Antique C&R Hettel costume jewelry

Moth Large antique rare brooch with a crystal insert. Made in the style of Art Nouveau. 1890. C&R marking. 6.3 cm. C&R Hettel costume jewelry

Antique C&R Hettel costume jewelry

Jewellery by Charles R. Hettel is very extremely rare and desirable for collectors of vintage costume jewelry. Unfortunately, there is very little information about the company, except the date of its creation in 1890 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Initially, the company was engaged in the manufacture of watches, as well as jewelry decorations. Traditionally Victorian or Art Deco style made of gold and silver, it was high quality jewelry with diamonds. However, the era of the Great Depression (late 1920s and early 1930s) forced the company to change the politics in order to stay afloat. In particular, the company launched the production of costume jewelry with the use of cheaper materials. Thus, the designers replaced diamonds with Austrian rock crystal, natural pearls with faux, and gold items became gilded of made of brass. Yet, excellent jewelry work remained unchanged.
According to sources, the company ceased to exist in 1940s, and the latest jewelry catalog of this brand was published in 1931.