COMMON STYLES, COLORS & CHARACTERISTICS
of  SHERMAN JEWELRY
page 2
 

Flower motifs were, by far, the most common Sherman design element. Leaf-shaped pins and earrings were also popular, as well as "swirls", wreaths, feathers and "pinwheels".

"Stone clusters" (such as the one shown at the top of the AB brooch below) are, I believe, unique to Sherman jewelry.

Sherman figurals are fairly rare, although Terry Delany tells me they were very popular in their day, and that there was actually a fairly extensive variety (owl, bicycle, two different fruit baskets, two different birds, two different cats, hearts, bows, Christmas tree, etc).

Multi-color combinations are not nearly as common in Sherman jewelry as monochromatic color schemes (Canadian conservativism at its best!).  Siam Red, Fuchsia, Rose, Peridot, Emerald, Sapphire, Black and Topaz, as well clear and Crystal Aurora were all used extensively in Sherman jewelry. Another common color was one I call "Champagne" -- a pretty beige color which Diane Hanselman tells me is Light Colorado Topaz.  Olivine, jonquil, teal and Montana blue were also popular.

Jewelry with purple stones (Amethyst, Cardinal) is fairly difficult to come by, although Alexandrite Dichroic crystals (color change from lavender to blue) are often found.  I have had crystal bead jewelry in red, black, silver (crystal comet argent light), clear/AB, and pink.  The photos below show some of the more unusual Sherman combinations.

Japanned red, purples and fuchsias are by far the most desirable to collectors.

Very unusual combination of opaque apple green, clear and rose/ pink stones in a "Christmas" wreath design

Hook & eye construction is found on some Sherman jewelry -- exactly the same type found on Schreiner pieces. The technique was used to join layered components without soldering them together.

Sherman also used good quality Swarovski rhinestone chain in his pieces -- you can always tell by the amount of 'gap' between the stone-sets.  The closer the stones, the better the chain.

Generally speaking, clasps, pinstems, earring backs & findings were all above average quality and the pieces are fairly "weighty".  Many findings were made by a company named Ballou.

The distinctive style of the topaz brooch below has a nickname among Canadian dealers -- it is called a "titty" pin, for obvious reasons.  I believe this style comes in 3 sizes; the largest is massive ~ about 3" across if memory serves.  Another observation:  Topaz stones are often paired with 'champagne' and these bluish/purple/green aurora stones.

Also note the tell-tale 'flower cluster' caps on the top of both these brooches.

I have seen pieces by Weiss, Continental and Artistic that are the same as or very similar to Sherman designs. The Artistic brooch below is a Sherman design apparently copied by a Sherman foreman, then later manufactured by Artistic:

If memory serves, the oval nameplate is found on earlier pieces (1950s) while the square plate was introduced in the 1960s.
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Sherman Jewelry was sold through independent jewelery stores and large department stores such as Eaton's and Birk's Jewelry. In many cases, the pieces were in a box or on a card marked "Jewels of Elegance". Some were identified only with a paper tag:

The pink necklace is unsigned except for the original metal string tag.  It was purchased by Joanne Brennan of Ottawa from the original owner who bought many Sherman pieces from Birks back in the 50's/60's.  The price, which is hard to read in my photo, is $3.00 !!

Perhaps the unsigned pieces we see today are those where the tag, card or box has been discarded.  I have personally bought Sherman sets from the original owners where only one or two pieces of the set are signed.  Since set pieces often became separated over the years, this too would explain why unsigned Sherman pieces continue to surface.