The king and queen paired brooch- chatelain (jeweler Urie Mandle), 1947. Sterling silver, enamel, glass, vintage rhinestones, gold-plated. 4 cm. Urie and Robert Mandle vintage costume jewelry

Mandle vintage costume jewelry

Mandle brand jewelery, produced in limited editions and executed with the highest level of craftsmanship, is undoubtedly a valuable acquisition for vintage jewelery collectors.
According to sources, the founder of the jewelers’ dynasty, Urie Mandle emigrated to America from Germany in the early 1920s. First, he began working as a salesman for the E. Cohn & Company, later renamed Cohn and Rosenberger, and then Coro. In the mid 1930s Urie Mandle joined Lisner, which at the time produced watches, gifts, hat pins, beads, etc. The task of Urie was to launch a line of jewelery in collaboration with local manufacturers. Prior to this, most Lisner jewelry was produced by European partners, in particular, Whiting and Davis made bracelets for Lisner.
Noteworthy, Urie Mandle left Lisner and founded his own company – Urie Mandle Corporation (1938), which began to specialize in the manufacture of costume jewelry. Meanwhile, for four years, the company has achieved unprecedented success, collaborated with the largest stores and became one of the most famous in its industry, after Coro. Robert Mandle, the son of Urie, also joined the family business, leaving a higher paying job of the film director.
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Black cat brooch. 1970s. Jewelry alloy, rhinestones, enamel. 4.5 cm. Steinmetz SFJ vintage costume jewelry

SFJ vintage costume jewelry
There is very little information about American jewelry company which produced costume jewelry marked SFJ. However, there are lots of beautiful vintage decorations marked SFJ, mostly brooches created in 1970s. Traditionally, the main inspiration for SFJ jewelry – Christmas, Halloween, and St. Valentine’s Day holidays. Besides, the common feature of all jewelry pieces – gold tone jewelry alloy, or brass, and enamel of bright colors.
According to some sources, abbreviation SFJ means Stephen’s Fine Jewelry. However, other sources mention SFJ as the trademark for R Steinmetz & Sons, the American company registered in Mumbai. Also, some sources mention the third person, whose original initials were S.F. and after the jeweler got married, she added the letter “J” to her label.
And I would be very grateful for any additional information about SFJ jewelry brand history.
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Siamese dancer brooch, copy of brooch by Marcel Boucher. Jewelry alloy, cabochons, enamel, rhinestones. Christopher Radko costume jewelry

Christopher Radko costume jewelry
Talented Belgian decorator, Christopher Radko became famous mostly for the design of Christmas tree decorations. He founded his company in 1985, satisfying his own need for collecting intricate, expensive and “unnecessary” things. Meanwhile, by 2003 Christopher Radko’s annual cash flow reached as much as $ 50 million! Noteworthy, “early Radko” prices on the secondary market can reach up to $ 1000 for one Christmas tree decoration! Both, “mere mortals” and world-scale stars prefer his decorations. In particular, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, Kim Basinger, Elizabeth Taylor, John Travolta, Robert de Niro, Barbara Streisand, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others.
Having mastered the production of high-quality Christmas-tree decorations according to old sketches, the designer began producing costume jewelry. First, it was the Christmas theme, and then limited edition copies of well-known ornaments that Christopher himself liked. In particular, the “Siamese Dancer” – the famous brooch by Marcel Boucher, produced in various versions.
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Lovely floral brooch. Sterling silver filigree, onyx. Star-Art vintage costume jewelry

Star-Art vintage costume jewelry
First of all, there is very little information about the company producing costume jewelry under the Star Art brand, that is, it is practically absent. And it is very strange, given the high quality and filigree work of these vintage decorations. The confirmed by time quality – indeed, the rare Star Art sparkling decorations have survived to our days. They are unusually beautiful and have retained their original look. Meanwhile, these products are more than half a century old! In fact, the American Star-Art company existed for about 40 years – from the 1940s to the 1980s. As a rule, Star art masters used sterling silver (indicated on the stamp on the reverse side), sometimes with gilding, or with a wired coating that gives silver strength and prevents oxidation. An important element of each product is filigree details made of sterling silver. Also, by all means an abundance of transparent crystals or, and multi-color rhinestones. Traditionally, the Star art motif of costume jewelery is floral and leaf patterns, bows, hearts, and classic curlicues.
Finally, all Star Art products are rare and desirable for vintage jewelry collectors.
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Daisies Vintage Brooch Duet. Worn as a brooch and clips, or just a brooch (the photo below). Goldtone jewelry alloy. Decorated with rhinestones. Brooch size 8 cm, clips 3 cm. Cookie Lee vintage costume jewelry

Cookie Lee vintage costume jewelry
Having started her own business 33 years ago, Cookie Lee became a head and chief designer of Cookie Lee Inc. in 1985. According to the founder herself, the main idea was to earn money while staying home with her children, Steven and Katie. Meanwhile, as her business grew, she decided to give an opportunity for other moms like her, to build their own business with her. California based, Cookie Lee has become a direct sales company offered to the public since 1992.
Now, nearly 25 years later, thousands of Cookie Lee Consultants successfully make their business selling fashionable and affordable jewelry through home fundraisers and office shows.
However, exploring the sources of information available on the Internet, I’ve found – the last activity of the company relates to 2014. Website and social network pages are no longer available. Cookie Lee is no longer in business, and early jewelry pieces created by her has become vintage collectibles.
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Skiing Snowman Christmas brooch. Jewelry alloy of gold tone, enamel. Christmas inspired Mylu vintage costume jewelry

Mylu vintage costume jewelry
All these vintage goldtone brooches labeled Mylu create a special mood of expectation of a wonderful holiday – Christmas. Skiing Snowman, singing angel, sparkling Xmas trees, sledges, raindeers and gits – traditional Mylu Christmas motifs. At the same time, all these costume decorations of the last century are nostalgia for a bygone era.
Founded by Lynne Gordon and Marge Borofsky in the 60s, Mylu Design Company produced very high-quality jewelry. Noteworthy, even after many years this jewelry looks like new, thanks to the materials used and scrupulous manufacturing techniques. In 1968, Mylu joined the famous Coro and became its division. Coro and Mylu jointly released several collections, mostly Christmas and New Year decorations. In 1970 the Mylu brand ceased to exist, so these decorations are rare, and have a collection value.

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Silver flower vintage brooch. Sterling silver, rhinestones. Leo Glass vintage costume jewelry

Leo Glass vintage costume jewelry
Founded by Leo Glass in September, 1928, Leo Glass & Company Inc. produced costume jewelry of the highest quality, sold in the best shops. According to sources, Leo Glass himself had worked for Lisner jewelry company for 10 years before starting his own company. Their first decorations produced in 1929, included such collections as “Season’s Sensation” and Hawaian Lei Motif Jewelry.” The designers who worked in the company – Leo Glass, Anne Glass, Beatrice Glass, and David Mir (since 1941), who previously worked at Trifari.
Gradually, jewelry designers began producing low cost jewelry affordable for any woman, using clear rhinestones, sterling silver and jewelry alloy. However, in the second half of the 1940s, originality and quality of products fell to an average level. Located in New York City, Leo Glass & Company Inc. went bankrupt in 1957 auctioned off on August 27, 1957.
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