that says on top "Past President". Thought I would throw some of the other things in the picture while I was asking the question about the pins.

Does the "Past President" pin relate to the Sweet Adelines International organizations past presidents or some other kind of tribute or something else?

Thanks!
Kevin

[sapphire]

Found a couple currently listed on ebay, both include a chain with another pin attached pertaining to what I assume are branches of the organization.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-10K-GF-Sweet-ADELINES-Past-President-CHANUTE-2-Piece-Chained-Pin-/141018292082?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d5585f72


Although this second one does provide a chuckle with the description of the pin including "depicts 4 angels" 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sweet-Adelines-West-Suburban-10k-GF-Pin-with-chain-RARE-/290912929392?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bbc30670

Asking prices $35 - $60

Completed listings include ........

A past president (chain, second pin not included) 10K GF, Sold for $6.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HISTORICAL-Past-President-Sweet-Adelines-Pin-10K-GF-/281116869579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4173df03cb&nma=true&si=wz9djGqQx7Rs4WujzXw3f%252F2fhTQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and in contrast.......

one similar to your first, 10K Gold, Sold for $46

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-10k-Gold-Sweet-Adelines-Pin-/200944859963?pt=Fashion_Jewelry&hash=item2ec93f3b3b&nma=true&si=wz9djGqQx7Rs4WujzXw3f%252F2fhTQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[KevinM]

Thanks sapphire for the links! i saw a couple of them already, it's amazing on the price difference realized / sold for the same or nearly the same item. Just goes to show you sometimes timing is everything like with a lot of things!

Do you think that the "Past President" pin is in honor or recognition of the organizations own past presidents or does it relate to or a tribute to something else?

[KC]

You might inquire with the organization - here's the site
http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=12

[sapphire]

Kevin I would imagine each chapter elected their own presidents over the years. Likely there were also pins stating President. A group my mother belonged to for many years presented pins to members, to which could be added smaller 'plaques' with engravings of president, vice president, past ......, etc. Also ones commemorating milestones of years served. Most likely yours was presented to an outgoing president of a specific chapter.

I'd take KC's advice and contact the international site. They likely have a wealth of information on their memorabilia.

I came across a newspaper notice from October of 2012, advertising a performance being presented by shall we say, some of the senior ladies of a Tulsa chapter. There is mention in the brief article that there would be a display of memorabilia.  Each chapter possibly has their own collection relating to their specific history.

[KevinM]

Thanks sapphire and KC! OK sapphire, this all makes more sense to me now, so it looks like I have at least the two pins but if I had the "President" pin then I would kind of have a set of three pins that a "Past President" member might have had for the organization.

[sapphire]

Thanks sapphire and KC! OK sapphire, this all makes more sense to me now, so it looks like I have at least the two pins but if I had the "President" pin then I would kind of have a set of three pins that a "Past President" member might have had for the organization.

 

[mart]

I need that ring and those earrings !!!  Are you going to ebay them ??

[KevinM]

I need that ring and those earrings !!!  Are you going to ebay them ??

I was thinking about it mart, but I'm not sure yet. It's a really nice pair of vintage screw back large fire opal agate earrings. They are marked ALC  Hecho in Mexico (Made in Mexico) Guadalajara 0.925

The ring is open inside under the stone like it should be. It is marked "Sterling" then another symbol I can't make out. It has deeper red and other colors in it. I just put on my ring sizer and it's a size 5.50 (5 1/2).

Some of my favorite jewelry pieces come from Mexico and the Southwest and were made from some of the better mid century silversmiths there. I have a lot of it, enough to fill up a drawer, it's one of my favorite things to collect.

[greenacres]

You could also look under dragon's breath for the earrings. It could give you more info on your search. The necklace looks like amber.

[KevinM]

Thanks greenacres, I'll check that out! Yes, the necklace is amber, looks like it may be Baltic amber.

[KevinM]

This is just a sampling of some of the jewelry I like to collect. The owl was done by Mexico Silversmith Rafael Melendez (1911-1980) I really like his work. As you can see I prefer vintage. I don't know much about the purple dangle earring, someone drilled a hole on the top and put hooks in them. The large heart charm necklace looks old but it doesn't have any maker marks on it. The coin necklace I think are real coins with African blue opals but I'm not sure. The clear glass pendant necklace is old but again no maker marks. The large black bead necklace is onyx and silver (more modernist piece). The large chunky silver bracelet is sterling mid century Mexico.

[sapphire]

OMG!! Those purple earrings are to die for!!!   

[mart]

That's my ring size !! My birthstone is opal,, or rose zircon,, but opal is my favorite !!  If you ebay those let me know !! Would love to take the earrings and make a necklace and have a ring made of the other one !!