Balinese dancer, decorated with cabochon rubies, emerald and sapphire and circular-cut diamonds, Bulgari jewellery

Bulgari jewellery

At the beginning of the XX century Italian jewelry industry was in a downturn. The palm in the decorative arts owned by the French: to replace the period of the Napoleonic Empire came the classic style fades into the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
To bring back to life the Italian jeweler’s art, perhaps, needed talent and energy of Sotirios Voulgaris, the Greek master silversmith and founder of Bvlgari (ancient Roman classical writing, where the letter «U» can be referred to as «V»). At the end of the XIX century, he moved from Greece to Italy, settled first in Naples and then in Rome, where in 1884 opened his first jewelry shop and workshop on Via Sistina.
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Comedienne, writer and television presenter Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014). Joan Rivers vintage costume jewelry

Joan Rivers vintage costume jewelry
Born in 1933 in Brooklyn, Joan Alexandra Molinsky was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, and grew up in Brooklyn. She graduated from university with a degree in literature and anthropology. As a jewelry designer, she made her debut on the channel QVC, the biggest US TV store. She paid much attention to the history of jewelry, and talked about how to create jewelry. Among her works are many replicas of works by Faberge and super expensive jewelry sold on Madison Avenue. Her jewelry collections include sophisticated design, made from the best materials and unique combination of colors and shapes. Among her clients – a large number of celebrities, and their number is constantly and steadily growing.
In the late 90’s Rivers became less likely to appear on the screen, fascinated by the creation of jewelry.
Expert in fine art, antiques and vintage jewelry, Joan followed the latest trends and became the most prominent and influential person in the fashion world.
Noteworthy, first pieces signed “Joan Rivers” appeared in 1990, but her jewelry trademark was registered in 1996.
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Turtle Brooch. Coro vintage jewellery

Coro vintage jewellery
American jewelers Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger founded “Coro” in New York in the 19th century. However, the first branded jewellery was not “CORO”, but “CR”, because the name included the first two letters of the name of each partner. Unfortunately, in 1910 Emanuel Cohn died, but the name Cohn and Rosenberger (CR) remained. Meanwhile, by the mid-1920s, the company had been already the largest producer of jewelry on the continent. In 1937 the company began to brand products of a higher class “Coro Craft”. Noteworthy, there were several companies subsidiaries of Coro. In particular, Francois – based in marketing purposes to promote the better and more expensive jewelry line. Under this brand produced jewellery from 1944 to 1960. And another “daughter” – the company “Vendome” produced high jewelry from 1944 to 1979. After World War II used hallmarks “Corocraft”, “Coro Pegasus” and “Coro Originals”. Finally, “Coro” stopped producing jewellery in 1979.
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The girl in the window brooch. JJ vintage jewellery

JJ vintage jewellery
Run by Abraham Lisker, the company “Jonette Jewelry” started its activities in 1935 under the name “Providence Jewelry Company”. However, in 1937, when Nathan Lisker joined his brother’s business, the company got name “Lisker & Lisker”. But seven years later, after the World War II, the two brothers decided to rename the company, they just combined the names of their parents, John and Etta. Thus, in the state of Rhode Island, appeared “Jonette Jewelry Co”, established in 1944. Since 1970, the company became known as JJ, and each peace was marked “copyright JJ”. Meanwhile, their first success was as ballerina pin, brooches and figurines, decorated with mother of pearl.
The founder of the company, Abraham Lisker retired in 1972, and the new head became his son, B. Gordon Lisker. Gordon Lisker began to outsource some of the firm’s production to other companies. In 1986, he registered the name “Artifacts”, and used the Roman numerals MCMLXXXVI on jewelry cards. In 1988 was released a Southwestern line with the “Santa Fe” mark, signed “JJ 1988”. Unfortunately, after 62 years a successful family business, Jonette Jewelry Co. ended production in September, 2006.
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Pictured in white (left to right) Jennifer, Helen, and below Nancy Addison (partner and a friend, a professional model). Nancy worked for the first few years. Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery

Kirks Folly fabulous jewellery
American company Kirks Folly, producing fabulous jewelry for 35 years, closed November 1, 2014, to the misfortune of its fans. It was success that made a profit. There were adult successors who could continue the business. Well, why then the company closed? I find only one answer – the favorite child, which they developed for 35 years and in which they have invested so much time, love and life, they could not trust anyone. History knows many examples when the control over the company changed owners and was sold, or remained only its name, which over the years lost its former appeal. Managers began to save, alternated with designers and grandeur go into oblivion. Apparently this fate the Kirks family did not want for their company.
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1763 Flower bouquet Blumenstrauß aus Edelsteinen. The Natural History Museum (Vienna). Imperial bouquet jewellery

Imperial bouquet jewellery
1763 bouquet of precious stones was a romantic spring gift of Maria Theresia to her husband Emperor Franz Stephan. The baroque bouquet is exhibited in The Gemstone Collection of the Natural History Museum (Vienna). Emperor Franz Stephan was interested in natural sciences and Maria Theresia shared her husband’s interests. The jewel flower bouquet weighs 2,8 kilograms and is 50 centimeters high. It is unique not only for the value of used precious stones, but also for the incomparable craftsmanship.
A wealth of glistening artistically reproduced flowers and diverse insects made up of 761 variegated stones and 2,102 diamonds, along with the vase of rock crystal. The leaves were crafted from lime green silk. The bouquet is an incredible jewelry creation by Georg Gottfried Lautensack, a jeweler from Frankfurt. Even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was intrigued by the bouquet, having mentioned about it in fourth book “Aus meinem Leben” (From my life): “Everyone knew of Emperor Franz Josephs great affinity towards gems, he especially favored colored jewels”.
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Set of jewelry ‘Flight of the Star’. Silver. Angel with star JJ marked brooch. Pinky Winky vintage jewellery

Pinky Winky vintage jewellery
The history of Pinky-Winky costume jewelry brand began in 2008 by the group of young artists, designers and jewelers. Inspired by vintage and retro items, they create unique jewelry, sculptures, papier-mache toys, dolls, painting and home decor. Noteworthy, they often handcraft items in vintage style, often complementing the already well-known brands of 1940-1970. For example, to an existing brooch they create earrings or a necklace made exactly in the given style.
The creative Moscow based team regularly takes part in various art exhibitions and fairs. Pinky-Winky vintage handmade jewellery can not leave anyone indifferent for its artistic approach and fantasy.
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