Start Collecting – Sarah Coventry Jewelery
Lifestyle FashionI remember the ladies of the neighborhood gathering for Sarah Coventry’s jewelry parties, back in the 1970s. We were young housewives, not having much money to spend, so we loved visiting and seeing the new and inexpensive jewelry that Sarah Coventry had to offer.
Now those vintage pieces are very collectible, and popular designs are just as beautiful and easy to use today. An eBay search shows over 1,800 Sarah Coventry pieces available for bidding or selling. Not all of them are old, as the jewelry is still sold on the Home Shopping Network.
Charles H. Stuart founded Sarah Coventry in 1950 and named the company after his granddaughter Sarah Ann. The design and manufacture were carried out by external companies. Never sold in retail stores, affordable jewelry was only sold by consultants at house parties. The company was sold in 1984, and in 2003 the jewelry was sold again through house parties, and is still sold that way today.
If you’re interested in collecting vintage Sarah Coventry, here are some things to consider:
Since there was a high volume of Sarah Coventry jewelry on the market, full rhinestone sets are the most collectible. Prices are still relatively low, but as more collectors discover the pieces, prices should go up. Try to find Sarah Coventry jewelry in original boxes.
The company used several different brands on its jewelry:
“Sarah Cov” with copyright symbol ©
“SARAH” with the copyright symbol
“Coventry” with copyright symbol
“SaC”, “SAC” or “SC”
“Canada” and “Sarah” with copyright symbol
Sarah Coventry jewelry was made in a wide range of styles and quality. Good weight and attention to detail were typical, and the elaborate rhinestone pieces were beautifully done. Rhinestones were used in classic color combinations and enamel jewelry was also produced. The pieces were made of gold and silver metal. However, keep in mind that there are also many average or below average pieces.
If you are buying for yourself, for your own pleasure and not necessarily as an investment, it is important that you buy what you like and carefully examine the condition of each piece.
A good way to get away with Sarah Coventry jewelry is to check out the old advertisements found in jewelry books. “Sarah Coventry’s Fine Fashion Jewelry” by Jennifer A. Lindbeck is an excellent resource.
Many different styles were produced. Some of the most popular pieces were figured pins, such as owls, which were very popular decorative items in the 1970s. Other figurines were flowers and animals. There were beautiful creations of rhinestones and other pieces made with turquoise and faux pearls, and even a gold-tone pin with an enameled miniature of the Mona Lisa. There was something for all tastes and budgets. The hostess’s best party favors and pieces are now especially collectible.
If you do an Internet search for “Sarah Coventry” you will find many sources with parts for sale. Keep an eye out for thrift stores, yard sales, and property sales. So much was produced, that you should be able to start or add to your collection very easily.