English vintage Kigu costume jewelry

1950s Art Deco Style Marcasite brooch. Kigu costume jewelry

English vintage Kigu costume jewelry (1939-1980)

Hungarian hereditary jeweler Gustav Kiashek, the son the famous master goldsmith Josef Kiashek, lived in Budapest. Initially, he produced compacts in his own workshop. Gustav had three sons – Charles, Paul and George. The eldest son, Charles moved to London and successfully worked as a goldsmith. Meanwhile, the youngest son, George moved to London where he founded his own jewelry company in 1939. He named it Kigu after his father Gustav Kiashek having used the first two letters of his surname and forename.
For about half a century, Kigu produced costume quality pieces that have stood the test of time. However, in the 1980s another famous company, known for their compact and dressing table trinkets, as well as their brooches, bought Kigu.
Traditionally, Kigu jewelers created high quality costume decorations with lots of design and filigree details, marcasite, rich gold plating, rhinestones and stunning gems.