Pearls are hot this season and you only need to look at Ralph Lauren collection to confirm this. Many of Ralph Lauren spring fashions are being accented with pearls. Pearls are getting a whole new face lift this summer with a mix of colors and styles not seen before.

Yes I know. Ralph Lauren's may be out of reach of many of our pocket books. Don't fret! Have a look at designs he has to offer. Take good visual notes. Similar lines and looks can be found for much less. You can make your fashion statement on a budget! You need to find syles and colors that suit you and that you are interested in, then go shopping for similar garments without out designer name. These seasons fashions are fabulous, fun, and very retro. Your certain to find something that makes your fashion statement in your budget.

Ralph Lauren was born in Bronx NY in 1939. After dropping out of college he served in US Army from 1962 to 1964. He married Ricky Low-Beer in 1964 and they had three children. In 1968 he was able to secure a $50,000 loan and Polo Fashions was born. SInce then it has grown into a $5 billion dollar industry. Ralph Lauren once said "I don't design clothes, I design dreams."

This season is truly a season of personal style and every woman is certain to find right item[s] to make her fashion statement!

For more articles and information on summer fashions be sure to visit our resource pages at Estate Jewelry International

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

The best way to recognize bakelite comes with experience. After you’ve seen enough pieces you will easily recognize it. There are also some excellent books on market that you might find helpful. • BAKELITE JEWELRY - Tony Grasso • THE BEST OF BAKELITE AND OTHER PALSTIC JEWELRY - Dee Battle & Alayne Lesser • BAKELITE JEWELRY GOOD*BETTER*BEST - Donna Wassertrom & Leslie Pina

Bakelite has always been known as material with 1000 uses, and it surely did earn this name. Bakelite is now treasured for its unique, unreproducible beauty. When Bakelite patent expired in 1927, it was acquired by Catalin Corporation that same year. They began mass production under name "Catalin. The Catalin Corporation was responsible for nearly 70% of all phenolic resins that exist today.

Bakelite-Catalin was sold mainly to companies like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bonwit Teller, Woolworth’s, and Sears. Much of wealthy society fell into touch times during depression and could not longer afford Tiffany diamonds or Cartier Jewelry. Bakelite-Catalin took up market slack with its colorful carved jewelry adorned with rhinestones. This jewelry was within reach of all and its popularity grew from poorest to wealthiest in society.

In 1942 Bakelite-Catalin stopped sales of their colorful costume jewelry in order to concentrate on nation’s wartime needs. They produced thousands of products found their way into military.

By end of war new technologies were for molded plastics had been developed. These new products consisted of plastics such as Lucite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Acrylic all which were molded. Bakelite and Catalin become obsolete except in hearts of collectors who still pursue it today.

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.