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Jewellery kaleidoscope

Lisa Sotilis unique jewelry art

Lisa Sotilis unique jewelry art

Gold floral design pendant. 1970s. Lisa Sotilis unique jewelry art

Lisa Sotilis unique jewelry art
The world famous designer of unique authentic jewelry Lisa Sotilis turns 90 this year. Greek artist, sculptor, collector, philanthropist and jeweler, Lisa Sotilis was born on May 18, 1933 in Athens. She studied at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, and Italy became her second home. The many-awarded artist began to participate in exhibitions in the late 1950s, showing her many-sided and unique works of art – sculptures, paintings, home décor accessories, and jewelry.

Noteworthy, the first famous client of the artist was Salvador Dali, who ordered two gold jewelry for his wife Gala. She then signed a contract with Cartier to develop exclusive watch designs. Lisa has worked with many other fashion houses, but her genius is in herself, in the light energy of love that she embodies through her work.

Notable, all Lisa Sotilis jewelry is exclusively handmade. Among her admirers were such celebrities as Andy Warhol and Rudolf Nureyev, with whom the artist was very friendly. Also, Claudia Cardinale, Brigitte Bardot, Annie Girardot, as well as the Iranian Empress Farah Pahlavi, the Belgian Queen Marie-Jose, Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy and other celebrities.
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Lore Garrick modernist silver jewelry

Lore Garrick modernist silver jewelry

Geometric design sterling silver brooch pin and earrings. Lore Garrick modernist silver jewelry (1950-70s)

Lore Garrick modernist silver jewelry
Renowned New York artist, art collector and jeweler Mrs. Harvey E. Garrick (1920-2013), also known as Lieselotte Lore Garrick, created modernist jewelry in the 1950-70s. She had a shop in midtown Manhattan where she sold her brooches, earrings, bracelets and pendants made from sterling silver, copper and brass. She signed her hand wrought pieces with capital letters LORE.

One of the sons of Lieselotte Lore Garrick and her husband Harvey E. Garrick (1925–1995) joined the Hare Krishna movement in 1968. This inspired Lore Garrick to create jewelry for the Hare Krishna movement in Los Angeles. Noteworthy, the designer has since become known as Mother Lore.

Drawing inspiration from the art of the indigenous peoples of Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala, Mother Lore had an extensive collection of artifacts and figurines from the pre-Colombian period, which she and her husband donated to the National Museum of the American Indian in the 1970s. Among the donated objects were figurines of animals and humans made of carved jade, which could be used as pendants or earrings.
Mother Lore died in 2013 at the age of 93.
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Signed Chelsea vintage pewter jewelry

Signed Chelsea vintage pewter jewelry

Two cats pewter brooch pin. Signed Chelsea vintage pewter jewelry

Chelsea vintage pewter jewelry
Founded in 1990, Chelsea International Inc is a Canadian-American company with branches in Ontario and Rhode Island. Jewelry production is located in Waterloo (Canada), and Providence (USA).
From angel pet tokens to classic maple leaf brooches, Chelsea jewelers create high quality pewter jewelry in a variety of designs. Traditionally, Chelsea’s jewelry material is hypoallergenic pewter, and sometimes enamel, crystals, or rhinestones. Chelsea jewelry can be the perfect gift for loved ones, friends and colleagues thanks to the variety of designs, humor and good motivation.
The company logo is a dachshund dog. Notably, Canadian-made jewelry very often bears the Chelsea mark in small letters and with a copyright sign, and some American pieces have stamps “Made in the USA”. In addition, the style of trademark word on branded cards for products made in the USA and Canada also differs.
Perhaps the most significant event was in 2007, when Chelsea corporation purchased renowned Jonette Jewelry company. JJ manufactured jewelry in Providence, Rhode Island from 1943 to 2006. Thus, Chelsea added thousands of patented designs to its own lines. In addition, Chelsea has also obtained the rights to produce some Disney characters jewelry.
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Debra Tiffany vintage fashion earrings

Debra Tiffany vintage fashion earrings (1987-1997)

Door knocker design beige enamel gold tone pierced earrings. Debra Tiffany vintage fashion earrings (1987-1997)

