Press Release

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2005

RITA XAVIER, SPECIALIST IN VINTAGE JEWELRY, OFFERS FREE ASSESSMENT SERVICES FOR VINTAGE RHINESTONE JEWELRY AT THE WALNUT CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S 46th ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES SALE & SHOW,
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2005

This fall’s 46th Shadelands Antique & Collectibles Show, held at the Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum by the Walnut Creek Historical Society, brings RITA XAVIER to Walnut Creek with a dual purpose. Working from a base of lifelong interest in period jewelry, Rita will assess the value of your rhinestones as a service to the community. Also, as Rita is looking forward to retirement, she will be selling some of the pieces she has collected over the years at reduced prices.

Approximately 100 pieces of Rita’s jewelry are featured in the Fourth Edition of Collecting Rhinestone & Colored Jewelry by Maryanne Dolan, well known author of Vintage Clothing 1880-1980: Identification and Value Guide, The World of Dolls (1998), Old Lace and Linens including Crochet and American Medallion Silver. Rita became friends with Maryanne over the years, when Maryanne would sit in Rita’s booth, talking to the customers and having “a grand time discussing jewelry.” Maryanne Dolan recently passed away, and Xavier is offering her services in a kind of “homage” to Dolan’s memory.

Rita became involved with jewelry as a dealer over fifteen years ago, as a natural progression from buying and selling larger items. Beaded bags, compacts, perfumes, dresser sets, hats, and, eventually, vintage clothing, were all to become a part of the concept of displaying wonderful designer jewelry. “As the years flew by, my knowledge of the jewelry expanded, through discussions and comparisons with many other dealers, with customers, and through the large library of jewelry books I acquired,” says Xavier. She advises new collectors to acquire books to further their knowledge of items, to find out what is “out there,” perhaps to be found at the next show they attend.

At Shadelands, Rita Xavier will be offering free identification of your vintage jewelry as well as suggestions on needed care and restoration. Here is your opportunity to find out about that necklace, bracelet or hair ornament you inherited from your mom or grandmother.

With over 100 vendors, the grounds at Shadelands are filled with a wide variety of quality antiques and collectibles. Admission is free, and for a $1 donation, you may tour the historic Shadelands house. At the back of the house, the Historical Society’s volunteers will serve hot dogs and beverages, sandwiches, nachos, and homemade cookies and lemonade, all to benefit the Walnut Creek Historical Society and the Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum.

Shadelands is an authentically furnished, historic 1902 ranch house on the National Register of Historic Places, operated by the Walnut Creek Historical Society. During the Antique Sale and Show, tours of the house will be available from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Museum is located at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. There is no admission charge and parking is free.

For further information, please call Museum Director ... Three photographs of Rita Xavier’s spectacular jewelry are attached for your use.