Kaleidoscope effect

Jewellery kaleidoscope

Category Archive: Vintage

Signed Fort vintage costume jewelry

Signed Fort vintage costume jewelry

Pewter brooches. Christmas Classics collection (1987-2008). Signed Fort vintage costume jewelry

Signed Fort vintage costume jewelry (1945-2005)

Fort Jewelry Company, Inc., located in Providence, Rhode Island, began in 1945 as a family business founded by Samuel and Lena Forte. The company was a well-known distributor of costume and men’s jewelry, as well as a manufacturer of collectible souvenirs and gift products. The successful family business expanded production and had subsidiaries in Cranston, Rhode Island, Florida (1981-1999), and California (1982–1995).

Over more than 60 years of its activity, the company has undergone a change in ownership, management, and an expansion of collections of costume jewelry and souvenirs under various trademarks. Some of the most notable ones include Bravi (1978-1984), Pedigree Hall Of Fame (1987-2008), ‘When something’s Worth Remembering’ (1993-2003), Heaven’s Voice (1993-2004), The Golfer’s Reward (1988-2009), Christmas Classics (1987-2008), and ten more.

Fort’s jewelers used only the finest pewter metal, hand casting and hand polishing each piece individually to achieve the rich luster of the fine pewter. Skilled artisans also used sterling silver and gold plating. Markings on the back of the pieces include the word Fort, sometimes “USA” (on a round cartouche), and a graphic image of a fortress tower.
More »

Signed GLP George L Paine jewelry

Signed GLP George L Paine jewelry

Floral design gold tone faux amethyst brooch pin. Signed GLP George L Paine jewelry

Signed GLP George L Paine jewelry
The history of the American jewelry brand G.L.P. began in the late 19th century in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The earliest mention of George L. Paine Co., Inc. dates back to 1892, according to The Jewelers’ Circular-keystone and Horological Review. The president of the company was the renowned jeweler and businessman Geo L. Paine, and his treasurer was Charles I. Riley.

Geo L. Paine traveled extensively to various states and participated in various events to promote and develop the business and his company had offices in several states, including Rhode Island and New York.
In 1925, sad events occurred that led to the closure of the company. Due to Geo L Paine’s stroke and poor health, Donald LeStage took over the company. Interim Manager Donald LeStage continued operations of George L. Paine Co., Inc. However, the company soon ceased to exist, and the last mention of the company dates back to 1926.

More »

Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry

Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry

Cat figural brooch of gold tone, green glass eyes. Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry

Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Ultra costume jewelry brand, launched by Ro-An Inc, began in 1976 in northern Providence, Rhode Island. However, the jewelry manufacturing company Ro-An Inc began operations back in 1953 in Taunton, Massachusetts. In 1967, Ro-An Inc was incorporated in Johnston, Rhode Island.

It was a highly successful multi-million dollar company that sold its jewelry both domestically and internationally. The president of the company, which employed approximately 200 people, was Anthony R. Spagnole, and the general manager was Daniel DeBarros.
Ro-An Inc produced Ultra-labeled costume jewelry for about ten years, from 1976 to 1985, although the company itself ceased to exist only in 2004. Handmade Ultra marked jewelry is extremely rare and highly collectible.
More »

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry

Bat in Flight with the Man in the moon sterling silver brooch. 1900. Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry (1881-1911)
The history of the Unger Brothers firm located in Newark, New Jersey began in 1870 and lasted four decades. However, the brothers initially worked separately as engravers in Unger & Keen Jewelers (1871 – 1874) and gold jewelry firm H. Unger & Co. (1878-1880). Noteworthy, in 1879, three of the five brothers (William, George and Frederick) died, leaving the family business to Herman and Eugene.

In fact, the firm of Unger Brothers (Eugene and Herman) appeared only in 1881, listed in “Manufacturing Jewelers” catalog. The president of the company became Herman Unger, Edward P. Beach was vice-president and treasurer, while Eugene Unger was a member of the firm. “Unger Brothers, Jewelers, Manufacturing Silversmiths and Glass Cutters” had a showroom in New York (closed in 1897).

According to their advertisements in the 1900s Jewelers’ Circulars, “We make everything in Sterling Silver”. Indeed, they made everything – bowls, pitchers, perfume bottles, powder boxes, vases, spoon handles, mirrors, brushes, belt buckles, and jewelry. The company also did their own glass cutting. The patterns on their Art Nouveau designs included women’s heads, birds, and various flowers – wild rose, poppy, daffodil, hibiscus, daisies, water lilies, and sweet peas.
The maker’s mark was the stylized “UB” monogram with sterling 925 added around a circle rim.

More »

Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry

Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry

Abstract floral design oval brooch pin and pierced post earrings. Copper, enamel. Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry

Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry
Incorporated in 1978 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Inga Enamels inc was a family business founded by Evelyn M. Carlson and her husband Stanley P. Carlson. Soon their son, Paul William Carlson April (7, 1952 – May 22, 2023) after graduating from college in Massachusetts joined the family business. He was initially responsible for polishing, finishing and logistics, and soon became president of the company. His wife Cheryl Carlson also worked for the company.
However, Evelyn and Stanley Carlson began creating unique jewelry labeled Inga back in the 1950s in Massachusetts. Their companies, Crafts by Inga and Inga Inc, created handmade jewelry from copper and enamel and sold it throughout the country, participating in art exhibitions and fairs.
The markings of jewelry created by three generations of the Carlson family invariably included the word Inga. Inga Enamels inc ceased to exist in 2015.
More »

Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry

Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry

Rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, glass gold tone brooch pin. Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry

Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry (1953-1981)

The history of the Anda Modes costume jewelry brand began in December 1953 in New York, New York. The founder and owner of the family business Anda Modes Inc was Manhattan native Samuel D Pressman (1905-1988). The company ceased to exist in September 1981.

The company’s craftsmen created high-quality brooches using metal alloys of gold and silver tones, art glass imitating natural stones, artificial pearls, crystals and rhinestones. Costume jewelry made in a classic, often floral design with an abundance of rhinestones, glass and crystals looks elegant and expensive.
It is noteworthy that from the very beginning of its foundation, the company participated in exhibitions on style and design held in New York. Thus, according to the 1958 and 1959 “The Allied Shoe Products Show” directory the company is listed as a leading manufacturer of shoe ornaments.

The maker’s mark on the back includes “Anda Modes” and “New York” on an oval cartouche.
Today, jewelry from this brand is extremely rare and has collectible value.
More »

Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry

Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry

Double Face gold tone rhinestone brooch pin. Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry

Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry (1982-1991)
The history of the Diva costume jewelry trademark began in December 1982 and lasted for a short period of less than a decade. Headquartered at 666 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, Diva Fantasy Designs Inc ceased to exist in May 1991.

The company made Modernist, Art Deco, etruscan inspired, and geometric design fashion jewelry. The designers used high quality materials, including metal alloys, multicolor lucite, glass cabochons imitating natural stones, baguette and Aurora Borealis rhinestones. The maker’s mark includes stylized word “Diva” inside a rectangle frame, and without a copyright sign.

More »