{"product_id":"shooting-star-vintage-signed-continental-rhodium-plate-austrian-swarovski-aurora-borealis-crystal-rhinestone-clip-on-earrings-ve442","title":"Shooting Stars - Vintage Signed 'Continental' Rhodium Plate Austrian Swarovski Aurora Borealis Crystal Rhinestone Clip-On Earrings (VE442)","description":"\u003cp\u003eShooting Stars - Vintage Signed 'Continental' Rhodium Plated Austrian Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone Clip-On Earrings. These gorgeous earrings are crafted from rhodium plate over metal. Featuring round cut Austrian Swarovski aurora borealis crystal rhinestones, vintage styling, and high quality craftsmanship. These wonderful earrings are expertly claw-set with beautiful sparkling blue\/green and purple rhinestones. The earrings are made in the form of shooting stars, which are elegant and charming. The earrings are for pierced and non pierced ears, featuring clip-on backings. These vintage earrings are  high quality, and in very fine condition, truly a beautiful special occasion piece to be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory: In 1943, Sam Baker and Sol Mayoff became partners and set up shop in a 500 square-foot store front in a Vieux Montreal building. There, with four employees, they sold costume jewellery, various accessories and religious articles and became the small firm, Continental Jewellery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1947 already well known as Continental Jewellery, the small firm began to manufacture rhinestone articles which were all the rage at the time. The ever growing demand forced them to move into a larger space on Bleury Street.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1951, Continental Jewellery became the largest, manufacturer of mid-priced rhinestone jewellery in the country. Due to the whims of fashion, the market for rhinestones was gradually declining. To protect its market share, the firm hired a European designer to create a major line of fashion jewellery, making Continental one of the most important fashion sources for the Canadian market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is difficult to have a discussion regarding Continental jewellery without mentioning Sherman Jewellery. Continental’s line of rhinestone jewellery was said to be the main competition for Sherman Jewellery, which was also being produced in Montreal at the time. Continental’s high end rhinestone jewellery was very similar to Sherman designs but usually had less stones. These pieces were offered as a lower priced alternative and did well as such.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany collectors of Sherman jewellery have been pleasantly surprised at the quality and beauty of Continental’s vintage rhinestone jewellery lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company moved to its present location at 55 du Mont-Royal Avenue West in 1963. Six years later, partners Baker and Mayoff diversified the manufacturing end of the business and developed their own gold line. This did so well that today they make 95% of their own gold jewellery, importing only 5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinental’s clients included large chains like The Bay, Eatons, Simpsons, Birks, People’s as well as a majority of independent jewellers and it employed a staff of 360. The firm had an annual retail business of $80 million.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinental jewellery continued to expand the company up until 1997 when the company was sold to an interest in the Far East.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCenturies ago, quartz pebbles with a high lead content were found sparkling on the banks of Europe's Rhine River\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. These beautiful, natural stones were highly coveted and were eventually depleted, inspiring jewelers to create an imitation, aptly named the \"rhinestone.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eSince 1895, founder Daniel Swarovski's mastery of crystal cutting has defined the company\u003c\/b\u003e. His enduring passion for innovation and design has made it the world's premier jewelry and accessory brand. Today, the family carries on the tradition of delivering extraordinary everyday style to women around the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s\u003c\/b\u003e. It was also used as a plating for cigarette lighters and writing instruments during that time. One of the many companies that used rhodium plating was the Ronson Lighter Company, which produced many art-deco style items in the 30s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eMeasurements: Earrings  28.50 mm x 20.00 mm  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eStone Size: Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones  6.00 mm - 4.00 mm - 3.00 mm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eWeight: Earrings 11.80 grams \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eCondition: Excellent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eOrigin: Canada, Quebec, Montreal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\" lang=\"en\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eDate: Circa 1950\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarities Antique Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40863925829690,"sku":"VE442","price":125.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5305\/files\/DSC_1521.jpg?v=1746412668","url":"https:\/\/raritiesantiquejewelry.com\/products\/shooting-star-vintage-signed-continental-rhodium-plate-austrian-swarovski-aurora-borealis-crystal-rhinestone-clip-on-earrings-ve442","provider":"Rarities Antique Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}