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Category Archive: Vintage

Marked Siam vintage costume jewelry

Marked Siam vintage costume jewelry

Native Siamese female dancer brooch. Sterling silver, multi color enamel. 1930s. Marked Siam vintage costume jewelry

Marked Siam vintage costume jewelry
The jewelry hallmarked Siam is truly unique and rare, due to the fact that the legendary kingdom of Siam ceased to exist in 1932. Officially renamed in 1932, after the change of state regime, the kingdom finally disappeared seven years later. For many centuries Siam was located on the territory of present-day Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Now these are several independent states. Noteworthy, along with the excellent antique jewelry made of high quality silver, you also get a piece of world history.
The beauty and grace of silver jewelry from Siam has won the hearts of aesthetes for several centuries. Caskets, vases, cigarette cases, knives, cutlery, and of course, a variety of jewelry have become collectible.
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Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry

Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry

Anchor brooch. Metal alloy, blue and white crystals. 1980s. Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry

Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry
“A strong piece of jewelry can make a simple outfit look elegant.” Armani
According to the famous Italian designer, accessories are important and becoming more and more important
every day.
Called the “Chanel of the 1980s”, Armani introduced his trademark in 1974. He perfectly guessed the need of the modern woman and offered her his bold jewelry design. So, jewelry became larger, catchy, reflecting the status of a woman. The 1980s working woman, in her archetypal guise, wanted jewelry that would be practical, beautiful and comfortable to wear to fit her busy schedule. With the return of coats and jackets to fashion, rarely used in the 1970s brooches became popular. Large, catchy multi-colored earrings – clusters or dangling ones – were the best suited to modern short haircuts.
His jewelry displays elegance and quality. Rings, necklaces and bracelets are stylish and vibrant, gold and silver blends beautifully with the sparkle of gemstones. For the production of accessories, the craftsmen used wood or plastic, plexiglass, multi-colored beads, sparkling stones that often resemble marble.
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White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry

White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry

Flower brooch. Gold filled metal, crystals, glass cabochon. 8 cm. 1940s. White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry

White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry
The history of White Manufacturing Company Inc began in North Attleboro Massachusetts in the late 1920s. They were known as manufacturers of links, fancy neck chains in rolled gold plate and sterling silver. Also, the company produced scarf pins, cuff and bar pins, tie clasps, pendants and brooches.
According to sources, the first White Co branded jewelry from this company appeared in 1928.
The traditional jewelry designs of this brand are amazing and beautiful, like this Art Nouveau-style marked brooch. The curving stem is adorned with two metal flowers, a transparent crystal of the bud and, finally, a magical flower with six petals. The turquoise blue crystals in the center shimmer with gold – this is the effect of the brass-colored metal, in which the crystals are framed.
Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used 12 K gold, sterling silver, indicating this in the marking on the back of the product – “White Co” followed by 1/20 12K. We can say briefly about the design of jewelry – discreet luxury in high quality crystals, rhinestones and cabochons that imitate natural stones.
The exact date of the closure of the company is unknown, presumably the 1950s.
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Signed Chico’s vintage costume jewelry

Signed Chico's vintage costume jewelry

Vintage brooch in the shape of a twig with wide leaves and beaded berries. Bronze tone alloy, faux pearls, multi-colored crystals. 8 cm. 1990s. Signed Chico’s vintage costume jewelry

Signed Chico’s vintage costume jewelry
American brand Chico’s manufactures clothing and accessories for women. Described as a bright classic, the brand offers beautiful, stylish things, kept mostly in calm colors, with soft lines and modest finishes.
According to the company’s history, it was Marvin and Helene Gralnick, Guadalajara, Mexico based creative duo who founded Chico’s brand in 1983. Initially, it was not a jewelry brand, but a Mexican folk art gift shop located on Sanibel Island, Florida. Helene named the shop Chico’s Folk Art Specialties after her friend’s pet parrot, Chico. Two years later, in 1985 they opened one more boutique in Florida. Next, followed other stores and boutiques – by 1992 they had 60 of them. In 1989, the company shortened its name to Chico’s FAS (Folk Art Specialties).
Noteworthy, in 1999, the company began online sales at Chicos.com. However, Chico’s contemporary collections include mainly women’s clothing, bags, accessories, and a little jewelry that can be described as understated luxury. Ladies who prefer a discreet and feminine style will highly appreciate the collections of this brand.
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Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry

Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry

White Lucite Poinsettia Flower Christmas tree brooch. Gold tone alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 1990s. Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry

Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry
Established in Cranston, Rhode Island in 1995, Lianna Inc., despite the short period of time, became famous. In particular, for its high quality enamel hand crafted brooches. The company mainly specialized in the production of Christmas motif, fairy tale and toy motif jewelry. There were classic designs though. Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used jewelry alloy of gold and silver tones, blackening and hand-painted multi-colored enamels. Also, lucite, rhinestones and Swarovski crystals. All decorations have hallmark LIA and a copyright sign. The company, which produced expressive, funny and very cute handcrafted jewelry ceased to exist in 2003. Now collectible, the cost of these costume decorations will increase every year.
Noteworthy, there are two jewelry brands “LIANNA, INC” and “Lia Sophia” which are often confused. In fact, they are two different companies that have worked in different styles and techniques.
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Signed L’Officiel vintage costume jewelry

Signed L'Officiel vintage costume jewelry

Vase of flowers vintage brooch. Gold tone metal, art glass, rhinestones, faux pearls. 1970s. Signed L’Officiel vintage costume jewelry

L’Officiel vintage costume jewelry
Italian luxury jewelry of the famous brand L`0fficiel is exquisite bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and brooches of amazing beauty. A unique factory of craft jewelry and fashion accessories began its work in 1950 in Rome. In their works, the craftsmen used only natural and anti-allergenic metal alloys, Swarovski stones of excellent quality, rhinestones and enamels. Traditionally, all jewelry has the L`OFFICIEL made Italy label and the copyright mark. Undoubtedly, the products of this company in quality and workmanship are on a par with such iconic brands as Valentino and DG.
Noteworthy, the company, created in 1950, is still operating, but it no longer produces such jewelry (the official website does not offer jewelry either). The most common are large runway jewelry – very beautiful beaded necklaces created in the period of 1970-80s. They are a rarity coveted by collectors and lovers of vintage costume jewelry.
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Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry

Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry

Basket of flowers brooch. Sterling silver, glass cabochon, rhinestones. Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry

Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry
Originally, Ralph Neri and Julio Marsella founded the Marner Jewelry Company in 1946. Located on Empire Street in Providence, Rhode Island, the company occupied three small rooms above the windows of the Harris Furs store. However, Neri soon left the company and Julio became the sole owner of the business.
Julio’s organizational skills and talent allowed him to expand the business and make the company prosperous. The company moved to the second and third floors of the Westminster building at 43 Hospital Street, just opposite Coro. The Marner craftsmen worked hard on the production of jewelry, and in 1953 the company moved to a large factory on Harris Avenue.
Traditionally, the markings included Jewels by Julio, or Julio Marsella, or Marner. Noteworthy, although they labeled some pieces “Marner”, most of their decorations were created for such well-known jewelry companies as Hobe, Hattie Carnegie, Kramer and others.
Unfortunately, the mid-1950s saw a downturn in business that affected all Providence jewelry manufacturers, including Marner. Julio was unable to pay taxes and payments to creditors, so he was forced to close the company in 1957. Despite Julio attempting to save his business by picking orders in New York City, local authorities did not allow him to enter the factory. It was the end of Julio Marsella’s jewelry business, as he opened a small shop selling metal figurines and paperweights.
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