Kaleidoscope effect

Butterfly brooch. Gold tone, enamel, rhinestones. Gem Craft vintage costume jewelry

Gem Craft vintage costume jewelry

The history of Gem Craft jewelry began after the WWII, when Gene Verrecchia (Gene Verri) founded his own jewelry company in Providence, RI in 1945. By that time he had worked as Coro’s lead designer for more than 30 years. His hands created real masterpieces for Coro, that’s why even having his company, he continued working for Coro.
Originally called Craftsman, then Sample Art, he produced his own lines of jewelry as well as designed jewellery for famous jewelry companies and designers of the time. In particular, for Oscar de la Renta, Kenneth Jay Lane, Capri, R. Mandle, Tancer, Kramer, and Cadoro.
Thanks to bright expressive jewelry designs, created mostly in the 1950-80s, the company flourished. Traditionally labeled, all Gem-Craft Corp decorations used a Craft stamp with a copyright sign since 1979.
Signed Gem Craft high quality jewelry of this brand is very rare, collectible, and the price of it will increase each year.
Noteworthy, talented designer Gene Verri actively worked until his death at age 101 on December 30, 2013.
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Barbie doll in a red dress embellished with golden glitter plastic brooch-pin. Hand painted. 1995. Hallmark cards vintage costume jewelry

Hallmark cards vintage costume jewelry
The history of American jewelry brand Hallmark Cards began in the 1960s, although private company HALLMARK began its activity in Kansas in 1910. The company has become famous worldwide as one of the largest manufacturers of greeting cards.
First, it was Joyce Hall alongside with his brother, who began to import cards from Europe, and then print beautiful Christmas cards. In addition to printed products and wrapping paper, the company produced gifts and Christmas-tree decorations. Also, starting in the 1960s, the company began producing cute costume jewelry.
Traditionally, Hallmark costume jewelry focuses on family values. In particular, decorations for birthday, Mother’s Day, family, faith and love stories. Made with the use of bakelite, metal alloy, porcelain, plastic and enamel – all jewelry pieces are made by hand.
The marking on the back can include HMK CDS, as well as full stamp “Hallmark Cards”.
Noteworthy, the company has registered about twenty trademarks on production of costume jewelry. In particular, “Just For You” (1982-1990), “The Finishing Touch” (1981-1989), “Accents” (1979-1988), “Aura By Hallmark” (1977-1984), “Pretty Piggies” (1990-91), Yum Yums (1990-1998), Color Gear (1986-1991), etc.
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Rose brooch. Textured alloy, gold plated, crystals. 6 cm. Capri vintage costume jewelry

Capri vintage costume jewelry
The history of Capri jewelry brand began seventy years ago in the very heart of New York, on Fifth Avenue. Incorporated in 1952, Capri Jewelry Co ceased to exist in 1977. According to sources, the owner of the company was Sol Smith. For its 25-year-old history, the company has produced limited editions collections of very high quality and unique design.
Noteworthy, Capri collaborated with many famous brands, for example, Florenza. Besides, DeNikola had been part of it from 1960 until 1973. The company released its latest collection in 1977 and ceased to exist. Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult to find Capri jewels, so Capri jewelry is rare and much appreciated by collectors.
Until 1955, Capri Jewelers marked their decorations “Capri”, and after 1955 they added a copyright sign. Also, advertising companies took place in 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1965 and 1977.
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A couple of birds enameled brooch. 3.3 cm. Roman vintage costume jewelry

Roman vintage costume jewelry (1953-1998)
First used in commerce in 1953, the official history of Roman jewelry trademark began in 1973. The trademark owner was a designer of fashion jewelry Roman Co., based in St Louis, MO. Among other owners were St. Louis based company TSI Accessory Group, Inc., and Roman & Sunstone, LLC, based in Pine Brook, NJ.
Known for its performance, Roman produced bijoux skillfully imitating expensive jewelry. Collectors of vintage costume jewelry appreciate excellent quality of materials which has always distinguished Roman jewelry.
The company craftsmen used high quality materials, including gold plating and art glass imitating precious gems. Also, genuine Austrian crystals, mother of pearl, multicolor enamel and rhinestones. The earliest marking included the word “roman” in small letters separated by a space. Since 1973 the marking consisted of the word “Roman” in capital letters.
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‘Stubborn Donkey’ brooch. 1940s. Signed Mexico vintage costume jewelry

Signed Mexico vintage costume jewelry
Mexico is a generic label adopted for all silver jewelry made in Mexico. Next to it is the mark of the master and the sample. Also, the name of the city, for example, Taxco. According to the law of Mexico, all silver products of this country, regardless of whether they were made by the master “on the knee” or at the factory, since 1948, must have stamp “Made in Mexico” or “Mexico” and sample.
With this stamp you can find out the years jewelry production. Anyway, Mexican vintage jewelry contains high quality 925 sterling silver.
The vintage jewelry market offers Mexican silver jewelry inlaid with abalone – most common in the sale. As a rule, these jewelry pieces feature traditional theme of the Indians with fancy patterns and ornaments. Traditionally, most silver items demonstrate visible high-quality work of the master. Noteworthy, the older the decoration is and the harder the pattern of abalone – the more expensive is the product.
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Garden flower brooch. Enamel, crystals, glass cabochons, brass, gold plated. Michal Golan handcrafted jewelry art

Michal Golan handcrafted jewelry art
The history of Michal Golan jewelry trademark began in 1982 in New York. Its founder – American artist and designer from Israel Michal Golan. According to Golan, she finds inspiration in the Victorian era, Byzantium and the Middle East art. The second source of her inspiration is the visual richness that she encounters in her everyday life. Perhaps, that’s why her bright and elegant jewelry pieces is wearable art.
Traditionally, she uses various metals, gold and silver tone alloys, gold plating, brass and pewter. Unusual in their beauty and elegance, flowers and patterns are framed in round, oval, triangular and rectangular shapes. Combining geometry, beauty of nature, fantasy and high craftsmanship, she made her jewelry popular with lovers of costume jewelry.
Created by Michal Golan collections include various themes – Cosmic, Earth, Icicle, Lilac, Hamsas, Menorahs, etc.
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Ancient dancer (Egyptian motif) articulated legs vintage brooch. Gold and silver tone, enamel. Polcini Ledo vintage costume jewelry

Polcini Ledo vintage costume jewelry
The history of Polcini jewelry brand began in 1911 in Mamaroneck, not far from New York. Its founder, Ralph Polcini moved from Italy to America at the beginning of the last century and began producing fine jewelry.
In 1949 he renamed his company into a “Leading Jewelry Manufacturing Company” and changed the mark to Ledo. Thanks to these renames, one can quite accurately determine the age of a particular decoration. Thus, in 1949 his jewelry items included Ledo marks with capital letters. Decorations made from 1949 to 1962 had the name of the brand and the year of manufacture. Since the beginning of the 1960s, the marking included Polcini stamp.
Anyway, Polcini and Ledo marked pieces are genuine rarities.
Made by hand and with great skill and high quality, his jewelry surpassed many competitors. Traditionally, the craftsmen used high quality materials including silver, and gold plating, fine rhinestones, and natural stones.
Ralph Polcini died in 1954, and his son Damon took over the company. Proud of his family business, Damon returned the name Polcini to the company in 1960.
Incorporated in 1911, Polcini jewelry company ceased to exist in the early 1980s.
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