“School Isn't What it Was.” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club – Does Anyone Date Today?

Class Ring - Thanks to Jewelry.about.com

I remember when I was in high school every girl had a charm bracelet that was her prized possession. Each charm had a special meaning for her, whether they were about her boyfriend playing sports, her family or even her pet. It seems this tradition has long passed by the prices I see on eBay for vintage charm bracelets. In fact I believe today you can buy a bracelet with 15 – 20 charms for $100 and the charms plus the bracelet will all be sterling silver.

These little trinkets just don't mean as much as they once did with all the students having their own computers, cars and cell phones. If my memory serves me correctly, just the charms could set you back $25 when I was in school and they were often the favorite gift for a boy to give his girlfriend at Christmas. So much for remembering the past. I definitely don't think these bracelets are something that we should spend much time searching for.

There may still be a remnant of the past, however, that is continuing today and it might make you some money. The item I am talking about is class rings because most of them are gold of some type and few people wear them after graduation has passed for a few years, particularly if the rings are high school rings. I looked on eBay and was surprised to see most class rings still bringing over $100. Some go much higher than that. At house and garage sales I often see these rings sell for $10, so a 10 times appreciation on your money isn't half bad. These class rings seem to signify ownership for the person wearing them and a warning to others to stay away. If a girl saw a boy wearing his own ring, he was available.

There was also a time that medals were given for accomplishments. I don't know if this is still a practice, but these medals were also gold and if they can be found today they should bring fair money. You, as a student, could receive these medals for athletic or academic excellence. Often they were also given for musical talent but the important thing is they must be real gold from 10K up.

Think back to your school years and examine what was important to you and I believe you will find the opportunity to make money by finding items like these. Remember that most collectors are trying to recapture their past and we want to be there to assist in this effort. Just a little trivia question, do you remember your school's fight song?

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lamberts Antique and Collectible Club . Join Us Today!Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.