Sunburst brooch pendant. 24 K gold plated. 5.5 cm. 1980s. Metropolitan museum of art MMA vintage costume jewelry

Metropolitan museum of art MMA vintage costume jewelry
For several decades, many large museums have been producing varied collections of jewelry, based on ancient jewelry, paintings, and objects of decorative and applied art stored in museum collections. Some of the most famous are the jewelry collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) and the National Gallery of Art (NGA). Earrings, necklaces, brooches with the markings of these museums (MFA, MMA, NGA) have long been collectibles. Some of them have become real collectible rarities and are in great demand among collectors and fans of costume jewelry.
Traditionally made as copies of museum originals, they demonstrate high quality workmanship and the use of high-quality materials. In particular, silver, high-quality jewelry alloys, expensive crystals, pearls, gold (14, 22, 24 K) and colored enamels.
New York based MMA International, Inc. has founded more than thirty trademarks since 1976, including five jewelry trademarks. Among them, in particular, MMA (1976), Venus Earrings (1992), Silver Stars (1996), AHM (1998), and Story Beads (2010).
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Fish brooch. Jelly Belly, goldtone metal, rhinestones. Early 1990s. Signed Jesara vintage costume jewelry

Jesara vintage costume jewelry
A family business of Aram and Jessica Kalfian, JESARA JEWELRY, INC. was registered in the Register of the state of Connecticut under the legal form of Stock. Established on 2nd May 1989, the company had worked for a short period, and ceased to exist in 1999.
Despite such a short period of work, the products of this New York based company were comparable in quality and design with such fashion icons as Givenchy, Dior and Kenneth Jane Lane. Traditionally, the masters of this company used alloys of gold and silver tones that mimic precious metals. Also, lucite and art glass, rhinestones and cabochons. High-quality vintage costume jewelry of this company has become collectible and highly sought after for lovers of vintage jewelry.
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Funny frog with umbrella vintage brooch. Polished Silver tone metal, black rhinestones (eyes), crystal. Signed Best vintage costume jewelry

Signed Best vintage costume jewelry
A chain of American catalog showroom retail stores, Best (also known as BEST Products) was founded by Sydney and Frances Lewis in 1957. Originally headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company went out of business in 1997. The Lewises sent out their first catalog and the first showroom at 4909 West Marshall Street in Richmond, in 1957. By 1956 (the bankruptcy time) the company had 11 Best Jewelry stores in 23 states, and a nationwide mail-order service. 1992-1993 catalog featured jewelry pieces alongside with watches, pens, Sunglasses, luggage, electronics, lamps, toys and sporting goods.
Costume jewelry of this company has its own unique style, which allows these jewelry to become a rarity and collectible. Characteristic was the use of two metals in one jewelry piece – silver and gold tone metal, the brilliance and texture of which were close to precious metals. Also, the masters used pearlescent enamels, lucite and sometimes a very small amount of rhinestones and crystals. Traditionally, the jewelry of this company has the marking BEST in italics on the reverse side.
The thematic focus of design – festive and patriotic symbols – angels, flags, Halloween symbols, Easter and Christmas figures, as well as animal figures.
Noteworthy, there is another jewelry trademark Best by Astoria, NY based company DME Industries, Inc. First used in 1972, the trademark is still active. However, the company’s marking differs – it is in bock letters and in rectangular frame.
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1960s brooch of circle shape with changeable charms as the symbols of four seasons – winter, spring, summer and autumn. Gold tone textured metal, enamel, plastic. Dubarry Fifth Avenue DFA vintage costume jewelry

Dubarry Fifth Avenue DFA vintage costume jewelry
Named after the famous French Du Barry jewels, Dubarry Fifth Avenue, an American costume jewelry company, began operating in the early 1940s. However, after two decades of successful work, in the mid-1960s, the New York-based company ceased to exist.
Traditionally, the masters of this company used metal alloys of gold and silver tones, enamel, rhinestones and semiprecious stones for the production of costume jewelry. Initially, the decorations were supplied with paper tags, but later they began to be marked with DFA, or Dubarry DFA on the back side.
High quality workmanship allowed DFA to cooperate with the most famous jewelry companies of that time. In particular, Goldette and Napier, for whom the DFA produced several series of jewelry. At the moment, the jewelry of this company is vintage and highly collectible.
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Christmas theme bunny in the snow forest framed brooch with dangling bird, pinecone and holly leaf. Marjolein Bastin MB vintage costume jewelry

Marjolein Bastin MB vintage costume jewelry
The Dutch artist, writer and jewelry designer Marjolein Bastin (b. 1943) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts (Arnhem, Netherlands). In 1974, the young artist began working with the Dutch women’s magazine Libelle, with which she continues to work until now. In parallel, she was engaged in writing.
Since the early 1990s, Marjolein began working with several American companies, including Hallmark, which produces postcards, stationery, calendars, souvenirs and jewelry. So, from the beginning of the 1990s, alongside with illustrations and drawings the artist began creating jewelry designs. These designs included an incredible amount of small details – flowers, insects, birds, butterflies and entire sets of the gardener. The ability to notice and carefully depict the smallest details of each plot is precisely the corporate identity of Bastin.
Hallmark artist Bastin created her jewelry pieces for 10 years, mostly in the 1990s. Now these decorations are vintage and highly collectible. Traditionally, they have two markings “Bastin” and the year of manufacture on the back side of decoration, and two letters MB, often on the front side.
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Sun face, Moon and stars dangle earrings. Brass and sterling silver. 1990s. Susan L Richardson vintage costume jewelry

Susan L Richardson vintage costume jewelry

British by birth, American artist Susan L. Richardson has the sense of humor that is inherent in the English. Perhaps, this feeling helped her create a series of whimsical jewelry. In particular, the series of earrings “Stick it in your ear”, which she created in 1989.
However, as a jewelry designer she was active for a short period, during 1989 – late 1990s. The features that make her jewelry unique is, first of all, artisan performance, the so-called “art to wear”. Besides, these handmade statement jewelry pieces are multi-layered, with many figures and plots, charms and dangles. Traditionally, she signed her decorations with full name “Susan L. Richardson” and the year of manufacture. Creating her jewelry she used mixed metal – solid brass, antiqued with brass and sterling silver. Also, she used semi-precious stones and crystals.
The professional artist and designer, she sold her high-quality museum-worth works in art galleries. Made at the end of the 20th century, these vintage brooches, earrings and jewelry sets are now highly collectible.
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Bird in flight brooch. Gold tone metal, abalone inserts. Signed Duri vintage costume jewelry

Duri vintage costume jewelry
Located in New Jersey, Duri is currently a well known provider of jewelry service in Plainfield. Incorporated in the 1960s, the company known for high quality handmade costume jewelry ceased to exist in the 1980s.
Noteworthy, in 2000 the Duri brand was registered again as the Jewelers-Retail in 249 E Front St, the Plainfield, the New Jersey 07060. According to sources, its current owner is Chris Yi.
Produced in 1960-1980s decorations represent beautiful Art Deco & Art Nouveau revival pieces. The design feature of this brand is geometric shapes, clean lines, art deco and modernist style, as well as the use of abalone shells and mother of pearl along with pewter and alloys of silver and gold tone. Thanks to this, handmade jewelry of this brand has a specific, characteristic and easily recognizable style. Also, vintage decorations of this brand are quite rare, and have a collection value that will increase every year.
Traditionally, the markings on the back side of each product include Duri brand name with copyright sign.
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