Grizzly bear pendant. Gold tone, enamel. 1990s. Wm Spear Design vintage costume jewelry

Wm Spear Design vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American jewelry brand Wm Spear Design began 36 years ago in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Its founder, William Speer, is still running his business, and his boutique offers unique art for those who want something meaningful to remember their trip to Alaska.
Noteworthy, Spear has created about 900 designs inspired by nature, history, and culture. These high quality handcrafted icons and portraits, pins and pendants have become collectibles. Beautifully packed in a branded box with a logo in black and gold, with an informative postcard, any piece of jewelry can be a wonderful gift.
The materials traditionally used by the designer are copper, multi-colored finest enamels, and gold. The markings on the back of each item include the full company name and year of manufacture.
Officially registered in 1985, the Wm Spear Design trademark ceased to exist in 2016.
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Skating teddy bear Christmas pin. 1980s. Russ Berrie vintage costume jewelry

Russ Berrie vintage costume jewelry
The history of the legendary brand for the production of toys and souvenirs Russ Berrie brand began in Oakland New Jersey, in 1963. Its founder was Bronx-born Russell Berrie (1933-2002), who started his career as a toy seller in 1956. The smart boy soon realized that buyers also need inexpensive knick-knacks that can be bought in between, to cheer up or give gifts. This inspired Russell to create his workshop. Thanks to his talent and brain, his workshop in a rented garage went on to become a multi-million dollar international corporation.
The son of a jewelry seller, he was involved in this business from childhood, and the creation of costume jewelry, along with toys and souvenirs, was quite logical. The designs of these jewelry pieces are easily recognizable. Traditionally bright enamel and plastic pins, pendants and badges were excellent gifts for the main holidays – Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc. The marking contains the word Russ, or Russ Berrie. Also, many of Russ Berrie decorations produced in Hong Kong in 1990-2000s, have the according labeling.
Noteworthy, Russell was a great philanthropist who entered the list of 40 most generous Americans in 1998. According to him, “there is nothing more important in life than helping a fellow human being.”
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Maltese Cross pendant. Gold tone alloy, multicolor rhinestones. Bijoux Terner vintage costume jewelry

Bijoux Terner vintage costume jewelry
The history of Terner costume jewelry began in 1974, when Salomon Terner founded his family business in Miami, Florida. However, before founding Terner jewelry company, he was already a successful businessman.
Born and raised in Cuba, Salomon came to the United States in the early 1960s. Turner started the business of making handbags for airline flight attendants, and and succeeded in this.
Even after starting a jewelry and accessories company, Turner continued to manufacture bags and accessories. Helping her father, his daughter Rosa soon joined the family business. The company has expanded and grown steadily over a decade, opening retail stores, and gaining an international recognition. Mostly, boutiques were opened at airports, cruise ships and even casinos around the world.
Noteworthy, many renowned jewelers and companies created costume jewelry for Terner. In particular, DeLiza & Elster.
Since 1986, the company has changed several names and owners, opening divisions in different countries. Among them – Bijoux Terner Partnership, Bijoux Nouveau, Inc., Bijoux Terner LLC., and others. Finally, Bahraini private company Arcapita acquired Bijoux Terner in 2006 for $ 90 million.
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Crescent face brooch. Sterling silver, moonstones. 1990s. Nicky Butler vintage costume jewelry

Nicky Butler vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American jewelry brand Nicky Butler began over twenty years ago, in 1998. However, Nicky Butler himself was already a world famous designer before moving to the United States. Starting in the late 1960s as antique jewelry trader, in partnership with Simon Wilson, they opened their first boutique in London in 1972. Thanks to their designer and businessman talents, in ten years, Butler & Wilson became international. Also, successful advertising and attraction of celebrities contributed to the success of the company.
In the late 1980s, the famous designers no longer worked together, and Butler moved to the United States. Butler launched his own brand Nicky Butler in Los Angeles, California in 1998. Then followed the renewed “NB Nicky Butler” in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2008.
Noteworthy, Nicky Butler jewelry is produced in many countries of the world, including the USA, France and India. Accordingly, the marking includes “NB” and “Made in France”, or India, etc. Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen use semi-precious stones, silver and gilding, creating exquisite jewelry worthy of museums.
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Lemon brooch pin. Gold plated metal alloy, rhinestones, art glass. 7 cm. 1990s. Signed Loran vintage costume jewelry

