THE COLLECTORS
World War II
Sweetheart Jewelry

Courtesy of  Carolyn Sunday
Sunday and Sunday Fine Antique Jewelry

 

CAROLYN'S STORY ~ "My husband has been a collector of unusual militaria and an avid historian for over 25 years. I would attend shows with him now and then, and began to see and fall in love with ladies military sweetheart jewelry. It was not only fun and unusual, but sentimental and patriotic also. I purchased several collectors books on the subject and over the next few years actively sought out and purchased it. When some of my husbands militaria collecting buddies found out that I liked it, they would save it for me and I would buy it.
The pieces are found in silver plate, sterling silver, gold plate, gold filled, and very occasionally, solid gold. Many wooden, plastic, celluloid and other non precious metal pieces were used with conservation of these precious metals for the war effort in mind. Pieces have a much greater value if they retain original store card, boxes, tags or packaging. "In service" pins were very popular, featuring a star for each family member serving in active duty. One star pins are common, two a bit rarer, three stars or more, quite rare.
In addition to jewelry one can also find compacts, cigarette cases, pillow cases, hankies, postcards, playing cards, flags, banners and pennants. There are several books that I would recommend, but my favorite is Antique Sweetheart Jewelry by Nicholas D. Snider- a Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide. These pieces in my estimation are still quite affordable, and besides being a good monetary investment, more importantly are an investment in our history, and a step back toward a more sentimental and patriotic time."

       STERLING and red, white and blue enamel "Husband in Service" badge.

  STERLING and red, white and blue enamel "Brother in Service" badge.

STERLING filigree and glass Army Air Corps pilots wings pendant.

    MARINE Corps hand painted wood globe and anchor brooch.

     STERLING U.S. Navy bracelet.

14k GOLD PLATED and blue enamel "U.S. Navy" chatelaine pins on original card.

    LEATHER and wood Navy boy with painted details brooch.

  CORO gold and silver tone large Academy style sword pin.

   "BUDDIES" movable Army celluloid pin on it's original paper card.

    GOLD FILLED mother-of-pearl heart US Navy expansion sweetheart bracelet.

US ARMY AIR CORPS sterling silver bow brooch with book locket.

STERLING silver, marcasite and mother-of-pearl US Navy sweetheart pendant.

    CLEAR rhinestones set in sterling US Navy brooch.

  GOLD FILLED and sterling US Navy son-in-service brooch with blue and red enamel.

STERLING Army Air Corps sweetheart charm bracelet.

    GOLD FILLED Army Artillery book locket brooch.

  ARMY gold and silver tone with camphor glass and enamel pendant and pin.

BRASS painted enamel Army hat three-dimensional locket pin.

  ARMY mother-of-pearl and abalone compact

  STERLING silver Army mascot charm bracelet.

    14K yellow gold Navy lady's ring.

BLACK bakelite Army Air Corps compact.