One of my current auctions is for this pair of earrings by Napier. The Napier company was formed in 1875, and continued until 1999. This set of earrings is from the late 1950's. Now the question I get asked is - how do I know?

Here's the basics of vintage jewelry research.

First, find out all you can about the company. For Napier, I have a fact sheet compiled with a company timeline based on my intial research.

Next, research maker marks. In the case of these earrings, they have the word "Napier" in script, with the copyright symbol after it.

Now, put it all together. I know that mark was used from 1955 - 1988. I know the Napier brand is know for simple, classic styles, during the time James Napier ran the company. I know James Napier ran the company until 1960. Conclusion? Based on the style of the earrings, and the mark, they were probably made between 1955 and 1960.

See - easy. Well, not really, but investigations are half the fun. The other half is finding the vintage jewelry in the first place. Selling them is just icing on the cake.