Josephine Baker Chocolate Dancer Brooch. French jewelry designer Lea Stein

French jewelry designer Lea Stein

In 1970-ies, French artist Léa Stein launched a unique collection of jewelry made from Rhodoid (high-quality plastic). Prior to that, she was little known outside France. Recently, her work has received worldwide recognition.
Léa Stein was born in Paris (France) in 1931. At the age of 26, she opens her own clothing design company, while developing the design of buttons for fashion and starts its production. Her buttons of laminate Rhodoid had a huge success. In 1969 she begins manufacture of jewelry.

The success became possible thanks to her husband, Fernando Steinberg, who discovered this material. It consisted of layers of painted rhodoid – cellulose acetate sheet, close to Bakelite. The layered structure of rhodoid allowed the inclusion of other materials, usually metal or fabric, such as lace. Making the cut and working on shapes, Léa Stein received a polychromatic “plastic”, varying in color and texture.
Jewellery, created in the 1970s includes rings, bracelets and earrings, but mostly brooches. The subjects are various: insects, cats, dogs, birds, children figurines, and ornaments copies Joan Crawford and Elvis Presley. Other favorite motifs included machines images, stars, hats, hearts, rainbow, eyes and flowers.
More »

Blue Butterfly brooch. Robert Rose vintage costume jewellery

Robert Rose vintage costume jewellery
The history of Robert Rose costume jewelry trademark began in Manhattan New York in 1946. Initially, it was a small family business built by Charles and Marion Rose.
Soon, their son Robert successfully graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York with a degree in jewelry design. And it was he, who took family business into his hands and brought it to the new stage of development. The renewed in 1987 trademark owned by Jewelry Fashions Inc is still active. Noteworthy, Jewelry Fashions Inc owns five more jewelry trademarks in addition to Robert Rose. In particular, R R (registered in 1997), ROBERT ORIGINALS (1995), “H.A.R.T.” (1994), “FOREM” (1986) and “AVENUE” (1986)
Robert Rose jewelry is very popular, thanks to the high quality craftsmanship and materials, beautiful designs and reasonable prices.
A truly family run business, the second generation of owners, Harry and Ron Rose continued their father’s work.
More »

Lang Sterling Vintage Jewellery. Silver brooch Frog on a lily pad

Lang Sterling Vintage Jewellery

The history of Lang Sterling Jewellery began in 1946 in Providence, Rhode Island, the USA. Thanks to its particular style, the company is rapidly becoming popular among bohemian audience. Among Lang Sterling jewelry is very common to find miniature narrative compositions, beautifully arranged and elaborated.
In addition to brooches, the company produced charms for bracelets. These charms were – zodiac signs, individual figures in period costumes, and compositions based on folklore motifs of the peoples of the world, and lovely pastoral scenes. A characteristic feature of Lang jewelry is the presence of letter “S” in the form of a swan on the front side of branded jewelry.
Vintage ornaments by the company entered the famous book by Fred Rezazadeh “Collectible Silver Jewelry” (1997). The value of LS jewelry is growing in price, as the brand ceased to exist as early as the 70s of the 20th century.
More »

‘Bird in the nest’ brooch. Castlecliff vintage jewellery

Castlecliff vintage jewellery

The history of Castlecliff jewelry began in 1918 when designers Clifford Furst and Joseph Bobley opened their own company “Castlecliff Inc.”. Initially, they both worked for other companies, but in 1941, they launched Castlecliff jewelry brand, and in 1945 made their first collection of costume jewellery. The main designer was William Markle, whose imagination allowed him to create in all styles, from the Gothic, Renaissance and Art – Deco.
Famous for exquisite and colorful decorations and rich decorative trim, the company’s craftsmen used silver and gold. They began to mark their products in 1941. The markings included – «Castlemark», in 1957 – «Cassandra», after 1955 without mark, or the copyright symbol, and “Anne Klein for Castlecliff” in 1977.
Excellent knowledge of art, history, traditions and jewelry techniques allowed the designers create unique premium decorations. The company achieved great success in 1970-1972 – the period of cooperation with the brilliant Larry Vrba, who created a few incomparable collections for Castlecliff.
Highly valued by collectors, Castle cause delight and admiration of vintage jewelry lovers.
In 1977, unable to withstand the competition and the new economic conditions, the company ceased to exist. The quality of Castlecliff creations was so high that even 50-year-old decorations preserve original condition, which is highly valued in the market of antique and vintage jewelry.
In 1980 the company was re-opened and handed to Lucien Piccard Industries-Pierre Cardin. Currently, the company produces jewelry under the label “Castlecliff Jewelry Div. of Lucien Piccard”.
More »

German Art Deco Theodore Fahrner jewellery. Brooch, silver filigree, pearl, 1930s

Theodore Fahrner jewellery

Founded in Pforzheim, Germany, in 1855 and run since 1883 by Theodore Fahrner Jr., the jewelry company “Fahrner” was one of the most prosperous in Europe. In 1919, after the death of Theodore Fahrner Jr., Gustave Brandel bought this company. Renamed “Gustave Brandel – Theodore Fahrner Nackf”, the company successfully led the market until the 1950s. Unfortunately, the company ceased to exist 1979. Thus, the company has successfully existed for more than a century, from 1855 to 1979.
In fact, until the mid-1920’s Fahrner was more famous for art nouveau, “Arts and Craft” and Celtic motifs jewelry. Noteworthy, the outstanding masters of that time became designers of many of the ornaments of the Fahrner. Besides, the products were produced in limited quantities and exported through other companies, such as, “Murel Bennett and Co..”
Fahrner gained fame and popularity thanks to products of unusual geometric forms, associated with the era of jazz and the movement of art deco.
More »

Hollywood diva Jewelry lover Lana Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995)

Jewelry lover Lana Turner
Glamorous Hollywood diva, along with many other actresses of the time, was a passionate connoisseur of jewelry. Luckily, she had a good taste and the opportunity to purchase both – costume decorations and pieces made of diamonds, sapphires and emeralds.
Bright and certainly beautiful, she lived a stormy life, and was married eight times (officially). According to the actress herself, she wanted to get married once and have seven children, but it was the other way around. Born into a family of a miner from Tennessee (killed when Lana was a child), she began acting in film at the age of 16.
Her nicknames included “the girl in a sweater” for addiction to clothing that subtly emphasized her curvy shape. Second, “the girl with eyebrows painted on”, when she plucked off her eyebrows (for filming), but they have not grown. Third, “Queen of the nightclubs” in 1939, for her role when she had blonde hair.
More »

Flower of paradise brooch, 1960s, Capri vintage costume jewellery

Capri vintage costume jewellery
Created in 1952 by Sol Smith in New York, Capri Jewelry, Inc. ceased to exist in 1977. Over the entire period it released only a few collections of high-quality jewelry of original design. Jewellery of the brand showed exquisite color combinations with simplicity of form. A small number of outstanding jewelry makes it a godsend for every collector and only adds value.
Located in the heart of New York City, Fifth Avenue, the company owned by Sol Smith had a long history. Initially, the company had name DeNicola, and in 1960-s it became Capri. Noteworthy, the jewelry company released not so many collections, but of very high quality and unique, underrated design.
Until 1955, the company labeled its jewelry as Capri, and after 1955 they added the copyright sign. Forced to close in 1977, the company released its latest collection of exquisite design. Today, Capri decorations are quite rare and sought after by collectors. Advertising companies took place in 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1965 and 1977.
More »