Vintage Jewelry by Miriam Haskell on eBay

 

       Vintage costume jewelry designed by Miriam Haskell generally commands a very high price on eBay.  Considering that a large majority of her creations were never signed "Miriam Haskell," how does one know a Haskell creation is genuine?  Is the signed Haskell piece worth more than the unsigned piece?  And just because a piece is signed "Miriam Haskell" does that mean it truely is a Miriam Haskell creation?

        In a perfect world, the obvious answer would be "Yes, a signed Haskell is a signed Haskell"--But unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Counterfeit Haskell items are not only sold on eBay, but there are quite a few Haskell listings these days comprising bulk quantities of 'Haskell-like' findings and faux 'Haskell' stampings that unscrupulous or at least disingenuous sellers use to create their own 'signed Haskell' items. These faux Haskells may then command thousands of dollars!    But this still doesn't make them authentic, and there isn't a Miriam Haskell afficionado around who hasn't fallen prey to this vey same trap--Only to find out later that they have been burned.  So what is one to do?

1.  Spend some time doing visual research. 

       There are great books available on Miriam Haskell jewelry.  Most contain large color plates that really give you a feel for the Haskell style.   Spend some time browsing through--Note sme particulars as you do--The patina of the metal on that famous gold filigree, for instance.  Note the small details that make a Miriam Haskell piece stand out from the rest.  Two books are a "must-have" reference for the serious Haskell investor.  They are:  Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff's Miriam Haskell Jewelry and The Jewels of Miriam Haskell by Deana Farneti Cera.  Neither book is inexpensive and the latter is out of print.   But they are worth their weight in gold!!   Check out eBay auctions for these books, too--A shrewd shopper can occasionally find a nearly new book for a very low price!

2.   Online Resources

      Check out Cathy Gordon's Miriam Haskell photo albums online--They are a wonderful educational resource for the collector!!    Ms Gordon has  compiled a wonder ful photographic archive of Miriam Haskell jewelry, as well as that of other designers of the era.  She has a complete album of images devoted solely to Miriam Haskell findings alone!   I am unable to include a direct link to the site because of eBay restrictions, but I can say that these photos are available for study, free of charge,  at the website "http, colon, imageevent, frontslash, bluboi" (this is a quasi-link to a website outside of eBay).

       Or,  search Google Images.  Just type "Miriam Haskell Jewelry"  into the search bar at Google.  Buit instead of searching the "web", search "Google Images".  When you're finished with those, bring up many more photos by hitting the "repeat the search with similar results omitted " included.

        Finally, utilize eBay's Completed Items listings or Marketplace Research in your study.  Browse the photos of Haskell items as well as the knock-off "Haskell" findings and signature plaques that are widely available in todays market.  Familiarize yourself with the phonies and you'll be less likely to be fooled by them.  Click on the following eBay link for a  Completed Items Search for Miriam Haskell Jewelry.

3. Look for sellers that offer a Money Back Authenticity Guarantee

READ the ENTIRE auction ad before you even think of placing a bid.  If you want a genuine Miriam Haskell piece of jewelry, find someone ready to stand behind the authenticity of the item they are selling 100%.   Whether the Haskell is signed or unsigned, the authenticity, not the signature should be a deciding factor in your purchase.  When a seller offers such a guarantee it signifies that authenticity is important to them as well