The Store P173 Girls Diamante Hair Barrette: A Vintage Gem

The store p173 girls diamante hair barrette is a small but charming piece from the world of vintage British hair accessories. Unlike larger, adult-sized clips that often fetch higher prices, the p173 was made for a younger wearer — a delicate barrette meant to catch the light on a child's head during a birthday party, school photograph, or Sunday outing. Its small scale and careful craftsmanship show how the British costume jewellery industry miniaturised adult trends into age-appropriate treasures.

The barrette itself is typically a spring-clip mechanism, roughly 4 to 5 centimetres in length, with a metal base plated in either silver or gold tone. The defining feature is its diamante (rhinestone) setting: a single, faceted stone — often clear, but occasionally in pastel shades like pale pink or baby blue — held in a claw or bezel setting at the centre. Flanking the main stone are smaller round or navette-shaped rhinestones, sometimes arranged in a flower-like cluster or a straight line. The back of the clip usually bears the “store p173” stamp, along with a British hallmark or a maker’s mark, though the “girls” designation is a collector’s shorthand rather than an official inscription.

What Makes the p173 Distinctive?

The p173 fits a niche often overlooked: it is neither a baby’s first clip nor an adult statement piece. It belongs to the category of girls’ dress accessories from the 1950s through the 1970s, when British manufacturers made scaled-down versions of popular jewellery styles. The diamante barrette was a staple of festive or formal wear — think of a velvet hairband with a matching clip, or a simple side-swept style for a flower girl. The p173’s dimensions are key: if the clip is too large, it would overpower a child’s fine hair; too small, and the rhinestones would lack impact. The designers struck a balance that allowed the barrette to hold securely while still sparkling visibly.

Materials also tell a story. The metal base is usually brass or a nickel alloy, electroplated to resist tarnish. The rhinestones are glass, cut with facets that mimic diamonds. In higher-quality examples, the stones are set in prongs rather than glued, and the clip’s spring mechanism remains sturdy decades later. The “girls” version often uses a slightly lighter spring tension than adult clips, making it easier for small hands to open and close. This attention to ergonomics is a hallmark of thoughtful vintage design.

A Collector’s Guide to Authenticity

When hunting for a genuine store p173 girls diamante barrette, the stamp is your first clue. The “store” prefix indicates that the piece was sold through a specific retail chain or wholesaler, not a high-end jewellery house. Many of these clips were produced in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, where workshops churned out affordable accessories for department stores like Woolworths, Marks & Spencer, and smaller independent shops. The p173 number is a catalogue reference — each number corresponds to a specific design, and variations in stone colour or metal finish were noted with suffixes (e.g., p173/1 for clear, p173/2 for pink).

• Check the clasp: Original spring clips have a distinct, satisfying snap. If the mechanism feels loose or gritty, the clip may have been repaired or is a later reproduction.
• Examine the stone setting: Genuine diamante stones are set with small metal claws. Glue-backed stones that are flush with the metal are almost always modern.
• Look for wear: The plating on vintage clips often shows a warm patina — brass peeking through at the edges. This is not a flaw but a sign of age and authenticity.
• Measure carefully: A true p173 girls barrette should be no longer than 5 cm. Larger clips (6 cm or more) are likely adult-sized and not the “girls” variant.

Styling the p173 Today

One of the joys of collecting vintage hair accessories is finding ways to integrate them into a modern wardrobe without looking costumed. The p173 girls barrette, because of its modest size, is surprisingly versatille. It can be used as a subtle accent in a half-up, half-down hairstyle, or clipped onto a plain fabric headband for a touch of sparkle. For those with short hair, it works beautifully as a small side clip near the temple — the rhinestones catch the light without overwhelming the face.

Pair the barrette with a simple white blouse and a midi skirt for a look that nods to the 1950s without being a direct copy. Alternatively, let it contrast with modern textures: a chunky knit sweater, a leather jacket, or a denim dress. The key is to treat the clip as an heirloom piece, not a costume prop. Its small scale also makes it an excellent choice for children today — a vintage barrette can be a lovely alternatve to plastic mass-produced clips, especially for a special occasion.

Care and Preservation

Because the p173 is made of plated metal and glass, it requires gentle handling. Avoid exposing it to water, perfume, or hairspray, as these can dull the plating and loosen the stones. To clean, use a soft, dry cloth — a jewellery polishing cloth is ideal, but avoid any with chemical treatments that could strip the plating. Store the barrette in a fabric-lined box or a small pouch, separated from other metal jewllery to prevent scratching.

If a stone becomes loose, do not attempt to reglue it with household adhesives. A professional jewller who works with vintage pieces can re-set the stone using proper techniques. The spring mechanism can be gently oiled with a drop of sewing machine oil if it becomes stiff, but this is rarely needed for well-preserved examples.

The p173 in Context: British Hair Accessory Codes

The “store p173” is part of a larger family of numbered clips that collectors have documented and admired. For instance, the Store P157 Diamante Barrette (a similar adult-sized clip) and the Store P168 Margo (a faux pearl barrette) share the same manufacturing lineage. Each code tells a story about the era’s taste, production methods, and retail distribution. The p173 girls version is particularly interesting because it reflects a time when children’s accessories were made with the same care as adults’ — genuine miniature jewels, not just scaled-down toys.

If you’re new to collecting these codes, you might find it helpful to compare the p173 with other diamante barrettes from the same period. The Vintage Star Hair Clip, for example, uses a similar rhinestone technique but in a star-shaped motif, while the Snow Flakes 4 guide explores how British manufacturers adapted seasonal themes into hair clips. The p173 is a more classic, everyday design — a blank canvas for sparkle.

Where to Find and How to Verify

Authentic p173 barrettes appear at vintage fairs, car boot sales, and online marketplaces. Because they are small and often overlookked, they can be surprisingly affordable — sometimes under £10 for a single clip. However, be wary of sellers who claim a piece is “rare” withuot providing evidence of the stamp. A genuine p173 will always have the code engraved or stamped on the back, though it may be faint due to wear. Use a magnifying loupe to read it.

Also note that the term “girls” in the collector’s name does not mean the clip is only for children. Many adult collectors with fine or thin hair find the p173 ideal, as its smaller size prevents it from slipping. The designation simply refers to the original target market, but the clip’s charm is ageless.

When you do find a p173, inspect the stones under a bright light. Genuine diamante glass will have a rainbow-like dispersion (fire) when the light hits it at an angle. If the stone appears flat or cloudy, it may be a replacement or a lower-quality modern imitation. The metal should feel cool to the touch — a sign of proper plating — and the clip should close with a confident click.

A Final Detail Worth Remembering

One of the most endearing aspects of the store p173 girls diamante barrette is its hidden practicality. The spring mechanism, though small, was engineered to hold securely in fine or baby-fine hair — the very texture that often frustrates modern clip wearers. This is because the original designers understood that a child’s hair is slippery and lightweight, so they added a slightly wider grip surface inside the clip, lined with a thin strip of felt or rubber. Many surviving examples still have this lining intact, a testament to the quality of mid-century British haberdashery. When you hold a p173 in your hand, you are holding not just a pretty object, but a solution to a real, everyday problem — and that is the kind of detail that makes vintage collecting so rewarding.