Signed Loran vintage costume jewelry
Maria Rivero (born July 1958) began creating costume jewelry long before she founded her first jewelry trademark Loran. Incorporated in 1996, in Lake Peekskill, a city in Westchester County, New York, Loran jewelry ceased to exist in 2004.
Initially, the company produced crystal and glass jewelry, watch bands, chains, bracelets, cases for jewelry and other accessories. In addition to costume jewelry, the company produced cigarette lighters and snuff boxes of precious metal, medallions, clocks, jewelry and decorative boxes of precious metal. Most notable are her exquisite fruit series jewelry pices made of glass. The designer marked her pieces with a copyright sign and a beautiful stamp in the shape of a crown with open heart edges and “Loran” word inside it.
Noteworthy, at the same time she launched another jewelry trademark – Outrageous Orbs. Both trademarks ceased to exist in 2004. According to Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark (18 January 2005), since 2005 she owned Queen of Hearts trademark.
Currently, Maria Rivero-Loran (aka Maria Concepcion Rivero) lives in Miami, Florida.
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Drummer clown gold tone mother of pearl brooch pin. 1950s. Signed Volupte vintage costume jewelry

Signed Volupte vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American jewelry company Volupte Inc., registered in Elizabeth, New Jersey, began 90 years ago, in 1932. Initially, the company produced vanity cases, elegant powder compacts, purses, and cigarette cases, and this brought them success. In addition, they started to produce accessories and costume jewelry. The business expanded, and already in 1945, the company registered its subsidiary Volupte Inc. at 347 Fifth Avenue New York 10016 NY.
Traditionally, Volupte craftsmen used gold and silver tone metals alloys, transparent rock crystal, multi-colored rhinestones, and sometimes enamel. The marking includes the word “Volupté” in block capital letters, and without the copyright symbol. Notably, the copyright mark on jewelry appeared after 1946.
By the way, French word “Volupté” means “enjoyment”, or “pleasure”. Undoubtedly, it is a great pleasure and delight to have this company’s jewelry.
Some of their figural brooches and bracelets, influenced by oriental and Art Deco style, adorn the pages of vintage jewelry reference books. In particular, Judith Miller’s jewelry guide. Exquisite design, meticulous attention to detail, use of high quality materials and handicraft have made these items highly collectible. Quality jewelry that has stood the test of time, and the price of which will increase every year.
Noteworthy, the Attleboro, MA-based jewelry company Shields, Inc acquired Volupte in late 1950s. Thus, incorporated on 26 August 1932, Volupte Inc. ceased to exist in 1957.
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Square shaped textured gold brooch pendant. Lester Green vintage costume jewelry (1973-1985)

Lester Green vintage costume jewelry
The history of American costume jewelry trademark “Lester Green” began about fifty years ago in Florida. Founded in February 1973, Lester A. Green, Inc was a family business of Lester Arthur Green (1945-2007), and Patty J. Green. The Bradenton Florida based company operated until the mid-1980s.
After working for more than a decade, Lester has created exquisite artisan costume jewelry pieces that are now rare. Skillfully handcrafted, these unique classic and modernist pieces are now collectible vintage. Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys of silver and gold tone, as well as bronze, silver, gold, art glass, faux pearls and glass cabochons.
Noteworthy, the marking on the back of each item consists of two rectangles with the words “Lester” and “Green” separately written in an uppercase stylized font.
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