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Jewellery kaleidoscope

Dorsons vintage costume jewelry

Dorsons vintage costume jewelry

Rhinestone Rhodium Plated Floral Bouquet Brooch. 1950s. Dorsons vintage costume jewelry (1935 – 1960)

Dorsons vintage costume jewelry (1935 – 1960)
The history of New York jewelry trademark “Dorsons” spans a period of about three decades. Incorporated in 1935, D. Ornstein & Sons, Inc. (later renamed to Dorsons Jewelry Co., Inc.) ceased to exist in 1960. Initially, it was a family business of David Ornstein (1889 – 1954) and his sons, Bernard (1914 – 1992) and Irving (1920 – 2002). Headquartered in Manhattan, the company produced gold filled sterling silver bracelets, brooches, necklaces and watch cases.
Noteworthy, before founding his own company, Romanian-born David Ornstein had rich experience in jewelry business. Since 1919, he and his two partners owned Noveline Mfg. Co. (previously known as “Distinctive Jewelry Co., Inc.”) in New York City.
Innovative designer, during 1922-1945 David Ornstein had filed for several patents for rings, watch cases, bracelets, brooches, and even a brooch with a fountain pen!
Advertised in New York Times, Vogue, and Life, Dorsons Jewelry was very successful and the company had subsidiaries throughout the US and in Canada. Also, in addition to Dorsons, the company owned Jubilee and Dorel trademarks (the last one in partnership with Heller-Deltah Co.)
After the death of David Ornstein in 1954, the company went through name changes, mergers, and eventually ceased to exist.
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James H Hall vintage costume jewelry

James H Hall vintage costume jewelry

Donkey 12 K gold filled brooch. 1960s. James H Hall vintage costume jewelry

James H Hall vintage costume jewelry
The history of Providence Rhode Island based jewelry company James H. Hall Co Inc began in 1962. The company handcrafted animal design jewelry for about two decades and ceased to exist before the 1980s. Noteworthy, the alternative name for the company and its brand name was “Yankee Silversmiths”. Accordingly, the marking may include both names “James H. Hall” and “Yankee Silversmiths”, or “YS”, and sometimes the purity of gold or silver. In addition to gold and silver, the craftsmen used bright color enamels.
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Signed Kookai vintage costume jewelry

Signed Kookai vintage costume jewelry

Gingerbread man gold tone brooch. 5.5 cm. 1990s. Signed Kookai vintage costume jewelry

Signed Kookai vintage costume jewelry
The history of French jewelry brand Kookaï began in 1993, although the company began its activity in 1983. Founded by three friends – Jean-Lou Tepper, Jacques Nataf and Philippe de Hesdin, the company sold fashion clothes and accessories at accessible prices. Headquartered in Epinay-sur-Seine, France, the company opened four stores in Paris. The same year, the company became a subsidiary of Vivarte company (1996). Finally, Vivarte sold Kookai to Magi in 2016.
Noteworthy, Kokai jewelry trademark ceased to exist in 2004.
Handcrafted by French artisans, Kookaï pieces are easily recognizable. Very often, the designs include hippie motifs, minimalist and couture style.
Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys of gold or silver tone, as well as enamel and rhinestones. Also, many decorations include the company logo as well as the Kokai marking.
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Dorothy Ann vintage porcelain jewelry

Dorothy Ann vintage porcelain jewelry

Lavender color flower brooch with green leaves. 4.5 cm. 1960s. Dorothy Ann vintage porcelain jewelry

Dorothy Ann vintage porcelain jewelry

The history of English porcelain jewelry manufacture began in the middle of the last century. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Dorothy Ann China Co was one of dozens of companies that made bone china brooches and clips in the 1950s and 60s. Among them – Cara China, Aynsley Fine Bone, Coalport China Co, Crown Staffordshire China Co, Denton China Co, Bone China Crafts Co, etc. Before that, many English porcelain manufacturers had already had rich experience in making porcelain tableware.
They rightly decided that the post-war English market needed something new, in accordance with the tastes of English ladies. Noteworthy, they approached the production of jewelry as seriously as the production of tableware.
The main material for the production of jewelry was the world-famous snow-white porcelain, called “bone china”.
Thanks to fine and accurate work and high-temperature firing, porcelain jewelry ornaments are guaranteed a long life. Sculpted and painted by hand, with meticulous attention to detail, each brooch or clip is unique wearable art. Today, these flower design ornaments painted in soft pastel colors are highly collectible.
Traditionally, the marking includes “Dorothy Ann China” and “Made In England”.

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Marcel Buffet vintage costume jewelry

Marcel Buffet vintage costume jewelry

Artisan Egyptian motif bronze brooch. 1970s. Marcel Buffet vintage costume jewelry (1955-1992)

Marcel Buffet vintage costume jewelry
The history of French costume jewelry trademark “M.Buffet” began sixty-six years ago in Lyon. Incorporated on 25 December 1955, “Monsieur Marcel Buffet” company was owned by a talented sculptor and jewelry designer Marcel Buffet. From the very first days his company became known for unique artisan designs.
Handcrafting bracelets, massive pendants and necklaces in abstract, geometric and brutalist designs, Buffet primarily worked with bronze. He created museum worth wearable art inspired by ancient civilizations of Aztec, Maya, Egyptian and indigenous peoples of South America and Australia.
Noteworthy, the author’s hallmark became spiral dangle charms attached to bracelets and necklaces. His high-end cast bronze pieces with antique finish are very collectible.
The marking includes “M. Buffet” in fancy script. The company ceased to exist on 22 April 1992.
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Samuel Huang vintage costume jewelry

Samuel Huang vintage costume jewelry

Square shaped scarf clip and clip earrings. Cloisonne enamel, gold. 1980s. Samuel Huang vintage costume jewelry

Samuel Huang vintage costume jewelry
A Taiwan-based costume jewelry company Samuel Huang operated for two decades from the 1970s to 1990s. According to scarce sources, the company also produced clothing and accessories. Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen made abstract design earrings in a minimalist style with the use of gold and enamel. The markings on the pieces included Samuel Huang in a stylized written script. In addition, the attached branded cards included information on purity of gold, the name of the trademark and the copyright sign.
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Dixelle vintage costume jewelry

Dixelle vintage costume jewelry

Bow filigree 12 K gold brooch. 1960s. Dixelle vintage costume jewelry (1962-2016)

Dixelle vintage costume jewelry
The history of Dixelle costume jewelry brand began 60 years ago in Pawtucket Providence County, Rhode Island. Incorporated on 7 June 1962 The Dixelle Company was a family business owned by Robert Stearns. Distributor, seller and manufacturer of jewelry and related products, The Dixelle Company ceased to exist in 2016. Noteworthy, in the 1970s the company’s alternative trading names included Robo, Inc. (1976), Sarmeste, Inc. (1976), and Sammartino Bros. (1972).
Te company’s jewelers handcrafted classic filigree design pins, brooches and earrings, Traditionally, they used 925 sterling silver, 12 K gold and semi-precious stones, such as jade, onyx, tiger’s eye and moonstone. Also, cultured pearl, crystals and art glass. Very often, jewelry was sold in beautiful branded boxes, lined with silk and covered with a tapestry with an exquisite pattern. The marking includes ‘Dixelle”, 12 KGF or sterling.
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