Frog brooch, 1970s. Gold tone, green cabochons, rhinestones. Cadoro vintage jewellery

Cadoro vintage jewellery
The history of Manhattan-based Cadoro Jewels Corp. began in 1954 founded by two friends Steven Brody and Daniel Stoenescu. The creative duo of designers handcrafted limited edition costume jewelry, sold in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Their motto was “Famous Jewellery to the Rich and Famous!”. Among their customers were the Duchess of Windsor and Barbra Streisand.

One of the founders, Steven Stuart Brody (1919 – 1994) graduated from Wharton School in Pennsylvania, then from the Curtis Institute of Music. For a short period he worked as an actor in radio soap operas, then went to Paris. There he met his future partner Daniel Stoenescu (1921 – 1970), who was initiator of the idea to launch jewelry business together.

Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys of gold and silver tone, rhinestones and glass crystals from all over the world, seed pearls and natural stones.
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Shoulder Brooches “Angel” and “Demon”. Gold tone, rhinestones. Tortolani vintage jewellery

Tortolani vintage jewellery
Jewellery brand “Tortolani” existed in California from 1934 until World War II, and then from 1950 until 1976. Tortolani jewelry was extremely popular due to its exciting design and has a high collection value today.
Frank Tortolani, founder of the dynasty of jewelers, came to America from Italy in 1923. He founded the family business and his children helped him. When he closed his factory, his eldest son, Donald, founded his own jewelry trademarks «Corina» and Crislu. Also, Frank’s grandchildren successfully continued the jewelry business.
Traditionally, Tortolani craftsmen used metal alloys of gold and silver tone, bronze, silver and gold plating. However, his decorations received recognition only in the 50s, after numerous awards for original design and unique method.
He signed a contract with Max Factor in the manufacture of boxes for cosmetics. Now these items are highly collectible. At the same time, he created a nominal jewelry for the celebrities of the time. Thus, among his clients were Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and many others.
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Audrey Hepburn wearing legendary necklace of cultured pearls. Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery

Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery
The history of a legendary American brand began in 1963. Born in 1932 in Detroit, Kenneth Jay Lane studied in New York at the School of Design in Road Island. He worked as an art director in «Vogue» and was an assistant to the famous French shoemaker Roger Vivier for the American company “Delman.” In 1956-1963 Lane worked in Paris for shoe line “Dior”, and in 1963 he opened the company for the production of original jewelry and exclusive shoes for special occasions.

Noteworthy, one of the first and perhaps the most prominent connoisseurs of the brand was Jacqueline Kennedy. One day Jacqueline Kennedy asked Lane to create a copy of a precious necklace that Aristotle Onassis had given her. By the way, the necklace of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis of emeralds and sapphires, was sold at the department store “Saks Fifth Avenue” for $ 250. Since then, the creator of the KJL brand became known as the “king of counterfeiting and imitation of jewelry.”

Also, his jewelry appeared in such iconic films, as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, “Dallas”, “Dynasty”, and “Sex and the City”.
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Elizabeth Taylor in 1963 film. Cleopatra legendary jewellery

Cleopatra legendary jewellery
One of the most beautiful women of the ancient world, Great Queen of Egypt of a divine origin, unmatched mistress, was capable to bewitch any man – even if he is Caesar. The mysterious and attractive image of Cleopatra still holds many mysteries and charms for over two thousand years. Historians of antiquity, who observe the life of Cleopatra, are impressed by without doubt, magical abilities of this woman.
But if you carefully read the ancient texts, none of them call Egyptian queen – beauty. Instead, praised her sharp wit and determination, as well as an excellent education. Cleopatra knew seven languages ​​and even wrote philosophical treatises and writings on weights and measures. In addition, she was unsurpassed expert in the field of Women in the Arts – knew the secrets of the special preparation of cosmetic drugs (and poisons!), had mastered the art of dress and jewelry to choose.
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3D brooch – cat on lavatory pan. Silver tone. AJC funny jewellery

AJC funny jewellery

Incorporated in 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA, American Jewelry Chain Co., known as AJC, ceased to exist in 1997. Their jewellery was incredibly popular, as the brand produced not only quality, but also the original little things. In particular, various figures of people and animals with funny slogans. And most popular comic theme – figures of Cat in various poses – catching mice, hunting for fish from the aquarium, sitting in toilet, etc. Also, many pieces were made for special days and holidays – St. Valentine’s Day, Christmas holidays, Halloween, etc.
Traditionally, the marking included capital letters AJC, or AJMC.
Noteworthy, the company produced jewelry marked “AJMC” – American Jewelry Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh, PA. Jewelry of this brand is always of unusual design, depicting either people and miniature scenes from life, or fairy-tale characters, sometimes with fancy signatures. AJC and AJMC pieces are rare in the vintage market, so it is in demand among collectors and vintage jewelry lovers.
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Vintage poster. Mimi di Niscemi jewellery

Mimi di Niscemi jewellery
The history of New York based company Mimi di N Inc. lasted for thirty-five years. Incorporated in May 1962, the company ceased to exist in January 1997. Named after its founder – the magnificent jeweler Madame Mimi di Niscemi (aka Princess Mimi di Niscemi), the company’s address was 15 West 38th Street, New York, NY.
Born in Palermo Italy, Mimi di Niscemi went to the US to study at the Philadelphia School of Industrial Arts. While studying, she worked at Schiaparelli and Arnold Scaasi jewelry houses. Also, Mimi collaborated with Robert DeMario (1959). Creating jewelry for “Brania” (in the 60’s), she marked these pieces with Brania and Mimi di N.

Her long way in honing and accumulating experience in the best jewelry houses, allowed her to launch the jewelry business in New York. Her jewelry designs, mostly belt buckles and haute couture brooches and earclips are dramatic, bold and complex. She marked her jewelry pieces with “Mimi Di N”, “Mimi DiN”, “Mimi Di N Design”, or “Mimi DiN Design”. However, the first years, she didn’t label her jewelry at all. Noteworthy, buckles marking included the year of production.
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1990s The Black Dahlia brooch. Nolan Miller jewellery

Nolan Miller jewellery
Born on January 8, 1935 in Burkburnett, Texas, he became known as American designer of cinema. In 1957, Nolan Miller patented his brand in Beverly Hills and began to create images for the film stars of the time, designing costumes and jewelry.
In the series “Dynasty” Miller served as the principal costume designer, and at the same time, a trendsetter. Each week for the series produced dozens of new costumes, including jewelry. In the early 90th the project Dynasty was closed, but the work of Nolan Miller in the movie was not over. Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Smith, Loretta Young, Eva Garbor, Natalie Wood, Joan Crawford, Lucile Ball, Jaclyn Smith, Linda Evans, Sophia Loren, and Joan Collins – only a short list of the names of his clients. Nolan Miller also became famous as the private couturier in Beverly Hills. Also, Miller created his line of jewelry for the famous American chain stores QVC. It’s one of the most popular American stores “on the couch”, which sells luxury jewelry from Nolan Miller Kenneth Jay Lane, Joan Rivers, etc.
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