Wanda’s Vintage Puffy Heart Charms – Really!

I wanted to share with you some photos of two puffy heart charms that have my name engraved on the back.  One is a US Navy Anchor repousse, and the other is an enamel finish with stars in the design.  I have no idea who the “Wandas” were who first owned these, but it seems fitting that since I’m a Wanda, I should have them now.  It’s not a common name and these are the only ones I’ve seen in almost 7 years of collecting.

Both of these beauties I purchased from members of my charm group that I know and trust.  Thanks to Lisa Bought The Charm and Sandy yogiw’s A Genuine Find, for thinking of me and offering them to me before selling them on the market. The members of my charm group are the most knowledgeable vintage charm collectors in the world – in fact they are from all over the world.

I’m not a vintage puffy heart aficionado, and haven’t studied hearts enough to know which ones are really vintage and worth top dollars, or reproductions that have been roughed up a bit to make them look vintage.  Unfortunately that’s a common practice on internet sites like ebay so I don’t buy them unless they come on a bracelet that’s already assembled and it’s clear that the other charms are from the mid 20^th century.  Or unless they are from a seller that does know about puffy hearts and that I trust.

There are some exquisite vintage puffy heart collections and bracelets that I could never dream of emulating but they are fun to drool over.  If you have a desire to collect vintage puffy heart charms I know there are some basic things to look for.  They were the most popular during the 1930s to 1950s and most were made of sterling silver.  Puffy heart charms are hollow inside and are formed by attaching two halves or folding over one piece of metal.  Generally they were made in a repousse style (the design is hammered on the reverse side of the metal), or chased (the design is stamped onto the front of the metal creating an impression).

Some signs that a puffy heart is a reproduction -

• Designs – the repousse or embossing design on newer charms may look less crisp because a copy of a mold was used.

• Rhodium plating – shiny surface plating which was not used in the 1930s to 1950s on puffy hearts

• Tarnish – often reproductions will be chemically tarnished to make them look old.  Genuine collectors look for “patina” which is the natural darkening of aged silver.

• Engraving – many vintage hearts are engraved with (old fashioned) names and newer hearts either aren’t engraved or the engraving appears stamped.

• Enamel – Reproduction charms have thick coloring that sometimes resembles paint or lacquer

There are volumes of information to learn about vintage puffy hearts.  I don’t have the time or resources to make expensive mistakes so I’m content with letting my expert friends from Joan's Vintage Charm Group pick out my puffy hearts.  But puffy heart collectors are passionate about learning and part of their excitement is in discovery.  I’m just happy to leave that to them and have my sweet “Wanda” hearts to add to my heart bracelet.

Summary

Article Name

Wanda’s Vintage Puffy Heart Charms – Really!

Description

My 2 vintage puffy heart charms with my name - Wanda - engraved. It's an uncommon name so I was thrilled to find them.

Author

Fitzcharming

Tags: Heart Charms

Category: Private Jewelry Collection