What's Your Sign?

People have lived their lives according to their horoscopes are perplexed at the possibility of the addition of another Zodiac sign, “Ophiuchus,” the Serpent-bearer, which would be sandwiched in between Scorpio and Sagittarius, from November 30 to December 17th. This will result in a shift that may cause many to fall under a new sign. Individuals who have even gone so far as to select a significant other based on the compatibility of their signs, are now taking a long, hard look at that individual sitting across from then at the breakfast table.

Especially disturbed are the costume jewelry collectors hording a cache of vintage jewelry that may no longer ‘align’ with them. Once such collector, Molly Garza, a member of the Jewel Collect organization, said she’s not relinquishing her Taurus attributes nor her Taurus the Bull talismans. “I’m definitely a Taurus and I’m sticking with it, and my Taurus jewelry pins are sticking with me,” states a bull-headed Molly. Spoken like a true Taurus the Bull. Likewise, I’m an Aries the Ram, and I’ll butt heads with anyone who says differently. I’m going to stay an Aries and I’ll adhere to by Aries amulets.

Zodiac jewelry was all the rage with the release of the pop culture hit “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (Also referred to as “The Age of Aquarius”) by the 5th Dimension in 1969. Costume jewelry manufacturers rushed Zodiac jewelry to market to capitalize on the fixation with the Zodiac calendar. Hippies paired off based on their response to the question “What’s your sign?” Referred to as ‘junk’ jewelry at the time, these unique pieces depicting Zodiac signs are now selling at fine jewelry prices. Most notable were those manufactured by “Tortolani“ and “Razza.” The bold and the beautiful are now typically valued at over $100, despite the economic downturn. Some pieces like the Tortolani Zodiac bracelet depicting all the signs, has sold for as much as $1000 on eBay! Look for pieces that display all the signs, like the Tortolani sundial pictured, to go up in price if Ophiuchus is squeezed into the calendar. The Razza pieces manufactured of metal and molded resin (Aries the Ram & Taurus the Bull in picture), are not for the demure. Selling originally for around $10, have gone up more than ten times in value. Some costume jewelry books have valued the Razza pieces at $150! If you happen to locate one of these pieces in the bottom of the jewelry box, I unfortunately may not be your sign much longer, but it will be your good fortune to have retained it over the years.

Some argue that Ophiuchus is a constellation and not an astrological sign, but whatever your sign, you can probably find it at many antique malls, most likely in the months that correspond with it. If interested in collecting this unique jewelry, let the helpful dealers know when you arrive. More than likely they first question they will ask you is “What is your sign?

Photo by Collage