Debra Tiffany vintage fashion earrings (1987-1997)
The history of the Debra Tiffany jewelry brand began more than 35 years ago in Houston, Texas, and lasted for a decade. Founded in December 1987, Resins Unlimited Inc. for the production of fashion jewelry ceased to exist in 1997. It was a family business founded by Debra Tiffany Hollingshead (b. 1952). Noteworthy, Debra Tiffany owned two companies registered at the same address in Houston. Her first company United States Sales Inc (incorporated in November 1986) also went out of business in 1997.
Debra Tiffany’s collections have traditionally included hypo-allergenic screw-back earrings, clip earrings, stud earrings and pierced earrings. Made as dangle drop, doorknocker, or button shape earrings, the design amaze with variety of designs and colors. Bright statement earrings with geometric, floral and filigree designs, were sold on black branded cards. The cards in particular, contained information about the lifetime guarantee and the address of the company. The materials used in creation of earrings were traditional for 1980s fashion jewelry – gold and silver tone alloys, resin, multi-color enamels and faux pearls.
In 2000, Debra T. Hollingshead founded Artistocrat Jewelry Fashion Designers and Estate Collections, LLC with stores opened in Houston. Her company was engaged in retailing accessories, watches, jewelry and clothing for ten years.
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Signed HSB vintage costume jewelry

Signed HSB vintage costume jewelry

Oak leaves and acorns sterling silver brooch. 1980s. Signed HSB vintage costume jewelry

Signed HSB vintage costume jewelry (1948-1993)
The history of the jewelry trade mark “HSB” began in 1948 and lasted for more than forty years. Registered at 542 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, “Harry S. Bick & Son” was a family business founded by Harry S. Bick (1918–1993).
The company’s craftsmen created classic design jewelry typical of the 1940s and 50s – flowers, hearts, leaves, bows, embodied in brooches, pins, necklaces and bracelets. Some of the jewelry, and in particular rose flower brooches and earrings, are striking in their realistic three-dimensional design.
HSB jewelers handcrafted high-quality jewelry with the use of 12-18 K gold, sterling silver, natural stones, carved shell, and cultured pearls. The maker’s mark traditionally includes the initials “HSB” with a line through, as well as a hallmark of gold or sterling.
Harry S. Bick died in 1993 at the age of 75 and his firm ceased to exist.
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Carol Star vintage costume jewelry

Carol Star vintage costume jewelry

Cat with rhinestone eyes brooch of textured gold tone alloy. 1990s. Carol Star vintage costume jewelry

Carol Star vintage costume jewelry (1992-2002)
The history of the Carol Star jewelry brand began in 1992 in Providence, Rhode Island, and lasted only one decade. However, its founder and president, Italian-American Antonio Piccirillo (b. 1952), already had a great experience in creating costume jewelry.
Remarkably, he founded his first jewelry company at the age of 17.
Incorporated in 1969, his first company became Star Creation Inc., located at 45 Dike Street, Providence, Rhode Island. In 1982, Antonio already owned two jewelry companies. His second company, A. Corona Jewelry Inc, was based on Argonne Street, Johnston, RI. So, Carol Star Designs Inc, registered at 45 Dike Street, Providence, Rhode Island in 1994, became his third company.
All three companies ceased to exist in 2004.
Antonio was engaged not only in sales, but also in the design and creation of costume jewelry. The costume jewelry of the Italian master is distinguished by attention to detail, beautiful design, and the use of high quality materials. Traditionally, these are textured metal alloys, silvering and gilding, and rarely enamel and rhinestones. The maker’s mark includes “Carol Star” on an oval or rectangular cartouche and “Made in USA” on oval base.
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Chelsea vintage costume jewelry

Chelsea vintage costume jewelry

Yellow and white enamel gold tone door knocker design dangle pierced earrings. 1980s. Chelsea vintage costume jewelry

Chelsea vintage fashion jewelry (1980s)
In the 1980s, Providence, Rhode Island and its suburbs was the largest jewelry manufacturing center in the US, producing 80% of fashion jewelry. Approximately 1,000 jewelry firms employed about 25,000 people. Notably, the “Made in USA” on the original card or paper tag with the decoration attached actually meant “Made in Providence”.
Although the 1980s was a period of boom in fashion jewelry, the biggest beneficiaries, when costume jewelry sold like hot cakes, were foreign companies located in East Asia – China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Korea. As a result, by the 1990s, thousands of jewelry workers lost their jobs, and hundreds of companies and jewelry stores in Providence closed. One of them was the jewelry firm and boutique Chelsea, which ceased to exist in 1991.
Made in the 1980s, Chelsea’s fashion jewelry, and in particular, large pierced enamel earrings, look amazing. No woman will go unnoticed in these earrings, covered with multicolored luminous enamel. A variety of designs and high quality workmanship make them desirable for lovers of vintage jewelry. The earrings are not marked on the back and were sold on the original brand cards.
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